Abstract:
To examine the psychological experience of flood-relief volunteers. A phenomenological qualitative research method was employed. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with 8 flood-relief volunteers. Psychological experience of the key informants could be divided into 3 themes as follows: 1) Readiness to help was the occurrence of facilitative factors for becoming flood-relief volunteers and consisted of flood-relief volunteers motivation to help and the opportunities to volunteer. 2) Problems and coping strategies as flood-relief volunteers consisted of perceived problems, consequences from the problems and coping strategies. 3) The benefits from flood-relief volunteers experience were consequences of volunteering in terms of positive feelings, friendship, self-esteem in social responsibility and learning experiences. These research findings could be applied to better understand the psychological experience of flood-relief volunteers. Additionally, the findings could be used in psychological counseling to raise clients awareness of social responsibility, which was a meaningful action, and to enhance their self-esteem and growth. Finally, findings could be applied to raise an awareness of the importance of volunteering.