Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a system that has been created to fill the newly perceived need of first responders and the way in which they meet the needs in turn experienced by victims in a disaster situation. Recently, officials recognized the need for a set of clear guidelines to help disaster personnel handle the stress and rigors of meeting the psychological and emotional needs of victims while also creating a platform for logistical support. To facilitate this, the PFA system consists of eight core actions, including contact and engagement, safety and comfort, stabilization, information gathering, practical assistance, connection with social supports, information on coping support, and linkage with collaborative service. Of these, the first two will be considered in more depth. The first component, contact and engagement, is a response to the immediate challenge that disaster responders face when arriving at the site in question. This challenge focuses on the need to rapidly establish contact with survivors and developing positive relationships with them (Ruzek et al., 2007). The specific challenge here is that survivors will be suffering from shock and trauma,...
Disaster personnel therefore need to be able to handle overt hostility while still defusing the emotionally charged situation to such a degree that the rescue operations can proceed without difficulty. Within this component then, a good way to establish initial contact is for the responder to introduce him- or herself with a first or full name and describe the response role. Secondly, permission should be requested to speak with the survivor. It has been found that survivors respond better when they are provided with concrete information while their immediate needs are met.
Psychological and Socio-Cultural Theories of Risk Definition of Risk The term "risk" is often defined differently depending on the particular paradigm. For example, risk is economics is typically defined in terms of differences in possible monetary outcomes and individuals/corporations involved in risk -- seeking behavior are typically seeking higher monetary payoffs (Markowitz 1952). When clinical psychologists, sociologists, law enforcement officials, and lay individuals identify "risky behaviors" they are referring to a broader
However, when using labels, counselors have to be careful to not pigeonhole or otherwise be biased. Labels are helpful in offering some clear-cut solutions for specific problems, but labels can and should change over time as the client progresses with therapy. Assessments should be always be used with the ultimate aim of improving a client's life. Psychological assessments can help psychologists determine whether medical attention is necessary for the client.
This is mostly experienced in case where the trauma caused psychological disorders, phobias, and depression, and this may go as far as inhibiting the maturation process of the child and even interacting with the emerging personality. According to Newman (1976) three factors can be used to predict the psychological effects of disasters on children, these are; the child's developmental level, the child's perception about the family's response to the
This point also emphasizes a cardinal aspect in the recent literature. There has been an increasing research focus on a more discursive and holistic approach which should be adopted in dealing with PTSD and related areas of psychological concern. At present the research into the field is an ongoing process which must be continually updated. The literature also leaves little doubt that PTSD and other related psychological problems as result
Psychological First AID in CISM Psychological First Aid In this scenario, an act of terrorism has occurred at a nuclear power facility. Portions of the facility were destroyed by the explosion, killing some of the workers instantly. However, the threat of a core meltdown is imminent and both remaining workers and first responders are on the scene trying to prevent a community-wide radiation event. Both remaining workers inside the plant and the
MANAGING CONSUMER BEHAVIORS & UNDERSTANDING CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS Consumer Behavior Understanding consumer behavior is a pursuit that answers why, when, how, and where people buy or do not buy products. Consumer behavior is an area that combines topics such as economics, media studies, sociology, and psychology. Predicting and understanding consumer behavior is a challenge for experts and novices alike. Perception can be a biological process by which a person's brain interprets and organizes
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