Project Description
Staff working in the anti-trafficking sector are exposed to highly distressing narratives of human suffering and exploitation. While preliminary research affirms trauma exposure amongst staff in high trauma professions is common and can have lasting psychological impacts mirroring primary trauma symptoms, more research is needed to build sustainable solutions for staff care and wellbeing. It remains critical to understand the impact of trauma exposure for anti-trafficking professionals from their own perspectives, as well as to identify strategies that could enhance their ability to carry their work with greater emotional flexibility. While the inherent costs of high trauma work will never be fully mitigated, there is the potential to transform the way these burdens are carried, communicated, and processed – both at the individual and organizational levels.
This exploratory research study will focus on the mental health needs of staff working in anti-trafficking agencies. The research team will conduct focus groups and key informant interviews with staff from several anti-trafficking agencies in the greater Atlanta area, collecting qualitative and quantitative data. Data collection will be focused on asking not just how staff are impacted by trauma exposure, but how they feel about that impact, where they struggle to accept the burden of their work, how they make meaning of the emotional cost, and where they find strength to continue. Data will be transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach and the results will be shared back with participating agencies as well as submitted for publication to contribute to the larger conversation around staff care, wellbeing, and sustainability in the anti-trafficking field.
Tasks and Responsibilites
1) Student will be trained and then involved in data collection, transcription, and analysis.
2) Student will be involved in developing scientific outputs including a policy brief.
3) Student will learn and perform qualitative data analysis.
Desired Qualifications
A junior to senior level student who is interested in learning about mental health research with a high-risk, vulnerable community of human trafficking survivors, and professionals working within anti-trafficking agencies will be an ideal candidate for this project. The student should have a bend towards developing community-engaged research skills and would have aspirations to pursue clinical science research in the future. Integrity, punctuality, communication skills, and attention to details are all qualities of a good research assistant fitting within our lab's culture.