How can I write a dissertation about psychological trauma as a Masters student?

I would like to explore childhood trauma, psychological trauma and its effects on behaviour later in life, however I have been told that the ethics approval of this is quite risky. How can I make this topic less distressing and more ethical?

I am really struggling to find another research topic.

Reply 1

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post by Ritaafarkas

I would like to explore childhood trauma, psychological trauma and its effects on behaviour later in life, however I have been told that the ethics approval of this is quite risky. How can I make this topic less distressing and more ethical?
I am really struggling to find another research topic.

Hi,
I hope you are well! 😊

Although I am currently going through the ethics process for my BSc Social Sciences undergraduate dissertation, I thought I'd hop on and try to help!

While my dissertation is a different topic to yours, I've found it really helpful going through the process with my supervisor. The ethics process is really tricky (as I'm sure you know!) but it might be worth taking to your supervisor and talking through other possible ways of going about the topic you are interested in. Maybe it is the methods or questions you are planning to ask which are risky on the ethics side?

Just so I can understand a little bit more, and try to help with your research topic, how did you plan to research childhood trauma, psychological trauma and effects on behaviour in later life? What methods did you plan to use?

Best wishes,
Josie
Uni of Kent Student Rep🎓️

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by Ritaafarkas

I would like to explore childhood trauma, psychological trauma and its effects on behaviour later in life, however I have been told that the ethics approval of this is quite risky. How can I make this topic less distressing and more ethical?
I am really struggling to find another research topic.

You aren't likely to be able to explore this question satisfactorily in the scope of a Masters dissertation. I presume you have a word limit of 15k, maybe 25k?

You would need to narrow it down to something much more specific ie a case study, or a narrow comparative assessment, such as in a specific location.

To make it less ethically challenging, I'd say don't try to gain any primary material. If you did an assessment of literature in some form, academic books, case reports etc, ie secondary sources, then your ethical approvals should be much more straightforward (assuming you aren't taking a particularly contentious perspective).

But you probably need to end up with a title like 'Did the Robertson Review give adequate consideration of the effect of childhood refugee trauma? An assessment through the Aristotelian square of opposition'. In other words (and I made that title all up, don't bother googling (apart from the Aristotle bit)) use a specific document, for a specific type of trauma, and use a specific technique analyse it.

Think about your word count - you have to fit the question into that scale. Ten% is the introduction, 15% the conclusion, so whatever your word count, you only have a max of 75% to make your case. It's an academic exercise, not a passion piece, it needs to make a specific argument, not just voice your interests.

Reply 3

Hellenb451

Original post by Ritaafarkas

I would like to explore childhood trauma, psychological trauma and its effects on behaviour later in life, however I have been told that the ethics approval of this is quite risky. How can I make this topic less distressing and more ethical?
I am really struggling to find another research topic.

Hi honey. We're you able to find another research topic? I can suggest a few if you still need help with that.

Reply 4

Max1981

Original post by Ritaafarkas

I would like to explore childhood trauma, psychological trauma and its effects on behaviour later in life, however I have been told that the ethics approval of this is quite risky. How can I make this topic less distressing and more ethical?
I am really struggling to find another research topic.

"Hi there! Your topic on childhood trauma and its long-term effects on behavior sounds incredibly meaningful, and it’s understandable that ethics approval can be challenging with sensitive topics like this. There are a few ways you could make it less distressing and more likely to meet ethical guidelines:

Focus on Existing Literature: Instead of working directly with individuals who have experienced trauma, consider conducting a literature review or a meta-analysis on the effects of childhood trauma. By analysing existing studies, you can explore the topic without needing to interact with vulnerable participants, which often makes ethics approval much easier.

Use Secondary Data: If you’re interested in analysing real data, look for studies or datasets that have already been collected by researchers with appropriate ethical approval. Many databases offer anonymised data on mental health and trauma, allowing you to explore these effects without direct contact with participants.

Frame the Study Broadly: Rather than focusing solely on trauma, you could broaden the study to include resilience, coping mechanisms, or protective factors in those with adverse childhood experiences. This could provide a balanced view and make the study less focused on distressing elements.

Focus on Theoretical or Observational Models: Consider building a model or framework based on existing theories of trauma and its psychological impacts. By using a theoretical approach, you can still explore the effects of trauma on later behaviour without delving into personal or potentially distressing accounts.

Choose Indirect Measures: If you’re set on collecting new data, consider using questionnaires that measure related constructs, like resilience, coping skills, or general life satisfaction, rather than delving directly into traumatic experiences.

These adjustments can make your research more ethically feasible while still allowing you to explore the important relationship between early trauma and later behaviour. Good luck with your studies!!