Measuring and modelling the quality of 40 post-disaster mental health and psychosocial support programmes

Disasters can have an enormous impact on the health and well-being of those affected. Internationally, governments and service providers are often challenged to address complex psychosocial problems. Ideally, the potentially broad range of support activities include a coherent, high-quality mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programme. We present a theory-driven quantitative analysis of the quality of 40 MHPSS programmes, mostly implemented in European disaster settings.

The War on Children : Time to end grave violations against children in conflict

There are approximately 350 million children living in areas affected by conflict today, according to new research carried out by the Peace Research Institute in Oslo (PRIO) for this report.

 

Primary care for refugees and newly arrived migrants in Europe : a qualitative study on health needs, barriers and wishes

Background
 
In order to provide effective primary care for refugees and to develop interventions tailored to them, we must know their needs. Little is known of the health needs and experiences of recently arrived refugees and other migrants throughout their journey through Europe. We aimed to gain insight into their health needs, barriers in access and wishes regarding primary health care.
Methods

Suicidality risk and (repeat) disaster exposure : Findings from a nationally representative population survey

Objective: Despite growing awareness of adverse disaster mental health consequences, the scarce existing evidence on the link of disaster exposure and suicidality has remained inconclusive, and the differential suicidality risk associated with distinct levels of natural and man-made disaster exposure is unknown. We therefore investigated the lifetime prevalence and risk of suicidal behaviour associated with natural and man-made disaster exposure in Australia.

 

Leaving ideological groups behind : A model of disengagement

The social mechanisms in ideological groups work to promote a cohesive social unit and present significant barriers to disengaging. Nonetheless, involvement in these groups is often not a lifelong commitment and many members do leave. The aim of this study was to explore the personal experience of the exiting process from a diverse range of ideological groups, and to construct a theory of disengagement, through 27 in-depth interviews with former members of 1% motorcycle clubs, military special operations forces, cults, white supremacists and fundamental religious or political groups.

Terrorism and voter turnout in seven urban centers in the United States

Scholars have long held that terrorist attacks have a noticeable effect on citizens’ emotions such as anxiety and fear. Consequently, it is not surprising that researchers have discovered that terrorism influences vote choice in individual nation states as well as impacts voter turnout cross-nationally.

Loss of loved ones or home due to a disaster : effects over time on distress in immigrant ethnic minorities

Exposure to mass trauma may bring about increased sensitivity to new or ongoing stressors. It is unclear whether sensitivity to stress associated with ethnic minority/immigrant status may be affected by severe exposure to mass trauma.

The intrinsic interlinkage between peacebuilding and mental health and psychosocial support : The International Association for Human Values model of integrated psychosocial peace building

Abstract

 

In view of the evolving discussion on bridging the mental health and psychosocial support and peacebuilding fields, this article proposes that they don’t need to be bridged, but are already intrinsically interlinked. The approach and methodology of the International Association for Human Values is presented as a conceptual and practical model of integrated peacebuilding, both addressing a gap in peacebuilding as well as working complementary to traditional mental health and psychosocial support methods.

Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience programme : experiential education towards resilience and trauma informed people and practice

Abstract

 

War, genocide, gender based violence, structural oppression and other forms of chronic violence and social upheaval can reveal and cultivate tremendous strength and resilience. They can also gravely harm people in body, mind and spirit, both individually and collectively. These harms can lead people to act in on self and act out against others, entrapping us in cycles of violence. Many strategies can assist in breaking free from cycles of violence and building resilience.

Exploring the link between trauma and truth in post conflict societies : comparing post conflict Northern Ireland and post apartheid South Africa

Abstract

 

While much has been written in academia about trauma and truth as singular subjects in post conflict societies, there is a lack of research that investigates the relationship between these foci. This project investigated this underexplored link and uncovered themes that emerged through a rigorous literature review of existing research coupled with semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with professionals working in the fields of trauma and truth across Northern Ireland and South Africa.

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