Thread(1/10)
I lost my brother to suicide & its no secret this motivates my passion to study suicide & depression.
But how common is self-relevant research (SRR; me-search) in clinical psychology?
We found over 50% of psychologists have engaged in SRR!
psyarxiv.com/szg5d/
I lost my brother to suicide & its no secret this motivates my passion to study suicide & depression.
But how common is self-relevant research (SRR; me-search) in clinical psychology?
We found over 50% of psychologists have engaged in SRR!
psyarxiv.com/szg5d/
(2/10)
Let me explain why this finding is shocking:
For years, advice guides in clinical psychology have advised students not to disclose that they have a personal connection to their research topic, or they might be viewed as "biased" and "selfish."
psyarxiv.com/9svfa/
Let me explain why this finding is shocking:
For years, advice guides in clinical psychology have advised students not to disclose that they have a personal connection to their research topic, or they might be viewed as "biased" and "selfish."
psyarxiv.com/9svfa/
(3/10)
Thus, psychologists who pursue self-relevant research may be at risk of experiencing prejudice by their colleagues (ex grad school rejection; work being dismissed).
Ex: Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT, waited decades to share her lived MH experience for fear of stigma
Thus, psychologists who pursue self-relevant research may be at risk of experiencing prejudice by their colleagues (ex grad school rejection; work being dismissed).
Ex: Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT, waited decades to share her lived MH experience for fear of stigma
(4/10)
Are these fears about prejudice toward self-relevant research (SRR) justified? Do psychologists actually view SRR as more biased, selfish, and inappropriate?
Our data suggest the answer is unfortunately YES, but only among those who had not conducted SRR.
Are these fears about prejudice toward self-relevant research (SRR) justified? Do psychologists actually view SRR as more biased, selfish, and inappropriate?
Our data suggest the answer is unfortunately YES, but only among those who had not conducted SRR.
(5/10)
Let it be known that there is not scientific research that shows self-relevant researchers are more biased, selfish, or untrustworthy.
These stereotypes are NOT FACTS.
There may actually be strengths that come from personal experience, like insight, motivation, etc.
Let it be known that there is not scientific research that shows self-relevant researchers are more biased, selfish, or untrustworthy.
These stereotypes are NOT FACTS.
There may actually be strengths that come from personal experience, like insight, motivation, etc.
(6/10)
The bright side - our study found that self-relevant researchers (SRR) viewed other SRRers as having positive attributes, like insight, motivation, and being admirable.
Thus, whether SRR is viewed as a strength or a weakness depends on if the judge is an SRR
The bright side - our study found that self-relevant researchers (SRR) viewed other SRRers as having positive attributes, like insight, motivation, and being admirable.
Thus, whether SRR is viewed as a strength or a weakness depends on if the judge is an SRR
(7/10)
Now for the most concerning finding:
We found that clinical psychologists & trainees stigmatized self-relevant research (SRR) on MH topics (suicide, depression, schizophrenia) MORE than SRR on physical health topics (cancer)
Indicating evidence of mental illness stigma
Now for the most concerning finding:
We found that clinical psychologists & trainees stigmatized self-relevant research (SRR) on MH topics (suicide, depression, schizophrenia) MORE than SRR on physical health topics (cancer)
Indicating evidence of mental illness stigma
(8/10)
Our study found that a self-relevant researcher (SRR) on suicide (a suicide researcher w. a suicide attempt history) was viewed as the most "biased," followed by a SRR on schizophrenia, and then depression.
Indicating evidence that stigma varies by condition
Our study found that a self-relevant researcher (SRR) on suicide (a suicide researcher w. a suicide attempt history) was viewed as the most "biased," followed by a SRR on schizophrenia, and then depression.
Indicating evidence that stigma varies by condition
(9/10)
In conclusion:
1) Self-relevant research (SRR) is common in clinical psychology.
2) Whether SRR is viewed as more biased or positive depends on if the judge has done SRR.
3)SRR on mental health topics (suicide, dep, schz) is more stigmatized than physical health topics
In conclusion:
1) Self-relevant research (SRR) is common in clinical psychology.
2) Whether SRR is viewed as more biased or positive depends on if the judge has done SRR.
3)SRR on mental health topics (suicide, dep, schz) is more stigmatized than physical health topics
(10/10)
This project (still under peer review) means a lot to me.
I'm happy to have done it with awesome colleagues: @sarahevictor @JonRottenberg @rosehmiller Stephen Lewis, Jennifer Muehlenkamp, @deseraestage
Excited to hear if ppl's experiences accord with our findings.
This project (still under peer review) means a lot to me.
I'm happy to have done it with awesome colleagues: @sarahevictor @JonRottenberg @rosehmiller Stephen Lewis, Jennifer Muehlenkamp, @deseraestage
Excited to hear if ppl's experiences accord with our findings.
@Neuro_Skeptic - I want to thank you again for writing about self-relevant research / me-search.
You might be interested in our study results about the prevalence and perceptions of self-relevant research among 1,788 psychologists & trainees.
discovermagazine.com/mind/should-ps…
You might be interested in our study results about the prevalence and perceptions of self-relevant research among 1,788 psychologists & trainees.
discovermagazine.com/mind/should-ps…
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