Immediate and Delayed Reactions to Trauma-related Laboratory Research Among Rape Survivors and Controls

2021 ◽  
pp. 155626462199610
Author(s):  
Steven R. Lawyer ◽  
Brittney M. Holcomb ◽  
Kateřina Příhodová
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Trauma Research ◽  
Rape Survivors ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
First Session

Ethical implications of laboratory-based experimental trauma research are not well studied. Female rape survivors ( N = 62) and controls ( N = 79) listened to an audio recording of a sexual assault and completed mental health measures and the Reactions to Research Participation Questionnaire-Revised in the first session and again several weeks later. In the first session, mental health symptoms were associated with stronger emotional reactions and personal benefits from participation. Rape survivors also reported stronger emotional reactions than controls, but also more personal benefits, more satisfaction, and fewer perceived drawbacks from participation. Several weeks later, both groups reported diminished posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and rape survivors’ reports of stronger emotional reactions and greater satisfaction with their participation remained significant. Benefit–cost ratios indicate positive responses to participation across groups and time. Findings suggest significant benefits to laboratory trauma research for participants.

Reactions to Laboratory-Based Trauma Research in a Sample of Incarcerated Women

2021 ◽  
pp. 155626462110436
Author(s):  
Steven R. Lawyer ◽  
Kathleen Smith ◽  
Beena Thomas ◽  
Shelby Pemberton
Keyword(s):  
Research Participation ◽  
Incarcerated Women ◽  
Institutional Review Boards ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Trauma Research ◽  
Rape Survivors ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Emotional Responding ◽  
Institutional Review

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.

Emotional Reactions of Rape Victim Advocates: A Multiple Case Study of Anger and Fear

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Wasco ◽  
Rebecca Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Vicarious Trauma ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Rape Victim ◽  
Rape Victims ◽  
Rape Survivors ◽  
Victim Advocates ◽  
Multiple Case

This research explores the emotional reactions of a rarely studied group of women who work closely with survivors of sexual violence: rape victim advocates. Women who assist rape victims in obtaining medical, criminal justice, and mental health services were interviewed about their experiences, and qualitative analysis was used to delineate the situational context of the advocates' emotional reactions. Results indicate that respondents experienced anger and fear in response to both individual (e.g., a perpetrator's menacing glare) and environmental (e.g., community denial of a problem) cues. Additionally, some experienced rape victim advocates perceived their emotional reactions to be an important part of their work with rape victims. These findings suggest that intense emotional reactions, previously conceptualized within a vicarious trauma framework, may at times serve as resources for women working with rape survivors.

College Students’ Reactions to Participating in Relational Trauma Research: A Mixed Methodological Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (21) ◽  
pp. 3346-3369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie M. Edwards ◽  
Angela M. Neal ◽  
Christina M. Dardis ◽  
Erika L. Kelley ◽  
Christine A. Gidycz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Trauma Research ◽  
Emotional Effects

Using a mixed methodology, the present study compared men’s and women’s perceived benefits and emotional reactions with participating in research that inquired about child maltreatment and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration. Participants consisted of 703 college students (357 women, 346 men), ages 18 to 25 who reported on their childhood maltreatment, adolescent and adult IPV victimization and perpetration, and their reactions (perceived benefits and emotional effects) to participating. Participants’ reactions to participating were assessed using quantitative scales, as well as open-ended written responses that were content coded by researchers. Women reported more personal benefits from research, whereas men and women reported similar levels of emotional reactions to research participation. Furthermore, greater frequencies of child maltreatment and IPV victimization were related to higher levels of emotional reactions. Common self-identified reasons for emotional reactions (e.g., not liking to think about abuse in general, personal victimization experiences) and benefits (e.g., reflection and awareness about oneself, learning about IPV) were also presented and analyzed. These data underscore the importance of future research that examines the behavioral impact of research participation utilizing longitudinal and in-depth qualitative methodologies. Findings also highlight the potential psychoeducational value of research on understanding the reasons underlying participants’ benefits and emotional effects.

When solidarity hurts: (Intra)cultural trust, cultural betrayal sexual trauma, and PTSD in culturally diverse minoritized youth transitioning to adulthood

2021 ◽  
pp. 136346152110629
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Culturally Competent ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Trauma Outcomes ◽  
Trauma Research ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Societal Inequality

Sexual trauma is associated with PTSD, with perpetrators putting women and girls more at risk than men and boys. Young adulthood is a time where risk of victimization and susceptibility to mental health problems increase. Certain contributors of costly trauma outcomes may be affected by the larger context of societal inequality. Cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT) highlights cultural betrayal in within-group trauma in minoritized populations as a dimension of harm that affects outcomes. In CBTT, within-group trauma violates the (intra)cultural trust—solidarity, love, loyalty, connection, responsibility—that is developed between group members to buffer against societal inequality. This violation, termed a cultural betrayal, can contribute to poorer mental health. The purpose of the current study is to address a gap in the CBTT literature by examining the role of (intra)cultural trust on the association between cultural betrayal sexual trauma and symptoms of PTSD among diverse minoritized youth transitioning to adulthood. Participants ( N = 173) were diverse minoritized college students, who completed a 30-min online questionnaire at a location of their own choosing. Participants received course credit and could decline to answer any question without penalty. The results reveal that the interaction between cultural betrayal sexual trauma and (intra)cultural trust predicted clinically significant symptoms of PTSD. These findings have implications for increased cultural and contextual specificity in trauma research in minoritized populations, which can aid in the development and implementation of culturally competent interventions for diverse minoritized youth survivors of sexual trauma.

