Volunteerism Among Social Work Students During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Mental Health Practitioners’ Experiences During the Shared Trauma of the Forced Relocation from Gush Katif

“…These workers reported extensive difficulties and great distress in the process of carrying out their job. These examples, while extreme, are similar to those of other workers, who describe their difficulties in performing their jobs before they know that their families are safe following terror (Somer et al 2004;Saakvitne 2002), war (Loewenberg 1992) or natural disasters (Jordan 2007;Plummer et al 2008) when they personally know and are exposed to the same uncertainties as their clients (Shamai 1998). …”

Positive traits versus previous trauma: racially different correlates with PTSD symptoms among hurricane katrina‐rita volunteers

“…These future mental health professionals volunteered to fill the vacancy of much needed community social services following the most deadly disaster in U.S. history (Plummer et al, 2008). Several findings provide valuable information for future investigation in community psychology.…”

“…Hurricane-related stressors were assessed using the 18-item checklist hurricanerelated stressors experienced during the month following H-KR, developed by investigators right after disasters (Plummer et al, 2008). Respondents indicated which stressors they experienced by means of a yes or no (e.g., being an evacuee, sharing a home with evacuees, food and gasoline shortages, compassion fatigue or guilt, loss of personal property, health and financial problems, job loss).…”

Trap of Conflicting Needs: Helping Professionals in the Wake of a Shared Traumatic Reality

“…The psychoanalyst Kogan (2004) observes her need to cling to her identity as an analyst during the Gulf War-''I was trying to hold on to my identity as an analyst, … I clung to what made me feel safe'' (p. 746). In similar vein, findings among social work students indicate that following terror attacks in Israel (Baum 2004), September 11th (Tosone et al 2003), and Hurricane Katrina (Plummer et al 2008) indicate that helping others through their work was an important source of meaning for them.…”

“…According to Terror Management Theory, an enhanced sense of belonging may serve as another distal defense that buffers anxiety and mitigates death concerns (Arndt et al 1999). Indeed, findings in the United States and Israel show that the social support enabled by connection with family members, affiliation with the agency or organization where one works, and/or being part of a community can alleviate the distress felt by professionals working in a shared traumatic reality and facilitate their movement between the personal and professional realms (e.g., Baum and Ramon 2010;Plummer et al 2008;Saakvitne 2002;Shamai and Ron 2009). Beyond enabling support and its benefits, these connections and affiliations can enhance the professional's sense of belonging.…”