The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Mental Health Among Syrians and Syrian Refugees Working in Agriculture During COVID-19
Clara Calia, Afnan El-Gayar, Ann-Christin Zuntz, Shaher Abdullateef, Esraa Almashhor, Liz Grant, Lisa Boden

TL;DR
This study explores how food insecurity and mental health are linked among Syrian refugees working in agriculture during the pandemic.
Contribution
The study reveals a significant correlation between food insecurity and poor mental health in displaced Syrians during the pandemic.
Findings
Food insecurity was significantly correlated with worse mental health outcomes (rs = −0.24, p = 0.018).
Smaller food portions and food storing were positively correlated with poor mental health and food insecurity.
The pandemic worsened food insecurity and mental health challenges, especially during Ramadan in 2020.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, such as internally displaced Syrians and Syrian refugees (SSRs) in Middle Eastern host countries, through a syndemic interplay of health, social, and economic challenges. Movement restrictions disrupted their livelihoods resulting in increased food insecurity. A mixed-methods approach was used to address the research question: “What is the relationship between Food Insecurity (FI), Mental Health (MH), and COVID-19 among displaced SSRs working in agriculture”? One hundred SSR participants working in agriculture were recruited from northern Syria and neighbouring countries to participate in a Household Survey. The survey data were analysed using correlation and regression analysis. Additionally, interviews with Household Survey researchers were conducted and thematically analysed. Increasing food insecurity was…
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Taxonomy
TopicsFood Security and Health in Diverse Populations · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Urban Agriculture and Sustainability
