Toward a trauma-informed qualitative research approach: Guidelines for ensuring the safety and promoting the resilience of research participants

ABSTRACT

Qualitative researchers frequently conduct studies with individuals who have experienced various types of trauma, including those who have been historically marginalized and oppressed. However, in-depth discussions of how to conduct trauma-informed qualitative research do not exist. Thus, we lay the groundwork for a trauma-informed qualitative approach and then outline five guidelines for conducting research: (1) preparing for community entry: Learning about the impacts of traumatic events and historical trauma on individuals and communities; (2) preparing for the qualitative interview or focus group: Establishing safety and trust in the research environment; (3) extending safety and trust into the qualitative interview or focus group; (4) knowing when to change course to avoid re-traumatization in the interview or focus group; and (5) committing to regular and radical self-reflection and self-care in the research process. To demonstrate their applicability, we use an example from our own research with multiply-marginalized queer and transgender migrants in South Africa. This article advances the study of qualitative methods, offering researchers an opportunity to incorporate these guidelines into their study design and implementation to ensure participant safety and promote their resilience.

KEYWORDS:

• Qualitative methods
• trauma
• complex trauma
• historical trauma
• anti-oppressive
• decolonizing approaches
• trauma-informed qualitative methods

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Edward J. Alessi

Edward J. Alessi, PhD is associate professor of social work at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. His research examines trauma and stress among LGBTQ+ populations, and in recent years has focused on understanding health, mental health, and integration among LGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees. He uses multiple research methods and specifically relies on qualitative research to develop innovative ways to engage queer and transgender populations in order to highlight their experiences and identify how intersectional forms of stigma and discrimination impact their daily lives.

Sarilee Kahn

Sarilee Kahn, PhD, MSW, MPH is an independent researcher and consultant. Her research focuses on the intersection of trauma with multiply marginalized populations, including children born of genocidal rape, women resisting female genital cutting, and LGBTQ+ forced migrants. She has consulted with the Government of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board on trauma-informed interviewing for asylum adjudicators.