<p>The purpose of this study is to examine what motivates people to help others at risk to themselves. The focus is on international aid workers, which in their work put themselves in situations of risk. Earlier research shows that international aid work involves risks such as infectious diseases, violence, death threats, assaults, constant insecurity and risk to be traumatized etc. There is not much research done on what motivates to help others in spite of risks, hence we find this an interesting area. We have interviewed six respondents about the content and character of their motivation and factors that are important for the maintenance and development of this motivation. The purpose was also to examine the attitude towards risk. Our study shows that there are two types of motives; central- and orientation motives. The central motives involve; the willingness to help other people, the search for more meaning in life and the willingness to experience something new. The orientation motives are more linked to personal interests. These motives are important in the decision of which kind of aid work to choose. Factors that are essential for the creation of the motivation are the feeling that something is missing in one's daily life, the knowledge that people are in need of help, and an interest for the "unknown". Important factors for the maintenance is; the vision of the needs of help, the ability to help, to be appreciated, the sense of security and community. Solidarity with some elements of self-interest are characteristic for the content of the motivation; they want to give but also get something in return. The willingness to take risks would not be as high without their self-interested motives. The risks do not appear like obstacles if the personal benefits outweigh the possible losses.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA/oai:DiVA.org:hv-972 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Melin, Maria, Smedbo, Mia |
| Publisher | University West, Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, Trollhättan |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, text |
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