‘Wounded Healers’: a collaborative exploration of trauma exposure with the Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project

Quilligan , Anne Marie

‘Wounded Healers’: a collaborative exploration of trauma exposure with the Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project

Files

AnneMarieQuilliganCARLReport2024.pdf(1.5 MB)

Published Version

Date

2024

Authors

Quilligan , Anne Marie

Publisher

Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork

Abstract

This study, conducted in collaboration with the Kerry Travellers Health Community Development Project (KTHCDP), explores the trauma exposure among Irish Traveller staff within their professional roles, focusing on its impact on their personal and professional lives. Employing a phenomenological approach through Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), the research involved conducting six semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth insights. The findings reveal significant exposure to both primary and secondary trauma among the participants, characterised by direct interactions with distressed individuals and emotional burdens from community-based crises, notably including high incidences of suicide. The study highlights a complex interplay of resilience and vicarious trauma within the community, illustrating how personal experiences with trauma influence professional engagements and advocacy efforts. The results underscore the need for tailored support systems for Traveller staff, emphasising professional recognition and the integration of trauma-informed care. Recommendations for enhancing organisational support and developing targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of trauma exposure are discussed, aiming to contribute to better mental health outcomes and sustained advocacy efforts within the Traveller community.

Keywords

Trauma exposure , Irish Traveller staff , Professional roles , Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) , Trauma-informed care , Mental health outcomes

Citation

Quilligan, A. M. (2024) ‘Wounded Healers’: a collaborative exploration of trauma exposure with the Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project. Cork: Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork.