Exploring the bidirectional relationship between chronic disease and depression among female Syrian refugees and Jordanians: a qualitative analysis

Background: Nearly 700 000 Syrian refugees currently reside in Jordan. Chronic disease and neuropsychiatric conditions are leading contributors of morbidity among refugee and host communities. The bidirectional relationship between depression and chronic disease is not well studied among displaced Syrian or Jordanian women.

Aims: This qualitative study explores the bidirectional relationship between chronic illness and comorbid depression, as well as related themes, among Jordanian and Syrian women with known chronic disease—populations that receive medical care through distinct and evolving health care structures—to assist providers and policy makers in creating culturally sensitive interventions.

Methods: Forty Jordanian women and Syrian refugees with chronic disease were interviewed at four clinical settings in Amman, Jordan. Data collection occurred from June–August 2017. Content analysis was completed with Dedoose, a qualitative coding software.

Results: The majority of Syrian women endorsed a relationship between their chronic disease and depression. Some women felt too depressed to take medication for chronic conditions, while others felt depression contributed to chronic illnesses. Syrian women reported less perceived social support than Jordanian women. Although some Syrians were unable to afford medications, they reported fewer negative health care experiences than Jordanians. Both populations endorsed female-specific hardships impacting their mental health, including the demands of motherhood, household duties, and marital strife.

Conclusion: This study explores the intersection of depression and chronic disease among Syrian and Jordanian women. By documenting stressors and experiences accessing health care, mental health and chronic disease interventions can be integrated and tailored to these populations.

DOI:  10.26719/emhj.21.017