Sensitive topics and adolescents: making research about risk behaviors happen.
This article discusses conducting research with adolescents as a positive experience, both from a clinical and scholarly perspective. However, topics involving risk-taking behaviors may be especially difficult for adolescents to discuss openly. To implement research protocols with the adolescent population, particularly when dealing with risk-taking behaviors, investigators need to be aware of developmental challenges that warrant specific methodological choices. In a pilot study that involved adolescents who had been hospitalized for traumatic injury, the researchers gained valuable experience in conducting a study on substance use. Experiences with the study provide direction for future research about investigating sensitive topics with adolescents.
Hern
M
M
College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221-0038, USA. marcia.hern@uc.edu
Miller
M
M
Sommers
M
M
Dyehouse
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003219:Confidentiality; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000209:etiology*; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*