The culture of cancer and the therapeutic impact of qualitative research interviews

Abstract

This paper is an account of the potential therapeutic impact of research interviews encountered while conducting a qualitative research study. Similarities between the therapeutic (or psychoanalytic) interview and the qualitative research interview are discussed and explored, with examples drawn from a current study. It is suggested that, as a listener, the nurse researcher may offer the participant a mechanism for reflection, greater self-awareness, finding a voice, obtaining information, and venting repressed emotions. Within the context of cancer the participant might have multiple care and information needs to which he/she may expect a therapeutic interaction from a nurse researcher. The potential therapeutic component of the nurse researcher role in the context of cancer care is described and considered. The paper suggests that there may be positive and negative aspects of a therapeutic component to the researcher role and that the researcher should think carefully concerning the stance that he/she will take in the field.

Participants’ experiences of being interviewed about an emotive topic

“…Similar findings have been noted elsewhere (e.g. Gale 1992, Measor & Sikes 1992, Sparkes 1994, Hatton et al 1995, James & Whittaker 1998, Aylott 2002, Morecroft et al 2004, Colbourne & Sque 2005). An inherent power differential in the relationship between researchers and the researched can give rise to ethical and methodological concerns (Allen & Baber 1992).…”

“…However, in qualitative studies where the researcher is asking for information or an account of an experience hitherto unknown, participants may recognize themselves as experts in a topic of interest to someone typically in a more powerful position (Miller & Glassner 1997). This can be both empowering and illuminating to participants, who are able to reflect and speak about their lives in a way not normally available to them, and may explain why researchers using interviewing as a data collection method may find participants pleased, often eager, to answer questions about very difficult, personal or emotional topics (Colbourne & Sque 2005).…”

“…Consequently, we propose that it should not be considered problematic if participants find in-depth research interviews 'therapeutic' through being given the opportunity to share their experiences with an interested person. Morse (1994) describes this unsolicited outcome of qualitative interviewing as 'serendipitous therapy' (Colbourne & Sque 2005).…”

Participant reactivity in a longitudinal mixed‐method study of the information behavior of people with type 2 diabetes: Research validity vs. “street validity”

“…For example, several researchers (Aldridge & Stevenson, 2001; Beck, 2005; Hutchinson, Wilson, & Wilson, 1994; Morecroft, Cantrill, & Tully, 2004; Ortiz, 2001) have found that the interviewing process can lead to deeper understandings for the interviewer, while simultaneously resulting in therapeutic benefits for interviewees. Similarly, another group of researchers (Birch & Miller, 2000; Clarke, 2006; Colbourne & Sque, 2005; Gale, 1992; Harper & Cole, 2012; Shamai, 2003) have found that the process of member checking (in which a researcher consults with his/her participants in order to confirm his/her understanding) not only helps to improve the validity of the findings of a study, but also can result in therapeutic benefits for the research participants. Family therapy researchers Harper and Cole (2012) indicate that they found the member checking process “to be beneficial to all parties involved in ways that proved to be far beyond the promise of methodological quality control” (p. 515).…”

Undertaking ethical qualitative research in public health: are current ethical processes sufficient?

“…However, ethical issues that arise in qualitative health research that may affect both the researcher and those being researched are not as easy to identify prospectively and can be overlooked in ethics application processes. 1 Qualitative health researchers have raised concerns about, among other issues, relationships with participants, 2 unclear relational boundaries, 3 the therapeutic nature of interviews 4,5 and the emotional impact of interviewing, 6 as well as ethical dilemmas throughout the research process. 7 As experienced qualitative health researchers, we assume that we will inevitably encounter professional and personal challenges as part of our contact with participants.…”