Reaching hard-to-reach young people: Methodological and ethical considerations in data collection

Researchers and service systems often struggle to reach young people who use drugs and have mental health conditions or social support needs. Our aim was to explore what kinds of methodological and ethical challenges should be considered when reaching hard-to-reach young people. During 2023 and 2024 we conducted thematic interviews focusing on near-death experiences related to overdoses, violence, and suicides, along with ethnographic fieldwork, in low-threshold services aimed at young people who use drugs in Finland. The data consisted of 41 field notes, 27 interviews with 24 young people (19–32 years), four group interviews with 17 staff members, 43 participant-produced photos, and six project documents. We conducted a thematic analysis on the methodological considerations. The results illustrate that the continuous evaluation of consent is needed when interviewing people who use drugs daily. Also, flexibility, patience, and time were essential when conducting these thematic interviews with hard-to-reach young people. Several precautions supported the interviewees and researchers’ well-being during data collection. Effective preparation, including training and opportunities for peer and professional support, is recommended for future qualitative research involving young people with traumatic experiences.