The effect of participating in a trauma- and stressful event-focused study. J Clin Psychol 2014 Apr;70(4):333-40
Date
07/24/2013Pubmed ID
23878058DOI
10.1002/jclp.22029Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84896699279 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
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.
METHOD: 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.
Author List
Larsen SE, Berenbaum HAuthor
Sadie E. Larsen PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAffect
Anhedonia
Depression
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Life Change Events
Patient Selection
Research Subjects
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic