SECONDARY EMOTIONAL DISTRESS: SUPPORTING YOUR RESEARCH TEAM THROUGH THE QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PROCESS
2024

Supporting Research Teams in Qualitative Research

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Coccia Kathryn, Hendricks-Ferguson Verna, Wladkowski Stephanie, Wallace Cara

Primary Institution: Saint Louis University

Hypothesis

Researchers may develop secondary emotional distress from conducting qualitative interviews with older adults experiencing serious illness.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for protocols to support researchers in managing emotional distress during qualitative research.

Supporting Evidence

  • Researchers are at risk of developing secondary emotional distress from participants' distressing experiences.
  • Novice researchers may be particularly vulnerable to emotional distress.

Takeaway

When researchers talk to sick older people, they can feel sad too, so it's important to help them deal with those feelings.

Methodology

Case study from an ongoing NIH-funded research study.

Participant Demographics

Older adults experiencing serious illness and their caregivers.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3185

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication