"Ethical issues in couple and family research" by Margolin, Chien, Duman, Fauchier, Gordis, Oliver, Ramos, and Vickerman. This article presents ethical situations in the mental health field, specifically found in couple and family counseling and research. The authors pointed out that laws, regulations, and ethical standards do not adequately address all issues that are found with treating family members, particularly dependent minors. For example issues of confidentiality, privacy, and informed consent are sensitive and difficult to resolve. As noted by Margolin et al., the family unit must be respected as well as the rights of the parents and the child.
Margolin et al. stated that dealing with couples and families presents with unique challenges. The authors focused on research with families and dependent minors to exemplify the issues faced by the therapist or researcher. For example, issues of privacy and confidentiality with regard to sensitive information (sexual attitudes and practices, use of substances, illegal conduct, and psychological or mental health) must be considered. The release of this type of information can damage a person's financial standing, reputation, employability, or it can result in stigmatization. Despite this concern, legal mandates may force the disclosure of sensitive information in some instances. Certificates of Confidentiality (issued by the U.S. DHHS) allow the researcher to guard against this disclosure, but these are also limited when a researcher faces a subpoena or legal proceedings. This Certificate can protect data from being involved in divorce or child custody proceedings.
When children are involved, ethical situations increase since the impact of research disclosure on the minor includes shame or embarrassment as well as a violation of privacy, while federal regulations maintain that research with children not involve more than minimal risk. In family research,
...