This page outlines ethical safeguards, regulatory context, and boundary clarifications relevant to the dissemination of this research.
This study was conducted in accordance with established ethical standards for psychological research involving human participants. The research protocol was reviewed and approved by the California Institute for Human Science Institutional Review Board prior to data collection. The IRB determined that the study met institutional and federal criteria for ethical research and required no further modifications following review (see Appendix H of the dissertation for the approval letter).
All research procedures adhered to ethical principles articulated in the Belmont Report, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, as well as guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association for the conduct of psychological research with human participants.
Participation in the study was strictly voluntary. Prior to enrollment, all participants were provided with a comprehensive informed consent document detailing the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and anticipated benefits. Participants were informed of their right to decline participation or withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Informed consent was obtained in writing before any study procedures were initiated, and participants retained copies of the consent materials for their records.
Participant confidentiality and anonymity were maintained throughout the research process. Identifying information was replaced with unique participant codes on all study materials. Data were stored in secure, password protected electronic files accessible only to the researcher. When findings were disseminated, data were presented in aggregate form, and any potentially identifying information was removed or altered to protect participant privacy, consistent with APA ethical standards.
The study was classified as minimal risk by the reviewing IRB. Nonetheless, safeguards were in place to address potential emotional discomfort associated with discussing experiences of depression and anxiety. The researcher monitored participant responses throughout the study and maintained procedures for providing support and referral to licensed mental health professionals if distress exceeded the scope of the research protocol. These procedures were reviewed and approved as part of the IRB process.
This website presents completed academic research and functions solely as an archival record of the dissertation. The materials provided here do not constitute clinical services, therapeutic instruction, or treatment recommendations. Tarot is examined within this study as a symbolic and imaginal process under controlled research conditions, not as a generalizable or standalone therapeutic intervention.