| Abstract [eng] |
Qualitative methods are best suited to investigating sensitive topics – those that may evoke strong and potentially distressing emotions. A qualitative interview is an in-depth conversation aimed at understanding an individual’s experiences, perspectives, or motivations. The events and images recalled by the research participant may reactivate emotions and evoke emotional responses, creating the potential for changes in thoughts and feelings regarding the event. This aspect is questioned, as participation in research is not aimed at achieving change, insights, interpretations, or emotional shifts. The research question is: What does it mean to participate in a sensitive qualitative interview, and how is it experienced? The qualitative research involved six individuals who had participated in sensitive qualitative interviews within the past three years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. During analysis, the themes of “Inner Motivation”, “Complexity of the Interview Process” and “Summary of Participation” were identified. The research findings indicate that the majority of participants who took part in sensitive interviews did not require emotional support. It was observed that the experience does not end after the interview – participants emphasized the importance of feedback (results) and its impact on the sense of closure. Recommendations are provided for future researchers on how to build higher-quality relationships between researchers and participants in sensitive interviews. |
