Intersubjectivity and mental health nurses as insider researchers

Abstract

Ayres et al's (2021) reflective account published in this journal discusses Ayres' experience of undertaking a doctoral study concerned with how mental health nurses who had been assaulted by patients in secure settings make sense of this experience. This commentary recognises the importance of extending the dialogue initiated by Ayres' account, specifically regarding intersubjectivity in research relationships and research beneficence. An emphasis is placed on how practitioner participation in research interviews, whether as the interviewer or interviewee, can be a cathartic experience and foster practice reflection. However, engagement in more sensitive research may also present additional risk considerations for the insider researcher, such as emotional safety risks.