Researcher: Tytti Mäkinen; Supervisor: Sari Miettinen
The mental wellbeing of internationally deployed disaster relief workers has become an issue of concern. Many disaster situations to where humanitarian workers are deployed involve conflict with an ensuing threat of violence toward workers, in addition to exposure to stress, culture shock, witnessing trauma, fatigue and so on. The psychological consequences of these have been documented in research, however the role of training and preparation in supporting mental wellbeing has not received due attention, despite research indicating the need for it. Perceptions of the workers themselves of its efficacy and relevance has been researched minimally.
This qualitative study examines the perceptions of volunteers of a small international disaster relief organisation in regard to the pre-deployment preparation they have received and its appropriateness and effectiveness in supporting the volunteers' mental wellbeing.
The mental wellbeing of internationally deployed disaster relief workers has become an issue of concern. Many disaster situations to where humanitarian workers are deployed involve conflict with an ensuing threat of violence toward workers, in addition to exposure to stress, culture shock, witnessing trauma, fatigue and so on. The psychological consequences of these have been documented in research, however the role of training and preparation in supporting mental wellbeing has not received due attention, despite research indicating the need for it. Perceptions of the workers themselves of its efficacy and relevance has been researched minimally.
This qualitative study examines the perceptions of volunteers of a small international disaster relief organisation in regard to the pre-deployment preparation they have received and its appropriateness and effectiveness in supporting the volunteers' mental wellbeing.
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