| Would you want to take part in research that | | | | over 40 of these studies. Most of these studies used |
| assessed the state of your mental health? Would | | | | interviews to ask about mental health, or sometimes |
| you want to answer questions about child abuse or | | | | paper-and-pencil questionnaires. They show that a |
| other traumatic experiences? | | | | minority of participants (usually less than 10%) do |
| Most research in the mental health area will ask | | | | report some distress after taking part in psychiatric |
| participants about their current or past mental health, | | | | research. This was most common in studies that |
| or experiences that are related to mental health. | | | | researched traumatic experiences (e.g. having a |
| These questions may be intrusive or cover sensitive | | | | still-born child). Participants reported emotions such as |
| topics, and intuitively may seem distressing to | | | | stress, embarrassment, depression, anxiety, and |
| answer. | | | | discomfort. However, this distress did not seem to |
| It's worth keeping in mind though that all research | | | | last long. For example, one study showed that 1-2 |
| conducted by organizations such as universities and | | | | weeks later, most participants said that they felt |
| hospitals will have undergone an independent ethical | | | | better than immediately after the research interview |
| approval process. This process checks things like | | | | and more than half said they even felt better than |
| whether the research has benefits that outweigh the | | | | before they had taken part in the study. The studies |
| risks to participants, that participants must give | | | | also showed that participants more commonly |
| consent before they can take part, and that they | | | | experienced positive reactions to the research, such |
| are informed of what the study is about, what will | | | | as finding it enjoyable, helpful, interesting, or a |
| happen to the data they give, how to drop out of | | | | positive experience. Interestingly, many participants |
| the study if they wish, and so on. | | | | who found it distressing still thought their participation |
| Many studies are also required to provide resources | | | | was helpful or worthwhile. |
| where participants can seek emotional support, if | | | | So to summarize, taking part in psychiatric research |
| needed. The old days where participants were easily | | | | may be upsetting for a minority, but many also find it |
| deceived or given painful shocks are long gone! | | | | a positive experience. Researchers aim to minimize |
| Researchers have studied whether taking part in | | | | the risk of harm or discomfort to their participants, |
| psychiatric research is distressing to participants, and | | | | and are usually very grateful for their help! |
| results may be surprising to some. There have been | | | | |