Impact of SALT on Community and Volunteers after the 2018 Floods in Kerala: A Realist Evaluation

Abstract

Volunteers are mobilised to provide psychosocial support in disaster situations despite their limited expertise and potential risk to mental health. This article examines the impact of a one-month SALT (Support, Appreciate, Listen, Team) based psychosocial intervention used by volunteers in communities affected by the 2018 Kerala floods. The results indicate positive psychosocial impact including mutual care, realisation of inner strengths, and enhanced community cohesion. The study also found that volunteers experienced positive personal growth and vicarious resilience. More research is needed to understand the pathways for translating SALT principles to sustained community building, reduced volunteer distress and enhanced volunteer resilience during volunteering and growth post the volunteering.

Keywords: vicarious resilience; psychosocial support; disaster response; volunteer training and support / volunteering; strength based approaches

DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2023.84.4.409-428