Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a support informed modular tactic for helping children, teenagers, grownups and families in the instantaneous aftermath of calamity and terrorism. The assigned Psychological first aid core action that will be discussed in this paper is the connection with social support. Connection with social support is defined as relations within and amongst social networks. It refers to the degree in which an individual is linked with social network. Family attachments, colleagues and associations in clubs and corporations contribute to social support. Connection with social support is constantly associated with bodily health outcomes such as death and diseases (Tehran, 2010).
Social interactions have some usefulness. The core action of connection with social support brings to light the importance of social support and the role of teamwork and confidence to achieve collective results in times of a crisis. Connection with social support is a product of social relations. It comprises the anticipative benefits obtained from the collaboration between persons and groups. The primary goal associated with this core action is that it helps in the development of brief continuing contacts with primary support individuals including family members and acquaintances. It also helps to look for other support sources (Morgan, 2002).
Discussion
Response Practices
Connection with social support is a significant core action. It is vital to many people who are concerned with physical and psychological health. This involves instances such as mortality and depression. Social support assists people to deal with stressful occurrences. It also sustains the victims well being in the absence of traumas. It is thus a part of an adaptive individuality profile all through an individual’s life. Social support grows in cycle with adaptive individual features including low enmity, low neuroticism, high hopefulness and survival skills. Specialized psychologists who are familiar with this core action are usually implored to deal with a wide range of crises and hurtful events. The connection between acute happenings and poor psychological and bodily health is weaker for victims with maximum social support than for those with minimal social support. This weak connection between trauma and health for individuals with maximum social support is regularly understood to mean that social support has self-guarded individuals against stress (Tehran, 2010).
An example of a trauma
An example of trauma which I am familiar with in relation to this core action is a case involving the demise of one’s spouse. The physical needs of the victims include the need for water, fresh air, foodstuff and adequate sleep. The psychological needs include support, compassion, consideration, self-respect and company. Connection with social support reduces stress in this situation. This core action played a crucial role in stress buffering. It safeguarded the victims, that is, the wife and children, from the poor effects of this traumatic life occurrence. This was achieved through influencing how the victims reasoned about and dealt with the occurrence. The victims, therefore, remained healthy. With respect to psychological health, they exhibited minimal or no sub clinical signs of hopelessness and nervousness. They showed low rates of key mental chaos such as panic and social phobia. They had low suicidal ideation and drug issues. Concerning physical well being, their lifetime was prolonged (Morgan, 2002).
The core action assigned may be applied to address the above victims’ needs. This is through making them have positive thoughts regarding the event and deal with it effectively. Dealing with the event involves deliberate, cognizant actions such as entertainment and problem solving.
Significance of the Core Action in the Psychological First Aid Model
The significance of this core action in the Psychological First aid model is that it enhances the health of the victims and protects them from stress. It also prolongs their life span. It offers guidance for practitioners in reacting to instantaneous psychological health needs of children, grownups and households who have currently been faced with a tragedy or terrorist event (Morgan, 2002).
References
Morgan, D.J. (2002). Social support: a reflection of humanity. Bay wood: Morgan Publishers.
Tehran, N. (2010). Managing Trauma in the Workplace: Supporting Workers and Organizations. New York: Taylor & Francis Publishers.