Stigmatizing our own: Self-relevant research (Me-search) is common but frowned upon in clinical psychological science

Abstract

Researchers often have personal experiences that motivate engagement with a research topic. We performed the first systematic investigation of self-relevant research (SRR; “me-search”) among psychologists. The prevalence of SRR and attitudes towards SRRers were examined in a representative North American sample (N = 1,778) of faculty, graduate students, and others affiliated with accredited doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Over half of participants had engaged in SRR. When judging experimentally manipulated vignettes, those who did not engage in SRR made more stigmatizing judgements of SRR and SRR disclosure than those who engaged in SRR. Psychologists and trainees had more negative attitudes towards SRR on mental health topics (suicide, depression, schizophrenia) than physical health topics (cancer). We discuss the implications of negative evaluations of SRR and mental illness on the health of applied psychology.

Doubly Marginalized: Addressing the Minority Stressors Experienced by LGBTQ+ Researchers Who Do LGBTQ+ Research

“…One way that our research is marginalized is that people who belong to minoritized groups may get accused of doing “me-search”—self-relevant research that is considered to be indulgent or navel-gazing and thus not objective science (Bowleg, 2021; Devendorf, 2020; Devendorf et al., 2021; Gardner et al., 2017; J. L. Harris, 2021; Heath, 2015).…”

“…Within psychology, higher proportions of people who identify as sexual minority (71%) or BIPOC (63%) people compared with their heterosexual and white counterparts (50% and 52% respectively) reported engaging in self-relevant research (Devendorf et al, 2021) suggesting that this personal investment in one's research is not rare. Insider perspectives help build trust with communities, center the needs and perspectives of the community, and are important for interpreting findings within the lived experiences of the community (Rosenberg & Tilley, 2020).…”

Embedding lived experience into mental health academic research organizations: Critical reflections

“…Indeed, there have been calls for the explicit engagement of lived experience among academic researchers and examples of success, 6,7,13,16–18 including in dedicated lived experience roles and in traditional research roles to which researchers may bring their lived experience. However, lived experience integration in research comes with challenges, barriers and criticisms 19 . Self‐relevant research, dubbed ‘me‐search’, has been criticized as being biased and nonobjective 20 .…”

“…However, lived experience integration in research comes with challenges, barriers and criticisms. 19 Self‐relevant research, dubbed ‘me‐search’, has been criticized as being biased and nonobjective. 20 This criticism is in direct conflict with POR philosophies.…”