Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspective
Abstract Background People from refugee backgrounds face various challenges after moving to a new country. Successfully securing employment has been linked to positive health outcomes in refugee populations; there is less research into the impact of volunteering on health outcomes in refugees, or th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6328-2 |
| _version_ | 1819020950618767360 |
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| author | Nina Wood Grace Charlwood Christopher Zecchin Vibeke Hansen Michael Douglas Sabrina Winona Pit |
| author_facet | Nina Wood Grace Charlwood Christopher Zecchin Vibeke Hansen Michael Douglas Sabrina Winona Pit |
| author_sort | Nina Wood |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background People from refugee backgrounds face various challenges after moving to a new country. Successfully securing employment has been linked to positive health outcomes in refugee populations; there is less research into the impact of volunteering on health outcomes in refugees, or the role of employment and volunteering in regional or rural communities. This study aims to explore how employment and volunteering influences the health and wellbeing of refugees settled in regional Australia, and identify areas for appropriate service provision. Methods Nine adults of refugee background in regional Australia were purposively sampled through community organisations using word-of-mouth referrals for semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to uncover emergent themes and identify relationships between themes. A strengths-based theoretical framework was adopted to inform further analysis. Results Paid work and volunteering engenders a sense of self-fulfillment and sense of belonging, facilitating successful integration into a new community. Employment further allows maintenance of an adequate standard of living, thus improving healthcare access and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours. Adverse effects from employment include difficulties managing work-life balance, disconnect with family and loss of traditional heritage, but these were significantly outweighed by the positive effects. Volunteering provides no financial incentive, but similarly promotes community connections and positive self-worth, preparing refugees for the workforce. Both employment and volunteering held direct positive benefits for their physical and mental health, improved healthcare access and promoted cultural and social integration. These factors enabled successful settlement and subsequently improved overall wellbeing of participants. A strengths-based approach demonstrated how participants used employment as a tool for seeking purpose and ongoing self-development. Conclusion Unique experiences with employment and volunteering in a regional area amongst a refugee community were explored. Our results describe various ways in which meaningful employment and volunteering can facilitate positive health and wellbeing outcomes of refugees, and thus reinforces the importance of providing such opportunities to ensure successful settlement. The benefits of volunteering in this community have not been previously explored. Additionally, concerns expressed and recommendations suggested by participants could be used to inform future research, policy, interventions and health and employment service provision for refugee populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T03:59:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-724c728342064796948039c0713a667f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T03:59:21Z |
| publishDate | 2019-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-724c728342064796948039c0713a667f2022-12-21T19:16:45ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582019-02-0119111510.1186/s12889-018-6328-2Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspectiveNina Wood0Grace Charlwood1Christopher Zecchin2Vibeke Hansen3Michael Douglas4Sabrina Winona Pit5Western Sydney University, School of Medicine, University Centre for Rural HealthWestern Sydney University, School of Medicine, University Centre for Rural HealthWestern Sydney University, School of Medicine, University Centre for Rural HealthWestern Sydney University, School of Medicine, University Centre for Rural HealthWestern Sydney University, School of Medicine, University Centre for Rural HealthWestern Sydney University, School of Medicine, University Centre for Rural HealthAbstract Background People from refugee backgrounds face various challenges after moving to a new country. Successfully securing employment has been linked to positive health outcomes in refugee populations; there is less research into the impact of volunteering on health outcomes in refugees, or the role of employment and volunteering in regional or rural communities. This study aims to explore how employment and volunteering influences the health and wellbeing of refugees settled in regional Australia, and identify areas for appropriate service provision. Methods Nine adults of refugee background in regional Australia were purposively sampled through community organisations using word-of-mouth referrals for semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to uncover emergent themes and identify relationships between themes. A strengths-based theoretical framework was adopted to inform further analysis. Results Paid work and volunteering engenders a sense of self-fulfillment and sense of belonging, facilitating successful integration into a new community. Employment further allows maintenance of an adequate standard of living, thus improving healthcare access and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours. Adverse effects from employment include difficulties managing work-life balance, disconnect with family and loss of traditional heritage, but these were significantly outweighed by the positive effects. Volunteering provides no financial incentive, but similarly promotes community connections and positive self-worth, preparing refugees for the workforce. Both employment and volunteering held direct positive benefits for their physical and mental health, improved healthcare access and promoted cultural and social integration. These factors enabled successful settlement and subsequently improved overall wellbeing of participants. A strengths-based approach demonstrated how participants used employment as a tool for seeking purpose and ongoing self-development. Conclusion Unique experiences with employment and volunteering in a regional area amongst a refugee community were explored. Our results describe various ways in which meaningful employment and volunteering can facilitate positive health and wellbeing outcomes of refugees, and thus reinforces the importance of providing such opportunities to ensure successful settlement. The benefits of volunteering in this community have not been previously explored. Additionally, concerns expressed and recommendations suggested by participants could be used to inform future research, policy, interventions and health and employment service provision for refugee populations.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6328-2RefugeesWellbeingEmploymentVolunteeringAustraliaRegional |
| spellingShingle | Nina Wood Grace Charlwood Christopher Zecchin Vibeke Hansen Michael Douglas Sabrina Winona Pit Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspective BMC Public Health Refugees Wellbeing Employment Volunteering Australia Regional |
| title | Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspective |
| title_full | Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspective |
| title_fullStr | Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspective |
| title_short | Qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of African refugees settled in regional Australia: a refugee perspective |
| title_sort | qualitative exploration of the impact of employment and volunteering upon the health and wellbeing of african refugees settled in regional australia a refugee perspective |
| topic | Refugees Wellbeing Employment Volunteering Australia Regional |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6328-2 |
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