Violence against women and girls is a prevalent and unacceptable crime globally, occurring in all communities in the UK and leading to serious physical and mental health consequences for survivors (Home Office, 2022). The UK government has taken steps to address this issue by partnering with organizations such as the NHS, local authorities, and Police and Crime Commissioners (Home Office, 2022). These collaborations with community members enhance their ability to detect, report, and manage instances of violence and abuse (Home Office, 2022).
Researchers and academics often engage in firsthand materials related to abuse and sexual violence to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of violence survivors. However, exposure to such traumatic content can lead to vicarious trauma, affecting the mental health of violence researchers (Williamson et al., 2020). To mitigate potential harm, it is essential for violence researchers to develop effective coping mechanisms (Williamson et al., 2020).
Kaul et al. (2023) identified a gap in the literature regarding the experiences of secondary trauma in violence researchers. Their qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experiences of vicarious trauma among violence researchers and how organizational support influences their mental health. Researchers in this field are particularly vulnerable to secondary trauma and may require support in managing stress and emotions related to their work.
Methods:
This qualitative study recruited UK-based adult researchers working in violence and abuse through purposive sampling. Participants were members of the UKRI Violence, Abuse and Mental Health Network (VAMHN) and were invited to participate via an online newsletter and Twitter. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted online and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results:
The study included seven White female researchers with an average of 1.5 years of experience in violence research. Participants recognized a correlation between expertise and resilience in managing work-related stress. However, they also noted that resilience can vary over time and may not always be evident externally. The study identified themes related to expertise, resilience, workplace stress, experiences of secondary trauma, the impact of COVID-19, personal characteristics, coping mechanisms, and organizational support.
Conclusion:
The study highlighted the significant impact of violence-related research on researchers’ mental health, with all participants reporting symptoms of secondary trauma. Factors such as gender, personal coping mechanisms, familiarity with violence research, and lack of organizational support were associated with researchers’ experiences of secondary trauma. Organizational improvements in ethics processes, training, peer support, and policy are essential to address the emotional needs of violence researchers and improve their wellbeing.
Strengths and Limitations:
While the study shed light on the experiences of violence researchers, its findings may be limited by the small sample size and lack of diversity among participants. Future research should aim to include a more diverse group of researchers and utilize different qualitative analysis approaches to ensure the findings are applicable to a broader range of settings.
