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Olcese M, Madera F, Cardinali P, Serafini G, Migliorini L. The role of community resilience as a protective factor in coping with mental disorders in a sample of psychiatric migrants. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1430688. [PMID: 39176226 PMCID: PMC11338846 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1430688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Over the past decade migration to Italy has increased significantly for various reasons including armed conflicts. Generally, the migration process is exposed to different risk factors during different periods of migration, which can compromise well-being and promote the onset or exacerbation of mental disorders. A community with resources and the perception of one's community as resilient can be important protective factor in the context of migration. Purpose This study aims to understand which variables in migration predict an increase in perceived community resilience and to understand the role of community resilience in the relationship between mental disorders and subjective well-being in a sample of 100 adult migrants at the first consultation interview in the ambulatories of Psychiatry Unit. Methods After defining the inclusion and exclusion criteria, migrants were asked to fill out self-report questionnaires to collect socio-demographic data and to assess perception of mental disorders, perceived community resilience and perception of subjective well-being. Descriptive analysis, simple regression, and moderation analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. Results The results show that the variable meaning attributed to the community with reference to the host community, migration with someone, and longer duration of stay in Italy contribute to increased perceptions of community resilience. In addition, a direct negative effect of mental disorders on subjective well-being and the moderating role of community resilience in relationship between mental disorders and subjective well-being have been demonstrated. Conclusions This result underscores the importance of perceived community resilience in mitigating the negative effects of mental disorders on subjective well-being. Perceiving one's community as more resilient seems to protect against the impact of mental disorders on subjective well-being. Our results support an ecological model of migrants' mental health that values the community and its resources in coping with mental disorders in the context of migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Olcese
- Department of Education Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Madera
- Department of Education Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Migliorini
- Department of Education Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Chudzicka-Czupała A, Chiang SK, Tan CM, Hapon N, Żywiołek-Szeja M, Karamushka L, Paliga M, Dubniak Z, McIntyre RS, Ho R. Association between mental health, psychological characteristics, and motivational functions of volunteerism among Polish and Ukrainian volunteers during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20725. [PMID: 38007575 PMCID: PMC10676412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47840-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Russo-Ukrainian War has led to a humanitarian crisis, and many people volunteered to help affected refugees. This cross-sectional survey study investigates the relationships between the psychological impact of participation, coping mechanisms, and motivational functions of volunteering during the Russo-Ukrainian War among 285 Ukrainian and 435 Polish volunteers (N = 720). Multivariate linear regression was used to examine relationships between motivational functions and psychosocial and demographic characteristics. Ukrainian volunteers reported significantly higher Hyperarousal and Avoidance, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress, Problem-focused, Emotion-focused, and Avoidant coping, as well as total scores of Hardiness and Psychological Capital than Polish counterparts. Linear regression analysis found that Impact of the Event Scale results, Coping with Stress, being a female, unemployed, and religious were significantly associated with higher motivational functions. Ukrainian volunteers could significantly reduce negative feelings and strengthen social networks and religious faith by volunteering, while Polish volunteers were significantly more likely to gain skills and psychosocial development from helping others.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Soon-Kiat Chiang
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Clara M Tan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nadiya Hapon
- Department of Philosophy and Psychology, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Marta Żywiołek-Szeja
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University, Chodakowska 19/31, 03-815, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Liudmyla Karamushka
- G. S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology, National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Mateusz Paliga
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Zlatyslav Dubniak
- Department of Philosophy and Psychology, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roger Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Apostolara P, Adamakidou T, Mouta E, Vus V, Malliarou M, Mantzorou M, Papathanasiou IV. BURNOUT AND DEPRESSION OF GREEK HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN REFUGEES' RECEPTION CENTERS AND ACCOMMODATION PROGRAMS. POLSKI MERKURIUSZ LEKARSKI : ORGAN POLSKIEGO TOWARZYSTWA LEKARSKIEGO 2023; 51:228-233. [PMID: 37589107 DOI: 10.36740/merkur202303107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aim: The investigation of health professionals' burnout and depression, working in refugees' reception centers and their possible intercorrelation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: A descriptive correlation study was carried out in health professionals, who worked in refugees' reception centers and accommodation programs throughout Greece. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire through online Google Forms. The questionnaire contained demographics, the Copenhagen Burnout Questionnaire (CBI-Gr) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The SPSS 22.00 was used for the statistical analysis and the significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS Results: The sample consisted of 125 healthcare professionals working in refugees' reception centers and accommodation programs, the majority of tchem were women (62.4%), aged between 30-39 years (39.2%) nurses (24.8%) and with a master's degree (28%). A strong linear positive correlation was found between depression and burnout (r=0.542, p=0.000). A statistically significant correlation was also recorded between burnout and female gender (p=0.001), the age group of 30-39 (p=0.042) and nursing profession (p=0.003). CONCLUSION Conclusions: A strong linear relationship between burnout and depression was revealed, a finding indicating that it is imperative to implement interventions to strengthen the resilience of health professionals working in refugees' reception centers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Viktor Vus
- INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY, KYIV, UKRAINE
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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D, Bazan D, Baum E. Volunteering in the front line of the Ukrainian refugee crisis: A brief report from Poland. Front Public Health 2022; 10. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.979751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to analyse the experiences and motivations of volunteers who supported Ukrainian refugees who fled to Poland. Our study was conducted among 196 volunteers in Poznan, Poland who answered questions regarding their experiences with voluntary service during the current refugee crisis and the reasons they became involved in volunteer efforts. We found that although the Polish state had no prior experience in welcoming refugees on a mass scale, the Russo-Ukrainian War has resulted in the emergence of “spontaneous volunteers” who have offered their help and assistance to the flood of refugees sweeping in from its eastern neighbor. We also found that because many Polish citizens believe that helping those in need should not rest solely on the government there are two main motivations to volunteer: a general willingness to help and the willingness to volunteer on behalf of Ukrainian refugees. Finally, while this study highlights that in times of crisis, most people are primarily motivated by humanistic and democratic values, including altruism and public service, emotions also play an important role in influencing people's decision to engage in voluntary service.
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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D, Bazan D, Baum E. Volunteering in the front line of the Ukrainian refugee crisis: A brief report from Poland. Front Public Health 2022; 10:979751. [PMID: 36249193 PMCID: PMC9557937 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.979751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to analyse the experiences and motivations of volunteers who supported Ukrainian refugees who fled to Poland. Our study was conducted among 196 volunteers in Poznan, Poland who answered questions regarding their experiences with voluntary service during the current refugee crisis and the reasons they became involved in volunteer efforts. We found that although the Polish state had no prior experience in welcoming refugees on a mass scale, the Russo-Ukrainian War has resulted in the emergence of "spontaneous volunteers" who have offered their help and assistance to the flood of refugees sweeping in from its eastern neighbor. We also found that because many Polish citizens believe that helping those in need should not rest solely on the government there are two main motivations to volunteer: a general willingness to help and the willingness to volunteer on behalf of Ukrainian refugees. Finally, while this study highlights that in times of crisis, most people are primarily motivated by humanistic and democratic values, including altruism and public service, emotions also play an important role in influencing people's decision to engage in voluntary service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland,*Correspondence: Jan Domaradzki
| | - Dariusz Walkowiak
- Department of Organization and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Dominika Bazan
- Department of Promotion and Careers, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Ewa Baum
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Ebren G, Demircioğlu M, Çırakoğlu OC. A neglected aspect of refugee relief works: Secondary and vicarious traumatic stress. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:891-900. [PMID: 35201632 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The literature demonstrates evidence that secondary traumatic stress (STS) and vicarious traumatic stress (VTS) may adversely affect the well-being of refugee relief workers and, thus, the quality of their services. The present review offers an exploration of (a) the theoretical background of STS and VTS, (b) their appearance among refugee relief workers, (c) intervention studies available, (d) common points among intervention studies and guidelines on STS and VTS released by local and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and (e) the potential problems that can be associated with the insufficiency of standardized intervention programs as assessed in effectiveness studies. This review may help mental health professionals in countries that host large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers, such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, to design more effective intervention programs targeting STS and VTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökhan Ebren
- Stress Management Application and Research Center, Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey
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Borho A, Georgiadou E, Grimm T, Morawa E, Silbermann A, Nißlbeck W, Erim Y. Professional and Volunteer Refugee Aid Workers-Depressive Symptoms and Their Predictors, Experienced Traumatic Events, PTSD, Burdens, Engagement Motivators and Support Needs. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E4542. [PMID: 31744176 PMCID: PMC6887937 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Borho
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.); (E.G.); (T.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (W.N.)
| | - Ekaterini Georgiadou
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.); (E.G.); (T.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (W.N.)
- 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; (A.B.); (E.G.); (T.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (W.N.)
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.); (E.G.); (T.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (W.N.)
| | - Andrea Silbermann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.); (E.G.); (T.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (W.N.)
| | - Winfried Nißlbeck
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.); (E.G.); (T.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (W.N.)
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (A.B.); (E.G.); (T.G.); (E.M.); (A.S.); (W.N.)
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