Emergency Psychology: what it is, characteristics and functions

Disasters, catastrophes, accidents... Events that negatively affect people are part of the continuum of human history.

Although the type of accidents have varied according to the historical moment, they have always been present, and will continue to be. Therefore, it is important to know how to deal with them correctly, helping to ensure that the effect produced on the affected people is not so negative and that they can better integrate it into their lives.

To make this possible, Emergency Psychology was developed, with the purpose of applying psychological knowledge and practices in emergency situations.

In the following article we will present the Psychology of Emergencies, defining it, seeing which characteristics are more appropriate for emergency psychologists to show, as well as the functions and interventions that these carry out both to the victim and family members as well as to professionals who also work in the situation of catastrophe.

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What is Emergency Psychology?

The Psychology of Emergencies and Catastrophes is the branch of Psychology that has the function not only of studying the reaction of people to emergency situations, but also before and during these situations.

In the same way, its mission is to apply psychological interventions to prepare the population for catastrophic situations, bearing in mind as a reaction to a state of alarm and thus being able to increase adaptive behaviors and improve rehabilitation later.

That is to say, they not only focus on the intervention once the catastrophe has occurred, but they also act before and during, preparing and strengthening individuals, imparting knowledge and techniques that are useful, functional, to face the emergency situation in the best way.

The function of this branch of Psychology is very important, since it has been seen that if a correct intervention is not made, the states of alteration that appear in the Individuals in the face of catastrophes, can lead, with a third of probability, in an acute stress reaction, and may even develop a post-stress disorder. traumatic

In Spain, the first group of experts in psychological intervention in emergencies was established in Madrid in 1999, as a result of the natural catastrophe that occurred at the Huesca campsite.

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The role of psychologists in emergencies

In order for the function of Emergency Psychology to be achieved correctly, it is important that the professional who performs the action is prepared to do it optimally.

It has been pointed out that in addition to the degree in Psychology and the specialization in psychological intervention in emergencies and disasters it is necessary for the professional to present adequate skills and personality characteristics, given the exceptional situations where they intervene.

The profession of emergency psychologist must be vocational, since not all people, even those who have received psychological training, they are prepared to act in crisis situations in which this psychologist has to intervene specialist.

It is easy for burnout to occur, that is to say, that work exhaustion appears, since it requires a lot of involvement, working with people in crisis situations and may even affect the psychological state of the professional.

Regarding the personality characteristics and skills that the emergency psychologist should have, we could mention:

• Emotional balance.
• Self-control.
• Resistance to psychological and physical fatigue.
• Social skills.
• Teamwork skills.
• Frustration tolerance.

In the same way, you need experience in performing psychological interventions in emergency and crisis situations.

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Main functions of this branch of Psychology

The emergency psychologist will intervene both with the accident victims and their families, as well as with the other professionals who also exercise their functions in the crisis situation, for example, doctors and nurses.

The main objectives of action after the occurrence of a traumatic event are the following: minimize the short-term psychological impact, make it easier to cope with situations with high emotional content that can generate stress, reduce the probability of presenting a psychological disorder (either in the direct victim or in close people to it), inform about the available help services and facilitate the access of the population at risk to assistance sanitary.

As we already pointed out in the first section, the emergency psychologist will perform her role during and after the intervention in the crisis situation. Next we will mention the main activities to be carried out at all times.

Functions during the intervention

The main activities to be carried out during the intervention in the catastrophic situation are: observe both individual behavior and relationships between those affected, approach empathically listening to the affected (This will not only help a better relationship with the victim, but will also have a therapeutic function), assess the condition of the victim paying main attention to risk groups (children, the elderly ...) and considering the lost resources and referring them if necessary to a center of health.

In relation to families, the emergency psychologist will accompany them in the recognition of corpses and will carry out intervention to relatives in crisis, helping in the beginning of a correct elaboration of the duel. In addition, they will also collaborate with the media so that catastrophes are communicated correctly, always protecting and looking after the victims and those affected.

Likewise, they will advise managers in relation to psychological and social aspects, they will give support and cooperate with other professionals whose work is also linked to the emergency situation. Finally, given the situation, it will be vital to know how to convey the bad news properly.

Functions after the intervention

Once the intervention has been carried out, the activities that can be carried out are the following: monitor the intervention groups, the affected people and especially the most vulnerable groups of individuals; intervene in a preventive and therapeutic way to the victims and their families; elaboration of technical reports and participate in scientific debates contributing the psychological point of view.

In the same way, in parallel to the functions related to the intervention, the emergency psychologist, in addition, can carry out advisory functions to professionals in the field of emergencies, health and organizations (These could be both 112 emergency centers and schools and town halls).

Similarly, for the practices carried out in the emergency situation to be adequate, they will lead to carry out research functions, both in courses and in pedagogy techniques and teaching methodology. teaching.

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Psychological intervention in emergencies

In the first place, we will see the interventions that are made to the victims, to later cite those applied to the professionals.

Intervention to victims

As mentioned previously, disasters affect both the psychological state of the victims and their relatives and the professionals involved. Therefore, to reduce the possibility of major impacts in the future, it will be essential the realization of an adequate psychological contact, listening without criticizing what the victim tells us and thus generating a favorable climate, examining the dimensions of the problem and the number of losses, and assessing past, future and immediate decisions and personal resources

Also, in order to improve the state of those affected, the possible solutions will be analyzed. can execute, bearing in mind the events of the past, the priorities and obstacles and the various alternatives. Likewise, it will be useful to carry out concrete actions that establish objectives, value mortality and facilitate the grieving process. It would not be a complete intervention if the patient's progress was not assessed, so it will be necessary to carry out a follow-up.

Intervention will be applied in different areas of the individual such as: the somatic area, with the aim of preserving physical health and assessing the suicide attempts; the affective area, to express and improve the way in which feelings are expressed, as well as to learn to manage the anxiety; the cognitive area, in order to reflect on the accident that occurred and analyze and adapt thoughts and beliefs of those affected and the behavioral area, to analyze what changes would be useful as a result of the crisis.

Intervention to professionals

As already mentioned, working in catastrophic situations causes great wear and tear on professionals, being able to present burnout. For this reason, it is important to intervene by providing resources and techniques to these professionals to better cope with stressful situations, identifying stress and controlling it.

The techniques used will aim at psychological relief (debriefing), forming groups where they can express themselves safely and thus minimize psychological suffering. The main objectives to be achieved are: express feelings, reorganize cognitions, decrease tension, increase resources and promote cohesion with the group and identify needs greater.

In the event that burnout and wear have already manifested, a more specialized intervention will be necessary in order to to increase the professional's stress coping resources and thus improve perceived control and self-efficacy. Some of the techniques used are: stress inoculation, cognitive restructuring, relaxation and deep breathing, and healthy living and social skills.