Stalking Part II: Victims' Problems with the Legal System and Therapeutic Considerations

1998 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 477-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M Abrams ◽  
Gail Erlick Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Additional Stress ◽  
Supportive Psychotherapy ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Female Therapists ◽  
Therapeutic Considerations

Objective: This paper is the second of 2 parts reviewing the topic of stalking. It focuses on victims' difficulties with the legal system and the psychotherapeutic tasks for victims and therapists. Method: Computerized literature searches were used to identify relevant papers from psychiatric and legal journals. Publications by victims' and women's organizations provided additional information. Results: Victims suffer emotional consequences from being stalked. Additional stress is caused by the legal system's lack of understanding of the causes and consequences of stalking and inadequate and unenforced laws. The treatment of victims requires a comprehensive approach, including education, supportive psychotherapy, and discussion of practical measures. Therapists may over identify with the patient's powerlessness or hesitate to take on a case out of fear of the stalker. Female therapists may protect themselves against the realization of their own vulnerability by blaming the victim, while male therapists may feel defensive or overprotective. Conclusion: Stalking is a crime with major mental health consequences which is often poorly understood by society. Therapists need to be aware of the victim's emotional reactions, the types of legal and practical supports available, and the possible biases of society. Further education and research should be encouraged.

Payments for Participation of Children in Research

2018 ◽  
pp. 244-263
Author(s):  
Douglas S. Diekema
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Parental Decision ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Parental Decision Making ◽  
Participation In Research ◽  
Research Studies ◽  
Current Practices

Providing payment to those who participate is common practice for research studies involving both children and adults. While there may be good reasons for providing payment for research participation, there are also reasons to be concerned about the practice, especially when the subjects are children and the payment has the potential to distort parental decision-making by tempting parents to consider issues other than the welfare of their child. This chapter examines the ethical implications of providing payment to children and their parents for participation in research. After a brief survey of current practices regarding payments to research participants, the chapter will examine the distinct kinds of payments offered to research participants and their parents (Those intended to reimburse expenses and those intended to induce participation), evaluate the ethical considerations relevant to each kind of payment, and make some final recommendations concerning the provision of payments for research involving children.

Emotional Consequences of Participating in Research: How Does a History of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Trauma Exposure Affect Participants’ Experiences?

2020 ◽  
pp. 155626462097961
Author(s):  
Ryan A. Robertson ◽  
M. Shae Nester ◽  
Christina M. Dardis
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Potential Safety ◽  
Previous Trauma ◽  
History Of ◽  
Asking Questions

Although research into trauma and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is critical to informing evidence-based interventions, IRB committees express caution about the potential safety concerns these questions pose to participants. The present study examined the emotional consequences of participating in research asking questions about trauma and NSSI. A total of 544 participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing trauma exposure, NSSI, and reactions to research participation. Results indicated that trauma exposure was positively related with emotional reactions, and NSSI engagement was associated with higher incidences of trauma. Additionally, those with a history of NSSI reported greater emotional reactions and perceived drawbacks after participation. However, overall, individuals with a history of NSSI still indicated a positive research experience. Implications for how to safely conduct research with participants who have a history of NSSI and previous trauma exposure are discussed.

Older Adults’ Narratives of Seeking Mental Health Treatment: Making Sense of Mental Health Challenges and “Muddling Through” to Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1517-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Reynolds ◽  
Maria Medved ◽  
Corey S. Mackenzie ◽  
Laura Megan Funk ◽  
Lesley Koven
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
System Level ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Older adults who experience challenges related to mental health are unlikely to seek professional help. The voices of older adults who have navigated through mental health issues and systems of care to arrive at psychological treatment are less well understood. We conducted individual interviews with 15 adults aged 61 to 86 who sought psychological treatment. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using narrative methods. We identified several main storylines that describe the meaning-making and treatment-seeking journeys of older adults: resistance to being labeled with mental health problems (telling stories of resistance, defining mental health issues in mysterious and uncontrollable terms, and experiencing internal role conflict); muddling through the help-seeking process (manifestations of chaos and system-level barriers); and emotional reactions to psychological treatment (hope, fear, and mistrust). Findings add to the literature base in the area of narrative gerontology, and highlight the complex experiences that older adults face when seeking psychological treatment.

Ethical Implications of Cultural Barriers to the Depression Diagnosis: Conversations with Primary Care Physicians

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 683-701
Author(s):  
Diana Cagliero
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Ethical Implications

This article explores ethical issues raised by Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) when diagnosing depression and caring for cross-cultural patients. This study was conducted in three primary care clinics within a major metropolitan area in the Southeastern United States. The PCPs were from a variety of ethnocultural backgrounds including South Asian, Hispanic, East Asian and Caucasian. While medical education training and guidelines aim to teach physicians about the nuances of cross-cultural patient interaction, PCPs report that past experiences guide them in navigating cross-cultural conversations and patient care. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven PCPs which were transcribed and underwent thematic analysis to explore how patients’ cultural backgrounds and understanding of depression affected PCPs’ reasoning and diagnosing of depression in patients from different cultural backgrounds. Ethical issues that arose included: limiting treatment options, expressing a patient’s mental health diagnosis in a biomedical sense to reduce stigma, and somatization of mental health symptoms. Ethical implications, such as lack of autonomy, unnecessary testing, and the possible misuse of healthcare resources are discussed.

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