Abstract
Ethical guidelines for research with human participants stress the importance of minimizing risks and maximizing benefits.
In order to assist Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and researchers to make more informed risk/benefit analyses with regard
to sex research among adolescents, the current study examined the effects of participation in sex research among 899 young
people (15–25 years old). Participants completed three questionnaires on a wide range of sexuality-related measures. They
also completed scales measuring their levels of distress, need for help, and positive feelings due to their research participation.
In general, negative effects of research participation seemed limited, while benefits of participation appeared substantial.
Several differences with regard to sociodemographic characteristics were found (e.g., females experienced more distress then
males and younger or lower educated participants experienced more positive feelings). In addition, victims of sexual coercion
reported more distress and need for help due to their participation, but also experienced more positive feelings. No significant
differences were found in relation to experience with sexual risk behaviors (e.g., experience with one-night-stands). Several
limitations of the study were discussed, as were implications for future research. Overall, the findings caution IRBs and
researchers against being overly protective regarding the inclusion of young people in sex research.
In order to assist Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and researchers to make more informed risk/benefit analyses with regard
to sex research among adolescents, the current study examined the effects of participation in sex research among 899 young
people (15–25 years old). Participants completed three questionnaires on a wide range of sexuality-related measures. They
also completed scales measuring their levels of distress, need for help, and positive feelings due to their research participation.
In general, negative effects of research participation seemed limited, while benefits of participation appeared substantial.
Several differences with regard to sociodemographic characteristics were found (e.g., females experienced more distress then
males and younger or lower educated participants experienced more positive feelings). In addition, victims of sexual coercion
reported more distress and need for help due to their participation, but also experienced more positive feelings. No significant
differences were found in relation to experience with sexual risk behaviors (e.g., experience with one-night-stands). Several
limitations of the study were discussed, as were implications for future research. Overall, the findings caution IRBs and
researchers against being overly protective regarding the inclusion of young people in sex research.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9780-y
- Authors
- Lisette Kuyper, Rutgers Nisso Groep, P.O. Box 9022, 3506 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
- John de Wit, Department of Social Psychology, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Philippe Adam, National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Liesbeth Woertman, Department of Social Psychology, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002