Conceptualizing nursing research with offenders: another look at vulnerability.
In this article, vulnerability is examined as it applies to the conduct of nursing research with offenders. As a group, offenders present with a multitude of acute and chronic physical and mental health care needs; they are subject to discrimination, stigmatization, and marginalization; and as such, they often experience dual, multiple, or overlapping vulnerabilities. As research participants, they are especially vulnerable to coercion, as a direct consequence of their dependency status within the correctional system. Embracing a research agenda that focuses on offenders as a vulnerable population is fraught with ambiguities not generally encountered in other settings. The ethical conduct of research with vulnerable populations reflects a contemporary research problem that requires ongoing discourse within the nursing community and the health care community at large.
Peternelj-Taylor
Cindy A
CA
College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E5. cindy.peternejl-taylor@usask.ca
D003219:Confidentiality; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009729:Nursing; D011287:Prejudice; D011329:Prisoners; D012106:Research; D013240:Stereotyping