Adolescent assent in research: a relational ethics approach

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Adolescent Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Parental permission and adolescent assent are crucial ethical considerations in research involving minors.
• Inconsistencies can arise between parental consent and adolescent willingness to participate.
• Existing ethical frameworks may not adequately address these specific conflicts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complexities of adolescent assent in research settings.
• To examine conflicts between parental permission and adolescent assent.
• To evaluate relational ethics as a framework for navigating these ethical dilemmas.

Main Methods:

• Case study approach focusing on research conflicts.
• In-depth analysis of adolescent assent.
• Review of existing literature on research ethics and decision-making.

Main Results:

• Adolescent willingness to participate can differ from parental permission.
• Relational ethics emphasizes relationship-building to address ethical inconsistencies.
• This approach supports ethical decision-making in parental permission versus adolescent assent conflicts.

Conclusions:

• Relational ethics provides a valuable framework for resolving ethical conflicts in research involving adolescents.
• Prioritizing adolescent assent alongside parental permission is essential for ethical research.
• Further understanding of relational ethics can improve ethical conduct in pediatric research.