About this Research Topic
Researchers like Van der Kolk (2015) and Perry and Winfrey (2021) draw our attention to the impact of trauma on the body and the brain. They highlight the damaging and often long-term effect of trauma on brain development and the nervous system. Attention is also given to the ways in which trauma can inhibit, weaken and alter higher order thinking skills, concentration and neurological pathways in the brain. The body’s response to trauma can also result in a constant release of hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol that can lead to a heightened nervous system. To date there has been limited research on LGBTQI+ trauma informed narratives and their effects in Queer life worlds. The Research Topic will disseminate trauma-informed educative frameworks of practice, strengths-based resources and culturally inclusive language protocols (Greig, Bailey, Abbott, & Brunzell, 2021).
The scope of the topic is outlined but not limited to the following themes:
• Narrate how the presence of trauma is negotiated and navigated in interpersonal and intersectional relationships in LGBTQ lives and learning environments;
• Explore the long lasting health and well-being impacts of trauma across differing LGBTQIA+ cultural groups
• Consider the ways is which LGBTQI+ individuals protect against, manage and process their exposure to trauma that reside at and are activated by the intersections of lived experience.
• Learn where the gaps are in developing skills and knowledge tied to LGBTQIA+ trauma informed social well-being across a range of social and cultural identity affiliations.
• Build knowledge around the type of support model required for people who educate and care for young people with trauma backgrounds and experiences in a range of contexts including youth work and school settings.
It is anticipated that the collection will draw on a range of qualitative methodologies and the focus will include the impact of trauma on social well-being across all life stages: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. Papers will also focus on different phases of education, including primary, secondary, further and higher education.
Keywords: Affect, Queer, Trauma, Identity, Privilege, Narrative
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.