The Mobile Green Classroom, a teaching experience for the society

El Plan Estratégico de la Universidad de Jaén establece que la misión de la Universidad es fomentar el desarrollo de la sociedad no sólo a través de sus funciones de investigación, docencia e innovación sino también mediante la colaboración con los agentes sociales de la provincia de Jaén. Como motor para el desarrollo de su entorno, la Universidad de Jaén se abre a distintos sectores sociales a través de programas específicos, como el recientemente creado “Aula Verde Móvil”, que nace del deseo de esta institución de implicar a toda la sociedad en su objetivo de sensibilizar y promover comportamientos sostenibles, críticos y responsables. Este proyecto, perteneciente al Secretariado de Sostenibilidad – Aula Verde de la Universidad de Jaén (Vicerrectorado de Infraestructuras, Desarrollo de Campus y Sostenibilidad), en colaboración con la Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía a través del proyecto Ecocampus, se ha desarrollado de forma inicial en tres localidades de la provincia de Jaén (Úbeda, Linares y Alcalá la Real) con el fin añadido de promocionar las competencias personales de los participantes en esta experiencia y fomentar la adquisición de nuevas vivencias y sensación de éxito. Para ello se han realizado, en cada una de las localidades, tres sencillos talleres: “Aprendizaje del Medio Ambiente con todos los sentidos”, “Actividades artísticas” e “Investigación del Medio Ambiente”. En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de participación de distintos sectores de la sociedad giennense en los talleres propuestos, así como una valoración inicial del éxito de los mismos.The Strategic Plan of the University of Jaén states that one of the objectives of the university is to promote the development of the society not only through investigation, teaching and innovation but also through collaboration with the social network in the province of Jaén. As an engine for development, the University of Jaén is open to various social sectors through specific programs such as the recently launched “Mobile green classroom”. With this project, the university promotes in the society a sustainable, critical and responsible behaviour. This project of the Secretariat of Sustainability of the University of Jaén, in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucía through the Ecocampus project has been put into practice in three localities of the province of Jaén (Úbeda, Linares and Alcalá la Real). The aim of our work is to promote personal skills of the participants in this experience and encourage the acquisition of new experiences. For this purpose, three singles workshops were planned: “Learning the environment with the senses”, “Artistic activities” and “Environmental research”. This paper presents the results of the participation of different sectors of the society in the proposed workshops and a preliminary assessment of their success

Dissemination of psychotherapy Modules for traumatized Refugees Experience gained from the Trauma Work in Crisis and Conflict Regions

Elbert T, Wilker S, Schauer M, Neuner F. Dissemination psychotherapeutischer Module für traumatisierte Geflüchtete. Erkenntnisse aus der Traumaarbeit in Krisen- und Kriegsregionen. NERVENARZT. 2017;88(1):26-33.With each additional accumulative exposure to severe and traumatic stressors, the likelihood of developing mental health problems and physical diseases increases. Displaced individuals have usually experienced a number of serious threats to health due to organized violence in their home country or attacks during the flight. Frequently, domestic violence adds additional strain to the stressors experienced. The resulting impairments in psychosocial functioning reduce the resources needed for social adjustment and integration. Social exclusion then in turn often further aggravates the existing mental health complications. For the treatment of trauma spectrum disorders, different evidence-based psychotherapies are available. In high-income countries, trained and licensed psychotherapists are typically in positions to apply such interventions; however, even an advanced system with a high capacity, such as the psychotherapeutic care offered in Germany, severely struggles to manage the demands associated with the rapid addition of hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Germany's mental healthcare system at present lacks the resources, both human and technological, to effectively manage the present demands. Systematic scientific studies in resource-poor regions of war and conflict have demonstrated that the dissemination of effective treatment to local personnel, even with limited training, results in substantial improvements in the mental health challenges within the community: Organized as a cascade model, members of the refugee community learn to identify weakened fellow citizens requiring in-depth diagnostic interviews. Educated, bilingual individuals acquainted with their country's healthcare system (e. g. nurses, teachers and social workers) receive training to conduct structured interviews and evidence-based interventions under the supervision of centrally organized licensed psychotherapists. More complex cases are referred to local psychotherapists, psychiatrists or specialized treatment centers. These humanitarian efforts are based on the convention for the protection of human rights and secure the safety, freedom and dignity of these persons

The efficacy of Narrative Exposure Therapy for Children (KIDNET) as a treatment for traumatized young refugees versus treatment as usual: study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial (YOURTREAT).

