The Faith Factor: Examining Religious and Spiritual Practices as Coping Mechanisms for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

This article examines the complex relationship between religion, faith, and mental health among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Despite the scale and protracted nature of Syrian displacement, limited scholarly attention has been paid to how faith and spirituality intersect with refugees’ mental well-being. Addressing this gap, the study draws on 70 in-depth qualitative interviews to explore how religious beliefs and practices shape coping, healing, and community cohesion amid repeated crises and severely limited access to formal mental health services. Guided by Ecological Systems Theory and a Cul