Consenting for themselves: A qualitative study exploring a Gillick Competence assessment to enable adolescents to self-consent to low-risk online research

Consenting for themselves: A qualitative study exploring a Gillick Competence assessment to enable adolescents to self-consent to low-risk online research
Maria Loades, Lara Willis, Emma Wilson, Grace Perry, Melanie Luximon, Christy Chiu, Nina Higson-Sweeney
BMJ Open, 13 February 2025
Abstract
Background
Providing digital mental health interventions online could expand access to help for young people, but requiring parental consent may be a barrier to participation. We therefore need a method that enables young people <16 years old (i.e. presumed competent in the UK) to demonstrate Gillick Competence (understanding of purpose, process, potential benefits, and potential harms) to self-consent to online, anonymous, low-risk studies.
Aim
To explore whether a new method for assessing Gillick Competence to participate in low risk, anonymous online studies is acceptable to both young people and parents.
Method
We interviewed 15 13–15-year-olds and 12 parents of this age group in the UK. Using a qualitative approach, we explored the acceptability of a series of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) designed to assess understanding of a specific online self-help research study testing a self-kindness intervention.
Results
The MCQ answers that participants gave mostly corresponded with their narrative explanations of their understanding during interviews. Young people and parents thought that the process was empowering and could increase access to research whilst also promoting independence. However, they emphasised the importance of individual differences and different research contexts and highlighted the need for safeguards to be in place.
Conclusions
The MCQs were acceptable to both young people and parents, providing preliminary evidence for the potential of this process for allowing <16’s to self-consent to online, anonymous, low-risk mental health research. Further research is needed to validate the effectiveness of this process among a diverse range of populations and research contexts.