Arts-based methods as a trauma-informed approach to research: Making trauma visible and limiting harm

Abstract

Trauma has become a global health epidemic which means that researching the experiences of those impacted is central to qualitative researchers' work. Subsequently, people affected by trauma may require support during the research process. In this paper, we outline how arts-based autoethnography and the methods of poetry, digital mixed media and drawing align with aspects of an evidence-based trauma-informed framework, highlighting their value when conducting qualitative trauma research. Examples of arts-based representations centring on Author 1's experiences of moving from ‘abuse victim’ to ‘abuse prevention advocate’ will show its application and potential benefits for conducting research with other trauma survivors/victims.

Keywords

• Creative methods
• Trauma-informed practices
• Qualitative research
• Poetry
• Digital mixed media
• Drawing