The emotional toll of being an ‘insider’ researcher belonging to a marginalised population is often under-discussed within research communities, despite methods like reflexivity being put into place to maintain rigor in data analysis. By having such methods in place, we can assume that there is awareness that qualitative methodological practices are emotionally taxing but without putting relative emphasis on the fact. Studies show that qualitative researchers, especially those in early-career stages, are at risk of second-hand trauma and emotional distress (Kinitz, 2022). For insider researchers, the risk of re-traumatisation and additional psychological burdens is heightened (Kinitz, 2022).
Background
Qualitative research treats words as data, much like numbers in quantitative studies. While powerful, these words come with emotional challenges, especially in social science fields where sensitive information is frequently studied. This has shown to evoke strong emotions amongst those studying the data such as frustration, exhaustion, repulsion and guilt (Reed & Towers, 2023). Some researchers have even expressed feeling physical pain and distress during and after conducting their work (Reed & Towers, 2023).
Unlike within positivist context, where objectivity is deemed to produce a more robust output, in qualitative research, identifying with the lived experiences that are being analysed, also known as being an ‘insider’ to the data can be deemed advantageous. However, while this is the case, it can also be challenging. Even though insiders can provide unique insights that outsiders may miss, this closeness can also amplify emotional strain (Ross, 2017).
Early-career researchers (ECR’s), especially those engaged in emotionally charged studies, are at a heightened risk of negative mental health outcomes. A study shows ECR’s are six times more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to the general population, with poor work-life balance and strained supervisory relationships contributing to this risk (Nicholls et al., 2022).
My Experience
As an ECR, I was somewhat naïve about the emotional impact qualitative research could have on me. I expected to deal with sensitive information related to racialised adolescents in the UK, a topic I am deeply connected to, but I did not foresee how personally triggering it would be. Subsequently, I found myself unexpectedly unpacking my own childhood experiences of marginalisation and identity confusion while analysing the data.
Working on the TRADE project, looking at experiences of racialised adolescents in the UK, I realised that being both an insider and outsider to the data presented unexpected emotional challenges. Although my supervisors warned me that the content would be emotive, I underestimated the emotional toll it would take. I began to experience feelings of sadness and frustration as I saw my own struggles reflected in the data, but also guilt as I came across struggles that I have been privileged enough not to endure.
As suggested by my supervisors, keeping a reflexivity journal during this period allowed me to track the progression of my thoughts and emotions. Initially intended as a professional tool, my journal became a personal outlet where I could explore the emotional complexity of my identity. One entry captures this well:
“The more I thought about my identity the more I realised how I didn’t really feel as though I had one. Being of Kurdish ethnicity it has always been a struggle for me to find a sense of belonging and my identity has always been a confusion. As we kind of sit in this weird place in the middle east where we don’t necessarily fit into any racial group but also aren’t classified as our own either. I think this struggle for identity for most Kurds is a confusion. I started to think maybe this is why I noticed concepts such as identity and belonging so much in the text, because there were ways in which I was projecting these feelings which I can see in the data too.”
This journal became a powerful tool in helping me process my emotions and reflect on my positionality as both a researcher and an individual.
“Early-career researchers (ECR’s), especially those engaged in emotionally charged studies, are at a heightened risk of negative mental health outcomes.”
Going Forward: Practical Advice for Researchers
There were several actions that helped me navigate the emotional challenges of insider qualitative research, and I’d like to share these with ECR’s facing similar situations.
Keep a Reflexivity Journal
Maintaining a reflexivity journal was invaluable. I didn’t treat it as a rigid task, but allowed flexibility in my entries, documenting my thoughts and emotions throughout the process. Reflexivity is crucial not only for enhancing research credibility but also for helping researchers process the emotional strain that comes with qualitative work (Hazell et al., 2020).
Since there is no universal guidance in the literature on how to keep a reflexive journal, a personalised approach to reflexivity is key. Instead of focusing solely on positionality, I suggest reflecting on your emotions before, during, and after engaging with the data. This method allowed me to recognise my emotional journey, moving from naivety to a greater awareness of my own and others’ experiences. Evidence suggests that reflexive writing fosters personal growth and resilience, enabling researchers to mentally navigate demanding content (Williamson et al., 2020).
Maintain Open Dialogue with Your Research Team
Qualitative research can be emotionally complex, and I often felt unsure about whether to bring my emotional responses into academic discussions. However, evidence shows that sharing emotional reactions with your research team can help both the research process and your mental health (Lustick et al., 2024).
Studies on secondary trauma have highlighted the importance of team support when dealing with sensitive data (Williamson et al., 2020). By openly discussing the emotional toll of my research, I was able to take breaks when needed and focus on other parts of the project such as creating an academic poster. This helped me maintain both my emotional well-being and the quality of my analysis.
