Citation

Lawyer SR, Smith K, Thomas B, Pemberton S. J. Empir. Res. Hum. Res. Ethics 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, University of California Press)

DOI

10.1177/15562646211043632

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An evidence-based approach to research ethics is critical to ethical research but little is known about how trauma survivors-especially those from vulnerable populations-respond to laboratory-based trauma research. One hundred four incarcerated women (N = 64 rape survivors) reported their traumatic life experiences, listened to and responded to an audio recording of a dating interaction that culminates in a completed rape, and then reported their responses to their participation. Compared to the control group (N = 40), rape survivors (N = 64) had more posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and these symptoms were associated with more emotional responding. Both groups showed a positive benefit-cost ratio with regard to their participation did not differ on their overall reactions to research participation. These findings suggest that laboratory-based trauma research methods are associated with consistently positive experiences, which can help inform researchers and institutional review boards about the risks and benefits of such research.

Language: en

Keywords

behavioral social science research; informed consent; prisoners; psychology; research ethics; research ethics committee/Institutional Review Board review; vulnerable populations