Anchoring into Space: A Reflexive Approach for Attending to Trauma When Engaging in Research with Older Persons with Experiences of Homelessness

Figures & data

Table 1. Definitions of reflexive tenants.

Reflexive tenant	Definition
Positionality	Positionality is the process of examining one’s own social locations (i.e., race, gender identity, age, class, religion, etc.) alongside one’s lived experiences, and attending to how these experiences and identities inform assumptions about the topic, participants’ identities, and the context of the research encounter (Bourke, 2014).
Transformation	Transformation in qualitative research is a process whereby researchers identify and support opportunities that are therapeutic empowering and support growth for participants both personally and sociopolitically (Giorgio, 2013; Haynes, 2006).
Power dynamics	Power dynamics are differences in power held by researchers and participants that are rooted in the similarities or differences of their respective social locations, and in their roles in the research. Attending to these dynamics requires identifying and negotiating how these differences may be influencing exchanges between researchers and participants (Merriam et al., 2001). Power is not a tenant that stands on its own, but is embedded in considerations of positionality and transformation.

Table 2. Reflexive tenants and considerations to guide application of a reflexive approach oriented in space.

Reflexive tenant through spatial lens	Posture	Focus of each posture	Postures’ accompanying adaptation
Attending to positionality through sensing space	Sensing and attending to relational space	The process of creating an opportunity in “the research space” that supports connection and fosters open dialogue around similarities and differences between participants and researchers.	Integrating an informal event at the onset of entering the field (i.e., meet and greet)
	Sensing space over time to attend to relational power	The process of immersing oneself in space over time to allow for any unspoken sociopolitical norms and/or practices within the environment to surface.	Having multiple interviews over an extended period of time in order to spend time in space and note interactions
Supporting transformation through holding space	Holding presence in space	Creating opportunities for full presence by providing space for participants to tell their stories using natural rhythms and repetition.	Transforming an interview guide into a visual concept map
	Holding as containing relational space	Honoring the shared relational dynamics between researcher and participants by providing an opportunity for participant(s) to reflect on their experiences of participating in the research process either individually or collectively.	Developing a reflective termination activity

Figure 1. Visual concept map.

Bourke, B. (2014). Positionality: Reflecting on the research process. The Qualitative Report, 19(33), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2014.1026

 Google Scholar

Giorgio, G. (2013). Trust. listening. reflection. Voice: Healing Traumas through Qualitative Research. Counterpoints, 354, 459–474.

 Google Scholar

Haynes, K. (2006). A therapeutic journey? Reflections on the effects of research on researcher and participants. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 1(3), 204–221. https://doi.org/10.1108/17465640610718798

 Google Scholar

Merriam, S. B., Johnson-Bailey, J., Lee, M.-Y., Kee, Y., Ntseane, G., & Muhamad, M. (2001). Power and positionality: Negotiating insider/outsider status within and across cultures. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 20(5), 405–416. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370120490

 Google Scholar