Prioritizing participant safety in mental health research involving marginalized groups: a narrative review and case exemplar synthesizing recommendations and best practices

Trauma and violence are near-universal experiences for those who are marginalized by inequity. Mental health research involving the exploration of trauma- and violence-related constructs is necessary to understand the harmful effects of traumatic exposure, identify risk and protective factors, and amplify the voices of hard-to-reach populations. Such efforts play a pivotal role in the development of trauma- and violence-informed (TVI) therapeutic interventions and treatment protocols for survivors of such adverse experiences. However, many trauma-focused research instruments and methods require study participants to recall, reflect upon, or retell upsetting personal experiences. The duration, intensity, and invasiveness of such procedures can contribute to participant burden and lead to acute emotional distress and re-traumatization. This research problem presents an ethical dilemma: How do researchers advance the science of trauma and violence, while preserving participants’ safety and maintaining ethical standards to minimize harm?