Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approaches

Participatory research methods increase the quality and relevance of a study and are a key element of community practice. However, participatory methods can be difficult to employ at the outset of a research study with vulnerable, hard-to-reach populations. Intimate partner violence survivors are a...

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Main Authors: Selima N. Jumarali, Nkiru Nnawulezi, Samantha Royson, Carrie Lippy, Ashley N. Rivera, Ty Toopet
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Specialty Publications 2021-07-01
Series:Journal of Participatory Research Methods
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.24414
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author Selima N. Jumarali
Nkiru Nnawulezi
Samantha Royson
Carrie Lippy
Ashley N. Rivera
Ty Toopet
author_facet Selima N. Jumarali
Nkiru Nnawulezi
Samantha Royson
Carrie Lippy
Ashley N. Rivera
Ty Toopet
author_sort Selima N. Jumarali
collection DOAJ
description Participatory research methods increase the quality and relevance of a study and are a key element of community practice. However, participatory methods can be difficult to employ at the outset of a research study with vulnerable, hard-to-reach populations. Intimate partner violence survivors are a particularly vulnerable population who are at increased risk of experiencing abuse-related trauma and have distinct safety-related needs. In order to engage survivor populations, researchers can employ survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches to build trust and develop relationships that facilitate increased engagement in the research process over time. This paper outlines the methods and strategies that academic partners used to establish, increase, and maintain participatory engagement with women who experienced harm by intimate partners. The process began with a community-based, qualitative needs assessment study for survivors whose partners were in a relationship violence intervention program. In addition to responding to specific aims, this study simultaneously helped to create a pool of potential collaborators. Academic partners used member checking to establish trustworthiness of the study findings and introduce the participants to the concepts of participatory engagement. Next, researchers established an advisory group to develop practice recommendations, which ultimately led to academic and community partners co-designing a community-based dissemination project. We discuss successes and tensions inherent in the engagement process, important lessons learned, and provide recommendations for future community practice.
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spelling doaj-art-3bed5023368e4adc8f577b825479120f2025-08-20T01:56:51ZengSpecialty PublicationsJournal of Participatory Research Methods2688-02612021-07-012210.35844/001c.24414Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed ApproachesSelima N. JumaraliNkiru NnawuleziSamantha RoysonCarrie LippyAshley N. RiveraTy ToopetParticipatory research methods increase the quality and relevance of a study and are a key element of community practice. However, participatory methods can be difficult to employ at the outset of a research study with vulnerable, hard-to-reach populations. Intimate partner violence survivors are a particularly vulnerable population who are at increased risk of experiencing abuse-related trauma and have distinct safety-related needs. In order to engage survivor populations, researchers can employ survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches to build trust and develop relationships that facilitate increased engagement in the research process over time. This paper outlines the methods and strategies that academic partners used to establish, increase, and maintain participatory engagement with women who experienced harm by intimate partners. The process began with a community-based, qualitative needs assessment study for survivors whose partners were in a relationship violence intervention program. In addition to responding to specific aims, this study simultaneously helped to create a pool of potential collaborators. Academic partners used member checking to establish trustworthiness of the study findings and introduce the participants to the concepts of participatory engagement. Next, researchers established an advisory group to develop practice recommendations, which ultimately led to academic and community partners co-designing a community-based dissemination project. We discuss successes and tensions inherent in the engagement process, important lessons learned, and provide recommendations for future community practice.https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.24414
spellingShingle Selima N. Jumarali
Nkiru Nnawulezi
Samantha Royson
Carrie Lippy
Ashley N. Rivera
Ty Toopet
Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approaches
Journal of Participatory Research Methods
title Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approaches
title_full Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approaches
title_fullStr Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approaches
title_full_unstemmed Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approaches
title_short Participatory Research Engagement of Vulnerable Populations: Employing Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approaches
title_sort participatory research engagement of vulnerable populations employing survivor centered trauma informed approaches
url https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.24414
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