Affiliations: [a] Department of Education Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| [b] Modena Local Health Authority, Modena, Italy
| [c] Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| [d]
Organisational Psychologist, Consultant, Modena, Italy
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Dina Guglielmi, Department of Education Studies, University of Bologna, Via Filippo Re 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy. Tel.: +39 051 2091623; E-mail: dina.guglielmi@unibo.it.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:After two strong earthquakes in the Emilia region in Italy, many HCWs had to deal with the psychological consequences of the aftershocks. OBJECTIVE:The aims of this case study were a) to describe the psychosocial condition of the HCWs affected by the earthquake; b) to present an intervention immediately after the earthquake on HCWs in a post-disaster situation using a mixed-method approach. METHODS:A mixed-method study was conducted collecting qualitative data (during Group Counselling sessions) and quantitative data (through questionnaires). RESULTS:The results suggested that the impact of the earthquake was very strong, as more than 80% perceived at least a severe impact event capable of altering their ability to function; most of the thoughts and feelings were related to death and fear. CONCLUSIONS:This study adds knowledge about how to plan interventions aiming to help those workers at both individual and organisational level.
Keywords: Group counselling, mixed methods, post-traumatic, psychological debriefing
