Refugees at Work: The Preventative Role of Psychosocial Safety Climate against Workplace Harassment, Discrimination and Psychological Distress

It is widely recognised that employment is vital in assisting young refugees’ integration into a new society. Drawing on psychosocial safety climate (PSC) theory, this research investigated the effect of organisational climate on young refugee workers’ mental health (psychological distress) through stressful social relational aspects of work (e.g., harassment, discrimination). Drawing on data from 635 young refugees aged between 15 and 26 in South Australia, 116 refugees with paid work were compared with 519 refugee students without work, and a sample of young workers from Australian Workplace Barometer (AWB) data (n = 290). The results indicated that refugees with paid work had significantly lower psychological distress compared with refugees with no paid work, but more distress than other young Australian workers. With respect to workplace harassment and abuse, young refugee workers reported significantly more harassment due to their ongoing interaction and engagement with mainstream Australian workers compared with unemployed refugees. Harassment played a vital role in affecting psychological health in refugees (particularly) and other young workers. While refugee youth experienced harassment at work, overall, their experiences suggest that their younger age upon arrival enabled them to seek and find positive employment outcomes. Although PSC did not differ significantly between the employed groups, we found that it likely negatively influenced psychological distress through the mediating effects of harassment and abuse. Hence, fostering pathways to successful employment and creating safe work based on high PSC and less harassment are strongly recommended to improve refugees’ mental health and adaptation.

Download Full-text

How managers experience situations involving employee mental ill-health

International Journal of Workplace Health Management ◽

10.1108/ijwhm-09-2017-0069 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 442-463 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Angela Martin ◽

Megan Woods ◽

Sarah Dawkins

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Safety Climate ◽

Well Being ◽

The Body ◽

Health Issue ◽

Mental Health Issue ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Health Issues ◽

Content Type

Purpose Mental health conditions such as depression are prevalent in working adults, costly to employers, and have implications for legal liability and corporate social responsibility. Managers play an important role in determining how employees’ and organizations’ interests are reconciled in situations involving employee mental ill-health issues. The purpose of this paper is to explore these situations from the perspective of managers in order to develop theory and inform practice in workplace mental health promotion. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Australian managers who had supervised an employee with a mental health issue. Interview transcripts were content analyzed to explore themes in managers’ experiences. Findings Managing an employee with a mental health issue involves becoming aware of the issue, taking action to understand the situation and develop an action response, implementing the response and managing the ongoing situation. Each of these tasks had a range of positive and negative aspects to them, e.g., managing the situation can be experienced as both a source of stress for the manager but also as an opportunity to develop greater management skills. Practical implications Understanding line managers’ experiences is critical to successful implementation of HR policies regarding employee health and well-being. HR strategies for dealing with employee mental health issues need to consider implementation support for managers, including promotion of guiding policies, training, emotional support and creating a psychosocial safety climate in their work units or teams. Originality/value The insights gained from this study contribute to the body of knowledge regarding psychosocial safety climate, an emergent theoretical framework concerned with values, attitudes and philosophy regarding worker psychological health. The findings also have important implications for strategic human resource management approaches to managing mental health in the workplace.

Download Full-text

The Role of Religiosity to Address the Mental Health Crisis of Students: A Study on Three Parameters (Anxiety, Depression, and Stress)

Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities ◽

10.47836/pjssh.29.4.40 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Rohmah Najihah Misran ◽

Jamilah Hanum Abdul Khaiyom ◽

Zul Azlin Razali

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Health Issues ◽

Mental Health Crisis ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Anxiety Depression

