The mediating role of coping styles in the impact of perceived discrimination on mental health of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey: The case of Eskisehir

The study examined the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between the perceived discrimination levels and the mental health symptoms of Syrians living under temporary protection in Eskişehir. The sample of the study consists of 365 (210 men, 155 women) Syrians under temporary protection living in Eskişehir. The participants were reached by snowball sampling technique. The data of the study were collected through a short survey that contained Demographic Information Form, Perceived Discrimination Scale, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale and Coping Styles Scale. The findings were analyzed using the SPSS program. The Independent t-test was used to examine whether perceived discrimination, coping styles and mental health symptoms differ according to demographic variables. Pearson Correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination, mental health symptoms and coping styles. Multiple Regression analysis was applied to see the mediating role of coping styles (problem-focused, emotion-focused, dysfunctional, and self-blame). As a result of the correlation analysis, a positive and significant relationship was found between the variables examined. The multiple regression analysis conducted to examine the mediator role revealed that while the dysfunctional coping styles did not have a mediator role, the problem-focused, emotion-focused and self-blame dimensions had a partial mediator role. Keywords: Perceived discrimination, coping styles, Syrians under temporary protection, mental health, PTSD