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Debriefing the family: is research an intervention?
D A Bussell1, K C Matsey, D Reiss
1Center for Family Research, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Family Process
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Family research participation can impact families, with varied experiences reported by participants. Researchers must ethically monitor and mitigate any unintended effects of studies on families.
Area of Science:
- Family Studies
- Developmental Psychology
- Research Ethics
Background:
- The assumption that research participation does not alter families is widely held.
- Potential unintended consequences of family research on participants are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the assumption that families remain unchanged by research involvement.
- To investigate potential positive or negative unintended effects of family research on participants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of feedback from families participating in the Nonshared Environment and Adolescent Development project.
- A longitudinal study focusing on family processes and adolescent development.
Main Results:
- Families reported diverse perceptions of their research experience, ranging from positive to detrimental or inconsequential.
- Participant feedback highlights variability in the impact of research involvement.
Conclusions:
- Researchers have an ethical obligation to identify and address any harmful effects of study participation.
- Implementing effective debriefing strategies is crucial for participant welfare and understanding researcher-family interactions.