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Burdening and Protective Organisational Factors among International Volunteers in Greek Refugee Camps—A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Isabel Josam

    (Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Sarah Grothe

    (Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Daniel Lüdecke

    (Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Nico Vonneilich

    (Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Olaf von dem Knesebeck

    (Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

A majority of the workforce in the humanitarian aid consists of volunteers who partly suffer from health problems related to their voluntary service. To date, only a fraction of the current research focuses on this population. The aim of this qualitative explorative study was to identify burdening and protective organisational factors for health and well-being among humanitarian aid volunteers in a Greek refugee camp. To this end, interviews with 22 volunteers were held on site and afterwards analysed by using qualitative content analysis. We focused on international volunteers working in Greece that worked in the provision of food, material goods, emotional support and recreational opportunities. We identified burdening factors, as well as protective factors, in the areas of work procedures, team interactions, organisational support and living arrangements. Gender-specific disadvantages contribute to burdening factors, while joyful experiences are only addressed as protective factors. Additionally, gender-specific aspects in the experience of team interactions and support systems were identified. According to our findings, several possibilities for organisations to protect health and well-being of their volunteers exist. Organisations could adapt organisational structures to the needs of their volunteers and consider gender-specific factors.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8599-:d:863157
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Myeongji Kwag & Ogcheol Lee, 2019. "Difficulties faced by Korean disaster relief workers while providing humanitarian aid: A descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(2), pages 141-147, June.
    2. Liza Jachens & Jonathan Houdmont, 2019. "Effort-Reward Imbalance and Job Strain: A Composite Indicator Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-9, October.
    3. Hannah Strohmeier & Willem F Scholte & Alastair Ager, 2018. "Factors associated with common mental health problems of humanitarian workers in South Sudan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, October.
    4. 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.
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