Psychological problems arising from disaster work

A case study is presented of a problem-solving exercise with UK police officers who experienced psychological problems after their duties in connection with the Bradford fire disaster of May 11 1985. It is argued that they typify the ‘forgotten victims’ of disasters: official helpers of one kind or another whose experiences may lead to significant psychological disturbance. Out of the 399 officers who had been involved with the fire, 234 (59 per cent) completed a screening questionnaire and 34 attended a series of confidential counselling sessions. Their specific problems included performance guilt, reconstruction anxiety, generalized irritability, focused resentment and motivational changes. Treatment interventions were tailored to these problems. A second administration of the screening questionnaire three weeks after counselling, and a follow-up approximately nine months after the disaster, indicated a satisfactory level of recovery in the officers.

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