Wilker S, Catani C, Wittmann J, et al. The efficacy of Narrative Exposure Therapy for Children (KIDNET) as a treatment for traumatized young refugees versus treatment as usual: study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial (YOURTREAT). Trials. 2020;21(1): 185.BACKGROUND: Germany hosts a large number of refugees from war-affected countries. The integration of refugees, in particular young refugees from the Middle East, is one of the major current social challenges in Germany. Mental disorders, first of all post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that results from war experiences, are common among young refugees and interfere with quality of life as well as functional integration. Evidence regarding effective treatment options for this population is scarce. In this trial, we aim to evaluate the pragmatic, short-term psychotherapy Narrative Exposure Therapy for Children (KIDNET) for the treatment of young refugees in Germany.; METHODS: In a rater-blinded, multi-center, randomized-controlled trial, KIDNET is compared to treatment as usual (TAU) within the general health care system. A total number of 80 young refugees who fulfill the diagnostic criteria of PTSD will be randomized to either KIDNET or TAU. Diagnostic interviews will take place at baseline before treatment as well as 6 and 12months thereafter. They will assess exposure to traumatic events, PTSD and comorbid symptoms, as well as parameters of integration.; DISCUSSION: The results of this study should provide evidence regarding effective treatment options for young refugees in Germany, a population that has been understudied and received only limited access to mental health care so far. Next to the effects of treatment on mental health outcomes, integration parameters will be investigated. Therefore, this study should provide broad insights into treatment options for young refugees and their potential implications on successful integration.; TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien; DRKS), ID: DRKS00017222. Registered on 15 May 2019

Sostenibilidad 360º: Pinceladas para entender un concepto

En este trabajo se analiza el concepto de ser humano en un planeta de recursos limitados (el planeta finito). Como consecuencia de su relación con el medio en el que vive, los autores profundizan en sus dimensiones biológica, histórica y socio-económica con un enfoque holístico en una red interdependiente que se ha denominado en 360º. Bajo el punto de vista de la sostenibilidad y sus tres dimensiones, la observación comparativa de la importancia de los tres contextos en la sociedad actual versus una sociedad sostenible arroja resultados predecibles, aunque no por ello menos sorprendentes. El pilar económico del desarrollo sostenible prima sobre los pilares natural y social. E incluso la revalorización de los contextos naturales pasa casi exclusivamente por la asignación de un valor económico añadido (tangible y cuantificable) y menos por el beneficio social que conlleva la sostenibilidad per se. La incorporación de la sostenibilidad en todos los niveles (y en todas las dimensiones) de nuestra sociedad es una tarea complicada que a pasos muy pequeños comienza a implantarse a través de la información, la educación y el voluntariado ambiental. Y es que, al final, “somos lo que hacemos”

Barriers in psychotherapeutic care for refugees – A survey among psychotherapists in Germany

A large proportion of refugees show symptoms of mental health problems that require psychotherapy as first-line treatment. However, even in countries with a well-established psychotherapy system, refugees still encounter barriers to care. In a survey of 2002 outpatient psychotherapists in Germany, we collected data on treatment barriers and on the integration of refugees into regular psychotherapeutic practice

Causal Attributions for Mental Health Problems Scale (MH-CAUSE)

Only a small proportion of refugees requiring treatment actually receive psychotherapy. Alongside structural barriers, it has been hypothesized that causal attributions for mental health problems that deviate from Western explanatory models may reduce refugees’ help-seeking behavior. Prevailing assumptions suggest that refugees predominantly hold causal beliefs that are incompatible with the rationales of psychotherapy. Testing these assumptions requires a reliable assessment tool to evaluate refugees’ causal beliefs. Therefore, we developed the Causal Attributions for Mental Health Problems Scale (MH-CAUSE) and validated it in a sample of Middle Eastern refugees living in Germany (N = 429). This OSF page contains the data and analyses code used for the psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire

The role of psychotherapists' perceived barriers in providing psychotherapy to refugee patients

Dumke L, Wilker S, Kotterba A, Neuner F. The role of psychotherapists' perceived barriers in providing psychotherapy to refugee patients. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. 2023.Access to psychotherapy is critical to improving mental health, but only a small proportion of refugees receive treatment in the regular psychotherapeutic care system in high-income countries. In previous research, outpatient psychotherapists reported several barriers to more frequent treatment of refugee patients. However, it is unclear to what extent these perceived barriers contribute to the poor provision of services to refugees. In a survey of N=2002 outpatient psychotherapists in Germany, we collected data on perceived treatment barriers and on the integration of refugees into regular psychotherapeutic practice. Half of the psychotherapists reported that they do not treat refugee patients. In addition, therapies provided for refugees were, on average, 20% shorter than for other patients. Regression analyses showed direct negative associations between psychotherapists' overall perception of barriers with the number of refugees treated and the number of sessions offered to refugee patients, even when controlling for sociodemographic and workload-related characteristics. Correlation analyses on the level of specific types of barriers further revealed that particularly language-related barriers and lack of contact with the refugee populationare negatively correlated with the number of refugees treated and the number of sessions for refugees. Our findings indicate that the integration of refugees into regular psychotherapeutic care could be improved by measures to connect psychotherapists with refugee patients as well as professional interpreters and to ensure coverage of costs for therapy, interpreters and related administrative tasks. © 2023 The Authors. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

The role of psychotherapists' perceived barriers in providing psychotherapy to refugee patients

Access to psychotherapy is critical to improving mental health, but only a small proportion of refugees receive treatment in the regular psychotherapeutic care system in high-income countries. In previous research, outpatient psychotherapists reported several barriers to more frequent treatment of refugee patients. However, it is unclear to what extent these perceived barriers contribute to the poor provision of services to refugees. In a survey of N = 2002 outpatient psychotherapists in Germany, we collected data on perceived barriers to treatment of refugees and on the integration of refugees into regular psychotherapeutic practice. Half of the psychotherapists reported not to treat any refugee patients. In addition, therapies provided for refugees were, on average, 20% shorter than for other patients. Regression analyses showed direct negative associations between psychotherapists’ overall perception of barriers with the number of refugees treated and the number of sessions offered to refugee patients, even when controlling for sociodemographic and workload-related characteristics. Correlation analyses on the level of specific types of barriers further revealed that particularly language-related barriers and lack of contact with refugee patients are negatively correlated with the number of refugees treated and the number of sessions for refugees. Our findings indicate that the integration of refugees into regular psychotherapeutic care could be improved by measures to connect psychotherapists with refugee patients as well as professional interpreters and to ensure coverage of costs for therapy, interpreters, and related administrative tasks

Trauma, genes, or spirits? Development of a scale to provide a more nuanced understanding of refugees' causal attributions for mental health problems

Only a small proportion of refugees requiring treatment actually receive psychotherapy. Alongside structural barriers, it has been hypothesized that causal attributions for mental health problems that deviate from Western explanatory models may reduce refugees' help-seeking behavior. Prevailing assumptions suggest that refugees predominantly hold causal beliefs that are incompatible with the rationales of psychotherapy. Testing these assumptions requires a reliable assessment tool to evaluate refugees' causal beliefs. Therefore, we developed the Causal Attributions for Mental Health Problems Scale (MH-CAUSE) and validated it in a sample of Middle Eastern refugees living in Germany (N = 429). The outcomes of the psychometric analysis, which included exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and convergent validity, indicate that the MH-CAUSE is a suitable instrument for assessing refugees' causal beliefs about mental health problems. Our findings suggest that refugees' causal attributions are in line with a biopsychosocial-spiritual model of mental illness. Contrary to common assumptions, the majority of participants predominantly explained mental illness via psychosocial and biomedical causes, whereas spiritual beliefs were relevant only for a minority of participants. We observed significant associations between causal beliefs and help-seeking attitudes and behavior. However, effect sizes were only small to moderate. While mental health beliefs might contribute to mental health inequities, alleged cultural differences of refugees should not be overemphasized