Secondary disaster victims: the emotional effects of recovering and identifying human remains

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A questionnaire survey of the 592 USA Air Force personnel involved in transporting and identifying the bodies of the almost 1000 persons who died in Jonestown, Guyana was conducted; 225 (38%) of the personnel involved returned the questionnaire, as well as 76 (22%) of 352 individuals who were not involved in the operation. The Guyana respondents reported signficantly more short-term dysphoria, which was more pronounced in those younger than 25 yr of age, those who were black, those who were enlisted men rather than officers and those with more exposure to the bodies. The implications of these findings in planning future diaster relief programs are discussed.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: