Trauma and Resilience Research Network
The Trauma and Resilience Research Group is an interdisciplinary group of researchers based at Western that adopts a wholistic approach to understanding the cumulative impact of adversity and trauma, including across generations. Our understanding of trauma processes and impacts is informed by the social ecological framework. This framework recognises the individual, family, community, and social/political processes that contribute to experiences of, and recovery from, trauma. It also facilitates an understanding of the way trauma intersects the physical, spiritual and inter-relational spaces that a person inhabits. It also underscores the importance research that amplifies resiliency processes inherent in people and communities through strengthening protective factors and minimising systemic or structural risks that inhibit a person’s ability to respond to trauma.
Many communities are affected by trauma. Research shows approximately 70% of the general population experience a traumatic event in their lifetime. Our group focuses on groups that experience complex trauma including developmental trauma, transgenerational and intergenerational trauma, and collective trauma. This may include:
- Populations that experience chronic adversity, such as those exposed to racism and discrimination, poverty and homelessness.
- First responders.
- Substance use treatment populations.
- Refugees and people in the process of seeking protection.
- People affected by, or involved in, criminal behaviour.
Schedule of Meetings
The group meets bi-monthly and provides researchers with opportunities for mentoring, peer review and collaboration.
Meetings are held bi-monthly on Tuesdays 11:30-12:30. For meeting dates and Zoom link, please email e.conroy@westernsydney.edu.au.
Students interested in pursuing research in the area are most welcome to attend.
Events
27th Oct 2021 – The Trauma and Resilience Research Group held an introductory webinar on traumatic stress research as part of Western’s Research Week. You can watch the recording above or download the presentation slides. (opens in a new window)
Current members
 | Dr Elizabeth Conroy |
 | Dr Natalie Morrison |
 | Dr Hazel Keedle |
Current Research
Transgenerational Trauma amongst Western Sydney Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Youth
- Investigators: Dr Natalie Morrison (THRI)
Western Sydney’s Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Youth are well overrepresented amongst self-harm and other self-injurious presentations (including suicide attempts) in local Emergency Departments. A current project in collaboration with Western Sydney Local Health District is investigating ways in which mental health clinical staff could better provide services to this population so as to reduce such alarming statistics. This proposed project will attempt to better appreciate the historic and ongoing traumatic nuances felt uniquely by this group to provide better direction to decision makers in health and government to support these youth. This project will involve two sub-phases including a systematic review followed by focus groups to enable a qualitative enquiry into the experiences of these youth.
This project will be supported by the Western Sydney Local Health District and Area Mental Health.
Understanding Referral Practices for Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) in Australia
- Investigators: Dr Natalie Morrison (THRI)
This project is focussed at gaining an understanding of primary health physicians’ knowledge of, and attitudes, towards the use of EMDR in the treatment for individuals who may present to their place of practice. In Australia it is understood that approximately 57-75% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life and while not all individuals will require psychological intervention as a result of such experience(s) the current uptake of EMDR, an evidence-based treatment for trauma based mental health complications, in Australia is well below expectation. Recent commentary in the professional bulletin of the Australian Psychological Society suggests that such under-usage might in part be explained by poor knowledge amongst health professionals of what, when, and how EMDR can be clinically indicated. This series of studies is designed to further this more colloquial discussion regarding EMDR referral statistics to determine the knowledge of and attitudes towards EMDR therapy by clinicians representing the primary referral pathways for trauma treatment via survey-based methods. Further it will also investigate the channels by which clinicians can be better educated about this treatment modality to maximise future EMDR referral practices using online platforms supporting varying educational resources in an experimental design to investigate real time clinical decision making.
This project is funded by the EMDR Association of Australia.
The Birth Experience Study (BESt)
- Western Sydney University Investigators: Dr Hazel Keedle, Professor Hannah Dahlen
The Birth Experience Study (BESt) is a pivotal national and international project investigating factors influencing positive and negative birth experiences, as well as the prevalence and impact of birth trauma.
Launched in Australia in 2021, the initial survey gathered responses from over 8,800 women nationwide, leading to significant outcomes including seven published papers, numerous conference presentations, and direct influence on the NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry. BESt has also fostered an international collaboration (BESt-IC) involving 14 partners globally who are replicating the survey. A follow-up Australian survey is planned for 2026 to explore national trends and changes in maternity care experiences post-COVID-19 and following the Inquiry.
Find out more (opens in a new window)
PIPE-MC
- Western Sydney University Investigators: Professor Virginia Schmied, Associate Professor Rakime Elmir, Dr Hazel Keedle
The PIPE-MC project centers on a co-designed, inter-professional workshop developed to support women with complex psycho-social issues. Utilising a trauma-informed approach, this initiative aims to equip healthcare professionals, particularly within midwifery care, with enhanced skills and knowledge to better support vulnerable women. The project focuses on fostering environments and interactions that are sensitive to past trauma, ultimately improving care experiences and outcomes for women facing significant psychosocial challenges.
Find out more (opens in a new window)
Completed Research
A Place to Call Home: making meaning of home/lessness for people seeking asylum in Australia
- Investigators: Dr Elizabeth Conroy (THRI), Anjali Roberts and Mr Nishadh Rego (Jesuit Refugee Services Australia)Summer Research Intern: Angelica Ukak
There is limited data on the number of people seeking asylum who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness in Australia although the demand for support from organisations working with this population suggest this need is quite large. This study aims to document experiences of housing and home-making for people at different stages in their claim for protection. This study has adopted the conceptual framework of Burn and Fabos (2015) in distinguishing between three kinds of homes – HOME that refers to the broader political and historical context in which home is understood and experienced; Home that refers to a person’s memory, longing and imagination of an idealised home; and home that refers to day-to-day practices and meanings individuals give to the places they inhabit. Data from narrative interviews and a brief cross-sectional survey will inform roundtable discussions with stakeholders to develop a set of recommendations for policy and practice across the housing and refugee sectors.
Read final report (opens in a new window)
“A deep wound under my heart”: Constructions of complex trauma and implications for women’s wellbeing and safety from violence
This project sought to develop a comprehensive picture of how complex trauma is being constructed in public policy and practice, and how it is viewed by women with experiences of complex trauma.
Read final report (opens in a new window)