Ethical Dilemmas Associated with Self-Disclosure in Student Writing

Abstract

Personal and reflective writing assignments in psychology courses may prompt self-disclosure that presents ethical dilemmas. The literature discusses responsibilities of the psychologist in instances such as disclosure of suicidal ideation or threats of harming others within the context of the therapist–client relationship, but significantly less so within the professor–student relationship. I review relevant models of ethical decision making, ethics codes, case law, and related research and propose an ethical decision making guideline for addressing student self-disclosure. I offer additional suggestions for ethical decision making, based on the current American Psychological Association Code of Ethics (2002), and for future research endeavors in this area.