Theoretical Framework Underpinning Recommendations

Chilly

cf_Exemplar_HMSV5993_Assignment_5.pdf

Home >Social Science homework help >Sociology homework help >Theoretical Framework Underpinning Recommendations

Running head: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 1

Theoretical Framework Underpinning Recommendations to Improve a Human Services

Organization/System

Learner’s Name

Capella University

Human Services Capstone for Master’s Learners

Theoretical Framework Underpinning Recommendations to Improve a Human Services

Organization/System

July, 2018

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 2

Theoretical Framework Underpinning Recommendations to Improve a Human Services

Organization/System

According to a report submitted to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner

for Human Rights, an estimated 535 million children live in countries affected by humanitarian

crises and do not have access to medical care, clean water and sanitation facilities, proper

nutrition, quality education, or protection from harm. Since its inception, the United Nations

Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been working toward ensuring the well-being of disenfranchised

young populations across the globe. Through its multiple programs, UNICEF strives to safeguard

the basic human rights of these at-risk populations (UNICEF, 2017).

Humanitarian workers at UNICEF and other similar organizations often work in

challenging environments, some remote and some dangerous. Firsthand accounts of these

workers reveal the perils of armed conflict and natural and man-made disasters. As a result, they

often deal with challenges such as unfavorable working situations, lack of organizational

support, and risk of psychological distress (Ali, Khan, & Waheed, 2015). As resilience relates to

humanitarian workers, there is a need to understand it better. Though resilience exists among

these workers, the framework chosen for this study will explain how it can be strengthened to

help them effectively cope after a distressing event.

Resilience Framework

Theories provide conceptual bases for analyzing, understanding, and formulating ways to

investigate relationships within a system. They also help in prescribing critical research

questions that need to be answered to maximize the understanding of an issue (University of

Southern California, n.d.). In scientific research, a theoretical framework acts as a guide for the

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 3

development of effective interventions of care (Connelly, 2014). In human services

organizations, research helps guide actions, makes them rational and well-informed, and leads to

efficient and effective services (Sheppard, 2004).

There is no consensus on how resilience is defined in the field of humanitarian relief.

There is some agreement, however, that psychological resilience relates to how individuals adapt

after a traumatic event (Brooks et al., 2015). Dunkley (2018) posits psychosocial care practices

as a tool to mentally strengthen humanitarian workers and prepare them to deal with the

emotional challenges they may face. The resilience framework enables the identification of

trauma among the workers and provides strategies for them to cope with traumatic events.

Though there has been an increase in literature that focuses on developing resilience

within organizations, there is little focus on resilience in the context of human services. Existing

theoretical frameworks concentrate on factors affecting resilience and do not focus on the ways

in which it can be practiced. Conversely, they only take the organization’s point of view into

focus (Brooks et al., 2015; van Breda, 2016; Arrogante & Aparicio-Zaldivar, 2017).

Unlike existing literature, which does not focus on humanitarian workers, the framework

chosen for this study focuses on resilience practices and how they can help mentally strengthen

the workers. According to Dunkley (2018), it is the organization’s responsibility to ensure the

psychological well-being of its staff as humanitarian work involves long working hours, security

constraints, frequent transitions, and managing emergencies. The stigma surrounding mental

health often prevents staff from reaching out for psychosocial support. People fear judgment and

feel that if they do reach out, it might affect their career. If UNICEF puts the resilience

framework in place, it will make support easily available and will help reduce this stigma.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 4

Integrating resilience practices within UNICEF’s system will allow the workers to fall

back on a psychosocial support system from the time before their deployment to when they

return from it and resume a normal life. The workers should be provided with psychosocial

support before their deployment in the field to develop resilience. Such support can be provided

by teaching them mindfulness techniques such as meditation and helping them identify their

stress cycles (Dunkley, 2018).

Pre-deployment consultation programs should also include ways in which the workers

could develop appropriate responses when confronted with a traumatic incident. Mid-

deployment consultations might be required, depending on the identification of issues related to

the workers’ mental health, lifestyle, or requests made by them. A post-deployment consultation

will allow the workers to process their emotions after the deployment ends and will give them a

platform to discuss their experiences during the deployment. Such consultations will also help in

the identification of factors that induce burnout or trauma (Dunkley, 2018). Introducing these

practices for humanitarian workers will contribute to the formation of a resilient organization.

Conclusion

Due to the complex nature of humanitarian workers’ jobs, the need to constantly

reinforce resilience practices becomes important. The resilience framework will make

psychosocial support easily available to UNICEF’s workers; this will begin from the time before

their deployment and continue until they return to normal life. Implementing this framework will

help UNICEF ensure a stable workforce, which will lead to a strong organization.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 5

References

Ali, A., Khan, S. A., & Waheed, A. (2015). Problems confronting the humanitarian workers.

Acta Technica Corviniensis - Bulletin of Engineering, 8(4), 155–158. Retrieved from

http://library.capella.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.proquest.com%2Fdocvie

w%2F1733906169%3Faccountid%3D27965

Arrogante, O., & Aparicio-Zaldivar, E. (2017). Burnout and health among critical care

professionals: The mediational role of resilience. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 42,

110–115. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-

com.library.capella.edu/docview/1951653798?pq-

origsite=summon&http://library.capella.edu/login?url=accountid=27965

Brooks, S. K., Dunn, R., Sage, C. A. M., Amlôt, R., Greenberg, N., & Rubin, G. J. (2015). Risk

and resilience factors affecting the psychological wellbeing of individuals deployed in

humanitarian relief roles after a disaster. Journal of Mental Health, 24(6), 385–413.

https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2015.1057334

Connelly, L. M. (2014). Use of theoretical frameworks in research. Medsurg Nursing, 23(3),

187–188. Retrieved from

http://library.capella.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.proquest.com%2Fdocvie

w%2F1544897445%3Faccountid%3D27965

Dunkley, F. (2018). Psychosocial support for humanitarian aid workers: A roadmap of trauma

and critical incident care. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-

com.library.capella.edu/lib/capella/reader.action?docID=5323444&query=

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 6

Sheppard, M. (2004). Appraising and using social research in the human services: An

introduction for social work and health professionals. Retrieved from

https://ebookcentral-proquest-

com.library.capella.edu/lib/capella/detail.action?docID=290618#

UNICEF. (2017). Protecting the rights of the child in humanitarian situations. Retrieved

from https://ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Children/HumanitarianSituations/UNICEF.pdf

University of Southern California. (n.d.). Organizing your social sciences research paper:

Theoretical framework. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from

http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/theoreticalframework

van Breda, A. D. (2016). Building resilient human service organizations. Human Service

Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance, 40(1), 62–73.

https://doi.org/10.1080/23303131.2015.1093571