On being involved in a major incident abroad: an exploratory study of an international service

The frequency and severity of major incidents occurring worldwide is increasing.
Whilst the psychosocial impacts of being involved in a major incident are well
documented, there is insufficient evidence of the effectiveness of immediate and
medium-term post-disaster interventions. Psychosocial support programmes are
being implemented by humanitarian aid agencies such as the British Red Cross
and international guidelines for responding to disasters have been published.
However, little research has been conducted looking at people's experiences of
the help that they received following being involved in a major incident.
Nine British nationals who had been involved in a major incident abroad were
interviewed about their experience of the service they received from the British
Red Cross' Psychosocial Support Team, who forms part of the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office's Rapid Deployment Teams. A grounded theory analysis
resulted in the construction of a model which illustrated their experiences. The
model consisted of three main categories: 'Experiences Related to the Event',
The Response' and 'Consequences', which specify the elements that
participants most valued in the service they received, as well as the co-ordination
between the needs of the participants, the response and the consequences.
Participants reported positive experiences of their involvement with the
Psychosocial Support Team. Of particular benefit was having somebody there,
the holistic approach that was taken, feeling supported, being followed up and the
individualised, needs led approach to the support that was provided.
Recommendations for improvements were also suggested and the findings were
compared to existing literature, frameworks and guidelines. It is hoped that the
study's findings and having insight into people's experiences of the support they
received, will inform practice and contribute to the development of the services
that are offered to people following being involved in a major incident abroad.

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