title: The effect of participating in a trauma- and stressful event-focused study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Researchers have increasingly examined whether participants who have experienced a traumatic event should be considered vulnerable research populations. Studies have typically asked participants in trauma-focused research whether they were upset by the study or perceived any benefit from it. The current study extends such research by measuring mood and exploring potential moderators of the impact of study participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 107 women who experienced a traumatic or stressful event and completed an event-focused research protocol. Negative affect was measured, using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, at the time of the study and 1 week later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported significantly lower levels of negative affect in the week after the study than before it. Decreases in negative affect were greatest for those with highest levels of depression at the time of interview.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in a trauma- or stressful-event-focused study is not harmful and may even be beneficial, especially among depressed participants.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
authors.forename: Sadie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berenbaum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D059445:Anhedonia / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D018579:Patient Selection; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: emotional processing; research ethics; stressful events; trauma; vulnerable populations