Document Detail


Exposure to violence, support needs, adjustment, and motivators among Guatemalan humanitarian aid workers.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19554445     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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.
Authors:
Katharine M Putman; Jeanette I Lantz; Cynthia L Townsend; Autumn M Gallegos; Amy A Potts; Rebecca C Roberts; Emily R Cree; Marina de Villagrán; Cynthia B Eriksson; David W Foy
Related Documents :
1267045 - A violence clinic: three years' experience.
16262515 - The relation between violence exposure and conduct problems among adolescents: a prospe...
15005995 - Building community capacity for violence prevention.
20463545 - Study on the use of long-term urinary catheters in community-dwelling individuals.
1284835 - Francis burian--founder of the treatment of facial clefts in czechoslovakia.
12425785 - Management or leadership?
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of community psychology     Volume:  44     ISSN:  1573-2770     ISO Abbreviation:  Am J Community Psychol     Publication Date:  2009 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-07-24     Completed Date:  2009-11-04     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0364535     Medline TA:  Am J Community Psychol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  109-15     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA. kputman@fuller.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adaptation, Psychological*
Adult
Altruism*
Data Collection
Female
Focus Groups
Guatemala
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
Relief Work*
Social Support
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
Violence / psychology*
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Socio-demographic correlates of fear of crime and the social context of contemporary urban china.
Next Document:  Eco-toxic effects of sulfadiazine sodium, sulfamonomethoxine sodium and enrofloxacin on wheat, Chine...