Interviewing women bereaved by homicide: assessing the impact of trauma-focused research

Abstract

There have been few empirical studies that assess the impact of participation in trauma-focused research. To contribute to growing knowledge in this area, this study assessed the effects of research participation among 14 women who had been bereaved by homicide. An adapted version of the Response to Research Participation Questionnaire (RRPQ) was implemented as part of a wider study exploring secondary victimization by criminal justice systems; at the end of a qualitative interview, participants were asked three questions designed to assess benefits, harms and regrets associated with participation. All participants gained something positive from participation; half experienced upset; but none regretted participation. Suggestions are made for how researchers can minimize harm and maximize benefit to vulnerable research participants.

Keywords:

• trauma research methodology
• bereavement by homicide
• research ethics
• women
• interpretative phenomenological analysis