Unearthing The Psycho-Spiritual Values Within The Training Module for Disaster Workers

Generally, the training module for disaster workers has been built based on technical skills as to affirm that the disaster workers capable of responding to any situation that occurs. However, in particular situation the psycho-spirituality skill is needed to deal with an unexpected scenario. The importance to understand the value of psycho-spirituality is vital, especially to the trainer of the disaster module. This study has been conducted to the trainers of one of the disaster agencies in Malaysia. The interview has been conducted to six trainers whereby nine structured questions regarding the necessary skills taught to the disaster workers and the needs of psycho-spirituality skills to respond during the disaster. The finding shows that the trainers have a consensus agreement that the technical skills form as prior knowledge for the disaster workers. By having the psycho spiritual content in the training module, they can balance their emotional, internal spiritual and physical well-being while maintaining resilient. Thus, this study suggests that psycho-spiritual content is very much important to be included in the training module for disaster workers as to enhance the training content comprehensively both in technical and spiritual aspects.

The Needs for Psycho Spiritual Competencies for Disaster Workers in Malaysia

Natural Disaster such as big flood, earthquake, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, fire raze, landslide, and other kinds of disaster always occurred everywhere in the world. The role of disaster workers is crucial in saving the victims in a critical situation where the inner strength to confront the dangerous situation and comfort the victims is needed. This study examines whether the training content to disaster workers possess sufficient knowledge and skills to cater the physical needs, as well as the emotional turmoil and instability situation, occurred to the victims. The secondary data sought from library and website research, scholars’ opinion from journals published and past research conducted. The psycho-spiritual competencies from the conventional and Islamic perspectives are highlighted. Differences in the two approaches were compared and evaluated. The finding shows that the disaster workers require both conventional and Islamic approaches of psycho-spiritual competencies to cater to the needs of disaster victims during the rescue process take place. Hence, Islamic psycho spiritual competencies contribute to the inner strength of the Muslim disaster workers as its emblem the soul and the spiritual heart qalb which correlated as the determinant factor of the well-being of the physical body of the human being.

Perceived Workplace Interpersonal Support Among Workers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants Following the 2011 Accident: The Fukushima Nuclear Energy Workers’ Support (NEWS) Project Study

ObjectiveThe 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident was the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The Daiichi workers faced multiple stressors (workplace trauma, victim experiences, and public criticism deriving from their company’s post-disaster management). Literatures suggest the importance of workplace interpersonal support (WIS) in enhancing psychological health among disaster workers. We sought to elucidate the role of their demographics, disaster-related experiences, and post-traumatic stress symptoms on perceived WIS.MethodsWe analyzed self-report questionnaires of 885 workers 2-3 months post-disaster. We used sociodemographic and disaster exposure-related variables and post-traumatic stress symptoms (measured by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised) as independent variables. We asked whether WIS from colleagues, supervisors, or subordinates was perceived as helpful, and used yes or no responses as a dependent variable. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess correlates of WIS.ResultsOf the participants, one-third (34.7%) reported WIS. WIS was associated with younger age (20-28 years [vs 49-], adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.99-5.32), supervisory work status (aOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.35-3.92), and discrimination or slur experience (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.08-2.53).ConclusionsEducational programs focusing on WIS might be beneficial to promote psychological well-being among nuclear disaster workers, especially younger workers, supervisors, and workers with discrimination experiences. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:460–463)

Posttraumatic Psychiatric Disorders and Resilience in Healthcare Providers following a Disastrous Earthquake: An Interventional Study in Taiwan

Background. Posttraumatic psychiatric disorders (PTPDs) are common in disaster workers; however, their incidence and resilience in healthcare providers (HCPs) following a disastrous earthquake are still unclear. Therefore, we conducted an interventional study to clarify this issue. Methods. After a medical response to the scene of a collapsed huge building, we conducted an assessment of the HCPs using an immediate self-administered questionnaire and a follow-up questionnaire 1 month later. Psychological support after the operation was implemented. We performed analysis of the risk for PTPDs and comparison between immediate and follow-up questionnaires. Results. The mean age (standard deviation) of the HCPs was 32.7 (5.2) years, with 33.5 (5.8) years for nurses and 32.4 (4.4) years for physicians. The proportion of females among the nurses and physicians was 94.3% and 12.5%, respectively. In total, 16.4% (11/67) of HCPs fit the criteria of PTPDs. Nurses had a trend of higher incidence than physicians. Female HCPs had a trend of higher incidence than male HCPs. After intervention, none of the HCPs reported PTPDs in the follow-up questionnaire (p<0.05). Conclusion. This study delineated that PTPDs were common in HCPs following medical response to an earthquake; however, the resilience was good after the early intervention.