Psychological Problems Among Aid Workers Operating in Darfur

Abstract

Aid workers operating in war zones are susceptible to mental health problems that could develop into stress and acute traumatic stress. This study examined the relationships between burnout, job satisfaction (compassion satisfaction), secondary traumatic stress (compassion fatigue), and distress in 53 Sudanese and international aid workers in Darfur (mean age = 31.6 years). Measures used were the Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire (ProQOL; Stamm, 2005), the Relief Worker Burnout Questionnaire (Ehrenreich, 2001), and the General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg & Williams, 1991). Results showed that burnout was positively related to general distress and secondary traumatic stress, and negatively related to compassion satisfaction. Sudanese aid workers reported higher burnout and secondary traumatic stress than did international workers. Results are discussed in light of previous findings. It was concluded that certain conditions might increase aid workers' psychological suffering and relief organizations need to create positive work climates through equipping aid workers with adequate training, cultural orientation, and psychological support services.

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

“…The reported lack of help-seeking in the context of high personal stress warrants further research attention, as a failure to seek help has been linked to increased mental health problems in the general population (Rickwood et al 2007), and may similarly mediate mental health outcomes among HA workers. Recent occupational health literature suggests a pathway from such risk factors to occupational burnout and to conditions such as depression and PTSD (Brooks et al 2015;Musa and Hamid 2008). Whilst factors such as coping style and poor social support are recognised contributors to burnout among HA workers (Brooks et al 2015), the relationship between help-seeking and burnout has not been investigated in this population.…”

“…Social support represents an important protective factor against adverse mental health effects for the general population, as it appears to provide an effective buffer against stressful experiences Brooks et al 2015;Cardozo et al 2012;Eriksson et al 2012;Musa and Hamid 2008). Social support is defined as emotional and instrumental social interactions that provide an individual with actual assistance or a belief that such assistance is available (Thoits 2011;Hobfoll 1988).…”

“…Past studies in the HA field have found that strong social support may significantly decrease the risk of adverse mental health consequences for workers . Specifically, social support appears to positively predict worker wellbeing, satisfaction (Brooks et al 2015) and resilience (Eriksson et al 2009), as well as mitigate against adverse mental health consequences including psychological distress, burnout (Brooks et al 2015;Cardozo et al 2012;Musa and Hamid 2008), PTSD and depression .…”

Postmission Altruistic Identity Disruption Questionnaire (PostAID/Q): Identifying humanitarian-related distress during the reintegration period following international humanitarian aid work.

“…As such, high levels of primary and vicarious trauma, burnout, and psychological distress are commonly reported in local and international humanitarian personnel (Musa & Hamid, 2008). …”

Zabbaleen Women’s Perspectives on Suffering

“…Fulford describes this role of the health care professional as an "enlightened witness," providing a safe place for the patient to share, grieve, and be vulnerable (2017). Ferrell and other researchers (Ferrell, 2008;Fulford, 2017;Musa & Hamid, 2008;Selby et al, 2009;Hearns & Deeny, 2007)also noted that for those who work in situations that involve anguish, the distress of others could be taken on and become personalized, as it becomes personalized for the witness, creatingboth a conflict in understanding and a conflict to self by not being able to alleviate the angst of the sufferer. Thus, it is necessary to find meaning in suffering whether experienced by self or by others and to practice self-care and reflection to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout (Fulford, 2017).…”