Gesundheitswesen
Volume 80, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 286-293

Volunteers in Refugee Help: Is Health Promotion (by Public Health Services) Necessary? [Ehrenamtliche in der Flüchtlingshilfe - sind gesundheitsfördernde Maβnahmen (durch den ÖGD) notwendig?] (Article) (Open Access)

Andrees V. , Freyer B. , Borgmeier I. , Galle H.-J. , Westenhöfer J.*
  • a Hochschule fur Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg, Competence Center Gesundheit, Department Gesundheitswissenschaften, Fakultat Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, Hamburg, 21033, Germany
  • b Hochschule fur Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg, Competence Center Gesundheit, Department Gesundheitswissenschaften, Fakultat Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, Hamburg, 21033, Germany
  • c Bezirksamt Hamburg-Bergedorf, Fachamt Gesundheit, Hamburg, Germany
  • d Bezirksamt Hamburg-Bergedorf, Fachamt Gesundheit, Hamburg, Germany
  • e Hochschule fur Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg, Competence Center Gesundheit, Department Gesundheitswissenschaften, Fakultat Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, Hamburg, 21033, Germany

Abstract

Objectives To investigate health-related strains and resources of volunteers in refugee help. Methods Qualitative interviews with 10 volunteers in refugee help as well as 11 interviews with experts involved in coordinative tasks were conducted, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Volunteers' work in refugee help is experienced as a strong resource. Volunteers receive a lot of thankfulness and appreciation and experience their work as enriching and enhancing self-worth. On the other hand, they also experience several stresses and problems. Difficulties in setting up appropriate boundaries regarding time and emotional involvement are mentioned as important reasons for the experienced stresses. Conclusions Support for volunteers in refugee help should be optimised and expanded in order to protect the volunteers from health-related strains. Public Health Services could play an important role in such improvements. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart. New York.

Author Keywords

refugee help Volunteers health-related resources health-related strains

Index Keywords

male volunteer female Germany stress Humans Volunteers refugee health promotion clinical article public health service Public Health Administration human adult Refugees
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85038388164&doi=10.1055%2fs-0043-121694&partnerID=40&md5=6043d393d78c2f6901631e9801b63cff
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-121694
ISSN: 09413790
Cited by: 1
Original Language: German