I recently wondered if there are good studies on how people behave when they receive help. Especially long-term. I think when it comes to relief & aid organizations helping large populations over a longer period of time this becomes especially relevant.
Since reciprocity is ingrained in most humans, receiving might lead to stress and unhappiness. Do people receiving help feel shame/guilt/gratitude?
How does their behavior change when they are dependent on donations and are receiving help for a substantial period of time? Does it impact their behavior after aid is no longer necessary?
And also: How can you teach a person that receiving help is not at all shameful and gratitude is not necessary, because life impacting factors are often 'unfairly' distributed depending on location, economical & social factors.
But without making that person somewhat 'hateful' or unhappy by realizing how unfair this world can be?
I hope you get what I am trying to say.
Yeah, I couldn't find much either.
"Are you wondering if the possible negative effects of shame/guilt could cause more harm than help in certain scenarios?"
Not necessarily more harm, but measured but a lifetime, perhaps. In the personal development of individuals, feelings of unworth, guilt or shame play huge roles and lead to unfulfilled lifes and less self-initiative.
Receiving help from organizations definitely seems easier to accept, I agree. However organizations also create problems like dependency or entitlement, which reduces self-sufficient behavior.