Ethical Considerations in Global Mental Health Research: Lessons Learned From Binational U.S.–Mexico Collaborations

Abstract

Binational research is critical to better understand the health, mental health, and health outcomes of immigrant communities. Binational studies are often difficult to conduct, however, due to cost, challenges with participant recruitment and data collection, lack of appropriate cross-cultural instruments, and challenges ensuring ethical reviews and approval in both counties. This research note discusses ethical issues navigating institutional review board (IRB) procedures while striving to maintain the highest ethical protection for participants when engaging in binational behavioral sciences research between México and the United States. We discuss the need to clarify requirements for international research between México and the United States and navigating differences that may exist or emerge between IRBs in México and the United States. We provide some recommendations to assist researchers in ensuring IRB approval for their research protocols and ethical protection for their participants.

Challenges and Opportunities in Cross-Cultural Family Research: A Critical Reflection

“…For instance, Walther (2014) highlights the potential of cross-cultural engineering education studies to significantly contribute to the advancement of the field (Walther, 2014). Similarly, Torres et al (2022) discuss the potential benefits of cross-cultural interaction, emphasizing the opportunities for sharing culturally divergent knowledge (Torres et al, 2022). Furthermore, Winarnita (2019) underscores the opportunities provided by online and offline participant observation in understanding family transnational networks (Winarnita, 2019).…”