Prioritizing Participant Safety During Online Focus Groups With Women Experiencing Violence

Abstract

Although researchers have convened focus groups to collect individuals’ opinions for some time, many have transitioned data collection from in-person to online groups. Online focus groups became even more important as COVID-19-related restrictions to movement and shared spaces interrupted the ability of researchers to collect data in person. However, little is published about conducting online groups with populations whose physical and emotional safety is at risk, such as those experiencing domestic violence. Working with these populations raises concerns related to participant safety, mental and emotional well-being, COVID-19 social distancing requirements, participant confidentiality, and data security. To address these concerns, we developed a set of protocols for conducting online focus groups with individuals whose experiences put them at high risk for emotional distress and social harm due to research participation. As part of a larger project with community-based partners, we sought more information on the impact of violence on mothers. IRB-approved online protocols were successfully implemented by researchers during two focus groups, each with five to six participants (mothers) who had experienced violence. Innovative strategies included identifying the safest virtual platform, having a licensed counselor and advocates on standby during the focus groups, developing trauma-informed distress and disclosure protocols, using technological safeguards to ensure confidentiality (e.g., assigning non-identifying nicknames in waiting rooms before the online focus group), providing onsite technical assistance, and co-locating participants in the same building while maintaining social distancing. The successful implementation of these methods suggests that it is possible to collect quality information on sensitive topics using a virtual format while maintaining confidentiality and using a trauma and resilience-informed approach. We hope that future data collection efforts with groups experiencing behavioral health risks related to research participation may benefit from sharing this methodology.