Taking Care of Forced Migrants Together: Strengths and Weaknesses of Interorganizational Work from the Perspective of Social Workers

Amalia De Leo (), Giulia D’Adamo, Carlotta Morozzi and Caterina Gozzoli
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Amalia De Leo: Department of Psychology, Catholic University, 20123 Milan, Italy
Giulia D’Adamo: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
Carlotta Morozzi: Department of Psychology, Catholic University, 20123 Milan, Italy
Caterina Gozzoli: Department of Psychology, Catholic University, 20123 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: The reception and taking care of forced migrants with mental health issues is undoubtedly a very complex task. The literature shows that reception systems are characterized by a high level of fragmentation due to poor collaboration among services that are required to respond to complex and multidimensional needs brought by forced migrants. Starting from the need to deepen what elements support or hinder the implementation of the services’ networks for the care and management of forced migrants, qualitative research was conducted within a constructivist paradigm. As the literature reveals a lack of studies considering the perspective of practitioners, we decided to explore the representations of professionals working with migrants in northern Italy in four different service areas (health and psychological well-being, reception, family, and legal areas). A total of 24 professionals (13 F and 11 M) with an average age of 42.4 years were involved in four focus groups according to the four areas. A paper–pencil content analysis was conducted following IPA guidelines. The results show strengths, weaknesses, and elements of improvement for service network implementation. The needs of forced migrants seem to be effectively met only through a service network that takes shape in the interweaving of social, organizational, group, and individual levels.

Keywords: inter-organizational work; forced migrants’ care; reception centers; social workers; services network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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