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

Abstract

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.

Reflections on the in-prison recruitment and participation of men with a history of injecting drug use, in a longitudinal cohort study in Australia

“…On the other hand, as has been described in studies beyond those conducted in prisons (Newman & Kaloupek, 2004;Robertson et al, 2020), the opportunity to reflect on and share aspects of personal experience through research in a space that was safe, nonjudgemental, respectful, and kind was observed to be of benefit to participants. While this outcome is often described in the context of qualitative research (Stuhlmiller, 2001), our experience suggests these benefits also occur for people who participate in quantitative studies in prison.…”

‘I then had 50 stitches in my arms…such damage to my own body’: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Izzat trauma and self‐harm experiences among UK women of South Asian heritage

“…Thus, although we focused the analysis on the self‐harming behaviours, the lived experience cannot be divorced from the whole of development across the lifespan. Relating to self‐injury and trauma, it has been noted that traumatic childhood experiences leave a residue of ‘felt experiences’ impact, affects and way of internal processing that often continues to operate, both consciously and unconsciously, later in life (Connors, 1996; Robertson et al., 2020). Another recent study presented findings which argued that developmental trauma or chronic early childhood exposure to traumatic experiences can have a long‐lasting pervasive impact on a range of things.…”

“…They all communicated how they ‘used’ self‐injury as a way to function, to re‐connect with self, to regulate their internal distress and to communicate their angst. Other authors have suggested that, in essence, what individuals presenting with self‐harm behaviours are struggling with is a fundamental sense of dislocation, disconnection, difficulties with emotional regulation and disrupted boundaries (Connors, 1996; Robertson et al., 2020; Rogel et al, 2020; Spinazzola et al, 2018).…”

“…It has been suggested that if abuse is ongoing or if there is a risk to physical/psychological safety, emotional threat or harm threat to an individual, then clearly the therapist needs to advocate for the client's safety (Fishbane, 2019). However, practitioners/researchers should also be mindful of their own processes and, at times, instinct to save or rescue clients from their unhappy past or current culture or strained relationships with parents/siblings or others in their social networks (Fishbane, 2019; Robertson et al., 2020). Fishbane (2019) raised an important point that part of the complexity to be aware of is that, for cultures that are more collectivist, differentiation of self does not mean separation, and that often the work can include ways of exploring how one's identity can coexist with interdependence.…”

How a study on lived experiences impacted German occupation children – A mixed-method long-term approach

“…According to Newman et al (2006) these concerns had limited the research on trauma related areas of interest for years, preventing traumatized individuals from participating, yet they were based on subjective assessments, measures and biased opinions, vulnerable to common decision making errors, such as common sense and under utilization of base rate information. Fortunately, a growing body of research on respective populations indicates that while a minority of trauma research participants recalls the initial research process as being stressful or challenging, the majority would participate again, have no regrets regarding their participation, and view research as personally beneficial (e.g., Brabin and Berah, 1995;Walker et al, 1997;Newman et al, 1999Newman et al, , 2001Dyregrov et al, 2000;Ruzek and Zatzick, 2000;Disch, 2001;Dutton et al, 2002;Newman, 2002, 2005;Newman and Kaloupek, 2004;Hebenstreit and DePrince, 2012;van der Velden et al, 2013;Lawyer et al, 2021;Robertson et al, 2021), suggesting that talking to trauma survivors might be more beneficial and therapeutically valuable rather than risky or harmful (Bassa, 2011);-provided that the research complies with common ethical principles and respects human rights (Hebenstreit and DePrince, 2012). These results have paved the way for eye-to-eye encounters with trauma survivors in research.…”