Trigger Warnings: Not As Helpful as You Think
Trigger warnings are alerts about content within a piece of text or media that may contain sensitive topics and themes related to the reader’s past negative experiences. The use of trigger warnings, also known as content warnings, has been increasingly encouraged throughout social media and online news sites. Advocates of trigger warnings argue that warnings help readers emotionally prepare for or have the opportunity to avoid distressing material, claiming that they are a necessary form of disability accommodation. Critics, however, argue that content warnings may worsen negative reactions to the material, and avoiding triggering content may be more harmful than beneficial. Some even argue that trigger warnings may increase interest in the material and in turn increase anxiety response.
Researchers are looking into trigger warnings to find out how they affect people. They want to know if these warnings change how someone feels after seeing something sensitive, if they make people more likely to avoid that kind of content, and if they impact what someone expects before seeing it. A 2023 study examined the use of trigger warnings in an attempt to answer the four questions. The study was a meta-analysis of all existing empirical studies on the effects of trigger warnings, focusing on data related to the four questions. In order to be included in the meta-analysis, the studies needed to give a content warning to the participants that the material may induce negative past memories and measure psychological or psychophysiological reactions, such as negative emotional reactions, anxiety, and increased heart rate. The sample of participants in the studies contained a high proportion of trauma survivors, as trigger warnings and content notes are meant to help viewers prepare for or avoid material that may trigger past memories.
Researchers are looking into trigger warnings to find out how they affect people. They want to know if these warnings change how someone feels after seeing something sensitive, if they make people more likely to avoid that kind of content, and if they impact what someone expects before seeing it. A 2023 study examined the use of trigger warnings in an attempt to answer the four questions. The study was a meta-analysis of all existing empirical studies on the effects of trigger warnings, focusing on data related to the four questions. In order to be included in the meta-analysis, the studies needed to give a content warning to the participants that the material may induce negative past memories and measure psychological or psychophysiological reactions, such as negative emotional reactions, anxiety, and increased heart rate. The sample of participants in the studies contained a high proportion of trauma survivors, as trigger warnings and content notes are meant to help viewers prepare for or avoid material that may trigger past memories.
Trigger warnings are meant to help viewers prepare for or avoid content that may bring up negative past memories.
Image Source: Anete Lusina
The meta-analysis found a majority of the studies concluded that trigger warnings were ineffective, with some researchers suggesting that they may actually be counterproductive. In regards to the four questions the study aimed to answer, trigger warnings had no effect on response to the material, avoidance of the material, or understanding of the content. They saw that there was an increase in anticipatory distress before viewing the content but after being given the trigger warning. However, this was explained by most people not being skilled in emotional preparation, as the participants' emotional experience equalized after being shown the material compared with those who were not shown the content warning. This period of discomfort before being shown the material does not reflect any helpful action as trigger warnings tend to warn readers of distressing material but not provide any insight or advice on how to reduce the reactions.
Although there are other questions regarding trigger warnings that warrant further research, the meta-analysis concluded that aside from inducing a moment of uncomfortable anticipation of the content, trigger warnings have no effect and should not be used in the field of psychology or research as a mental health tool.
Although there are other questions regarding trigger warnings that warrant further research, the meta-analysis concluded that aside from inducing a moment of uncomfortable anticipation of the content, trigger warnings have no effect and should not be used in the field of psychology or research as a mental health tool.
Featured Image Source: RESIST! Die Kunst des Widerstands-8258 by Raimond Spekking is licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0
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