Reporting on Trauma: The Psychological Effects of Covering Tragedy and Violence

Public Deposited
Analytics

Downloadable Content

Download PDF
Request Version for Screen Reader
Last Modified
  • March 21, 2019
Creator
  • Seely, Natalee
    • Affiliation: Hussman School of Journalism and Media, Mass Communication Graduate Program
Abstract
  • The work of journalists and photographers often involves covering traumatic events, interviewing victims, and witnessing scenes of violence. Many journalists must report on trauma, but undergraduate journalism education and newsroom resources may not offer adequate trauma preparedness and support. This study used a mixed-method design. A survey (N=254) examined the relationship between frequency and intensity of trauma coverage traumatic stress symptoms, as well as the relationships between trauma education and workplace resources and trauma awareness and willingness to seek support in the newsroom. In-depth interviews (N=24) with journalists and photographers captured the thought processes, emotional responses and coping mechanisms used by journalists when covering traumatic assignment. Results indicate that as trauma coverage frequency and intensity go up, so does PTSD symptom severity. And while trauma coverage intensity did significantly predict secondary traumatic stress, trauma coverage frequency did not. Education regarding crisis reporting positively predicted trauma awareness, indicating that journalism programs may produce more prepared journalists if they include curriculum about crisis reporting. Participation in workplace resources also significantly predicted willingness to seek emotional support in the newsroom. Results from surveys also showed that crisis reporting education and trauma-related resources are lacking in journalism programs and newsrooms. In-depth interviews revealed a wide range of psychological effects experienced by journalists, including PTSD indicators, anxiety, depression and guilt. Journalists utilized various coping mechanisms to deal with and alleviate on-the-job trauma coverage, including compartmentalizing, talking about their experiences, using empathetic interviewing strategies, exercise, substance use and engaging in cathartic activities. Attitudes about the supportiveness of newsrooms were mixed, with about a third reporting they would not feel comfortable talking to an editor about the emotional toll of their jobs, and another third said they worked in an open and safe newsroom environment. The remaining third had mixed feelings about seeking support in the newsroom. Overall, findings suggest that more comprehensive journalism education and more supportive newsroom environments would foster healthier journalists.
Date of publication
Keyword
DOI
Resource type
Rights statement
  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Scott, Glenn
  • Riffe, Daniel
  • Dillman Carpentier, Francesca
  • Johnston, Anne
  • Barnett, Barbara
Degree
  • Doctor of Philosophy
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Graduation year
  • 2017
Language

Relations

Parents:

This work has no parents.

Items

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
file details Seely_unc_0153D_16964.pdf 2019-04-12 Public Download