NCJ Number
163373
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 65-69
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the potential negative psychological consequences of conducting child maltreatment research on the researchers themselves.
Abstract
Illustrations of these effects are drawn from the experiences of a study of child maltreatment. Common themes of anger, sadness, frustration, and powerlessness emerged as reactions to reviewing case records of child maltreatment. Just as study protocols must include procedures for protecting the subjects of research, so they should include methods for helping the researchers cope with emotional distress due to their work. One suggested strategy is to have staff members work in teams, so fellow team members can provide immediate support and alleviate the sense of isolation that results from working alone. A second strategy is to restrict the amount of time spent reviewing records. Staff were limited to 2 or 3 days (preferably nonconsecutive) of abstracting per week, since in the study of rape victims, the researchers reported difficulties in focusing their attention on reviewing records for long time periods. A third strategy for reducing stress involved group discussions of the case material. This forum not only gave the research assistants a chance to express their feelings about the case material, but it also offered other staff members an opportunity to learn about the circumstances associated with the episodes of maltreatment in the study families. Other strategies are to maintain a sense of humor and encourage involvement in community activism related to the research topic. 8 references