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

Abstract

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.