Psychological and Social Support in Crisis Situations

TEACHING UNIT 1. PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

1. The concept of personality.
2. Personality development.
3. Theories.
4. Stages of human development.
5. Key features.
6. Human needs.
7. Personality defence mechanisms.
8. The most common experiences associated with the process of falling ill (anxiety, feeling out of place, feeling worthless, amongst others).
9. Key psychological coping mechanisms when facing illness.

TEACHING UNIT 2. COMMUNICATION

1. Elements involved in communication. Sender. Receiver. Message. Channels of communication: auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory.
2. Types of communication. Verbal language. Non-verbal language.
3. Communication difficulties.
4. Messages that hinder communication.
5. Basic skills that improve interpersonal communication. The art of listening.

TEACHING UNIT 3. SOCIAL SKILLS

1. Active listening. Negotiation. Assertiveness. Key assertive responses.
2. Communication techniques and group dynamics.
3. The psychology of teamwork.
4. Group dynamics.
5. The role of the healthcare professional.
6. The patient’s role.
7. Communication between healthcare professionals and patients.
8. The helping relationship.

TEACHING UNIT 4. PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID IN DISASTERS

1. How the population behaves in the event of a disaster.
2. Reaction: shock – inhibition – stupor.
3. A panic reaction.
4. Exodus
5. Psychopathological reactions in those affected by a disaster.
6. An inappropriate emotional reaction.
7. Long-lasting neuropathological reaction.
8. Severe psychological reaction.
9. Psychological and behavioural reactions, according to the stage of the disaster: Pre-critical stage. Crisis stage. Reaction stage. Post-critical stage.
10. Psychological support in the event of disasters.
11. Principles of psychological care.
12. Stressors.
13. Crisis management.
14. Containment measures.
15. Situations of grief.
16. Stressful situations.
17. Situations involving aggression.
18. Situations involving anxiety and distress.
19. Roles of the psychosocial team.

TEACHING UNIT 5. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF THOSE INVOLVED

1. Psychological support.
2. Objectives of psychological support.
3. Main stressors.
4. Stress.
5. Burn syndrome.
6. Vicarious traumatisation.
7. Psychological support techniques for those involved.
8. Mutual support technique (buddy system).
9. Techniques for emotional release and coping with critical situations (defusing or debriefing).
10. Stress management techniques.