Trauma Informed Research
In this powerful episode of the Epistemic Alchemy Podcast, Dr. I interviewed Dr. Kader Gumus, an independent consultant and trauma-informed researcher, about her pioneering work on thrivership after domestic violence. Dr. Gumus shares her journey as both a scholar and a survivor, highlighting the significance of conducting research ethically and with care. Drawing from her dissertation, Journey to Wellbeing, she explores how individuals move beyond survival to thrive after experiencing chronic trauma. The conversation delves into how traditional research practices can inadvertently retraumatize participants, and what researchers can do to prevent that. Dr. Gumus outlines how she designed a trauma-informed methodology, combining phenomenology with situational and thematic analysis, and discusses the importance of researcher self-care. She also emphasizes the role of IRBs and the need for more culturally sensitive, human-centered research practices. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in ethical qualitative research, trauma studies, or survivor-centered approaches.
5 Key Points:
Trauma-informed research requires an ethical design that prevents the retraumatization of participants.
Dr. Gumus developed a unique methodology: exploratory situational thematic analysis.
Self-care for researchers is essential in trauma-related studies.
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) need more education on trauma-informed practices.
Thrivership transcends resilience—emphasizing transformation, not just survival.
Resources:
Brown, D. J., Arnold, R., Fletcher, D., & Standage, M. (2017). Human thriving. European Psychologist.
Brown, D. J., Passaportis, M., & Hays, K. (2021). Thriving. In Stress, well-being, and performance in sport (pp. 297-312). Routledge.
Brown, D. J. (2016). Human thriving: a conceptualization, understanding, and application to sport (Doctoral dissertation, University of Bath)
Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2012). Posttraumatic growth in clinical practice. Routledge.
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(98)00017-8
Gumus, K. (2025). Journey to well-being: An exploration of thrivership post-domestic violence [Doctoral dissertation]. https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/1101/
Herman, J. L. (2015). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence--from domestic abuse to political terror. Hachette UK.
Kolk, B. V. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin.
Maté, G. (2011). When the body says no: Exploring the stress-disease connection. Turner Publishing Company.
SAMHSA’s six principles of trauma-informed care – post-secondary peer support training curriculum. (2022, June 1). BCcampus Open Publishing – Open Textbooks Adapted and Created by BC Faculty. https://opentextbc.ca/peersupport/chapter/samhsas-six-principles-of-trauma-informed-care/
Taleb, N. N. (2012). Antifragile: Things that gain from disorder. Random House.
Tudge, J., & Rosa, E. M. (2020). Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad251
What AI cannot do. (2022, May 20). Big Think. https://bigthink.com/the-future/what-ai-cannot-do/
Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2012). Posttraumatic growth in clinical practice. Routledge.
Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(98)00017-8
Gumus, K. (2025). Journey to well-being: An exploration of thrivership post-domestic violence [Doctoral dissertation]. https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/1101/
Herman, J. L. (2015). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence--from domestic abuse to political terror. Hachette UK.
Kolk, B. V. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin.
Maté, G. (2011). When the body says no: Exploring the stress-disease connection. Turner Publishing Company.
SAMHSA’s six principles of trauma-informed care – post-secondary peer support training curriculum. (2022, June 1). BCcampus Open Publishing – Open Textbooks Adapted and Created by BC Faculty. https://opentextbc.ca/peersupport/chapter/samhsas-six-principles-of-trauma-informed-care/
Taleb, N. N. (2012). Antifragile: Things that gain from disorder. Random House.
Tudge, J., & Rosa, E. M. (2020). Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad251
What AI cannot do. (2022, May 20). Big Think. https://bigthink.com/the-future/what-ai-cannot-do/
Additional resources in the US:
National Domestic Violence Hotline Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
Disaster Distress Helpline – Call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call Chat with Lifeline
Crisis Textline – Text TALK to 741741
Veterans Crisis Line - Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255
Sverige