Background
Working in humanitarian
crisis situations is dangerous. National humanitarian staff in particular face
the risk of primary and secondary trauma exposure which can lead to mental
health problems. Despite this, research on the mental health of national staff
is scarce, and a systematic analysis of up-to-date findings has not been
undertaken yet.
Objective
This article reviews the
available literature on trauma-related mental health problems among national
humanitarian staff. It focuses on the prevalence of selected mental health
problems in relation to reference groups; sex and/or gender as predictive
factors of mental health problems; and the influence of organization types on
mental health problems.
Method
Three databases were
systematically searched for relevant studies published in the English language
in peer-reviewed journals.
Results
Fourteen articles
matched the inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that national staff experience
mental health problems and the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder,
depression, and anxiety among this occupation group is mostly similar to or
higher than among reference groups. Research on both substance use disorder and
suicidal behavior among national staff is particularly scarce. The relation
between sex and/or gender and mental health problems among national staff
appears to be complex, and organizational staff support seems to be an
important determinant for mental health.
Conclusion
All findings call for
increased attention from the humanitarian community and further research on the
topic.
Full article at: http://goo.gl/Y5slkz
By: Hannah Strohmeier1,* and Willem F. Scholte2,3,4
1Institute of Tropical Medicine and
International Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
2Antares Foundation, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
3Equator Foundation, Diemen, The
Netherlands
4Academic Medical Center, University of
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*Correspondence to: Hannah Strohmeier, Institute
of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin
Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, DE-13353 Berlin,
Germany, Email: moc.em@reiemhortS.hannaH
Responsible Editor: Marianna Purgato, Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public, USA.
This paper is part of the Special Issue: Global mental health and trauma.
More papers from this issue can be found at www.ejpt.net
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv_insight
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