FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION: RESEARCH PROPOSAL 16
Running head: FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION: RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1
Final Project Submission: Research Proposal ( Edited )
Meghan McCormack
Southern New Hampshire University
Final Project Submission: Research Proposal ( Edited )
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Background
Today, many teenagers suffer from emotional and mental challenges due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic. These adolescents encounter numerous emotional and mental issues, such as depression and anxiety, resulting in behavioral problems that affect their cognitive, physical, and emotional development. The challenges adversely affect the teenagers’ functioning and interactions with other people, prompting the need for immediate problem recognition and intervention to prevent further problem escalation. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem due to the sudden changes imposed by governments and healthcare organizations, forcing many adolescents to stay at home and limit interactions with their peers. As a result, the adolescents’ physical and mental development is challenged, coupled with their education, thereby impacting their career development, future living standards, and the overall economy.
Understandably, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought numerous challenges that have affected teens and every person in the world. The disease has forced the ministry of health in association with the governments to place restrictions like lockdown. These have stimulated a sense of anxiety and fear among people. Like any other phenomenon, COVID-19 has resulted in long-term and short-term mental health and psychosocial implications among adolescents and children. However, the magnitude of its impacts on minors due to their vulnerability aspects. The pandemic has increasingly had long-term adverse effects on adolescents and children. Therefore, teenagers’ emotional and mental problems are critical issues affecting the globe today, especially regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
1.2 Problem Statement
The present world is battling many issues among them, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The disease has had severe repercussions on the economy, transport, education, and emotions. Despite many people falling victims to the disease, teenagers have experienced a challenge managing their affairs amid the pandemic. Many adolescents have had a tough time due to the pandemic affecting their physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing. Gupta and Nebhinani (2020) state that teenagers have experienced similar effects of COVID-19 as adults. However, adults have failed to recognize the magnitude of these impacts on teens. For instance, some adolescents lack adequate support mechanisms to fully cope with the “new normal” since most adults do not shelter them from the overwhelming information from news outlets or acknowledge their emotions and feelings due to the pandemic (Breaux et al. 2021). Moreover, some teenagers cannot express themselves to their loved ones, despite being directly affected by the pandemic following the schools’ closure, social distancing, and stay-at-home detectives. These issues culminate in the development of various psychological and mental problems, such as slow learning, criminal behaviors, and substance abuse, prompting effective interventions to improve the teenagers’ situation.
1.3 Research Question
The research study will follow specific research questions to guide the research into approving or disapproving the hypothesis. In addition, the research question should answer the various causal factors of emotional and mental problems among adolescents. The research questions that will be part of the study include the following:
1. What health-related vulnerability factors cause mental and emotional issues among teenagers
2. What are the extent of these vulnerabilities and their impact on the emotional wellbeing of the teens?
3. Are there any means of rectifying them and stabilizing the teens’ mental wellbeing?
1.4 Hypotheses
Other than the key questions, the hypothesis will also be guiding the study regarding the topic. Therefore, the following are some of the hypotheses that will guide the study on the topic. The study will be aiming to approve or disapprove these hypotheses at the end of the study
H1: COVID-19 pandemic and related effects increase mental and emotional problems among adolescents.
H2: Poor parental styles contribute to the development of teenagers’ mental and emotional issues.
H3: Social isolations increase adolescents’ mental and emotional wellbeing.
H4: Excessive smartphone usage raises teenagers’ risks of experiencing mental and emotional problems.
H5: Poor relationships and interactions increase mental and emotional issues among adolescents.
1.5 The study variables
The study will have both independent and dependent variables. The independent variable will be the factors that the researcher will control to observe the effect on the dependent variable. In this case, they will be the health variabilities factors such as the presence or absence of the Covid-19. The dependent variable will be those that will change due to the impact or effect of the independent variable. For example, they will include the mental and emotional wellbeing of the teens.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Intrroduction to literature Review
This section aims to understand the critical area that the literature studies focus on regarding the topic. In that case, numerous studies on the topic are part of this section to understand the key theme on the subject and compare them. Furthermore, each study’s design, weaknesses, and the gap in the literature will also be analyzed in this section.
2.2 Existing Research, Research Designs, Advantages and Disadvantages, Appropriateness, and Comparison with Other Studies
Numerous research describes the prevalence of mental and emotional issues among teenagers in society. Bennouna et al. (2019) offer critical insights regarding the benefits of school-based programs supporting migrant teenagers with emotional and mental problems to cope with the new environments and realities. The article provides helpful information to schools and communities to offer emotional and social support to adolescents in learning institutions. The authors conducted a longitudinal literature review study using 20 school-based programs to reveal the best ways of implementation. The design was advantageous since it facilitated the borrowing of previous research information through secondary materials. However, the design limited the utilization of primary first-hand knowledge. Still, the article will assist in developing the research question and gap in current studies.
