Imposter Participants in Queer and Trans Mental Health Research

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 1:15 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Ethical Challenges and Opportunities in Qualitative Research (Table 18)

Abstract

Our research project aimed to understand the connections between LGBTQ+-affirming care education, counseling students' experiences of training, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals seeking mental healthcare in the Southeastern United States. This paper focuses on the methodology, particularly addressing the incidence of fraudulent participants. We conducted a two-phase study with counselor educators, counselors-in-training, and LGBTQ+ community members. The study had an entirely virtual research design and many imposter participants who did not meet study criteria and whose engagement in focus groups had the potential to cause harm to legitimate LGBTQ+ participants. Research on fraudulent participants has focused on online surveys; focus groups present their own set of challenges and strategies for engagement that researchers must address.

Authors

• Thea Leticia Racelis, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Kamden Strunk, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Nancy Thacker, University of Vermont