[Comparing psychological status of active and inactive relief workers in road accidents in Darab Township]

ABSTRACT

Due to constant experience and long-term presence in tragic scenes, active relief workers of Red Crescent society in the road bases are more exposed to psychological consequences of accidents that inactive ones. A few studies are available on this topic. This study aims to compare the psychological status of both active and inactive relief workers in the road bases of Red Crescent society in Darab Township. In this comparative study, 28 of active relief workers were selected in Darab Township road relief bases by using purposeful sampling in 2009. Also about 33 inactive relief workers were selected randomly and completed the symptom checklist [SCL-90-R]. Research data was analyzed by using SPSS [version 16], descriptive statistics indexes and multivariate analysis of variance test [MANOVA]. According to the results, active group scores were higher than inactive ones in SCL-90-R and some other factors such as physical, obsessive, aggressive, phobia and mental distress. Although, there was a meaningful difference in Alfa level [0.05 and 0.001], in some cases as interpersonal sensitivity, depression and additional questions were not meaningful. Regarding the mental vulnerability of relief workers in road accidents, a careful planning about individual and organizational protections for active group is required