Finding hope in tragedy : people in crisis
Date
2001
Authors
Gill, Carol
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2001
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was two-fold: to explore the process
through which tornado survivors sustain or re-claim their hopefulness in the
aftermath of tragedy; and to then apply the knowledge of that process to teachers in-
crisis. It is my belief that teachers do not perceive daily "mini-crises" in the
school as such and therefore, do not employ strategies to re-new themselves. This
series of mini-crises build until they reach a magnitude similar to the stress one
undergoes in a sudden, acute disaster such as a tornado. This may result in a
feeling of diminished hope as well as an inability to cope. Perhaps if these
teachers could recognize a mini-crisis as such and employ strategies similar to the
tornado survivors to sustain or re-claim their hope, we would have less educators
on stress leaves, burning out, or leaving the profession. Data were collected
through a Hope Survey Scale and interviews with tornado survivors and, for
teachers, through a stress survey and a survey of typical school crises with
consideration to how individual teachers cope with these. Strategies for finding,
maintaining, or re-building hope are discussed in terms of four common themes
(self, cognitive processes, relationships, and spiritual). Results appear to suggest
that, while both tornado survivors and teachers are aware of and utilize similar
components found within the four hope-building themes, there are specific
differences in how these components are applied, as well as in perceptions of the
situation that constitute the difference between the hope-building strategies of the
two comparative groups.
Description
viii, 178 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
Hope , Teachers -- Job stress