Self-care in User Research

Key Insights

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  85% of user researchers experience mental health issues linked to their work, with 70% reporting impacts on job performance.

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  User researchers often lack formal training and professional support for managing emotional risks and self-care.

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  Repeated exposure to traumatic content, especially in an agile environment with high interview volumes, increases risks of burnout and vicarious trauma.

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  Self-care preparation for researchers is as essential as logistical and safety planning for research participants.

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  Crossing professional boundaries, such as offering personal help to participants, is common but can harm both parties and should be avoided.

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  Transference of emotions from participants to researchers can occur unconsciously and should be managed through reflection and supervision.

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  Effective research requires training on handling difficult disclosures, including opening and closing sensitive conversations respectfully and safely.

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  The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated trauma and vulnerability among research participants, requiring even more care in user research.

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  User researchers working with sensitive topics need ongoing reflection or supervision akin to clinical supervision to maintain psychological safety.

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  Organizations must embed mental health commitment and self-care into their culture to ensure researcher wellbeing and the integrity of research outcomes.

Notable Quotes