Resilience among Iranian Red Crescent Aid Workers: A Directed Content Analysis of Disaster Response

نویسندگان

1 School of Public Health and Safety, Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center, Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 School of Public Health and Safety, Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Nursing Care Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

doi
10.22034/ircmj.2025.518185.2102
چکیده

Background and Objectives: Resilience has become a crucial concept in disaster management. However, attaining a comprehensive and accurate understanding of resilience requires a thorough and deep knowledge within a specific context and field of activity. The present study aimed to explore the resilience of Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) aid workers during disasters.   Methods: This qualitative study employed a directed content analysis approach to explore the components of resilience among IRCS. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with purposively sampled participants from Tehran, Semnan, and Golestan provinces between November and December 2024, continuing until data saturation was reached. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using MAXQDA 2022 software. The initial coding scheme and interview questions were informed by a prior systematic review on resilience in disaster aid workers. The research team, comprised of experts in public health, disaster management, and qualitative research, ensured methodological rigor throughout the study.   Results: This study highlights that resilience in the Iranian Red Crescent is enhanced by individual factors such as self-care and self-efficacy, as well as organizational support, including robust social networks and clear leadership, crucial for maintaining effectiveness amid disaster challenges.   Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that resilience among Iranian Red Crescent responders is shaped by both individual and organizational factors. Strengthening self-care, social support, and organizational resources is essential for sustaining responder well-being and effectiveness in disaster contexts. These findings provide a foundation for targeted strategies to enhance resilience in disaster and emergency aid workers.