Mission first, greyshirts always: an exploration into the reintegration experiences of short-term volunteers following disaster response operations
| Author(s) | Fraser, Roni Jean | |
| Date Accessioned | 2021-02-03T15:28:33Z | |
| Date Available | 2021-02-03T15:28:33Z | |
| Publication Date | 2020 | |
| SWORD Update | 2020-10-12T19:03:25Z | |
| Abstract | Following a disaster, waves of helpers and voluntary organizations often converge to the disaster area and provide immediate assistance and emotional support to survivors. This study expands on previous research related to disaster volunteerism and reentry experiences. It contributes to knowledge related to permanent disaster volunteer reintegration and resilience. Using data collected from in-depth interviews with 25 volunteers from Team Rubicon, a national disaster response nonprofit, results suggest that volunteers engaged in additional volunteer activities and communicated with fellow volunteers as strategies for successful post-operation reintegration. Drawing on social capital theory, bonding and bridging capital played a crucial role in the development of resilience among volunteers. This study’s findings are critical, given the reliance on volunteers in the disaster response and recovery process and the need to ensure the mental well-being, not only of disaster survivors, but also disaster volunteers. To best promote the resilience capacity among volunteers, organizations should focus on the volunteer experience related to billet conditions, diversity of membership and volunteer roles, development of organizational trust, and appreciation of volunteer service throughout the volunteer’s membership. Future research should expand on these findings by quantitatively exploring the volunteer reentry experience with a larger sample of volunteers associated with a range of organizations and the role that linking capital may have in influencing the volunteer reentry experience. | en_US |
| Advisor | Wachtendorf, Tricia | |
| Degree | M.A. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department Sociology and Criminal Justice | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.58088/jwhr-5326 | |
| Unique Identifier | 1236021459 | |
| URL | https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/28569 | |
| Language | en | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | https://login.udel.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/mission-first-greyshirts-always-exploration-into/docview/2455588892/se-2?accountid=10457 | |
| Keywords | Disaster volunteers | en_US |
| Keywords | Emergency management | en_US |
| Keywords | Mental health | en_US |
| Keywords | Resilience | en_US |
| Keywords | Social capital | en_US |
| Keywords | Volunteer management | en_US |
| Title | Mission first, greyshirts always: an exploration into the reintegration experiences of short-term volunteers following disaster response operations | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |