An examination of the experiences of social workers providing psychosocial support services in disaster settings

Disasters are multidimensional crises affecting large parts of societies, causing physical, psychological, social, and economic losses. Psychosocial support services aim to help affected individuals and communities rebuild well-being, strengthen coping capacities, and restore social cohesion. Social workers involved in these services take on diverse roles such as individual counseling, psychological first aid, needs assessment, referrals, group work, and peer support. However, challenging conditions in disaster zones, emotional burden, uncertainty, and decision-making pressures often result in professional exhaustion and psychosocial strain. In this context, supervision emerges as a critical need for maintaining professional functionality and emotional resilience. This study examines the experiences and supervision needs of social workers who provide psychosocial support in disaster settings through a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 social workers who had worked in disaster areas. The data were analyzed using question-based content analysis. Participants' motivations for entering the profession, reasons for volunteering or assignment to disaster work, understanding of psychosocial support, emotional and professional challenges, and expectations regarding supervision were thematically analyzed. Findings indicate that social workers in disaster settings not only deliver immediate interventions but also fulfill restorative, empowering, and guiding roles. Participants highlighted that supervision offers protection and support in managing emotional strain and preventing burnout. It is therefore recommended to develop structured supervision systems for disaster social work and to strengthen the institutional role of social work within national disaster management frameworks.