How vulnerability and trust interact during extreme events - Insights for human service agencies and organizations

The article discusses a theoretical model developed to predict the motivational dynamics of individuals facing extreme events. The model demonstrates how the imposed vulnerability of unexpected harmful events (e.g., natural disasters, accidents, serious illness) creates a second form of vulnerability for needy individuals when they rely on and cooperate with little-known others offering rescue and care. Trust in the relationship between a care provider and a care receiver is used as the link between two types of vulnerability to articulate the process through which individuals assess their care provider's trustworthiness. This article Outlines all approach for future tests of the model's hypotheses and discusses practical implications of the model for improving public services that depend on cooperation from individuals in extreme need as well as its theoretical contributions.