Trauma exposure and post‐traumatic stress disorder among photojournalists

Abstract

Photojournalists must document events that involve death, injury, and pain. In order to understand the impact of this work upon journalists, this study examined how often photojournalists covered assignments that involved exposure to death and injury, and the psychological consequences of these assignments. The study also explored factors that increased risk for the development of post‐traumatic stress disorder. Of the 875 photojournalists who completed this survey, 98% reported they had been exposed to events that mental health professionals would deem traumatic; automobile accidents, fires, and murders were the most common assignments. Close to 6% met the criteria for a diagnosis of post‐traumatic stress disorder. Number of traumatic assignments, personal trauma history, and decreased social support increased the risk of post‐traumatic stress disorder among photojournalists. The study argues for inclusion of emotional risk in theories about the relationship of photojournalistic practices to the creation of images.