Evaluating self-efficacy of emergency aid and disaster management students in applying psychological first aid during disasters

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the self-efficacy of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management students who will participate in disaster response. Method: The research data were collected from 352 students using a face-to-face survey form between March and May 2024, and the Psychological First Aid Application Self-Efficacy Scale was used. The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis. Results: 73.9% of the participants stated that they did not receive any training on psychological first aid, 60.2% did not feel competent in applying it, and 92% stated that a psychological first aid course should be mandatory in the department curriculum. The total mean score of the participants for self-efficacy in applying psychological first aid in disasters was 130.98 ± 21.31. The scale scores of 4th-grade students, those who received psychological first aid training, those who volunteered in disaster, those who thought that psychological first aid should be mandatory in disasters, and those who felt competent in applying psychological first aid were significantly higher (p<0.05). In addition, it was determined that the variables of 4th grade and feeling competent in applying psychological first aid were the determinants of psychological first aid application self-efficacy, and these variables predicted 12.8% of the scale score (F=8.359; p<0.001). Conclusion: It is recommended that Emergency Aid and Disaster Management students' self-efficacy in applying psychological first aid be improved, courses should be added to the curriculum, and repeated practical simulation training should be provided.

Keywords

• Disaster
• psychological first aid
• psychological first aid in disasters
• risk reduction in disasters

Acil Yardım ve Afet Yönetimi Öğrencilerinin Afetlerde Psikolojik İlk Yardım Uygulama Öz Yeterliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Afete müdahalede görev alacak olan Acil Yardım ve Afet Yönetimi öğrencilerinin afetlerde psikolojik ilk yardım uygulama öz yeterliklerini değerlendirmek amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Araştırma verileri Mart-Mayıs 2024 tarihleri arasında, 352 öğrenciden yüz yüze anket formu ile toplanmıştır ve Psikolojik İlkyardım Uygulama Öz Yeterlik Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırma verileri tanımlayıcı istatistiksel yöntemler, bağımsız t testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi ve doğrusal regresyon analizi ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Katılımcıların %73.9’u psikolojik ilk yardım ile ilgili herhangi bir eğitim almadıklarını, %60.2’si psikolojik ilk yardım uygulama konusunda kendini yeterli hissetmediğini ve %92’si ise bölüm müfredatında psikolojik ilk yardım dersinin zorunlu olması gerektiğini belirtmiştir. Katılımcıların afetlerde psikolojik ilk yardım uygulama öz yeterlik toplam puan ortalamaları 130.98 ± 21.31’dir. 4. sınıfların, psikolojik ilk yardım ile ilgili eğitim alanların, afette gönüllü olarak görev alanların, afetlerde psikolojik ilk yardım zorunlu dersinin olması gerektiğini düşünenlerin ve psikolojik ilk yardım uygulama konusunda kendini yeterli hissedenlerin ölçek puanları anlamlı olarak daha yüksektir (p<0.05). Ayrıca 4. Sınıf ve psikolojik ilk yardım uygulama konusunda kendini yeterli hissetme değişkenlerinin, psikolojik ilk yardım uygulama öz yeterliğinin belirleyicileri olduğu, bu değişkenlerin ölçek puanının %12.8’ni yordadığı saptanmıştır (F = 8.359; p<0.001). Sonuç: Acil Yardım ve Afet Yönetimi öğrencilerinin psikolojik ilk yardım uygulama öz yeterliklerinin geliştirilmesi, buna yönelik olarak müfredata ders eklenmesi, tekrarlanan uygulamalı simülasyon eğitimlerinin verilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Afet
• psikolojik ilk yardım
• afetlerde psikolojik ilk yardım
• afetlerde risk azaltma

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