There is debate about the proper role of emotions in research; however, in the pursuit of certain research questions, an emotional impact on researchers is unavoidable and has the potential to engulf researchers and research processes. This article explores the emotional challenges involved in completing a large, mixed-methods research project focused on high-risk youth. We outline four dilemmas researchers confronted as they managed the emotional impact of the fieldwork: tentative disclosures, catharsis, hopelessness, and motivation. Understanding these dilemmas enhanced the analysis and the conceptual work of the research.
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