Set Emotional Boundaries
Being immersed in emotionally charged data can be exhausting, and it’s crucial to set emotional boundaries. Regular breaks are essential, not just for mental health but to avoid ‘empathy fatigue,’ a common phenomenon in qualitative research. Also known as ‘compassion fatigue,’ this is when continuous exposure to others’ traumatic or distressing experiences can lead to a drain of the researcher’s emotional resources (Hansen et al., 2018). Over time, this can lead to emotional exhaustion, reducing the ability to empathise effectively. Research has shown resultant higher levels of depression and anxiety due to this emotional strain, and a particular susceptibility to burnout and emotional exhaustion (Hill et al., 2022) (Nicholls et al., 2022). By taking intentional breaks, it can help you to restore emotional balance and improves the accuracy of analysis when you return to the work.
Seek Peer Support and Professional Help
Connecting with peers who were also conducting qualitative research was an invaluable source of support. Sharing experiences with others helped me feel less isolated. For those dealing with particularly sensitive data, professional mental health support should also be considered. Research has shown that accessing counselling or peer support is vital for researchers who feel overwhelmed (Smith, 2021).
“Studies on secondary trauma have highlighted the importance of team support when dealing with sensitive data.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the emotional challenges of qualitative research are real, especially for insiders and ECR’s. However, by being emotionally prepared, regularly reflecting, and using the support systems around you, these challenges can be navigated. While the emotional toll is undeniable, qualitative research is ultimately rewarding. It allows researchers to give voice to marginalised groups, and in doing so, it can lead to both personal and professional growth.
NB this blog has been peer-reviewed
References
- Hansen, E. M., Eklund, J. H., Hallén, A., Bjurhager, C. S., Norrström, E., Viman, A., & Stocks, E. L. (2018). Does Feeling Empathy Lead to Compassion Fatigue or Compassion Satisfaction? The Role of Time Perspective. The Journal of Psychology, 152(8), 630–645. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2018.1495170
- Hazell, C. M., Chapman, L., Valeix, S. F., Roberts, P., Niven, J. E., & Berry, C. (2020). Understanding the mental health of doctoral researchers: a mixed methods systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. Systematic Reviews, 9(1), 197. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-01443-1
- Hill, N. T. M., Bailey, E., Benson, R., Cully, G., Kirtley, O. J., Purcell, R., Rice, S., Robinson, J., & Walton, C. C. (2022). Researching the researchers: psychological distress and psychosocial stressors according to career stage in mental health researchers. BMC Psychology, 10(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00728-5
- Kinitz, D. J. (2022). The Emotional and Psychological Labor of Insider Qualitative Research Among Systemically Marginalized Groups: Revisiting the Uses of Reflexivity. Qualitative Health Research, 32(11), 1635–1647. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323221112620
- Lustick, H., Yang, X., & Hakouz, A. (2024). The Role of Emotions in Qualitative Analysis: Researchers’ Perspectives. The Qualitative Report, 29(4), 1103–1124. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.6232
- Nicholls, H., Nicholls, M., Tekin, S., Lamb, D., & Billings, J. (2022). The impact of working in academia on researchers’ mental health and well-being: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. PLOS ONE, 17(5), e0268890. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268890
- Reed, K., & Towers, L. (2023). Almost Confessional: Managing Emotions When Research Breaks Your Heart. Sociological Research Online, 28(1), 261–278. https://doi.org/10.1177/13607804211036719
- Ross, L. E. (2017). An account from the inside: Examining the emotional impact of qualitative research through the lens of “insider” research. Qualitative Psychology, 4(3), 326–337. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000064
- Smith, R. (2021). The emotional impact of research: A reflexive account of a counsellor-turned-PhD researcher’s experience of vicarious trauma. EJQRP, 11, 22–32.
- Williamson, E., Gregory, A., Abrahams, H., Aghtaie, N., Walker, S.-J., & Hester, M. (2020). Secondary Trauma: Emotional Safety in Sensitive Research. Journal of Academic Ethics, 18(1), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-019-09348-y
Author
I am an early-career researcher with a focus on qualitative research and mental health within marginalised communities. My recent work, analysing data from the TRADE study at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, examines the experiences of racialised adolescents in the UK. Through this, I have navigated the unique emotional challenges associated with insider research. I hold a BSc from the University of Surrey and am currently in the penultimate year of my Graduate Entry Medicine, MBBS degree at King’s College London. I also have experience in representing the student voice as part of my university’s personal tutor training programme, where I highlight how inequalities faced by students from racialised backgrounds—both before and during medical training—can affect their wellbeing and performance. I am passionate about raising mental health awareness for early-career researchers and fostering supportive, reflective practices within the research community.