Disaster Response and Group Self-Care

Johnstone, Margaret

doi:10.1111/j.1744-6163.2007.00104.x

Cited by 20 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…A few articles (e.g. Armstrong et al 1995, Johnstone 2007, Javadian 2008) mentioned group work with disaster survivors, but did not examine the effects of group work. In China, little research on the effects of social work intervention including group work with disaster survivors exists, probably because social work is a relatively new discipline (Yuen-Tsang & Wang 2008) and social workers' involvement in disaster recovery is a recent phenomenon (Bian et al 2009).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of social group work with survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake in a transitional community

Huang

Wong

2013

Health &Amp; Social Care in the Community

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This research examined the effects of group work with survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake. The two groups studied were organised by social workers in a transitional community. One group was composed of older people and the other of women. The research adopted qualitative research methods. Data were collected by focus group meetings and in-depth individual interviews. The 24 research participants were mainly asked to describe their lives before and after joining the groups. The findings indicated that disaster survivors had resilience to loss and trauma and could recover themselves. Group participation facilitated disaster survivors' self recovery and had positive effects on them. Before joining the groups, many members of both groups felt bored and depressed. After joining, they felt better physically and psychologically and enjoyed socialising with each other. Their lives became more meaningful and their social network was broadened and strengthened. The practical and policy implications of the study are noted and further research recommended. It was concluded that group work, in the form of recreational activities, is effective in alleviating disaster survivors' feelings of distress and depression, improving their psychosocial well-being and fostering their self recovery.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of social group work with survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake in a transitional community

Huang

Wong

2013

Health &Amp; Social Care in the Community

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“…Group intervention is one valuable way to present PFA (Johnstone, 2007). Groups can have an immediate positive impact and lasting consequences in reducing the degree of PTSD symptoms (Foy et al, 2000).…”

Section: Psychological First Aidmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Although the field lacks information on its process, unique problems, and effectiveness, at times a group setting is preferable for children given the fact that many more children can be reached with this method with less expenditure of time and money. Additionally, there are clear theoretical and experiential justifications for group approaches with children including sharing experiences, normalizing reactions, and helping others with mutual support (Johnstone, 2007).…”

Section: Psychological First Aidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weathering the Storm: Persistent Effects and Psychological First Aid with Children Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Cain

Plummer

Fisher

et al. 2010

Journ Child Adol Trauma

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There is a growing body of research on mental health outcomes among, and interventions with, children exposed to disaster. A recommended form of postdisaster intervention is psychological first aid (PFA). This research examines the use of a 6-week PFA group intervention among children ages 5 to 15 displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. Within 20 months post-Katrina, children participated in the Weathering the Storm Psychological First Aid (WTS PFA) groups in public schools and at a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailer park. A total of 99 children (95% African American) completed the WTS PFA intervention. Mean posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores remained in the moderate range two years postevent. Postintervention scores reflect a statistically significant improvement in PTSD symptoms among the sample.

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“…Indeed, groups can have an immediate positive impact and lasting consequences in reducing the degree of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology (Foy et al, 2000). Johnstone (2007) recommends that PFA groups be present centered, include acute debriefing, be supportive, and use principles of both cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approaches.…”

Section: Pfa: Groups Format With Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clearly, there are times that a group setting is preferable for children and youth primarily for practical reasons given the fact that many more children can be reached with this method using less expenditure of time and money. Moreover, there are also clear theoretical and experiential justifications for a group approach: these include shared experience, normalization of reactions, helping others as a way of empowerment, and mutual support (Johnstone, 2007). Pillay (2005) defines PFA for children more specifically as providing psychosocial care by listening and being supportive and taking care to not be probing or intrusive.…”

Section: Pfa: Groups Format With Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practice Challenges in Using Psychological First Aid in a Group Format with Children: A Pilot Study

Plummer¹,

Cain²,

Fisher³

et al. 2008

Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention

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Using pilot data and practice experiences, this paper reports on an attempt at a controlled postdisaster intervention. The authors discuss use of Psychological First Aid (PFA) with children in a group format, focusing on the challenges inherent in responding to distress subsequent to a hurricane disaster. Difficulties in providing services in a timely manner are explored, and the value of PFA, even months and years after experiencing a natural disaster, is discussed. The pilot study included 27 African-American children aged 6À15 years, but due mostly to mobility, only 12 completed the entire set of six sessions and were included in the analysis. The small sample that resulted did not show positive gains with respect to reduction in trauma symptomatology but did show positive results in terms of participant satisfaction. Challenges in providing timely and relevant services included access to children, timing difficulties, multiple and ongoing sources of stress, and developmental considerations. Lessons learned are provided for others providing postdisaster services with children, as well as suggestions for subsequent research. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 8:313-326 (2009)] KEY WORDS: children and disaster, psychological first aid, group interventions.

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Disaster Response and Group Self-Care

Cited by 20 publications

References 2 publications

Effects of social group work with survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake in a transitional community

Effects of social group work with survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake in a transitional community

Weathering the Storm: Persistent Effects and Psychological First Aid with Children Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Practice Challenges in Using Psychological First Aid in a Group Format with Children: A Pilot Study

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