Psychological preparedness of Special Malaysia Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) for disaster response
The rescue personnel deployed at the scene of disasters are susceptible to psychological consequences, which may affect the rescue team's response preparedness. SMART, being new to the search and rescue environment may also be subjected to these stressful consequences. This study is to dete...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2001
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/106041/1/FK%202001%2076%20IR.pdf |
| Summary: | The rescue personnel deployed at the scene of disasters are susceptible
to psychological consequences, which may affect the rescue team's
response preparedness. SMART, being new to the search and rescue
environment may also be subjected to these stressful consequences.
This study is to determine the SMART's psychological preparedness
based on Psychological Performance Profile developed by Asken (1993).
The significant mean difference in psychological performance between
the personnel of Bomba, Police and the Army that form the team is also
identified. The study is also to evaluate the personnel perception of their
level of confidence in performing various search and rescue operations.
A total of 81 out of 85 SMART personnel were requested to complete
questionnaires which was then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Cronbach's Alpha was used to analyze the internal
consistence reliability of the instrument. The mean of the psychological
skill variables were tabulated and plotted on graph to determine the level
of psychological preparedness.
The study reveals that the team only attains a fair level of
psychological preparedness i.e. at the level of 'no commendations
coming yet' (Asken 1993). There are also a slight difference in the mean
of psychological performance and confidence in.performinq search and
rescue operations between the personnel of the three departments that
form the team. |
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