Trauma amongst TV news crews: An exploration of role differences and crew solidarity

Research output: Other contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Past research indicates that journalists’ ongoing exposure to trauma can result in psychopathology. However, previous research has not considered whether trauma exposure and reactions differ depending on whether news workers are working individually or within a crew. The research question was: What functional roles do crew relationships play in enhancing individual resilience? In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 TV news camera-operators and reporters. The findings indicate that news workers emphasise the importance of the relationship amongst crewmembers in times of trauma exposure, as opposed to their own individual experiences. Working with other crewmembers simultaneously reduces physical and psychological risks and improves the quality of the journalistic product. Additionally, experienced news workers serve a vital mentoring function, and also act to shield less experienced news workers from potentially stressful situations. Crew solidarity functions as a protective factor for news crewmembers exposed to trauma and other work-related stressors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages21-38
Number of pages18
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventSingapore Conference on Applied Psychology: SCAP 2018 - Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, Singapore, Singapore
Duration: 20 Jun 201721 Jun 2017

Conference

ConferenceSingapore Conference on Applied Psychology
Abbreviated titlePsychology in Practice
Country/TerritorySingapore
CitySingapore
Period20/06/1721/06/17

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