Pathways to Resilience IV: Global South Perspectives

Resilience in Service Providers

Abstract #12
Title: Police officers' coping and mental health in deportation work of unaccompanied, asylum-seeking refugee children
Presenter: Jonas Hansson (Umeå University, Sweden)
Co-Authors: Mehdi Ghazinour, Mojgan Padyab
Introduction: The number of unaccompanied, asylum-seeking refugee children (UARC) has increased. In Sweden, 15 percent of the children are denied asylum. If the child refuses to repatriate to the country of origin, the police authority is responsible for the deportation; and, the police officer has to cope with a stressful situation.
Methods: This study aims to describe the police officers’ coping in deportation work of UARC; and investigate the associations between ways of coping (WOC), and general mental health in relation to deportation work of UARC among police officers considering sociodemographic variables. In order to use WOC questionnaire in the context of UARC, a validity and reliability analysis is to be conducted.
Findings: This study has shown that coping strategies has a moderating effect on general mental health in the deportation work of UARC. More specific, coping strategies ‘escape-avoidance’ and ‘self-controlling’ have a negative effect on general mental health, and coping strategy ‘positive reappraisal’ has a positive effect on general mental health. 

Abstract #52
Title: Towards resilience building amongst the rangers
Presenters: Laurencia Mathekga and Johanah Sekudu (University of South Africa, South Africa)
Introduction: The study was conducted at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HIP) and Mkhuze game reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal - South Africa with the aim of exploring the experiences of rangers, who are tasked with protecting wild life. Rangers were exposed to varieties of workplace challenges and sometimes risk their lives in executing their job yet little attention was given to their psychosocial needs.
Methods: The study was qualitative in nature with the elements of exploratory, descriptive and contextual focus as the aim was to learn the lived experiences of the rangers from their own world view so that appropriate interventions could be developed to assist them to develop resilience. Data was collected by means of focus group discussions with rangers and semi-structured interviews with managers, and analysed through thematic approach.
Findings: Rangers were exposed to unbearable working conditions on a daily basis where they sometimes had to kill poachers. This killing was accompanied by trauma as it is not their choice. However, their cultural practices enabled them to cope and maintain balance whilst doing their difficult and stressful job. This was despite  their rituals not being recognised nor supported by management.

Abstract #155
Title: Coping with stress in forced repatriation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking refugee children: A study of Swedish police officers and social workers
Presenter: Johanna Sundqvist (Umeå University, Sweden)
Co-Author: Mehdi Ghazinour, Mojgan Padyab
Introduction: Police  officers’ assignment in forced repatriation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking refugee children is to arrange the departure whereas social workers supports the child. In order to understand how to cope effectively, the study aimed to describe and compare police officers and social workers coping strategies in forced repatriation work.
Methods: A  national questionnaire in Sweden, including sociodemographic characteristics, Interview Schedule for Social Interaction, and Ways of Coping Questionnaire were distributed in 2014 to in total 1 094 participants, 714 police officers and 380 social workers. Of them, 290 persons had experience of forced repatriation. Univariate and multivariable regression models were used. The analysis was separately conducted among those with and without experience of forced repatriation work. The factor structure of Ways of Coping Questionnaire was assessed in three steps using both confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis.
Findings: Police  officers used more planful problem solving and self-controlling while social workers used escape avoidance, distancing and positive reappraisal. Police officers are seen to use more adaptive coping strategies and the repatriation system is found more suitable for police work than social work.