Research assistant perspectives on strategies to reduce the likelihood of experiencing vicarious trauma

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15748848
AutoresJennifer Paruk (0009-0004-4961-7754, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey), Sara Rhode (0009-0005-2691-6740, University of South Florida), Amy Molocznik (0000-0001-5729-0828, Johns Hopkins University), Annette Christy (0000-0001-9335-741X, University of South Florida), Christopher E Knoepke (0000-0003-3521-7157, University of Colorado System), Chris E Knoepke (University of Colorado, USA), Reena Kapoor (0000-0001-9568-4713, Yale University), Shannon Frattaroli (0000-0002-2973-277X, Johns Hopkins University), April M Zeoli (0000-0002-9084-1721, University of Michigan)
Ano2025
Volume10
Fascículo2
Páginas1-13
Data de publicação2025-04-04
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Gender-Based Violence (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2398-6808 • E-ISSN: 2398-6816
EditoraPolicy Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1332/23986808y2025d000000078
OpenAlexW4409159564
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas18

A variety of strategies to prevent vicarious trauma among research assistants (RAs) exist in the literature, but there is limited evidence regarding which strategies RAs view as effective, especially in online environments. We surveyed 27 RAs who abstracted firearm violence data from court records and assessed their emotional supports outside of the study team, their engagement with the team’s vicarious trauma reduction strategies during the study, and their perceptions of the effectiveness of these strategies. Twenty-six per cent of RAs reported lacking reliable emotional support for study-related impacts outside the study team. The most common strategies RAs used to manage difficult material were taking short breaks (89%) and informally interacting with other RAs on the team (41%); 83 per cent and 91 per cent of RAs, respectively, said these strategies were helpful. We discuss strategies that investigators can use to encourage RAs to take breaks from engaging with emotionally charged material and foster connections that are adaptable to various team structures and needs

Psychotherapist · Computer Science · Disaster Response and Management · Emergency and Acute Care Studies · Psychology · Trauma and Emergency Care Studies