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Professional and Volunteer Refugee Aid Workers–Depressive Symptoms and Their Predictors, Experienced Traumatic Events, PTSD, Burdens, Engagement Motivators and Support Needs

Author

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  • Andrea Borho

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany)

  • Ekaterini Georgiadou

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
    Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University Nürnberg, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan-Str. 1, 90419 Nürnberg, Germany)

  • Theresa Grimm

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany)

  • Eva Morawa

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany)

  • Andrea Silbermann

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany)

  • Winfried Nißlbeck

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany)

  • Yesim Erim

    (Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany)

Abstract

In 2016, the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy of the University Hospital of Erlangen started conducting training for professional and voluntary aid workers. In total, 149 aid workers took part in the training courses, of which 135 completed the corresponding questionnaires. Engagement motivators, perceived distress in refugee work and training needs were examined. Moreover, depressive symptoms, the prevalence of traumatic experiences and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder were explored. Participants named helping others as the highest motivating factor for their work with refugees and communication problems as the main burden. Thirteen aid workers (10.1%) showed clinically relevant depressive symptoms. In total, 91.4% of refugee aid workers had experienced at least one traumatic event personally or as a witness but only three (3.6%) fulfilled the psychometric requirements of a PTSD diagnosis. These three participants all belonged to the professional aid workers (6.3%). More severe symptoms of depression were significantly associated with female gender (β = 0.315, p = 0.001), higher perceived burdens of refugee work (β = 0.294, p = 0.002), and a larger number of experienced traumatic events (β = 0.357, p < 0.001). According to our results, we recommend psychological trainings and regular screenings for psychological stress in order to counteract possible mental illnesses.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Borho & Ekaterini Georgiadou & Theresa Grimm & Eva Morawa & Andrea Silbermann & Winfried Nißlbeck & Yesim Erim, 2019. "Professional and Volunteer Refugee Aid Workers–Depressive Symptoms and Their Predictors, Experienced Traumatic Events, PTSD, Burdens, Engagement Motivators and Support Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:22:p:4542-:d:287846
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ivar Krumpal, 2013. "Determinants of social desirability bias in sensitive surveys: a literature review," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 2025-2047, June.
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    1. Isabel Josam & Sarah Grothe & Daniel Lüdecke & Nico Vonneilich & Olaf von dem Knesebeck, 2022. "Burdening and Protective Organisational Factors among International Volunteers in Greek Refugee Camps—A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Lilian Negura & Corinna Buhay & Annamaria Silvana de Rosa, 2021. "Mirrored Social Representations of Canadian Caseworkers with Migratory Paths Intervening with Refugees in the Host Country," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Swantje Robelski & Janika Mette & Tanja Wirth & Niklas Kiepe & Albert Nienhaus & Volker Harth & Stefanie Mache, 2020. "(Un)bounded Social Work?—Analysis of Working Conditions in Refugee and Homeless Aid in Relation to Perceived Job Stress and Job Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, January.

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