Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)

Research Articles

Wounded Healers as Agents of Change: A Comparative Study on Stress and Work Satisfaction of Nepali Accompaniers {under peer review}

Published 29-08-2025

  • Yubaraj Adhikari, PhD
    • ,
  • Bhava Poudyal
    • ,
  • Pranab Dahal, PhD

Yubaraj Adhikari, PhD
International Committee of the Red Cross

Bhava Poudyal
International Committee of the Red Cross

Pranab Dahal, PhD
Linnaeus University Sweden

Abstract

Aims/objectives: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) initiated a program in Nepal in 2010 to assist Families of Missing Persons (FoMPs). The program, which aimed to provide emotional and psychological support, recruited many FoMPs themselves as “accompaniers” (psychosocial service providers) to function as agents of change. This study digs into retrospective data of accompaniers’ psychological status to see if accompaniers from the FoMPs experienced elevated stress compared to their peers who were non-relatives of the Missing. The study also compared their personal growth, meaningfulness of work, and work satisfaction as lay counselors.

Methods: The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the level of stress of the two groups of accompaniers: those who were not related to the missing persons (n=39) and those who were (n=26). The study retrospectively compared the data of two groups using mixed methods, applying quantitative and qualitative methods. A locally developed 13-question self-administered perceived-impact scale covering five domains – negative effects of work, meaningfulness of their work, personal growth, level of supervision, and overall satisfaction with work - was used to gather the quantitative data. Individual interviews (five), and focused group discussions (FGDs, seven) were also employed to gather qualitative data from the respondents. The ethical clearance and data analysis procedures adhered to scientific protocols.

Results: The study found that two-thirds of respondents (n= 65) from both FoMPs accompaniers and non-FoMPs accompaniers disagreed that their work was very stressful. One-third of both groups expressed that their stress was initially increased due to the narratives of personal loss, uncertain life circumstances of FoMPs, and economic hardships. Non-FoMPs accompaniers experienced stress due to their lack of exposure to families affected by the conflict, while for the FoMPs, it was similar stories that triggered their loss. The program was also a source of company, social recognition, and social support, with access to opportunities. Recruitment of FoMPs accompaniers helped build rapport with target communities.  The acceptance and the welcome by the families helped accompaniers in their work, more so for FoMPs accompaniers. Both groups of individuals developed a repertoire that included problem-focused coping strategies and emotion-focused coping techniques to ease negative emotions. The methods employed by both groups were sharing feelings, spending time with friends and family, reading, and distraction. Over 90% of accompaniers in both cohorts expressed personal growth (96% FoMPs and 95% non-FoMPs) and their work as meaningful (91% FoMPs and 94% Non-FoMPs). 87% of accompaniers from FoMPs and 95% of accompaniers from non-FoMPs cohorts shared overall satisfaction working as an accompanier.

Conclusion: The study findings showed that over two-thirds of individuals who served as accompaniers from FoMPs or Non-FoMPs did not suffer from severe stress or re-traumatization. Accompaniers, involved in this study, found hope, dignity, identity, opportunities, and pride due to their service. This study found that victims can be trained and supervised to function as agents of change for service recipients and themselves.

Keywords

Comparative study, Accompaniers, Stress, Coping, Wounded Healers, Nepal

Full text (HTML) Review 1: Revisions Required Review 2: Revisions Required Review 3: Revisions Required Review 3: Revisions Required, Attachment

Author Biography

Yubaraj Adhikari, PhD

Yubaraj Adhikari, PhD, is a mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) practitioner and researcher. He is serving as MHPSS Delegate for the ICRC in Syria. His can be contacted at yadhikari@gmail.com

Bhava Poudyal

Bhava Poudyal is a mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) practitioner and researcher with over 30 years of experience. As an MHPSS expert for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), he functions as a Regional Specialist for the NAME region.

Pranab Dahal, PhD

Pranab Dahal, PhD, is an academician and development practitioner affiliated with Linnaeus University Sweden and the World Bank, Nepal. He specializes in community engagement and gender research. Pranab was commissioned by the ICRC for the original study.

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