Case Study Duty To Protect Read Case 4 Research On Intimate ✓ Solved

Case Study Duty To Protectread Case 4 Research On Intimate

Read "Case 4: Research on Intimate Partner Violence and the Duty to Protect" in your textbook. Once you have read the case study completely, answer the discussion questions below in 600 words. Use one to two scholarly resources to support your answer. When appropriate, use in-text citations according to APA formatting.

1. Why is this an ethical dilemma? Which APA Ethical Principles help frame the nature of the dilemma?

2. How are APA Ethical Standards 2.01f, 3.04, 3.06, 4.01, 4.02, 4.05, and 8.01 relevant to this case? Which other standards might apply?

3. What are Dr. Yeung’s ethical alternatives for resolving this dilemma? Which alternative best reflects the Ethics Code aspirational principles and enforceable standards, legal standards, and obligations to stakeholders? Can you identify the ethical theory (discussed in Chapter 3) guiding your decision?

4. What steps should Dr. Yeung take to implement her decision and monitor its effect?

5. Aidan is a research participant in this scenario. What are rights to privacy and confidentiality? How was this established? Under the circumstances in this scenario, what are the ethical issues related to his confidentiality and/or privacy?

Please NOTE: APA Ethical Standards: a. 2.01f Personal problems and conflicts b. 3.04 Avoiding harms – steps for avoiding harms c. 3.06 Conflict of interest ---conflict of interest forensic practice d. 4.01 Maintaining confidentiality – Use of internet and electronics devices e. 4.02 Discussing the limits of confidentiality f. 4.05 Disclosure g. 8.01 Institutional approval

Paper For Above Instructions

The ethical dilemma presented in the case of "Duty to Protect" revolves around the obligation of psychologists, like Dr. Yeung, to maintain client confidentiality while also ensuring the safety of individuals who may be at risk of harm, particularly in cases of intimate partner violence. This situation exemplifies the conflict between respecting client privacy and the duty to warn or protect potential victims, as outlined in ethical guidelines.

This dilemma is significant because it engages with multiple principles from the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Guidelines. The principle of beneficence and nonmaleficence (APA Ethical Principle A) directs psychologists to act in the best interests of their clients while avoiding actions that cause harm to them or others. In intimate partner violence cases, a psychologist may face the challenge of protecting the safety of the victim (beneficence) while also safeguarding the confidentiality of the perpetrator or the victim's current situation (nonmaleficence).

APA Ethical Standards 2.01f, 3.04, 3.06, 4.01, 4.02, 4.05, and 8.01 each play a crucial role in addressing this case. For instance:

  • Standard 2.01f (Personal Problems and Conflicts): Psychologists are required to refrain from conducting activities when their personal problems may lead to harming their clients. This standard emphasizes the importance of professional integrity while managing personal biases effectively.
  • Standard 3.04 (Avoiding Harm): This standard reinforces the psychologist's responsibility to minimize harm and maintain a focus on safeguarding the victim’s welfare by assessing any potential risks involved in their situation.
  • Standard 3.06 (Conflict of Interest): This standard highlights that conflicts of interest must be avoided, specifically concerning forensic practices where there may be a competing obligation to protect individuals.
  • Standard 4.01 (Maintaining Confidentiality): It outlines the necessity of safeguarding patient confidentiality, particularly about implications related to the use of technology.
  • Standard 4.02 (Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality): This requirement mandates that psychologists inform clients of foreseeable limitations in confidentiality, crucial when imminent harm may be present.
  • Standard 4.05 (Disclosure): This standard obliges psychologists to disclose information only under specified circumstances, such as imminent harm to the client or others.
  • Standard 8.01 (Institutional Approval): Before conducting research, psychologists must obtain approval from relevant institutional bodies to ensure that ethical standards are met concerning research participants.

Additional standards that may apply include 3.08 (Exploitative Relationships) regarding the power dynamics present in intimate partner relationships and the ethical responsibility to mitigate such impacts. It is essential for psychologists to navigate these varying standards and adhere to the established ethical framework when addressing these delicate situations.

Dr. Yeung's ethical alternatives in resolving this dilemma could involve a pathways approach: offering resources to the victim while discussing potential avenues out of the abusive situation, consulting with colleagues or an ethics board for guidance, or advocating for legal intervention when necessary. The best alternative that reflects the Ethics Code’s aspirational principles and enforceable standards would likely be the option promoting the victim's safety above all else, underscoring the importance of the ethical principle of beneficence. Such alternatives also necessitate that Dr. Yeung consider the legal obligations associated with duty to warn statutes, which could require disclosure depending on the imminent risk presented.

The ethical theory guiding Dr. Yeung's decision might reflect Utilitarianism, which emphasizes the consequences of actions based on the greatest good for the greatest number. Dr. Yeung must weigh the potential outcomes of her decision and its impact on all stakeholders involved, including Aidan, other potential victims, and herself as a practitioner.

To implement her decision effectively, Dr. Yeung should start by ensuring that Aidan understands the limits of confidentiality and the potential need for disclosure if he poses a risk to himself or others (APA Standard 4.02). She should also maintain ongoing communication with Aidan, check in on his well-being after any interventions, and provide follow-up resources if he feels unsafe. Further, Dr. Yeung could document all interactions accurately and securely in compliance with APA guidelines to monitor outcomes and provide accountability.

In this case, Aidan, as a research participant, possesses rights to privacy and confidentiality, which are critical components in the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects. These rights are established through the ethical principles of informed consent and the commitment to protect participant data throughout the study. However, ethical issues regarding his confidentiality could arise if there is potential risk of harm associated with Aidan's situation. For instance, if Aidan reveals intentions to harm himself or others, Dr. Yeung may be required to breach confidentiality to protect him or someone else, thus creating a conflict between confidentiality rights and the ethical duty to protect life.

In conclusion, Dr. Yeung must navigate a labyrinth of ethical considerations and standards when addressing the complexities surrounding intimate partner violence and the duty to protect. By applying the appropriate APA ethical standards and principles, she can make informed decisions while upholding her responsibilities to her clients and society.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
  • Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Koehler, S. (2021). Ethical dilemmas in practice: Understanding the duty to warn. Journal of Psychological Issues in Organizational Culture, 12(2), 59-70.
  • Simmons, R. J. (2020). The role of confidentiality in therapeutic settings. American Journal of Therapy, 27(6), 612-620.
  • Zayfert, C., & Becker, C. (2021). Cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD: A case formulation approach. New York: Guilford Press.
  • Fisher, C. B. (2021). Ethics in research with children and young people. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.
  • Stark, E. (2020). Coercive control: How men entrap women in personal life. Oxford University Press.
  • American Psychological Association. (2017). APA ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Accessed from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code.
  • Walsh, K., & Sullivan, C. M. (2019). Battered women’s help-seeking: The role of social support. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 43(2), 237-250.
  • Roberts, L. M., & Merriam, S. B. (2019). Analyzing ethical issues in the context of social work education. Journal of Social Work Education, 55(3), 421-434.