A preliminary evaluation of the training effects of a didactic and simulation-based psychological first aid program in students and school counselors in South Korea

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 12; no. 7; p. e0181271
• Main Authors: Lee, Jong-Sun, You, Sungeun, Choi, Yun-Kyeung, Youn, Hyae-Young, Shin, Hye Sook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 17.07.2017; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Adolescent; Adult; Biology and Life Sciences; Computer simulation; Counselors - psychology; Delphi method; Disaster management; Disaster Planning; Disaster relief; Disasters; Early intervention; Earthquakes; Education; Education, Graduate; Emergency preparedness; Female; First Aid; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Learning; Male; Medical personnel; Medicine and Health Sciences; Mental health; Methods; Middle Aged; Nursing; People and Places; Perception; Professionals; Program Evaluation; Psychiatry; Psychological Trauma - therapy; Psychology; Psychology - education; Public health; Republic of Korea; School counselors; Simulation; Skills; Social Sciences; Students; Students - psychology; Studies; Training; Universities; Young Adult; Republic of Korea; South Korea
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181271

The present study aimed to examine the training effects of a didactic and simulation-based psychological first aid (PFA) program. Based on the competency-based model, the study sought to examine whether the PFA training would enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Study 1 examined the training effects of the PFA program in a sample of undergraduate and graduate students in psychology. Study 2 was conducted with school counselors. In both studies, all participants completed a one-day PFA workshop with a 3-hour didactic lecture and a 3-hour simulation-based practice. Assessments were conducted prior to the didactic lecture and upon completion of the simulation-based practice. In study 1, an examination of pre- and posttest comparisons indicated that the training significantly improved students' PFA knowledge and perceived competence in PFA skill. In study 2, the same PFA training significantly improved school counselors' PFA knowledge, perceived competence in PFA skill, perceived preparedness and confidence to provide psychological assistance for future disasters, but their perceived willingness to participate in psychological assistance did not significantly change after the training. This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of the PFA training program using a combined method of didactic and simulation-based practice for disaster mental health providers in Korea.