Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
05:26
Enactive Phenomenological Approach to the Trier Social Stress Test: A Mixed Methods Point of View
Published on: January 7, 2019
Coping with traumatic stress in journalism: a critical ethnographic study
Marla Buchanan1, Patrice Keats
1Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. marla.buchanan@ubc.ca
Summary
Canadian journalists use various coping strategies, including avoidance, black humor, and substance use, to manage trauma and work-related stress. These findings highlight the need for targeted support for media professionals exposed to distressing events.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
- Journalism Studies
Background:
- Journalists and photojournalists face significant risks of physical, emotional, and psychological injury due to exposure to trauma and disaster events.
- Work-related stress is a pervasive issue within the journalism profession, impacting overall well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coping strategies employed by Canadian journalists and photojournalists exposed to traumatic events.
- To understand how these coping mechanisms buffer the effects of trauma exposure and work-related stress.
Main Methods:
- A critical ethnographic study was conducted involving 31 Canadian journalists and photojournalists.
- Data collection included in-depth individual interviews and six workplace observations.
Main Results:
- Commonly reported coping strategies include avoidance at work, use of black humor, emotional suppression, physical activity, focus on technical aspects, and substance use.
- These strategies are utilized to manage the psychological impact of witnessing trauma and disaster events.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies key coping mechanisms used by journalists facing work-related stress and trauma.
- Recommendations are provided for interventions to address the effects of stress within this high-risk occupational group.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed to...
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:20Traumatic Memory
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
01:27Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...