Researching dissociative identity disorder: practical suggestions and ethical implications.
This article's purpose is to aid researchers who are interested in conducting research with dissociative populations, but who may not have extensive experience in this area. Researching dissociative identity disorder (DID) comes with many challenges. In this article, the ethics and logistics involved in selecting and implementing research methodology with DID samples are considered. This advice is centered in the author's experience of conducting research with adults in North American hospital and community settings. Researchers in this area should design data collection procedures for maximum flexibility and participant comfort, while maintaining an acceptable level of scientific rigor. Training is essential so that both principal investigators and assistants are able to deal sensitively with trauma survivors. Psychology researchers have a unique ability to be aware of hierarchy and power in the experimental setting, and to consider these issues in order to convey respect for participants.
Barlow
M Rose
MR
Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, USA. mbarlow@dynamic.uoregon.edu
D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder; D032984:Ethics, Research; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment