Sociocultural strategies that work as protective factors against stress and its consequences in rescuers. A qualitative approach

Abstract

The phenomenon of climate change brings great changes to people's lives. We are witnessing an unprecedented global demographic growth, which together with the great migratory masses for climatic, political and economic reasons, take us to a new world scenario, where accidents and major catastrophes are increasingly frequent. Investigating what the stress coping strategies are in a specialized group of rescuers allows us to glimpse their pragmatic knowledge. Through a qualitative approach, mediated by in-depth interviews and participant observations, the narratives of the social actors are recovered. It is proposed from these stories, to build categories of analysis. Three emerging categories were established: The construction of identity, as well as the construction of other civilians. The use of humor as a coping strategy, as well as the use of black humor. The category on communication of specialists with civilians was built. Finally, the sub dimension of bad news communication is built. Dimension that is addressed in other areas but not as regards accidents and catastrophes at the local level. An adequate systematization of the findings mentioned here could allow training strategies, as well as intervention protocols.