CLINICAL INTERVIEWING WITH TRAUMA VICTIMS - MANAGING INTERVIEWER RISK

During the past decade, research methodology in the area of child and adult violence has increasingly utilized a clinical interview methodol ogy. Although this methodology promises a more reliable and clinically rich set of data, it also carries higher degree of risk of emotional distress to the interview participants. Thus far, most of the focus on risk has been directed toward the respondent or subject; however this article describes differing aspects of risk for the interviewer and p resents clinical examples. Approaches to minimizing and managing emoti onal distress on the part of the interviewer are presented, with an em phasis on recruitment of research personnel, initial and ongoing train ing, and structuring regular interviewer team meetings. It is proposed that the safety and emotional health of both the respondent and the i nterviewer should always take priority over data collection.