Investigation of social workers' attitudes towards Syrian refugees according to different variables

Forced migration; It is the movement of displacement from one country to another due to war, torture, discrimination, violence and fear. There has been a serious increase in the wave of forced migration in our country due to the civil war in Syria in 2011, especially as a result of the Arab Spring events affecting the Middle East countries. The number of registered Syrian refugees in Turkey is 3.65 million. Although this number necessitates the Turkish society to live tolerantly with the refugees, it is a fact that there are various hate speeches and discrimination against Syrian refugees in our country. The aim of this research is to examine the attitudes of the members of the Social Workers Association towards Syrian refugees, based on the increasing anti-refugee opposition. The research was carried out between 23.02.2023 and 06.04.2023, and the sample group consisted of the members of the Social Workers Association. A total of 142 social workers, 107 women and 35 men, participated in the study. Demographic questions and "Attitude Scale Towards Syrian Refugees" were used in the research form in which the questionnaire technique was used. In addition to this scale, a sociodemographic information form consisting of 18 questions about the experiences of social workers in the field, prepared by the researcher, was used. In the research, the relations between the variables and "How is the attitude of social workers towards Syrian refugees?" The answer to the basic question has been examined. According to the findings, it was determined that attitudes towards Syrians showed a statistically significant difference according to various variables. Based on the research findings, it has been determined that social workers generally have a positive view of Syrians, have a positive view of producing moderate solutions, defending their rights and helping them, while they have a more negative attitude in appreciating the policy implemented by the government and the people. As a result, Syrian refugees should be supported to adapt to the society in the country of refuge, to strengthen anti-discrimination practices, to prevent negative representation in the media and to prepare public service ads, and to plan social policies that will enable them to access basic services with a rights-based approach.