| Description |
The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model of women's experiences of participating in qualitative research on a traumatic topic, namely sexual assault. Prior literature addressed participants' motivations to participate in a study, their experience of participating, and the effects of participating. However, this research does not connect to provide a holistic understanding of participants' experiences. Research questions were the following: 1.) How did research participants who participated in personal interviews on traumatic events experience the research process? 2.) What motivated women who had been sexually assaulted to agree to participate in an interview-based study of their experiences of trauma? 3.) How did these women experience their participation in the research from their first awareness of the study, throughout the study, and after the study ended? 4.) What benefits or harms did these women identify as a result of participating in the study? Women who participated in an interview-based study on sexual assault disclosures participated in individual interviews and follow-up interviews about their experience of participating in the prior study. Using a feminist paradigm and grounded theory design and analysis, the results indicated two core themes: (a) Safety and (Dis)comfort; (b) Relationships (including the subthemes of the participant's relationship with herself, her relationship to the researcher, and her relationship to other women, both those who participated in the prior study and those who are affected by sexual trauma). These two themes influenced five different segments of the Temporal Process of Research Participation: (a) Decision to Participate; (b) The Interview; (c) After the Interview; (d) The Write-up; (e) Long-Term Growth and Challenges. Based on these results, there are implications for conducting qualitative research on sensitive topics and for clinicians working with trauma survivors who may participate in a research study on their experience of trauma. For example, researchers should consider informed consent an ongoing process and help participants navigate unexpected reactions to participating. Researchers should provide a diversity of ways for people to participate in ways that feel comfortable to them. Researchers should engage in multiple follow-up contacts with participants as the effects of participating may occur over time. |
