Reporting for Duty? A Synthesis of Research on Role Conflict, Strain, and Abandonment Among Emergency Responders during Disasters and Catastrophes
Date
2011
Authors
Trainor, Joseph
Barsky, Lauren
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Disaster Research Center
Abstract
The aim of the following report is to provide a systematic and scientific analysis of research on
whether or not emergency responders will be willing to report for duty in the case of a catastrophic
disaster. Through the report we focus on the prevalence of three of the key issues employees might
face during a particularly serious event including: role conflict, role strain and role abandonment. In
the discussion that follows, we summarize findings and conclusions from over one hundred reports,
articles, documents, and analyses related to these issues. The research is not easy to decipher
given the variety of different hazards, methodologies, and foci that researchers have. After careful
consideration however; it is possible to draw several conclusions on which we provide more detail in
the report‟s body.
Description
Keywords
Disaster Response , Mental Health , Safety