About this srcd poster session

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Panel information
Panel 7. Diversity, Equity & Social Justice

Abstract

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The American Psychological Association’s (2018) resolution on mature minor’s ability to give consent in research was developed in light of challenges in getting participation and accurate data from stigmatized groups, specifically sexual and gender minority adolescents. Ethical standards, such as parental consent for children, have been put into practice to protect participants from harm. However, for sexual and gender minority adolescents, parental consent may increase risk of harm by ‘outing’ themselves to caregivers who are unaccepting and/or critical of their children’s sexual or gender identity (Bruce et al., 2009; Duncan et al., 2009; Macapagal et al., 2016). This study surveyed colleges’ and universities’ IRBs in the United States regarding their awareness and consideration of the APA’s 2018 resolution concerning mature minors’ ability to give consent in research. The aim was to see how various competing forces and interests (i.e., the institution, researchers, participants, parents) play out in IRB decision-making on proposed research involving minors and the waiving of parental consent. IRB representatives were identified on college/university websites and contacted directly via email with an invitation to fill out the 10–15-minute survey. Although responses are still being collected, I currently have 57 responses from IRBs in 30 states. So far, 47.4% said they were aware of the APA’s resolution. Of those aware of the resolution, 22.2% said their IRB had a formal conversation about how the resolution affected the IRB’s practice and policy. The current data also indicates that only 26.3% of responding IRBs had reviewed at least one study requesting that minors be able to give consent for themselves without also getting a parent or guardian’s consent. In the majority of these cases, the IRB did decide to allow the forgoing of parental consent. However, the majority of these decisions were made without consideration of the APA’s recommendation. Respondents also provided some details for the reasoning behind their decisions.

Author information

Author	Role
Leah Bothe Manning, Ph.D., Manhattanville University	Presenting author

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