Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of Rescuers

Background: Rescuers of the Red Crescent Society experience substantial stress and psychological pressure during disaster relief efforts. Providing individuals with a range of psychological interventions and support is essential to attenuate these challenges and prevent the escalation of psychologic...

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Main Authors: Iman Shakibkhah, Mitra Rafiei, Mohammad Javad Moradian, Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh, Mehdi Heidari, Elahe Piraee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Negah Institute for Scientific Communication 2025-04-01
Series:Health in Emergencies & Disasters Quarterly
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Online Access:http://hdq.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-551-en.pdf
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author Iman Shakibkhah
Mitra Rafiei
Mohammad Javad Moradian
Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh
Mehdi Heidari
Elahe Piraee
author_facet Iman Shakibkhah
Mitra Rafiei
Mohammad Javad Moradian
Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh
Mehdi Heidari
Elahe Piraee
author_sort Iman Shakibkhah
collection DOAJ
description Background: Rescuers of the Red Crescent Society experience substantial stress and psychological pressure during disaster relief efforts. Providing individuals with a range of psychological interventions and support is essential to attenuate these challenges and prevent the escalation of psychological distress. One key intervention is enhancing resilience, shaped by various moral virtues. This study explores the relationship between the moral virtues of altruism and social support and resilience. Materials and Methods: The methodology employed in this study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational. The research targeted a statistical population of 700 rescue workers associated with the Red Crescent, from which a sample of 150 participants was selected through convenience sampling. Data were gathered utilizing the social support questionnaire created by Vaux et al. This approach facilitates an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of social support within this specific group while also allowing for the examination of potential correlations among relevant variables at a single point in time (1986), the global desirable social behavior scale by Rashtan et al. (1981), and the resilience scale by Connor and Davidson (1971). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 26 to determine measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlations. Additionally, the Pearson correlation test and regression analysis were conducted.  Results: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support, altruism, and resilience (P<0.001). Additionally, the stepwise regression analysis results demonstrate that social support and altruism are predictors of resilience. This finding suggests that higher levels of social support and altruistic behavior are associated with increased resilience among the participants. The findings show that diverse workshops and exercises on social support and altruism skills enhance resilience, foster rescuers’ cultural and social well-being, and help prevent depression and psychological issues.  Conclusion: The findings of this research hold significant potential for enhancing the resilience of aid workers, which in turn may contribute to improved performance and operational efficiency. By fostering resilience among these individuals, organizations can better equip them to navigate the challenges inherent in their roles, ultimately leading to more effective service delivery in humanitarian efforts.
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spelling doaj-art-9e4e70e410d24dd1bdca151e5ee0a1712025-08-20T03:53:27ZengNegah Institute for Scientific CommunicationHealth in Emergencies & Disasters Quarterly2345-42102025-04-01103177184Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of RescuersIman Shakibkhah0Mitra Rafiei1Mohammad Javad Moradian2Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh3Mehdi Heidari4Elahe Piraee5 Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Shiraz Medical Sciences Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Clinical Research Development Unit, Shahid Jalil Hospital, Yasouj University of Medical Sciences, Yasouj, Iran. Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran. Background: Rescuers of the Red Crescent Society experience substantial stress and psychological pressure during disaster relief efforts. Providing individuals with a range of psychological interventions and support is essential to attenuate these challenges and prevent the escalation of psychological distress. One key intervention is enhancing resilience, shaped by various moral virtues. This study explores the relationship between the moral virtues of altruism and social support and resilience. Materials and Methods: The methodology employed in this study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational. The research targeted a statistical population of 700 rescue workers associated with the Red Crescent, from which a sample of 150 participants was selected through convenience sampling. Data were gathered utilizing the social support questionnaire created by Vaux et al. This approach facilitates an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of social support within this specific group while also allowing for the examination of potential correlations among relevant variables at a single point in time (1986), the global desirable social behavior scale by Rashtan et al. (1981), and the resilience scale by Connor and Davidson (1971). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 26 to determine measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlations. Additionally, the Pearson correlation test and regression analysis were conducted.  Results: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support, altruism, and resilience (P<0.001). Additionally, the stepwise regression analysis results demonstrate that social support and altruism are predictors of resilience. This finding suggests that higher levels of social support and altruistic behavior are associated with increased resilience among the participants. The findings show that diverse workshops and exercises on social support and altruism skills enhance resilience, foster rescuers’ cultural and social well-being, and help prevent depression and psychological issues.  Conclusion: The findings of this research hold significant potential for enhancing the resilience of aid workers, which in turn may contribute to improved performance and operational efficiency. By fostering resilience among these individuals, organizations can better equip them to navigate the challenges inherent in their roles, ultimately leading to more effective service delivery in humanitarian efforts.http://hdq.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-551-en.pdfred crescent rescue workersresiliencealtruismsocial supportpsychological interventions
spellingShingle Iman Shakibkhah
Mitra Rafiei
Mohammad Javad Moradian
Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh
Mehdi Heidari
Elahe Piraee
Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of Rescuers
Health in Emergencies & Disasters Quarterly
red crescent rescue workers
resilience
altruism
social support
psychological interventions
title Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of Rescuers
title_full Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of Rescuers
title_fullStr Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of Rescuers
title_full_unstemmed Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of Rescuers
title_short Investigating the Relationship Between Altruism and Social Support With the Resilience of Rescuers
title_sort investigating the relationship between altruism and social support with the resilience of rescuers
topic red crescent rescue workers
resilience
altruism
social support
psychological interventions
url http://hdq.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-551-en.pdf
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