Adolescent and Parent Perspectives on Ethical Issues in Youth Drug use and Suicide Survey Research

The contributions of adolescent & parent perspectives to ethical planning of survey research on youth drug use & suicide behaviors are highlighted through an empirical examination of 322 7th-12th graders’ & 160 parents’ opinions on questions related to 4 ethical dimensions of survey research practice: a) evaluating research risks & benefits; b) establishing guardian permission requirements; c) developing confidentiality & disclosure policies; & d) using cash incentives for recruitment. Generational & ethic variation in response to questionnaire items are described. The article concludes with a discussion of the potential contributions & challenges of adolescent & parent perspectives for planning scientifically valid & ethically responsible youth risk survey research. (69 refs)