South Middlesex Times

Research assistants often encounter distinct challenges in handling emotionally intense subjects, particularly if they lack support systems or effective coping strategies, according to a Rutgers Health study. This study, published in the Journal of Gender-Based Violence, involved 27 research assistants working on a multistate firearm violence research project, where they read and coded graphic descriptions of gun violence.

The study stresses the need for emotional breaks and supportive, flexible environments. Findings indicate that 26% of research assistants lack reliable emotional support outside their research teams. Common coping strategies include taking short breaks (89%) and informal peer interactions (41%), with 83% and 91%, respectively, finding them helpful.

"Gun violence prevention work can involve emotionally difficult topics such as suicide, intimate partner abuse, and more," said Jennifer Paruk, a postdoctoral fellow at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Paruk, the study's lead author, noted that some research assistants might encounter these issues for the first time intensely through their roles, complicated by living away from home without usual support systems.

The study emphasized short breaks between Extreme Risk Protection Order cases for better focus and the value of informal peer interactions, fostering shared strategies and emotional connections. Such interactions offered mutual validation and support, aiding in processing the emotional aspects of their work.

"There are many ways that study teams can support their research assistants, regardless of the team's structure or needs," Paruk added.

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