Research: "Stress and Psychological Trauma in Museum Workers"

This project, conducted by a team from Purdue University, Indiana University-Indianapolis, and the Museum and Cultural Heritage Working Group of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), aims to document how museum workers are impacted by exposure to traumatic materials.
This research project investigates the mental and physical health challenges faced by museum professionals, particularly those who interact with trauma-related collections and narratives.
Museum workers often report significant vocational stress, stemming from their roles in managing and presenting distressing materials.

The current findings suggest that certain situations are uniquely traumatic for museum workers and highlight the need for targeted intervention strategies. These strategies aim to address the challenges faced by professionals who frequently interact with human remains, exhibitions detailing death and discrimination, and objects associated with human suffering. As the study continues to gather responses, it seeks to identify effective coping mechanisms and improve the health, safety, and working conditions of museum professionals.

This project underscores the importance of understanding the psychosocial impacts of trauma-related collections and developing informed approaches to support museum workers’ well-being.