Abstract
Objective: To describe the current research literature on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) concerning humanitarian field workers. Method: Using a scoping review method, a search was conducted in eight electronic bibliographic databases, yielding 5185 references. Grey literature was identified by snowballing relevant websites and hand searching key journals, adding another two records. Ancestry search of key references added twelve. After removing duplicates and screening by selection criteria, a final 73 records were selected for the review. Results: The knowledge base is modest, but has seen rapid growth over the last decade. Cross-sectional retrospective designs are overrepresented. Most study humanitarian workers, only a few investigate organizations. The majority is interested in stressors, risk factors and adverse health, and fewer studies look for health benefits. Western expatriate staff are overrepresented, as are workers with professional health backgrounds. Humanitarians experience elevated rates of exposure to traumatic and chronic stressors, and seeming consequences are post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, depression and burnout. Key risk factors are young age, inexperience, lack of training and a spectrum of organizational factors. Protective factors are training and social support systems. Humanitarians also experience notable work related wellbeing, benefits and growth. Ethical distress, moral dilemmas and inner conflict is a major theme arising from qualitative studies. Conclusions: Main findings adhere with the psycho-trauma literature at large, and with findings on related professions. The humanitarian work experience is characterized by complex distress and growth, which warrants further studies. There is particular need for more research on organizations as such, leadership, national staff, staff with non-health professional backgrounds, as well as the distinct and complicated ethical experiences of humanitarian workers.