Archaeology and Secondary Trauma Stress Recovery for Social Workers in Shelters for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Social workers in domestic violence shelters face chronic exposure to traumatic narratives, often resulting in secondary traumatic stress. This study examines archaeological pottery restoration as a citizen-science intervention supporting resilience among shelter-based social workers. Five licensed social workers participated in a 3-month program combining hands-on restoration with reflective dialogue, conducted during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war under conditions of heightened stress. Using ethnographic methods, including participant observation, field notes, and interviews, thematic analysis explored participants’ experiences. Findings indicate restoration fostered self-reflection, emotional processing, and symbolic associations with healing. The study introduces an innovative interdisciplinary model bridging social work, archaeology, and citizen science.