Do Qualitative Researchers Experience Vicarious Trauma? And, does it Matter?

Abstract

Prior research suggests that social scientists may use qualitative research to explore the experiences of marginalized groups of individuals whose experiences may be neglected in quantitative work. Through the interview process, qualitative researchers often listen to participants' accounts of traumatic life events, and empathy is a critical skill for qualitative researchers to possess. Consequently, it can be argued that empathetic engagement with victims of trauma may have long-term cumulative negative effects on researchers in the form of vicarious trauma. While prior research suggests that therapists, social workers, and other clinicians who work with victims or survivors of trauma may experience vicarious trauma, current research neglects to consider if qualitative researchers are also at risk. More research is needed to examine whether researchers engaged in qualitative work experience vicarious trauma, and if they do, further investigation into the possible consequences and implications for future research.

“I’m Going to Tell You Something I Never Told Anyone”: Ethics- and Trauma-Informed Challenges of Implementing a Research Protocol with Syrian Refugees

“…The complexity of constructs and cognitive processing under study, language and cultural specifications, severe trauma exposure, and the compounded vulnerabilities associated with participants' recent arrival in Portugal called for a network of advisors that could help bridge the gap between rigorous design and the realities of field research work. Although exacting on the Researcher, the flexibility required to accommodate methodological, ethical, and trauma-informed challenges was manageable due to a combination of prior training (e.g., empathetic engagement and witnessing as a trained skill [27,28]), help-seeking behavior (e.g., request for regular supervision [28]), and the supportive organizational context [47] provided by Research and Expert Committees alike throughout all phases of the project.…”

“…As ethics and research committees focus their attention on the potential harm to participants, mental health trauma researchers, who repeatedly and empathically guide individuals through narratives of untold losses and suffering and witness distress firsthand, appear to overwhelmingly be left without a support system [26]. Additionally, at its core, academic work with trauma survivors engages two potentially conflicting and psychologically demanding tasks: on the one hand, meticulous data collection and processing that requires highly analytical and cognitively intense skills, while on the other hand, the ability to empathetically bear witness to the survivor's experience, which requires employment of emotional skills [27,28].…”

Patients and consultations

“…In some projects, this disadvantage might be of great importance, even if the impact of 'less familiarity with the setting' on research quality might be difficult to measure. Another consequence will be the additional risk of vicarious trauma, which is trauma experienced through an empathetic response to another's experience (Branson et al 2018). In a clinical environment, the researcher will often be able to discuss any issues that arose from distressing topics with the clinician in a mutual 'debrief ' once the patient has left; however, if the researcher is sent the audio by the patient, they are most likely to be listening to / reading it alone, without any readily available support from colleagues.…”

“I’m numb to funerals now…”: The impact of job-related trauma exposure on youth violence prevention street outreach workers.

“…Similar in many ways to traditional first responders (e.g., police officers, ambulance personnel, and firefighters), SWs are regularly exposed to trauma in the context of their job (Free & MacDonald, 2019). Similar to victim service providers, SWs often build long-term relationships with their clients (who may be the perpetrators or victims of violence; Free, 2020), which may put them at particular risk for experiencing secondary traumatic stress (Branson & Radu, 2018; Branson, 2019; Hallinan et al, 2020; Newell & MacNeil, 2010). Secondary traumatic stress is defined as the stress response experienced following exposure to details of another individual’s traumatic experience (Branson & Radu, 2018; Branson, 2019; Figley, 1995).…”

“…Similar to victim service providers, SWs often build long-term relationships with their clients (who may be the perpetrators or victims of violence; Free, 2020), which may put them at particular risk for experiencing secondary traumatic stress (Branson & Radu, 2018; Branson, 2019; Hallinan et al, 2020; Newell & MacNeil, 2010). Secondary traumatic stress is defined as the stress response experienced following exposure to details of another individual’s traumatic experience (Branson & Radu, 2018; Branson, 2019; Figley, 1995). Secondary traumatic stress closely parallels symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, maladaptive cognitions, and hyperarousal (Hensel et al, 2015).…”