Sri Lanka is a country known for its resilience; communities have lived through many years of conflict, natural disasters, and economic and political instability. Yet, dealing with the past remains an ongoing process for many, as trauma from these experiences lingers within the fabric of society. In conceptualising what ‘dealing with the past’ means to Sri Lankans, the Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB) conducted public consultations in 2018. These consultations revealed that it is important for Sri Lankans to have the opportunities and freedoms to remember, memorialise, and mourn the past and the lives lost during the war; have access to psychosocial support services and alternative ways of healing; have the opportunity to receive information about the past and to learn from history – with multiple narratives being respected; and to have the opportunity to share their truths of how they experienced the armed conflict, in a context which acknowledges that there are multiple truths (SLB, 2023).

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Across three iterations of the SLB survey, Sri Lankans have consistently placed high importance on dealing with the past (SLB, 2023). This reiterates the importance of conducting research that delves into past traumas and contemporary grievances of conflict-affected communities.

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However, understanding historical and cultural contexts and traumas can be a challenge for social science researchers when approaching people (Harvey, 2022). Traditional research methods may not be tailored to accommodate the deep-seated trauma many Sri Lankans carry, particularly in marginalised and conflict-affected regions such as the North and South. This makes trauma-informed care (TIC) important for researchers – it allows them to understand, approach, and respond to individuals in a way that respects their experiences while also mitigating the risk of re-traumatisation.

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Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) in Research

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Trauma-informed care was first adapted in the health and social care sectors and advocates an approach that is sensitive to individual stories of trauma. TIC has five core principles: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014). For social scientists, these principles shape the questions they ask, the type of research they carry out, and how results are interpreted. This approach is particularly relevant in a country like Sri Lanka, where people may have faced extreme stressors that shape their lives today. Smeaton (2024) argues that research conducted without trauma sensitivity can easily increase participants’ distress, causing harm not just to the survival of those people, but also possibly skewing research findings. To prevent this, researchers should adopt a two-pronged trauma-informed approach  that prioritises participant care while ensuring the reliability of the data collected.

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The Context of Trauma in Sri Lanka

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The legacy of post-war Sri Lanka bears heavy marks on society. Research has shown that exposure to war and disaster causes mental health problems, resulting often in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety (Murthy and Lakshminarayana, 2006). Research participants from conflict backgrounds may still carry the scars of trauma, and if researchers fail to recognise this, risk of re-traumatisation is highly. For example, in rural and economically disadvantaged communities, trauma often intersects with daily struggles such as poverty, resource scarcity, and limited access to education, further exacerbating its impact on mental health (Ford et al., 2015).

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A researcher unaware of these complexities and the need to address trauma may fail to consider how specific questions or methods may impact participants. However, research methods formed under trauma-informed theory help minimise harm and the risk or re-victimisation of participants. By building a foundation of trust and respect, these trauma-informed practices create an environment where participants feel safe and acknowledged.

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How TIC Enhances Data Quality

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One of the most pressing reasons to adopt TIC is to improve the reliability and quality of data obtained. Kaiser (2009) demonstrates that when participants feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to share information openly, leading to richer, more genuine data. TIC prioritises obtaining informed consent and clearly communicating the purpose of research to build trusting relationships with participants. In contrast, without sensitivity to trauma, participants may unconsciously hold back information, potentially skewing results or limiting their applicability. Additionally, trauma-informed approaches allow researchers to recognise signs of distress, allowing participants to take a break or withdraw if needed, thereby strengthening their ethical research practices.

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Applying TIC in the Field and Strategies for Researchers

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To understand trauma in Sri Lanka, it is essential to consider the cultural context, as different communities experience conflict in distinct ways depending on factors such as location or ethnicity. For example, Tamil communities in the North and East have unique experiences of the civil war, highlighting the need to understand not only the broader cultural context but also the specific histories of trauma within each community and their lasting impact across generations. Trauma-informed research prioritises both physical and emotional safety, as even simple actions – such as choosing a private, neutral setting for interviews, explaining the study's purpose in accessible language, and avoiding triggering language – can make a significant difference. When discussing sensitive topics with families affected by conflict, reassuring participants that their responses are confidential and will not lead to retaliation is particularly important.

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Building trust involves being transparent about the research process and how participants’ data will be used. This is especially important for those who may fear exploitation or deception due to past experiences. When participants understand this and have confidence in researchers, it fosters an environment where trust is the norm. Allowing participants to make choices about their involvement in the research – such as skipping a question or withdrawing from the study – aligns with TIC’s emphasis on respect and agency. Trauma-affected individuals may feel disempowered by their past, and giving them control over their participation can be a small but meaningful step toward restoring a sense of agency. Collaborating with local NGOs, mental health professionals, and community leaders can provide additional support for participants who may experience emotional distress and help researchers better understand the trauma landscape in communities, enabling more ethically sensitive research.

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The Ethical Imperative of TIC in Sri Lanka

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Adopting a trauma-informed approach should be viewed as an ethical responsibility, not just a methodological choice, for social science researchers. According to Rajapakse et al. (2020), post-trauma growth becomes possible when people are treated with empathy and understanding, ultimately assisting communities recover and build resilience. There are clear benefits when researchers conduct studies that put the histories of their participants into context, avoid harm, and promote healing.

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In summary, TIC is not merely a best practice but should be a basic ethical requirement for conducting social science research. By integrating TIC principles throughout their research, scholars in Sri Lanka can create a safe and respectful space for participants, fostering trust and ensuring that research results are both meaningful and ethically sound. In a society where trauma affects many and can be considered a national issue, TIC offers a way forward, encouraging resilience and contributing to a deeper understanding and respect for other’s experiences in a more profound way.

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References

Ford, J.D. et al. (2015) 'Social, cultural, and other diversity issues in the traumatic stress field,' in Elsevier eBooks, pp. 503–546. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-801288-8.00011-x.  

Harvey, L. (2022) 'Critical social research: re-examining quality,' Quality in Higher Education, 28(2), pp. 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/13538322.2022.2037762.

Kaiser, K. (2009) 'Protecting Respondent Confidentiality in Qualitative Research,' Qualitative Health Research, 19(11), pp. 1632–1641. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732309350879.

Murthy, R.S. and Lakshminarayana, R. (2006) Mental health consequences of war: a brief review of research findings. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1472271/#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20depression%20were%20observed,support%20were%20religion%20and%20family.  

Smeaton, E. (2024) Trauma and trauma-informed researchers. https://the-sra.org.uk/SRA/SRA/Blog/Trauma%20and%20trauma-informed%20researchers.aspx.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2014) SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. Available at https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/dbhis/samhsas-concept-trauma-guidance-trauma-informed-approach  

Sri Lanka Barometer. (2023). National Public Opinion Survey on Reconciliation 2023. P.37. Available at: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6401937657fbcb014f4a5c61/67177dc38be2c10181215c4a_SLBR2023_Final_211024_Digital-compressed.pdf  ‍

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Nilupuli Nayanathara is a professional social worker, researcher, feminist, advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights, and content creator. She holds a Bachelor in Social Work and has pursued further studies with diplomas in Psychology and Counselling, Climate Change, and Public Policy & Governance. Nayanathara is the founder of “Island of Stories,” a volunteer initiative dedicated to providing alternative education for children in fishing communities in Negombo, Sri Lanka. Through this initiative, she works to empower underserved children by integrating storytelling and creative learning methods into education.

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