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Volunteering: A Tool for Social Inclusion and Promoting the Well-Being of Refugees? A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Silje Sveen

    (Department of Health Sciences in Gjøvik, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 2815 Gjøvik, Norway)

  • Kirsti Sarheim Anthun

    (Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7047 Trondheim, Norway
    Department of Health Research, SINTEF Digital, 7030 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Kari Bjerke Batt-Rawden

    (Department of Health Sciences in Gjøvik, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 2815 Gjøvik, Norway)

  • Laila Tingvold

    (Centre for Care Research East, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 2815 Gjøvik, Norway)

Abstract

Background : The Norwegian government’s increased expectations that volunteering can be used as a means of integration and the scarce research regarding refugees’ experiences with volunteering is taken as the background for this study. Our purpose is to adopt a salutogenic perspective to investigate whether and how formal volunteering contributes to developing a sense of social inclusion and well-being among refugees in Norway. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 volunteers with refugee backgrounds in a semi-rural district in Norway. Stepwise deductive induction was used for analysis. Results : Three themes were identified as a result of the analysis: (1) feeling safer due to increased knowledge regarding cultures, values, and systems and achieving mutual acceptance; (2) feeling more confident when communicating in Norwegian and contributing to society, and (3) feeling more connected via social relations. Conclusions : Our study indicates that participation in volunteering may contribute to social inclusion and that the participants’ resources and volunteering experiences may have a health-promotive impact under certain conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Silje Sveen & Kirsti Sarheim Anthun & Kari Bjerke Batt-Rawden & Laila Tingvold, 2022. "Volunteering: A Tool for Social Inclusion and Promoting the Well-Being of Refugees? A Qualitative Study," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:13:y:2022:i:1:p:12-:d:1021267
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