Exposure to Violence, Support Needs, Adjustment, and Motivators Among Guatemalan Humanitarian Aid Workers

Abstract

Indigenous aid workers carry out the majority of humanitarian aid work, yet there is little empirical information available on their support needs in different contexts. Focus groups (N = 26: Study 1) and a survey (N = 137; Study 2) were conducted with Guatemalan aid workers to explore their exposure to violence, posttraumatic stress symptoms, burnout, support needs, and motivators. Participants reported experiencing an average of 13 events of community violence and 17% reported symptoms consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Direct community violence exposure and levels of emotional exhaustion were positively related to PTSD symptoms, while levels of personal accomplishment were inversely related to PTSD symptoms. Expressed support needs, motivators and rewards for aid work in the face of adversity are also reported as potential protective factors for further exploration. Implications for training and support of aid workers in similar contexts are also suggested.

Risk and resilience factors affecting the psychological wellbeing of individuals deployed in humanitarian relief roles after a disaster

“…Putman et al (2009) found that emotional exhaustion was a significant predictor of PTSD. Soliman & Gillespie (2011) found that complicated tasks, high expectations and excessive demands led to stress, particularly when associated with inadequate resources.…”

“…Traumatic exposure Workers directly exposed to the disaster itself had significantly higher rates of acute stress disorder in the aftermath, significantly higher rates of depression at seven and 13 months post-disaster, and higher levels of PTSD 13 months post-disaster, compared to those working off-site Fullerton et al, 2004). Workers experienced stress, anxiety and intrusive thoughts caused by the magnitude of death and grotesqueness witnessed including recovering body parts, smelling burnt flesh and not knowing how to reply to victims asking if they were going to die (Brandt et al, 1995;Paton, 1994;Putman et al, 2009;Thormar et al, 2013;West et al, 2008;Yang et al, 2010). Local and victim hostility in the form of misunderstandings, displaced anger and lack of gratitude were sources of general stress in DRWs Wang et al, 2011).…”

“…, Hearns & Deeny (2007), Johnson et al (2005), , Pulido (2012), Stuhlmiller (1994), Weber & Messias (2012), Wilson & Gielissen (2004), Wyche et al (2011) and Yang et al (2010) Hagh-Shenas et al (2005), Lundin & Bodegård (1993), Paton (1994), Perrin et al (2007), Thoresen et al (2009), Thormar et al (2013), Witteveen et al (2007), and Wyche et al (2011) Deployment length and timing: Length and frequency of deployments/When they were deployed Bjerneld et al (2004, Ehring et al (2011, Holtz et al (2002), Perrin et al (2007), and Yokoyama et al (2014) Traumatic exposure: Exposure to death, destruction and grief, as well as to harassment, anger, aggression and assault from victims Brandt et al (1995), Putman et al (2009), Stuhlmiller (1994, Ursano & McCarroll (1990), Wang et al (2011) and Yang et al (2010) Alexander ( …”

Future role aspirations, achievement motivations and perceptions of personal help-seeking among humanitarian aid trainees

“…avoidant coping styles) and resilience factors (high levels of social support), before they enter the field. A resilience factor is conceptualised as a trait or behaviour that is associated with a lower likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes or that reduces the negative impact of a potential risk factor after incident exposure (O'Connell et al 2009). Conversely, a risk factor is defined as a trait or behaviour associated with an increased risk of future harm to the individual (Metcalfe et al 2011).…”

Occupational Trauma and Mental Illness—Combat, Peacekeeping, or Relief Work and the National Co-Morbidity Survey Replication

“…Smaller studies on PTSD among US 14 , Turkish 26 and Singapore relief workers 27 identified rates of PTSD among relief workers ranging from 8–43%. Other studies reported elevated symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety among relief workers 13, 28 .…”