'Emotional preparedness': a nuanced approach to disaster readiness among social workers. Issue 5 (4th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kranke, Derrick; Mudoh, Yvonne; Weiss, Eugenia L.; Hovsepian, Sona; Gin, June; Dobalian, Aram; Der-Martirosian, Claudia
• Is Part Of: Social work education. Volume 41:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 860
• Page End: 873
• Publication Date: 2022-07-04
• Subjects: Social work -- disasters -- readiness -- emotional preparedness -- education -- qualitative; Social work education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Social workers -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 361.0071141
• DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2021.1900099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5479

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Social work providers are at risk of experiencing lower morale during disasters because of added emotional stressors, yet, dissemination of factors that impact a social worker's ability to manage emotions during disasters is scant. In the disaster literature, no single term adequately encompasses the myriad components of addressing a provider's own emotional needs before disaster strikes. The authors propose how 'emotional preparedness' is different from other disaster-related terms and is a consideration for social work education because not accounting for a provider's emotional concerns that could arise during disasters may lead to higher burnout or increased turnover. This qualitative study addresses a gap by conceptualizing emotional preparedness. Our study sample consisted of (N = 10) US Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) social work leaders, and inpatient social workers across regions of the United States who experienced damaging hurricanes in 2017. Thematic analysis suggests emotional preparedness encompasses: 1) emotional anticipation; 2) being emotionally present on the job; 3) self-efficacy to withstand the disaster; and 4) worries about having to provide additional services outside one's scope of competence. Future research should be conducted to confirm findings.