Resiliency Quiz, Resiliency in Action
This resiliency quiz gives a good estimate of a person's ability to "bounce back." The test-takers evaluate the different support systems and coping mechanisms that they use, and take a closer look at their own qualities that contribute to resilience. This quiz is appropriate for many settings: use it while screening a new recruit, take it yourself, or make it available in the office for your current staff members.

Suggested Script for Screening for Coping Skills, Catholic Relief Services
Every overseas assignment comes with its own set of stressors. Having a good set of coping skills could be the key ingredient in the avoidance of stress and burnout. Try these questions when screening a candidate to see how they respond to stress (courtesy of Catholic Relief Services).

Securing the Safety of Aid Staff, Oneworld.net
This article examines the risks of aid work that stretch from terrorism to those less obvious but more common: stress, overwork and "burn-out", through to disease, accidents and even loneliness or depression while tackling a crisis a long way from home. Rising pressures on staff have prompted a growing number of aid agencies to share information, set standards and take practical steps to ensure that the training, support and management they offer will keep workers safe so they can deliver the best results.

Room for Improvement: Management and Support of Relief and Development Workers, Relief and Rehabilitation Network
This report describes the findings and recommendations resulting from an investigation into the support and management provided to workers in relief and development. Methods included a survey of 200 returned workers and discussions with employing agencies.

The recruitment of emergency personnel: different agency perspectives, Humanitarian Practice Network
This article discusses the need for improvements in pre-departure training within agencies employing locally recruited staff in management positions. In particular, it address how we can do more to multinationalize and multiculturalize training through involving all recruited staff together in training programs.

Providing Psychosocial and Spiritual Support, Headington Institute
This article explores providing psychosocial/spiritual support during three stages: screening/predeployment, in the field, and upon return.

Adventure Education and Resilience: The Double Edged Sword, James Neill and Katica Dias
This research article published in the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning examines and supports the claim that controlled exposure to challenge can enhance one's psychological resilience. The study uses (and shares with the readers) a resilience measurement tool - a 25-question self-answer questionnaire which could also be useful in an aidwork setting.

Relief Groups Seek Workers With Language Skills, Overseas Experience, and a High Tolerance for Chaos, Chronicle of Philanthropy
This article takes a realistic look at why people want to do relief work, what it takes to do the job, and what type of person the agencies are looking for. Does the applicant have "experience," and what does that mean? Is the applicant resilient and how does one screen for that?

The Resiliency Wheel, Courtesy of Catholic Relief Services
At last, a resource exclusively devoted to the topic of resilience! Browse this website for research and readings on resilience, and find opportunities to attend trainings on subjects related to resilience and positive behavioral change.

Emotional Health Issues for Disaster Workers, Red Cross
This brief article highlights that disaster workers are a population whose emotional health is especially at risk. A description of these risks is followed by a discussion on the importance of coping and accompanying suggestions for coping mechanisms.