Ethical concerns arise because interviewing two people in an intimate relationship about a common issue can create tension between their individual privacy and the confidentiality of information each shares. Forbat and Henderson described the potential for researchers to become 'stuck in the middle' when trying to obtain two viewpoints. The dilemma is how to probe one person for more information after receiving confidential information from the other person about the same issue.

When researchers interview two people who are in an intimate relationship, such as a husband and wife or a parent and child, about a common issue, ethical issues emerge even if the interviews are conducted privately. The main concern is that each participant may disclose confidential information that could affect how the researcher interacts with the other participant. Forbat and Henderson (2003) noted that the researcher may feel 'stuck in the middle' between the two accounts. Specifically, the researcher faces the dilemma of how to ask one person probing questions when the researcher already has confidential information from the other person that might be relevant or that the other person might not want shared. This situation complicates the researcher's ethical obligations regarding privacy, confidentiality, and fair treatment of both participants.

Key points

Interviewing intimate partners separately about the same issue raises ethical concerns about confidentiality and privacy.
Researchers can become 'stuck in the middle' when two viewpoints conflict or when one person's disclosures are confidential.
A key dilemma is whether and how to ask probing questions of one participant based on confidential information given by the other.
These concerns apply even when the two people are interviewed privately and not jointly.

What ethical concerns arise when researchers interview two people in an intimate relationship about a common issue, and what potential dilemma did Forbat and Henderson describe?