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ROOTS Network Reading Lists

Here are some general literature to help you understand or start your research on moral distress and other related concepts. We also welcome suggestions of additional sources.

Aktar, B., Alam, W., Ali, S., Awal, A., Bayoh, M., Chumo, I., Contay, Y., Conteh, A., Dean, L., Dobson, S. and Edstrom, J., (2020). How to prevent and address safeguarding concerns in global health research programmes: practice, process and positionality in marginalised spaces. BMJ Global Health, 5(5), p.e002253.

Boga, M.I., Musitia, P., Oluoch, D., Sen, D., Dayo, H., Haaland, A., Hinton, L., Nzinga, J., English, M. and Molyneux, S., Implementing a Change Process to Support Respectful Communication in Newborn Units in Kenya: Experiences, Opportunities, and Challenges. Opportunities, and Challenges.

Cronin-Furman, K. and Lake, M., (2018). Ethics abroad: Fieldwork in fragile and violent contexts. PS: Political Science & Politics, 51(3), pp.607-614.

Hinga, A., Marsh, V., Nyaguara, A., Wamukoya, M. and Molyneux, S., (2021). The ethical implications of verbal autopsy: responding to emotional and moral distress. BMC medical ethics, 22(1), p.118.

Jepkosgei, J., Nzinga, J. and McKnight, J., (2019). Maintaining distance and staying immersed: practical ethics in an Underresourced new born unit. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 14(5), pp.509-512.

Kaplan, L., Kuhnt, J. and Steinert, J.I., (2020). Do no harm? Field research in the Global South: Ethical challenges faced by research staff. World Development, 127, p.104810.

Khirikoekkong, N., Asarath, S.A., Nosten, S., Hanboonkunupakarn, B., Jatupornpimol, N., Roest, J., Parker, M., Nosten, F., McGready, R., Cheah, P.Y. and Kelley, M., (2023). Culturally responsive research ethics: How the socio-ethical norms of Arr-nar/Kreng-jai inform research participation at the Thai-Myanmar border. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(5), p.e0001875.

Khirikoekkong, N., Jatupornpimol, N., Nosten, S., Asarath, S.A., Hanboonkunupakarn, B., McGready, R., Nosten, F., Roest, J., Parker, M., Kelley, M. and Cheah, P.Y., (2020). Research ethics in context: understanding the vulnerabilities, agency and resourcefulness of research participants living along the Thai–Myanmar border. International health, 12(6), pp.551-559.

Kingori, P., Kombe, F. and Fehr, A., (2022). Making global health ‘work’: Frontline workers’ labour in research and interventions. Global public health, 17(12), pp.4077-4086.

Molyneux, S., Sukhtankar, P., Thitiri, J., Njeru, R., Muraya, K., Sanga, G., Walson, J.L., Berkley, J., Kelley, M. and Marsh, V., (2021). Model for developing context-sensitive responses to vulnerability in research: managing ethical dilemmas faced by frontline research staff in Kenya. BMJ global health, 6(7).

Morley, G. and Sankary, L.R., (2023). Moral distress and justifiable constraints on moral agency. The American Journal of Bioethics, 23(4), pp.77-79.

Nkosi, B., Seeley, J., Chimbindi, N., Zuma, T., Kelley, M. and Shahmanesh, M., (2020). Managing ancillary care in resource-constrained settings: dilemmas faced by frontline HIV prevention researchers in a rural area in South Africa. International health, 12(6), pp.543-550.

Nkosi, B., Van Nuil, J.I., Nyirenda, D., Chi, P.C. and Schneiders, M.L., (2022). ‘Labouring’on the frontlines of global health research: mapping challenges experienced by frontline workers in Africa and Asia. Global public health, 17(12), pp.4195-4205.

Nzinga, J., Oliwa, J., Oluoch, D., Jepkosgei, J., Mbuthia, D., Boga, M., Musitia, P., Ogola, M., Muinga, N., Muraya, K. and Hinga, A., (2023). The hidden emotional labour behind ensuring the social value of research: Experiences of frontline health policy and systems researchers based in Kenya during COVID-19. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(8), p.e0002116.

Steinert, J.I., Nyarige, D.A., Jacobi, M., Kuhnt, J. and Kaplan, L., (2021). A systematic review on ethical challenges of ‘field’research in low-income and middle-income countries: respect, justice and beneficence for research staff?. BMJ global health, 6(7), p.e005380.

Zakayo, S.M., Njeru, R.W., Sanga, G., Kimani, M.N., Charo, A., Muraya, K., Sarma, H., Uddin, M.F., Berkley, J.A., Walson, J.L. and Kelley, M., (2020). Vulnerability and agency across treatment-seeking journeys for acutely ill children: how family members navigate complex healthcare before, during and after hospitalisation in a rural Kenyan setting. International Journal for Equity in Health, 19(1), p.136.

Papers on Measuring Moral Distress

Boateng, G.O., Neilands, T.B., Frongillo, E.A., Melgar-Quiñonez, H.R. and Young, S.L., (2018). Best practices for developing and validating scales for health, social, and behavioral research: a primer. Frontiers in public health, 6, p.149.

Boxell, L. and Lanphier, E., ~(2023). Measuring Moral Distress: Improving the Tools by Educating Clinicians. The American Journal of Bioethics, 23(4), pp.61-63.

Epstein, E.G., Whitehead, P.B., Prompahakul, C., Thacker, L.R. and Hamric, A.B., (2019). Enhancing understanding of moral distress: the measure of moral distress for health care professionals. AJOB empirical bioethics, 10(2), pp.113-124.

Giannetta, N., Villa, G., Pennestrì, F., Sala, R., Mordacci, R. and Manara, D.F., (2020). Instruments to assess moral distress among healthcare workers: A systematic review of measurement properties. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 111, p.103767.

Kolbe, L. and de Melo-Martin, I., (2023). Moral distress: What are we measuring?. The American Journal of Bioethics, 23(4), pp.46-58.

Zhao, Y., Jalloh, S., Lam, P.K., Kwarshak, Y.K., Mbuthia, D., Misago, N., Namedre, M., Phương, N.T.B., Qaloewa, S., Summers, R. and Tang, K., (2023). Development and validation of a new measurement instrument to assess internship experience of medical doctors in low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ global health, 8(11), p.e013399.

Zhao, Y., Summers, R., Gathara, D. and English, M., (2024). Conducting cross-cultural, multi-lingual or multi-country scale development and validation in health care research: A 10-step framework based on a scoping review. Journal of Global Health, 14, p.04151.