Humanitarian well-being: Addressing the intimate partner to promote humanitarian well-being, a literature review

Abstract

Humanitarians are critical players in alleviating suffering worldwide. As a result of their willingness to put themselves in challenging, often dangerous environments, humanitarians are at high risk for negative mental health outcomes. Addressing humanitarian mental health effectively must consider the well-being of the intimate partner. The paper reviews the literature on humanitarian mental health, the protective nature of social support, the relevance of the intimate partner as a provider of social support, and outcome research on interventions that increase social support through the inclusion of the intimate partner. This paper draws comparisons between military and humanitarian intimate partners and provides information on the military’s research and programming as a model for humanitarian organisations to consider. One of the most effective ways to improve humanitarian mental health is to increase the well-being of the intimate partner and intimate relationship. Key implications for practice The humanitarian context can lead to high levels of poor mental health outcomes. Humanitarian distress and attrition has a negative impact on an organization's mission effectiveness and bottom-line. One of the most effective ways to improve humanitarian mental health is to increase the well-being of the intimate partner and intimate relationship.