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

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 exp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of community psychology 2009-09, Vol.44 (1-2), p.109-115
Main Authors: 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.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Altruism
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Burnout
Caregivers
Clinical Psychology
Community and Environmental Psychology
Community violence exposure
Data Collection
Experience
Female
Focus Groups
Foreign Aid
Guatemala
Health Psychology
Humanitarian aid
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motivation
Motivators
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Stress
Original Paper
Personality and Social Psychology
Post traumatic stress disorder
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Psychology
PTSD symptoms
Public Health
Relief Work
Social Support
Stress
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis
Violence
Violence - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0091-0562
1573-2770
DOI:10.1007/s10464-009-9249-5