Media ethics in research on video-based mental health care

Abstract

One element of research ethics in psychology addresses the cost-benefit ratio of an experiment or study (cf. Hussy, Schreier & Echterhoff, 2013). The costbenefit analysis does not only refer to a monetary dimension, but also takes into account societal progress more broadly, i.e. how a study or experiment can improve mental health care. As I examine a topic that is relevant for foreign psychologists and to me as a researcher, but not for German practicing therapists or counselors due to national legal constraints, I face the following question: Does research in the area of video-based mental health care provide a useful contribution to scientific discourse, despite legal barriers.