Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK, 2024 (SSCI)
Disasters have a profound impact on people's lives and require effective psychosocial support (PSS) services to mitigate the negative effects and accelerate recovery. The Kahramanmara & scedil; earthquakes in T & uuml;rkiye in 2023 posed major challenges for psychosocial support professionals (PSSPs). This study examines the role, challenges, and needs of PSSPs after these earthquakes and aims to find solutions to improve service delivery and professional well-being. We analysed the data thematically by conducting in-depth interviews with thirty PSSPs from nine institutions in the most affected provinces. The results show that PSSPs faced numerous challenges, including emotional distress, inadequate self-care, difficult working conditions, and lack of coordination. High expectations and experiences of traumatic events led to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Despite various coping strategies, their effectiveness was impaired by the continuous deployment and inadequate conditions. Coordination issues led to inefficiencies, duplication of work, and feelings of professional inadequacy. The study emphasizes the need for improved coordination, structured support, and better working conditions for PSSPs. Institutional support, including supervision and self-care initiatives, is crucial to increase the effectiveness and well-being of these professionals. Targeted interventions and best practices for interprofessional collaboration can significantly improve the delivery of PSS services in disaster contexts. After the Kahramanmara & scedil; earthquake of 2023, psychosocial support professionals (PSSPs) faced overwhelming challenges in providing critical assistance to survivors. This study explores the emotional and professional difficulties faced by PSSPs, including burnout, secondary traumatic stress, inadequate self-care, and staff support process. Drawing on interviews with thirty professionals from the most affected areas, we highlight the high emotional toll and systemic issues that hindered effective support, such as poor coordination and lack of resources. Our findings emphasize the urgent need for better institutional support, including structured monitoring, improved working conditions, and effective coordination mechanisms. By addressing these needs, we can increase the well-being and efficiency of PSSPs and ensure that they are better equipped to help disaster survivors. This study emphasizes the importance of supporting those who provide psychosocial support and offers practical recommendations to improve disaster response and support systems for frontline professionals.