Religiosity is a construct that has interesting implications in the mental health issues of youths. This study examines the role of religiosity on anxiety, depression, and stress using 148 Muslim students studying Islamic studies at undergraduate provision in an Islamic University as sample. Results indicated that the level of religiosity among the participants ranged from moderately religious to highly religious. The mean levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among the participants were moderate, and a significant number of students suffered from severe psychological distress. Female students were reported to experience significantly slightly more stress than male students. Furthermore, the relationship between religiosity, anxiety, and depression was significantly negative but not stressful. Further analysis found that religiosity serves as a protective factor for depression. Meanwhile, some religiosity components (i.e., avoidance of sinful acts and frequent conduct of recommended acts) were found to be a significant protective factor against anxiety and depression, respectively. Thus, in retrospect, mental health and religion appear to converge on managing psychological distress. As so to speak, this is a vital point in the emerging mental health services in which the incorporation of religious components into clinical practice may show good promising results in aiding the recovery process of psychological health issues. Likewise, embedding religiosity in one’s life, or being religiously minded, reflected in daily life manifestation, is linked with better mental health outcomes.

Download Full-text

Psychological Distress and the “Medical Student Syndrome” in Abnormal Psychology Students

Teaching of Psychology ◽

10.1207/s15328023top2403_10 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 192-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marjorie S. Hardy ◽

Lawrence G. Calhoun

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Medical Student ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Psychology Students ◽

Advanced Degree ◽

Abnormal Psychology ◽

Course Work ◽

History Of

We investigated psychological distress and the “medical student syndrome” in a group of undergraduate Abnormal Psychology students. Students planning to major in psychology reported more worry about their psychological health than those planning to major in some other field. Also, students who reported a history of psychological treatment were more likely to intend to pursue an advanced degree in counseling or psychotherapy. Although the process of learning about various psychological disorders decreased students' anxiety about their own mental health, it increased their anxiety about the mental health of family members. After completing course work in abnormal psychology, students were more willing to seek help from campus mental health services for personal psychological distress.

Download Full-text

REVIEW ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH

Nesne Psikoloji Dergisi ◽

10.7816/nesne-09-19-11 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (19) ◽

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Extreme Weather Events ◽

Post Traumatic Stress

In the twenty-first century, climate change is one of the most important problems threatening human health and life. The changes in the climate significantly affect not only physical health but also psychological health. Extreme weather events and natural disasters that occur as a result of climate change cause direct effects such as acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. This study addresses the direct and indirect effects of climate change on health, both physically and on the mental health and mental health and public health in Turkey aimed at drawing attention to the subject of researchers working. As a result of the review, it was determined that changing climates have three main effects on the individual: i) long-term stress and psychological distress, ii) aggression and violence, iii) ecological mourning. It was also observed that there is not enough study about the effects of climate change. It has been pointed out that studies should be carried out for custom observed climate changes to Turkey's geography and understand the effects it brings and ensuring the adaptation to these changes of the individuals and recommendations have been made in this regard. Keywords: Global warming, public health, psychological health, climate change, psychological well-being, psychological distress

Download Full-text

Negative Appraisals of the COVID-19 Social Impact Associated With the Improvement of Depression and Anxiety in Patients After COVID-19 Recovery

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.585537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Wentao Chen ◽

Yumeng Ju ◽

Bangshan Liu ◽

Mei Huang ◽

Aiping Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Social Impact ◽

Health Impact ◽

Vital Role ◽

Symptom Improvement ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Post Discharge ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Negative Appraisals

Objective: Little is known about the factors affecting the recovery of mental health in COVID-19 patients. The purpose of this study is to look into the change of psychological distress and to explore the role of negative appraisals in the improvement of psychological distress in COVID-19 patients after they recovered from the infection.Methods: We conducted a longitudinal survey on patients with COVID-19 infection in Changsha. The 9-item Patient Health scale, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and a newly developed measure, the COVID-19 Impact Scale (CIS) were applied to assess patients' depression, anxiety, and negative appraisal toward COVID-19 infection during their hospitalization and 1 month post-discharge.Results: Seventy-two patients were included in the analysis. A significant decrease in anxiety and depression levels was observed after patients were discharged from hospital. Two meaningful factors of the CIS were extracted based on factor analysis, namely “health impact,” and “social impact.” The change of social impact explained the 12.7 and 10.5% variance in the depression and anxiety symptom improvement, respectively.Conclusions: Change in negative appraisals, especially the appraisals related to COVID-19 social impact may play a vital role in the relief of psychological distress of infected patients. Therefore, a cognitive and social care perspective might be considered when promoting the mental health recovery and readjustment to society among COVID-19 patients.

