Social Determinants of Occupational Balance Among Syrian Refugees

Social determinants substantially influence Syrian refugees' occupational balance. Gender disparities, education, and ethnicity are key factors. Policies should prioritize education, social integration, and culturally responsive occupational therapy interventions. Future longitudinal research is needed to examine long-term effects. Plain-Language Summary: Refugees often struggle to find balance in their occupations because of challenges such as limited education and social isolation. This study looked at how different social factors, such as gender, education, ethnicity, and household size, affect the ability of Syrian refugees in Turkey to participate in meaningful occupations. The study found that men had better occupational balance than women, possibly because of cultural restrictions placed on women. Refugees with higher education levels had better balance, whereas those with little or no education struggled the most. Arab refugees had the most difficulty adjusting, whereas Turkish and Turkmen refugees experienced fewer challenges. Larger households were also linked to greater difficulty in maintaining daily routines. These findings highlight the need for education programs, social support, and culturally sensitive occupational therapy interventions to help refugees regain balance in their daily lives. Occupational therapists can use these insights to design better support programs for refugee communities.