Working conditions, mental health and coping of staff in social work with refugees and homeless individuals: A scoping review

Abstract

The refugee and homeless population has been increasing worldwide in recent years. Staff in social work provide practical help to these populations, but often struggle with high job demands. This scoping review aims to systematically map the job demands, resources, mental health problems, coping strategies and needs of staff in social work with refugees and homeless individuals. Relevant studies were identified by searching seven electronic databases from their inception until the end of May 2018, as well as Google Scholar and reference lists of included articles. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A thematic analysis was conducted. Twenty‐five studies were included in the review. Fourteen studies followed a quantitative approach, six a qualitative approach and five a mixed‐method approach. Most studies were conducted in the homeless sector (56%), in North America (52%) and published after the year 2009 (68%). Common job demands included the bureaucratic system, high caseloads, clients' suffering and little experience of success. Maintaining professional boundaries counted both as a job demand and a coping strategy. Deriving meaning from work and support from the team were identified as important job resources. The prevalence of mental health problems among staff was high, but difficult to compare due to the use of different instruments in studies. Staff expressed a need for ongoing training, external counselling and supervision. Further studies should examine the effectiveness of workplace health interventions.

“This Isn’t Just about Things, It’s about People and Their Future”: A Qualitative Analysis of the Working Conditions and Strains of Social Workers in Refugee and Homeless Aid

“…With regard to the work environment, the respondents reported overfilled facilities, poor accommodation for clients and a lack of break rooms, among other factors. So far, stress caused by the work environment had barely been addressed for this professional group [16]. However, previous studies indicated a relationship between a poor work environment and burnout symptoms [22], and a relationship between a work environment characterised by limited space, few opportunities to find quiet or relaxation and a high noise level and a concentrated workload, which in turn resulted in high risk of burnout [44].…”

“…A recent literature review from 2019 shows that there has been little research conducted internationally or in Germany regarding the working conditions and health of social workers in refugee and homeless aid. On the whole, the review found that workers were exposed to high job demands, but also had various job and personal resources at their disposal [16].…”

“Engaged, Burned Out, or Both?” A Structural Equation Model Testing Risk and Protective Factors for Social Workers in Refugee and Homeless Aid

“…However, social workers described several job resources, too. These primarily referred to the meaning of their work as well as social support from colleagues [7,8].…”

“…The present study expands upon existing results by addressing the question how social workers' job demands (quantitative and emotional demands) and resources (meaning of work and social support) as well as personal resources (resilience) are related to work-related outcomes (work engagement) and strain reactions (personal burnout). The variables were chosen based on previous research findings demonstrating their particular relevance for social workers in refugee and homeless aid [6,7]. Specifically, a recent qualitative study was able to show that social workers perceived high quantitative and emotional demands and cited social support as a crucial job resource [8].…”

(Un)bounded Social Work?—Analysis of Working Conditions in Refugee and Homeless Aid in Relation to Perceived Job Stress and Job Satisfaction

“…As a result, health conditions described by social workers often include reports of exhaustion, decreased detachment, and symptoms of burnout or depressive states [17][18][19]. A high incidence of psychological distress and burnout (emotional exhaustion) was found among Spanish social workers [20].…”