Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study.

Abstract

This case study explores the interpersonal and intrapersonal experiences of a single individual who spent more than 35 years in humanitarian aid work. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, one superordinate theme, altruistic identity (AI), emerges. On return home following a humanitarian mission, AI requires (a) strong perception of empathic validation for intimate reintegration and (b) self-acceptance of personal involvement. However, AI disruption is related to (a) a perception of rejection or weak empathic validation for intimate reintegration and (b) self-blame leading to isolation from intimate others. With AI disruption, validation is alternately sought from humanitarian colleagues and/or by returning to the field. Results suggest that postmission reintegration processes are important determinants of psychological well-being. The authors also discuss the organization's role in addressing the psychosocial care of their staff on return from mission to reduce long-term social disruption and psychological distress.

Postmission Altruistic Identity Disruption Questionnaire (PostAID/Q): Identifying humanitarian-related distress during the reintegration period following international humanitarian aid work.

“…Organizations play a unique and important role in reducing reintegration psychosocial risks through the way they manage the reintegration process (McCormack et al, 2009;McCormack & Joseph, 2012). Apart from possible emergence of posttrauma stress responses related to exposure to traumatic events in-field, the three to six month period after deployment is a time of increased risk of anxiety, burnout, and low levels of life satisfaction compared to pre-deployment functioning (Lopes Cardozo, Crawford, Eriksson et al, 2012).…”

“…As such, resources towards supporting the mental health of their personnel were not prioritized (Ager et al, 2012;Lopes Cardozo et al, 2005;McCall & Salama, 1999;McCormack et al, 2009). …”

“…As such, it is an 18-item questionnaire designed to identify complex psychosocial challenges specific to returnees from humanitarian aid work. The PostAID/Q was developed from qualitative studies that sought subjective interpretations of the phenomenon of humanitarian aid work (McCormack et al, 2009;McCormack & Joseph, 2012;2013). A preliminary list of 79 items was initially created.…”

“…An aid worker who reintegrates well on homecoming, is psychologically more robust for redeployment (McCormack, Joseph & Hagger, 2009). …”

Psychological growth in humanitarian aid personnel: reintegrating with family and community following exposure to war and genocide

“…The workplace of humanitarian aid personnel is increasingly characterized by the complexities of global politics, military goals, terrorist threats, and overwhelming international human crises (Lischer, 2007;Vaux, 2004). Exposure to these complex environments during the course of their work can complicate relationship, societal, and career re-integration postmission in returnees (Danieli, 1996;McCormack, 2009;McCormack, Joseph, & Hagger, 2009). However, there is a paucity of research concerning the phenomenological experience of humanitarian work complicated by internal war and genocide, or the moral aftermath on the individual trying to make sense of such experiences.…”