Ethical Concerns in Suicide Research: Results of an International Researcher Survey

Abstract

Researchers and research ethics committees share a common goal of conducting ethically sound research. However, little is known of researchers’ experiences in obtaining ethics approval for suicide-related studies. This study aimed to investigate what concerns researchers have received on suicide-related ethics applications and how they dealt with it. Thirty-four respondents, recruited through the International Association for Suicide Prevention, filled out an online survey. The study found that researchers have received important concerns regarding potential harm and researchers’ responsibilities to participants. Researchers modified their application and/or consulted their research ethics committee in response to the concerns, which had a positive/neutral impact on their given study. Anticipating concerns and improved collaboration between researchers and research ethics committees should protect the quality of suicide prevention research.

Carers’ Motivations for, and Experiences of, Participating in Suicide Research

“…This came from concerns raised during the ethical approval process regarding participant safety. It is not uncommon to be faced with such concerns in suicide research [11,12], with researchers reporting that ethical review boards require modifications and restrictions to the proposed studies due to concerns that asking about suicide might exacerbate risk [9,12], yet this concern is primarily unfounded by previous research [29,30].…”

“…Online surveys are likely to attract people who have an interest in this topic, yet present new challenges beyond those often reported in relation to other suicide research methodologies, which have resulted in delays to research projects or major changes to methodology to obtain ethical approval [11,12]. Nevertheless, in a study comparing online and offline survey research in general bereavement, the authors found online research to be valid and reliable [13].…”

“…These two questions were specifically included in a broader survey due to discussions with the university ethics committee during the approval process about the safety of asking carers about their experience, and lack of guidance in the existing evidence base to help address this concern. This experience with ethical review is not uncommon with suicide bereavement research [12] and suicide related research more broadly [11]. Yet, often the literature is focused on allaying ethical review boards' concerns about the safety of the research, rather than investigating the experience of participants and their motivations for being involved.…”

Ethical issues and practical barriers in internet-based suicide prevention research: a review and investigator survey

“…The ethical and practical challenges associated with suicide research are well-documented, with vulnerability of the population, the potential for adverse events, competency of participants to consent, and researcher liability among some of the key issues [11,12]. Studies that have consulted with research ethics committee members and researchers have therefore unsurprisingly found that research ethics committees, when reviewing applications to conduct research, are particularly concerned with potential risk of harm to participants posed by the research procedures or intervention (including their potential to induce distress or suicidal ideation) and researchers' ability to respond in the case of distress or risk [13][14][15]. In order to navigate the ethical and practical issues, and anticipate or address the specific concerns of research ethics committees, researchers in suicide prevention often implement strategies such as excluding participants who are deemed to be at particularly high risk or employing strict safety protocols that may deter some people from participating (e.g., due to privacy concerns) [10,[14][15][16].…”

“…Studies that have consulted with research ethics committee members and researchers have therefore unsurprisingly found that research ethics committees, when reviewing applications to conduct research, are particularly concerned with potential risk of harm to participants posed by the research procedures or intervention (including their potential to induce distress or suicidal ideation) and researchers' ability to respond in the case of distress or risk [13][14][15]. In order to navigate the ethical and practical issues, and anticipate or address the specific concerns of research ethics committees, researchers in suicide prevention often implement strategies such as excluding participants who are deemed to be at particularly high risk or employing strict safety protocols that may deter some people from participating (e.g., due to privacy concerns) [10,[14][15][16]. Participants at elevated risk for suicide are also commonly excluded from intervention studies targeting other mental health conditions, such as depression [17,18].…”