Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study
This case study explores the interpersonal and intrapersonal experiences of a single individual who spent more than 35 years in humanitarian aid work. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, one superordinate theme, altruistic identity (AI), emerges. On return home following a humanitarian m...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
2009
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12290 |
| _version_ | 1848748035822059520 |
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| author | McCormack, L. Joseph, S. Hagger, Martin |
| author_facet | McCormack, L. Joseph, S. Hagger, Martin |
| author_sort | McCormack, L. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This case study explores the interpersonal and intrapersonal experiences of a single individual who spent more than 35 years in humanitarian aid work. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, one superordinate theme, altruistic identity (AI), emerges. On return home following a humanitarian mission, AI requires (a) strong perception of empathic validation for intimate reintegration and (b) self-acceptance of personal involvement. However, AI disruption is related to (a) a perception of rejection or weak empathic validation for intimate reintegration and (b) self-blame leading to isolation from intimate others. With AI disruption, validation is alternately sought from humanitarian colleagues and/or by returning to the field. Results suggest that postmission reintegration processes are important determinants of psychological well-being. The authors also discuss the organization's role in addressing the psychosocial care of their staff on return from mission to reduce long-term social disruption and psychological distress. © 2009 The Author(s). |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T06:58:39Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-12290 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T06:58:39Z |
| publishDate | 2009 |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-122902017-09-13T14:57:35Z Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study McCormack, L. Joseph, S. Hagger, Martin This case study explores the interpersonal and intrapersonal experiences of a single individual who spent more than 35 years in humanitarian aid work. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, one superordinate theme, altruistic identity (AI), emerges. On return home following a humanitarian mission, AI requires (a) strong perception of empathic validation for intimate reintegration and (b) self-acceptance of personal involvement. However, AI disruption is related to (a) a perception of rejection or weak empathic validation for intimate reintegration and (b) self-blame leading to isolation from intimate others. With AI disruption, validation is alternately sought from humanitarian colleagues and/or by returning to the field. Results suggest that postmission reintegration processes are important determinants of psychological well-being. The authors also discuss the organization's role in addressing the psychosocial care of their staff on return from mission to reduce long-term social disruption and psychological distress. © 2009 The Author(s). 2009 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12290 10.1177/1534765609332325 restricted |
| spellingShingle | McCormack, L. Joseph, S. Hagger, Martin Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study |
| title | Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study |
| title_full | Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study |
| title_fullStr | Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study |
| title_short | Sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: A qualitative case study |
| title_sort | sustaining a positive altruistic identity in humanitarian aid work: a qualitative case study |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12290 |