Research on Trauma Survivors Ethical considerations Dr. Marilyn Evans RN PhD Dec 2, 2008

Tri-Council Policy Statement Ethical Conduct Article 5.2 Women shall not automatically be excluded from research solely on the basis of sex or reproductive capacity

Assessment Risk-to-benefit ratio Trauma survivors -emotional distress -too fragile -less likely to be assertive

Pregnant women as research participants Biologically vulnerable Current trauma risks Emotional changes

What we know Findings suggest that trauma-focused research well tolerated by pregnant woman (Schwerdtfeger & Nelson 2008) Participation in trauma research well tolerated by trauma survivors (Seedat,Pienaar,Williams,&Stein, 2004) Grateful for opportunity to share their experiences (Griffin,Resick,Waldrop, &Mechanic, 2003)

Embodied Trauma: Transition to Motherhood Purpose To examine how past trauma (interpersonal) impacts women during the transition to motherhood Design Grounded theory Interviews (2nd trimester/4-6 m postpartum)

Interpersonal Trauma Experiences involving disruption in trusted relationships as a result of violence, abuse, war or other forms of political oppression, or forced uprooting and dislocation from one’s family, community, heritage, and/or culture

Sample Purposive sampling 20-30 women total 3 study sub groups sexual abuse survivors; refugee women; Aboriginal women

Ethical Considerations 1-800 number Ensure safety & privacy Best practices

Thank You Questions