Assessing the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and quality of life among Syrian refugee women in Mardin, Türkiye
| dc.contributor.author | Cifci, Sema | |
| dc.contributor.author | Arslan, Nurgul | |
| dc.contributor.author | Alatas, Hacer | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-19T06:38:16Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-19T06:38:16Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.department | Malatya Turgut Özal Üniversitesi | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background T & uuml;rkiye hosts over 3.5 million Syrian refugees, with women facing heightened socioeconomic and health-related vulnerabilities. Structural constraints, including food insecurity, may influence dietary behaviors and overall well-being. Objective This study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL), Mediterranean diet adherence, and food security levels among Syrian refugee women living in Mardin, T & uuml;rkiye; to examine the association between Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and QoL domains; to identify independent predictors of total QoL; and to explore the mediating role of food insecurity in this relationship. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 310 Syrian refugee women aged 18-49 years. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, including the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis (continuous variables only), multiple linear regression, and exploratory mediation analysis were performed. Results The mean total QoL score was 59.3 (SD = 14.5). The mean Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was 7.1 (SD = 2.6), with 22.6% of participants demonstrating high adherence. Food insecurity was prevalent, affecting 79.4% of households. Higher MDS was positively associated with all QoL domains (physical: r = 0.28, p < 0.001; psychological: r = 0.24, p = 0.002; social: r = 0.21, p = 0.004; environmental: r = 0.19, p = 0.007). Although statistically significant, these correlations were weak in magnitude (r < 0.30). In multiple regression analysis, MDS, education, and income were positive predictors of QoL, whereas food insecurity and larger household size were negatively associated. Exploratory mediation analysis identified a statistically significant indirect effect consistent with a potential partial mediation pattern; however, given the cross-sectional design, these findings should not be interpreted as evidence of a causal pathway. Conclusion Mediterranean diet adherence was positively associated with quality of life among Syrian refugee women. Socioeconomic disadvantage and food insecurity were linked to lower well-being. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be made, and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these relationships. | |
| dc.identifier.doi | 10.1186/s12982-026-01948-5 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 3005-0774 | |
| dc.identifier.issue | 1 | |
| dc.identifier.scopus | 2-s2.0-105036871496 | |
| dc.identifier.scopusquality | Q4 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-01948-5 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12899/5475 | |
| dc.identifier.volume | 23 | |
| dc.identifier.wos | WOS:001745426200003 | |
| dc.identifier.wosquality | N/A | |
| dc.indekslendigikaynak | Web of Science | |
| dc.indekslendigikaynak | Scopus | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Bmc | |
| dc.relation.ispartof | Discover Public Health | |
| dc.relation.publicationcategory | Makale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı | |
| dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess | |
| dc.snmz | KA_WOS_20260612 | |
| dc.subject | Mediterranean Diet | |
| dc.subject | Quality Of Life | |
| dc.subject | Food Insecurity | |
| dc.subject | Syrian Refugees | |
| dc.subject | Mardin | |
| dc.subject | Nutritional Health | |
| dc.title | Assessing the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and quality of life among Syrian refugee women in Mardin, Türkiye | |
| dc.type | Article |












