Perceived Risks and Benefits in a Text Message Study of Substance Abuse and Sexual Behavior

To inform ethical procedures for human subjects research using mobile health (mHealth), we examined perceived risks and benefits of study participation among emerging adults (N = 54) with drug use who completed text message assessments of substance use and sexual behaviors. Most participants reporte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ethics & behavior 2018-04, Vol.28 (3), p.218-234
Main Authors: Bonar, Erin E., Koocher, Gerald P., Benoit, Matthew F., Collins, R. Lorraine, Cranford, James A., Walton, Maureen A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Benefits
Drug abuse
emerging adults
Emotions
Ethics
Health behavior
Health research
Health risk assessment
Medical ethics
mHealth
Negative emotions
Participation
Research subjects
Risk
Sexual abuse
Sexual behavior
Substance abuse
Substance use disorder
Telemedicine
Text messaging
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Summary:To inform ethical procedures for human subjects research using mobile health (mHealth), we examined perceived risks and benefits of study participation among emerging adults (N = 54) with drug use who completed text message assessments of substance use and sexual behaviors. Most participants reported comfort with participation and some reported perceived benefits, such as improved relationships. Perceived risks were infrequently reported, including negative emotions and legal or financial concerns. In conclusion, participants from a vulnerable population reported few perceived harms of participation in longitudinal mHealth assessments of sensitive behaviors. Researchers should continue characterizing participants' perspectives on ethical aspects of mHealth research.
ISSN:1050-8422
1532-7019
DOI:10.1080/10508422.2017.1293541