Disguising the Familiar: Considering Internal Confidentiality in Individual Interviews With Partners and Families

Abstract

This article draws attention to the ethical and methodological complexities of internal confidentiality in family research and provides field‐specific recommendations. Conducting individual (rather than joint) interviews with partners or multiple members of the same family is common but poses significant challenges around internal confidentiality, defined as participants' ability to recognize each other in research reports. Family research's focus on close relationships, diverse family forms, and children heightens the risks and consequences of breaching internal confidentiality, yet explicit consideration of this issue is lacking in the methodological and family literatures. Drawing on firsthand experience with two research projects, this article outlines the challenges of preserving internal confidentiality, the benefits of individual interviews, and key recommendations. We recommend that researchers develop flexible strategies for addressing internal confidentiality, and our guidelines offer practical solutions, from research design to data reporting. By addressing the complexities of internal confidentiality, we aim to prevent harm to participants and enhance the integrity of family studies.