Download Full-text

Soft drink consumption and mental health problems among adults in Australia

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980009993132 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1073-1079 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Zumin Shi ◽

Anne W Taylor ◽

Gary Wittert ◽

Robert Goldney ◽

Tiffany K Gill

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Relationship Between Objective Financial Burden and the Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health of Patients With Cancer

Journal of Oncology Practice ◽

10.1200/jop.2017.027136 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. e113-e121 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Joohyun Park ◽

Kevin A. Look

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Family Income ◽

Financial Burden ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Lower Hrqol

Purpose: The high and increasing costs of cancer care can lead to financial burden for patients and their families. However, no study has specifically examined the association between objective measures of financial burden and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological health of patients with cancer. Methods: Data on patients with cancer were obtained from the 2010 to 2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. High financial burden was defined as a ratio of annual family out-of-pocket health care expenditures to family income exceeding either 10% or 20%. Multivariable linear regressions were used to estimate the relationship between high financial burden and patient HRQOL, nonspecific psychological distress, and depressed mood. Results: Of 6,799 patients with cancer, 15% and 6% experienced high financial burden exceeding 10% and 20% of family income, respectively. Compared with those without high financial burden, patients with cancer with high financial burden were more likely to have significantly lower HRQOL and a greater tendency toward nonspecific psychological distress. Higher levels of financial burden were associated with lower HRQOL, with a stronger relationship observed with physical health than with mental health and a greater tendency toward nonspecific psychological distress. Depressed mood was not significantly associated with high financial burden. Conclusion: High financial burden among patients with cancer was significantly associated with lower HRQOL and poor mental health. Along with efforts to reduce health care costs for cancer survivors, additional interventions are necessary to ensure the HRQOL and psychological health of cancer survivors.

Download Full-text

Psychological health and discrimination experience among graduate students: findings from the Stress Coping Obstruction Prevention & Education (SCOPE) Study

Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care ◽

10.1108/eihsc-11-2013-0049 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 122-136

Author(s):

Larrell L. Wilkinson ◽

Jelani Kerr ◽

Temple Smith ◽

Muhammad Salaam ◽

Minnjuan W. Flournoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

African American ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Graduate Students ◽

African Americans ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Content Type ◽

Poverty Concentration ◽

The Usa

Purpose – African-Americans historically report greater exposure to discrimination and also experience unfavorable outcomes associated with physical health, poverty concentration, residential segregation, and poorer education. The effects of discrimination are particularly harmful on mental health as discriminatory experiences contribute significantly to diminished mental health status and psychological distress. African-Americans pursuing graduate education may experience additional stressors, increasing the risk for poorer mental health. The purpose of this paper is to examine the association of psychological health and discrimination experiences among black and white graduate students at a southeastern university. Design/methodology/approach – Participants were 505 graduate students at a predominantly white southeastern institution. Researchers collected data via self-administered online and paper questionnaires during the spring 2010 semester. Graduate students were asked questions pertaining to individual demographics, discrimination, and psychosocial concerns. Findings – Approximately 15 percent of the graduate students reported psychological distress. Additionally, black graduate students reported significantly higher levels of day-to-day and lifetime discrimination when compared to white graduate students. In addition to the proportions of psychological distress differing by race, African-American graduate students reported better psychological well-being when exposed to both day-to-day and lifetime discrimination than whites with similar exposure. Practical implications – Resilience factors and coping strategies should be examined further among African-American graduate students for greater understanding. Moreover, it is important to develop applications to improve mental health outcomes for all graduate students. Originality/value – This is one of the few studies to focus on the mental health and discrimination experiences among a graduate student population. The sample is drawn from the southeastern USA where there are long vestiges of discrimination and a sizable sampling of African-Americans who live in the USA.

Download Full-text