Appendix 1 - Key concepts used throughout the consultation process as framework documents

Appendix 1A - The continuum of reactions which may be experienced by people involved in traumatic incidents

B) The Three R’s

Resistance - the form of psychological/behavioural immunity to the impact of distress

Resilience - the ability of an individual, a group, an organisation or a population to cope with and to rapidly and effectively rebound from a traumatic incident

Recovery - the ability to recover and adaptively function in a post-traumatic situation

 

Use of the three R’s of Resistance, Resilience and Recovery can help in thinking through the issues. It also identifies that in the pre-deployment stage some preparation, and the supply of relevant information, can help build resilience to traumatic stress, if required, during an incident. The ability to be more resilient to stresses during an incident can enhance ability to recover from an incident in the aftermath. The three R’s are applicable to both seafarers and their family members. Identifying the three R’s whilst defining the continuum of reactions helps integrate the two concepts.

 

 

Order from Chaos – responding to traumatic events, M Gibson Policy Press 2006

 

Appendix 1

C) Maslow Hierarchy of Needs (adapted)

 

 

 

Abraham Maslow, 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation

 

This diagram identifies the factors which motivate human beings and contribute to their sense of mental well-being. Maslow suggests that the most important issues form the base of this diagram. These are the basic human needs necessary for survival and are of paramount importance throughout an attack, whilst in captivity and upon release. Practical needs predominate and must be met whenever possible.

 

The next level is that of Safety with the features of security, stability and freedom from fear. These features may be lacking for hostages and are areas which captors may use for torture when added to deprivation of the physiological features.

 

The further levels of the diagram indicate higher levels of motivation which could be described as quality motivators. These are desirable but not essential for basic survival. These features may form part of the deprivation experienced by hostages.

 

The pyramid can also apply to the needs of a seafarers’ family but it is to be hoped that the lower levels will remain intact. However lack of validated communication and contact with loved ones will be a key feature which will impact on feelings of safety, insecurity, fear and a missing sense of belonging resulting from the prolonged absence of a loved one.

 

Methods of support provided to both Seafarers and their family members shall aim to re-establish all the motivators identified in the Maslow Triangle.

Appendix 1

D) The Survivor Syndrome

 

When the initial threat of death passes, there can be a sense of euphoria at survival and cheating death. Not all survivors feel this euphoria as they may carry a sense of guilt of survival when others may have died. This reaction may be hard to understand for those people, such as family members, not directly involved in the situation where deaths may have occurred. Survivor Syndrome phenomenon has occurred in relation to groups such as Holocaust survivors, returning Vietnam veterans and survivors from disasters.

 

If fatalities result from a piracy incident, survivors may experience death guilt. This can manifest itself in such questions as ‘Why did I survive when x died? ’. Survivors may have difficulty dealing with relatives of the deceased with whom they come into contact. Survivors conduct in-depth questioning of their own actions at the time. Could they have done more to save others? Survivors talk of their actions to try to rationalise any actions taken or not taken. Did the survivor’s own rescue mean others were sacrificed?

 

Charles Figley in, Stress disorders among Vietnam veterans (1978). states these questions relate to a sense of organic social balance: ‘That image of exchange of one life for another is perhaps the survivor’s greatest psychological burden.’ He also noted deep distrust by the survivor of anyone offering help. Survivors felt set apart from others by a sort of ‘death taint’. Even where survivors recognised a need for help, they rejected the offer in case it would be viewed as a sign of weakness, confirming in their own minds that others felt they were not worthy of survival. These thoughts may result in the survivors seeking help and reassurance from others involved. Self-help through contact with other seafarers involved in the same incident has the advantage that survivors do not have to explain their emotions when recalling the event. Listeners were there and experienced similar feelings. This support is particularly important to released hostages where there have been fatalities. The possibility of this syndrome indicates the benefit of keeping the crew together for a short period of time following release to give an opportunity to discuss such matters and gain peer support through mutual understanding within the group. Continued contact is not always possible due to the multi-national nature of crews and dispersal to different countries to travel home. An Understanding of the impact of Survivor Syndrome by those involved in support to released hostages and family members may assist in the overall recovery of the seafarer involved.

Appendix 1

E) Stockholm Syndrome

 

This syndrome was named following a bank raid in Stockholm which resulted in hostages being held captive. It was later reported that a hostage had sexual intercourse with one of the captors and later became engaged to him. The syndrome defines situations where a hostage develops a positive attitude to the captor(s) to try to ensure their survival. Part of this process may mean that a hostage develops an understanding of and becomes a supporter of the cause prompting the incident resulting in their captivity.

 

Greater understanding between captors and hostages can impact both by realising the human effects. A hostage may try to gain more favourable treatment from a captor by speaking of his family who need him free and alive. Some reports have shown where a captor is influenced by the particular situation of his hostage especially if sharing similar sentiments as the hostage to his own family that the captor was more favourably disposed to his captive and the hostage received less inhuman treatment. A hostage may feel they can influence their captors in a situation where they feel helpless to affect actual negotiations for their release.

 

Such behaviour can be seen as a survival technique. However such processes may result in other crew members becoming the focus for more inhuman treatment. This may build up resentment amongst fellow crew members which may be exploited by the captors to break up any peer support developed within the crew group. Predisposition to this behaviour may result from previous experience.

 

Such situations may need to be discussed within the group following release and may influence the recovery process. Stockholm Syndrome does not always arise in hostage situations but is more likely to occur the longer the captivity and where there is the opportunity for more interaction between hostages and captors.*/

Appendix 1

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