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Dealing with Ethical Concerns in Suicide Research: A Survey of Australian Researchers

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  • Karl Andriessen

    (Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Lennart Reifels

    (Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Karolina Krysinska

    (Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Jo Robinson

    (Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia)

  • Georgia Dempster

    (Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Jane Pirkis

    (Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

Abstract

Given the increasing trend in suicide mortality and its burden on individuals, families and communities, ethically sound research is crucial to improve the prevention of suicidal behaviour. However, few studies have looked at the experiences of researchers in obtaining ethics approval for their studies. This study addressed this gap by investigating researchers’ experiences in obtaining ethics approval and how they dealt with the concerns raised by ethics committees. Respondents were recruited from September to November 2018 through the Australian Suicide Prevention Research Leaders Network, and 33 respondents (35%) completed the study survey, comprising forced-choice and open-ended questions. Respondents most commonly reported concerns from ethics committees regarding potential harm to participants and researchers’ responsibilities to participants within the context of intervention and evaluation studies. Most researchers modified their ethics application and/or consulted with their ethics committee to reply to the concerns raised. Most respondents perceived the impact of the modification as positive or neutral. The study concludes that researchers may anticipate potential concerns of ethics committees. Improved understanding of how ethics committees work and dialogue between researchers and ethics committees should sustain the quality in suicide-related research.

Suggested Citation

  • Karl Andriessen & Lennart Reifels & Karolina Krysinska & Jo Robinson & Georgia Dempster & Jane Pirkis, 2019. "Dealing with Ethical Concerns in Suicide Research: A Survey of Australian Researchers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-12, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:7:p:1094-:d:217551
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lennart Reifels & Maria Ftanou & Karolina Krysinska & Anna Machlin & Jo Robinson & Jane Pirkis, 2018. "Research Priorities in Suicide Prevention: Review of Australian Research from 2010–2017 Highlights Continued Need for Intervention Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-6, April.
    2. Matthew Large & Muthusamy Kaneson & Nicholas Myles & Hannah Myles & Pramudie Gunaratne & Christopher Ryan, 2016. "Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Cohort Studies of Suicide Risk Assessment among Psychiatric Patients: Heterogeneity in Results and Lack of Improvement over Time," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karl Andriessen & Karolina Krysinska & Debra Rickwood & Jane Pirkis, 2022. "The Reactions of Adolescents, Parents and Clinicians to Participating in Qualitative Research Interviews Regarding Adolescents Bereaved by Suicide and Other Traumatic Death," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, January.

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