Ethical and Regulatory Issues with Conducting Sexuality Research with LGBT Adolescents: A Call to Action for a Scientifically Informed Approach

Brian Mustanski

doi:10.1007/s10508-011-9745-1

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adolescents experience disparities in mental and sexual health. There is also a lack of research on this population relative to other adolescents, which limits our ability to effectively address these health disparities. Researchers may unfortunately avoid conducting research with this population because of anticipated or actual experiences with difficulties in obtaining IRB approval. A case example is provided to illustrate the ethical and regulatory issues related to research with LGBT adolescents. Relevant U.S. federal and local regulations related to research on sexual and mental health with adolescents is then reviewed. Data are presented demonstrating that requiring parental consent for LGBT youth under age 18 would likely alter study result. Data are also presented on participants' appraisals of the risks and discomforts associated with research participation. The provision of such empirical data on the risks of research participation is consistent with the goal of moving the IRB process of risk/benefit assessment from being entirely subjective to being evidence-based. Finally, recommendations are provided on how to approach these issues in IRB applications and investigators are called to help to build a corpus of scholarship that can advance empirical knowledge in this area.

Highlights

Regulatory boards charged with protecting human research subjects, such as InstitutionalReview Boards (IRBs), have had an increasing influence on the conduct of research involving human subjects
This article focuses on my own area of research on LGBT youth, but my aspiration is that the information and recommendations are more broadly useful to sexuality researchers
I begin by describing the need for sexuality research with LGBT youth, focusing on HIV research with young men who have sex with men (MSM) as an example

Summary

Introduction

Regulatory boards charged with protecting human research subjects, such as InstitutionalReview Boards (IRBs), have had an increasing influence on the conduct of research involving human subjects.

Results

Conclusion