The Challenges of Conducting Qualitative Research on "couples" in Abusive Intimate Partner Relationships Involving Substance Use.

Beverly Love,Polly Radcliffe,Amy Johnson,Juliet Henderson,Danielle Stephens-Lewis,David Gadd,Gail Gilchrist,Elizabeth Gilchrist

doi:10.1177/1049732320975722

Abstract

Undertaking qualitative dyad or couple interviews involving intimate partner abuse and substance use presents considerable ethical, safeguarding, and theoretical challenges throughout the research process from recruitment to conducting interviews and analysis. These challenges and how they were managed are outlined using the experience from a qualitative study of 14 heterosexual “couples” that explored the complex interplay between intimate partner abuse and substance use. Managing these challenges for participants, their families, and researchers included the use of safeguarding protocols and procedures to manage risk and the provision of clinical support for experienced researchers. Researchers often felt drawn into the conflicts and complex dynamics of opposing accounts from the male and females’ relationship which could be emotionally and methodologically taxing. Researchers discussing their analysis and felt experiences with each other provided a reflexive space to manage emotions and stay close to the theoretical underpinnings.

Highlights

Qualitative research where both the men and women in an intimate relationship are interviewed either together or separately has been used to explore shared experiences such as in relationships where illness has featured (Forbat & Henderson, 2003), health problems (Zarhin, 2018) and in intimate second relationships in later life (Eisikovits & Koren, 2010)
The different approaches provide advantages and specific challenges in research where intimate partner abuse and substance use is involved. Having both perspectives on a shared experience such as an intimate relationship can provide an enriched understanding of the relationship dynamics
As noted as common in domestic abuse research (Ellsberg & Heise, 2002; Fraga, 2016), researchers in this study reported difficulties after listening to stories, when brutal descriptions of violence had been described

Summary

Methods

The Challenges of Conducting Qualitative Research on “couples” in Abusive Intimate Partner Relationships Involving Substance Use. Love , Juliet Henderson, Amy Johnson, Danielle Stephens-Lewis, David Gadd, Polly Radcliffe, Elizabeth Gilchrist, and Gail Gilchrist

Introduction

Ethical Considerations When Disseminating Findings

Conclusion