Applying Trauma-Informed Research Guidelines to Qualitative Health Research: Techniques for Building Researcher Confidence and Skills

Abstract

This article builds on our experience conducting qualitative health research to provide specific trauma-informed interview skills for researchers. Our discussion, contextualized through the Trauma-Informed Qualitative Research Guidelines (TIRGs) developed in an earlier article, uses composite examples to illustrate specific interview approaches. We focus on three TIRGs: preparing for the qualitative interview, extending safety and trust during the qualitative interview, and recognizing when to change course to avoid re-traumatization. By emphasizing skills directly related to these TIRGs, we aim to equip qualitative health researchers with practical techniques that boost their confidence in conducting trauma-informed qualitative interviews. When implemented thoughtfully and intentionally, the TIRGs can improve participants’ safety, ensure their autonomy, and help them recount their experiences without reliving them.

Keywords

qualitative interviewing trauma-informed qualitative methods power dynamics in research

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