Developing a READINESS Mindset with Trauma-Informed Management for Crisis Communication

Nicholas Eng, Madden, S., & Rongting Niu (Ph.D. student). (Accepted). Developing a READINESS Mindset with Trauma-Informed Management for Crisis Communication. Journal of Communication Management. Abstract: This online survey with 456 communications professionals empirically tested how trauma-informed principles predict organizational commitment and satisfaction and sheds light on how a trauma-informed approach can promote a READINESS mindset. Guided by the model of trauma-informed practices and research on crisis READINESS, the data indicate that cultural responsivity, voice, choice, peer support, and transparent communication were significant and positive predictors of employees’ emotional safety. For employees’ physical safety, only cultural responsivity, voice, and transparent communication emerged as significant predictors. Employees’ physical and emotional safety were positively and significantly associated with both organizational commitment and satisfaction.  Discussion and application of trauma-informed practices are common in the nonprofit and public interest sectors and not so much in the corporate sector. This study makes an important contribution to understanding trauma-informed insights. By testing how trauma- informed practices can be integrated into crisis READINESS, we continue building a body of knowledge integrating research in both areas, allowing for further theory-building.