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Digital Game-Based Education for Syrian Refugee Children: Project Hope

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Abstract

Turkey is the top refugee-hosting country in the world, with more than three million registered Syrian refugees. An international research team was the first to document the educational and mental health needs of Syrian refugee children, finding that an overwhelming majority are not enrolled in school in Turkey, partly as a result of language barriers, and that about half suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression. The present study was designed as an innovative intervention using an online, game-based learning intervention for refugee children, named Project Hope. Data gathered from a controlled field experiment show significant improvements in Turkish language acquisition, coding, executive functioning, and overall sense of hopefulness. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.

Citation

  • Sirin, S., Plass, J. L., Homer, B. D., Vatanartiran, S., & Tsai, T. (2018). Digital game-based education for Syrian refugee children: Project hope.  Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies,  13(1), 7-18.
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Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to improve mental health of refugee children and adults?

There is very strong evidence that numerous interventions are effective in improving the mental health of child and adult refugees. Specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused interventions (TF), and psycho-education (PE) have been shown to improve symptoms related to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or general distress in refugee populations. Furthermore, cultural adaptations of these…

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

AGE: Children

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: Turkey

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High Income

INTERVENTION DURATION: 4 weeks

INTERVENTION: Mental health and psychosocial support services

OUTCOME AREA: General Distress Reduction

POPULATION: Unaccompanied Minors

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Middle East

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Moderate

TYPE OF STUDY: Impact evaluation

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2018

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