Introduction: Trauma-informed research communities in sport, exercise, and health

Abstract

Trauma is recognised as a global health epidemic which means that researching the lived experiences of those impacted is central to qualitative researchers' work in sport, exercise, and health contexts. General trauma research has shown that people affected by trauma require ongoing, varied, and considered support because their risk of re-traumatisation is high. Re-traumatisation can occur in any situation or environment which resembles aspects of a person's original trauma, and consequently difficult reactions can be triggered. When comparing re-traumatisation risks with common qualitative research practices, there are many concerning alignments. Outside of research contexts, re-traumatisation risks have been responded through the implementation of trauma-informed practices. Yet, the consideration and implementation of these evidence-based practices into qualitative research settings are less prevalent. In this chapter, we outline the potential risks of re-traumatisation by delving into common/standard qualitative research practices which may cause further harm. The case is then made for qualitative researchers in sport, exercise, and health to include evidence-based trauma-informed practices into research settings so that re-traumatisation risks are minimised while maintaining a strength-based approach. An overview of the book structure is also provided, and an introduction to the trauma work is included, by international expert contributors.