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Exposure to Violence, Support Needs, Adjustment, and Motivators Among Guatemalan Humanitarian Aid Workers
Author(s) -
Putman Katharine M.,
Lantz Jeanette I.,
Townsend Cynthia L.,
Gallegos Autumn M.,
Potts Amy A.,
Roberts Rebecca C.,
Cree Emily R.,
de Villagrán Marina,
Eriksson Cynthia B.,
Foy David W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/s10464-009-9249-5
Subject(s) - burnout , health psychology , psychology , compassion fatigue , social support , clinical psychology , occupational safety and health , suicide prevention , posttraumatic stress , indigenous , focus group , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , humanitarian aid , public health , psychiatry , medicine , environmental health , social psychology , nursing , ecology , business , biology , political science , law , pathology , marketing
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.