'Emotional preparedness': a nuanced approach to disaster readiness among social workers

• Published in: Social work education Vol. 41; no. 5; pp. 860 - 873
• Main Authors: Kranke, Derrick, Mudoh, Yvonne, Weiss, Eugenia L., Hovsepian, Sona, Gin, June, Dobalian, Aram, Der-Martirosian, Claudia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 04.07.2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Burnout; Disasters; Dissemination; education; Emergency preparedness; emotional preparedness; Emotions; Hurricanes; Inpatient care; Morale; Professional training; qualitative; Qualitative research; readiness; Self-efficacy; Social work; Social work education; Social workers; Stress; Strikes; Veterans; United States > US
• ISSN: 0261-5479; 1470-1227
• DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2021.1900099

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.