Reactions to Laboratory-Based Trauma Research in a Sample of Incarcerated Women

Abstract

An evidence-based approach to research ethics is critical to ethical research but little is known about how trauma survivors—especially those from vulnerable populations—respond to laboratory-based trauma research. One hundred four incarcerated women ( N = 64 rape survivors) reported their traumatic life experiences, listened to and responded to an audio recording of a dating interaction that culminates in a completed rape, and then reported their responses to their participation. Compared to the control group ( N = 40), rape survivors ( N = 64) had more posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and these symptoms were associated with more emotional responding. Both groups showed a positive benefit–cost ratio with regard to their participation did not differ on their overall reactions to research participation. These findings suggest that laboratory-based trauma research methods are associated with consistently positive experiences, which can help inform researchers and institutional review boards about the risks and benefits of such research.