Highlights 1400 poor households in two major African cities were interviewed during lockdowns. The lockdown had a high economic impact in Ghana. In South Africa, COVID-19 had an adverse impact on the urban poor’s mental health. Lack of information was an issue, while misinformation appeared to be limited. Stricter regulations do not always lead to higher compliance with social distancing.

Objective: There is a substantial body of research that indicates that professionals treating traumatized clients or patients may suffer from burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, or secondary traumatic stress and that those who are most empathic are most vulnerable. However, there is limited research on the effects of participant trauma on trauma researchers. This is the focus of the current study. Method: Drawing on case illustrations from a large trauma-related study, we demonstrate the effects of participant trauma on trauma interviewers. Results: The experiences of fieldworkers in this study often mirror the syndromes found among "flooded" therapists, suggesting that it is the listening, and not so much the purpose for which one is listening, that can result in trauma-by-proxy. Conclusion: Recommendations: Ethics applications should include a provision for the proper care for trauma researchers, who may, without support, develop symptoms of secondary traumatic stress. Training and regular supervision should become a mandatory part of trauma research practice, and if trauma levels are high, the principal researcher may need to invite a trauma counselor to do debriefing. In contexts where trauma levels are as high as in South Africa, fieldworkers are entitled to debriefing by an appropriately trained professional. Clinical Impact StatementThere is a relatively small body of research focusing on the effects of hearing trauma narratives on research interviewers. Yet these interviewers, like trauma therapists, may be affected in significant, detrimental ways by the traumas they hear. These effects may include vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress. The clinical relevance of these observations underlines the importance of having adequate psychological support available to trauma interviewers, including both regular supervision and counseling.

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This paper presents a review of theoretical and empirical research on risk factors for: 1) the development of violent and other antisocial behaviour; 2) international interventions targeting antisocial, including violent youths; and 3) outcome evaluations and meta-analyses of interventions targeting antisocial, including violent youths. Taken together, the international literature indicates that interventions which effectively reduce violent and other antisocial behaviours are informed by a number of generic principles which should guide the development and implementation of South African violence-prevention programmes. Common characteristics of interventions which effectively reduce youth violence are presented, with the aim of informing the design and delivery of local interventions. In light of the alarmingly high levels of violence in South Africa, there is an urgent need to develop intensive, multi-modal, evidence-based, structured, cognitive-behavioural programmes for violent adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, it is imperative that efforts are directed at developing a reliable local evidence base of 'what works' for young offenders generally, and violent young offenders specifically.

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