Trauma‐informed qualitative research: Some methodological and practical considerations

Abstract

Mental health nurses who engage in research are likely to undertake research on sensitive topics, related to experiences of illness, care delivery and treatment. With recognition of the high prevalence of trauma in the lives of people who interact with mental health services, it is likely that many research participants will have experienced trauma in their lives and that while this may not be the focus of the research, sensitivity and awareness are required. Reference to ‘trauma‐informed’ approaches in research design and practice is emerging in fields such as trauma‐focused research and social sciences; however, it has not yet been applied to nurses. Trauma‐informed approaches can build upon existing ethical and methodological frameworks to inform how mental health nurses go about qualitative research and what they need to consider when doing so. This discursive paper explores some of the implications of awareness and sensitivity to trauma for research undertaken by mental health nurses, including practical and methodological considerations. Recommendations include training and structural supports for nurse researchers, collaborative research designs, consideration of the environments where research occurs, awareness of approaches to distress and inclusion of trauma sensitivity within research policies, frameworks and leadership, alongside vigilance to interpersonal approach and the establishment and protection of psychological safety throughout. Continuing to undertake research on topics, and with people, where trauma is present, is essential to ensure ongoing awareness. Many of the existing skills held by mental health nurses can also support research to be undertaken in trauma‐informed ways.

Undertaking qualitative research on trauma: impacts on researchers and guidelines for risk management

“…The terms secondary trauma, vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue (Barros et al, 2020) are used widely within the research literature to highlight the impacts that undertaking qualitative research can have on researchers and their team members (see for example, Barros et al, 2020;Berger, 2021;Coles et al, 2014;Cullen et al, 2021;Gleeson, 2021;Guerzoni, 2020;Isobel, 2021;Mo cnik, 2020;Moran and Asquith, 2020;Nikischer, 2019;Williamson et al, 2020). Vicarious trauma has been defined as a process of change resulting from empathetic engagement with trauma survivors (Moran and Asquith, 2020;Nikischer, 2019).…”

“…Universities (and other research organisations) have a duty of care to employees, however despite repeated calls for the development and formalisation of protocols and guidelines to include researchers (alongside research participants) are still not widely used. The risk of developing secondary trauma reactions in researchers becomes even more acute when studying qualitatively traumatic situations such as domestic violence (Cullen et al, 2021;Keyel, 2020), sexual abuse (Campbell, 2002(Campbell, , 2017Campbell et al, 2019;Gleeson, 2021), and even victims of war and terror (Isobel, 2021;Keyel, 2020). The impacts of trauma on researchers have been documented in many reflective and empirical accounts.…”

Bearing witness to suffering: A reflection on the personal effects of conducting qualitative research with victims of trauma

“…"Desde las primeras interacciones con los participantes me quedó claro que los participantes habían experimentado un evento traumático. Un enfoque informado sobre el trauma para cada interacción fue esencial para crear un ambiente cómodo y construir relaciones con los participantes (Isobel, 2021). Los participantes identificaron querer compartir lo que habían experimentado, pero, tenían dificultad para relatar sus historias.…”

“…Como investigadores se requería sensibilidad y conciencia (Isobel, 2021). Necesitamos permanecer sensibles y conscientes del trauma que los participantes han experimentado.…”

“…Necesitamos permanecer sensibles y conscientes del trauma que los participantes han experimentado. Esto incluye reconocer las tensiones potenciales que pueden haber enfrentado y aún enfrentan a partir de la experiencia pasada, comprender las complejidades que juega el papel del trauma en la vida de diferentes personas y evitar subestimar sus experiencias emocionales (Isobel, 2021). Nuestra meta es el querer asegurarnos de reducir el riesgo de daño psicológico en todas las etapas no solo de ellos, también de nosotros como investigadoras.…”