Supporting the researchers of traumatic experiences

Abstract

Researchers in the academic world may be exposed to various types of traumatic content that can lead to those staff experiencing symptoms of compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma. Social science research has given little attention to the impacts of compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma on researchers of traumatic content, and in turn, there is little documentation regarding best practices for addressing or mitigating those impacts (Chu & Dwyer, 2002; Nikischer; 2019; Williamson et al., 2020). This paper details a proposal for implementing a peer support group for researchers in academia who primarily work on projects focused on traumatic content areas. These specific researcher staff will benefit from a facilitated peer support group that aims to mitigate the symptoms of compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma by providing space for discussions about individual concerns, personal experiences, and anxieties related to their research on traumatic content (Corden et al., 2005; Geoffrion, et al., 2016). Utilization of techniques such as guided imagery and relaxation techniques will encourage interpersonal social support amongst the research staff in the workplace, as well as the identification and sharing of strategies for coping and self-care (Corden et al., 2005; Geoffrion, et al., 2016).