The article compares with other related studies. For example, Jenkins, Bungay, Patterson, Saewyc, and Johnson (2018) agree with Bennouna et al. (2019) that assisting students using beneficial programs, such as health promotion ones, addresses mental and emotional challenges of teenagers. Similarly, Bennouna et al. (2019) and Fonseca-Pedrero, Ortuno-Sierra, and Perez-Albeniz (2020) support collaborative approaches to solve mental and emotional issues among adolescents. Therefore, the article compares with other studies, proving its reliability and relevance in current research.
De Figueiredo et al. (2020) acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on teenagers’ social and daily routines, such as withdrawal from schools and social life, such as outdoor activities. As a result, adolescents face domestic distress, which affects their emotional and mental health. The article’s research design was a literature review using secondary studies. The literature offers extensive information for analysis but limited the utilization of primary data. However, the article’s concepts of CPOVID-19 effects on adolescents’ mental and emotional wellbeing are appropriate in drafting the research question.
The study compares with other articles regarding the global pandemic. For example, Singh et al. (2020) describe the COVID-19 pandemic’s numerous restrictions, such as lockdowns, and their impacts on teenagers. In addition, although both studies studied the pandemic’s effects, Singh et al. (2020) focused on death, morbidity, and infection numbers, while de Figueiredo et al. (2020) addressed people’s mental and emotional status.
Fonseca-Pedrero, Ortuno-Sierra, and Perez-Albeniz (2020) propose using latent profile analysis to comprehend adolescents’ emotional and behavioral difficulties. The authors identified externalizing, low risk, and internalizing as mental health categories, which show the different academic performance and socio-economic adjustments of teenagers with emotional and mental challenges. The researchers conducted a primary research study, which produced original findings. However, the design had some flaws, such as failing to conduct a longitudinal study to reflect teenagers’ mental and emotional health accurately. Nevertheless, the article contributes to the research question and gap identification.
The article’s information corresponds to other studies in this review. For example, the study coincides with the work of McNamee, Mendolia, and Yerokhin (2021), which describes the essentiality of understanding elements that increase teenagers’ vulnerability to mental and emotional issues. However, Fonseca-Pedrero, Ortuno-Sierra, and Perez-Albeniz (2020) were more comprehensive in developing the various categories than McNamee, Mendolia, and Yerokhin (2021).
Jenkins, Bungay, Patterson, Saewyc, and Johnson (2018) advocate health promotion programs, such as SONAR, at individual and community levels to address mental health challenges among teenagers globally. The authors used a mixed-method research method utilizing interviews and surveys for data collection purposes. Although the design was appropriate, the sample size was small due to the quantitative and qualitative methods imbalance. Still, the article contributes to this review by influencing the research gap development, especially regarding the health promotion programs.
McNamee, Mendolia, and Yerokhin (2021) connects excessive social media use to the development of emotional and mental issues among teenagers, including hyper-reaction, inattention, and low self-value. The research design allowed the researchers to test their hypotheses. However, the design’s setting was a limitation due to the specific focus on developed states, unlike the developing countries. However, the article will help test one of the hypotheses for this review regarding the impacts of smartphones on adolescents’ mental and emotional issues.
The article’s focus connects with other studies regarding global technology and teenagers’ wellbeing. For instance, Bennounna et al. (2019) support the article’s argument that many adolescents spend considerable hours every day on social media platforms. The prolonged time affects the teenagers’ social, mental, and emotional health, such as a lack of concentration and attentiveness.
Singh et al. (2020) describe the mental and emotional effects of COVID-19 related directives, such as national or regional lockdowns on adolescents, and suggest mental health support services to help these individuals. Indeed, numerous studies recognize the pressing need to address teenagers’ mental and emotional issues to promote their health and wellbeing. The authors reviewed several cross-sectional studies to reveal numerous COVID-19 vulnerability factors, such as education and economic statuses and social distancing, and their effects on teenagers’ health. However, the research design did not have a cause and effect relationship, reflecting the impacts of the pandemic on adolescents’ mental and emotional health. The article contributed to the research question creation.
The study coincides with several articles in this review. For example, the research connects with the work of de Figueiredo et al. (2020), which highlights COVID-19’s effects on adolescents’ social lives following school and outdoor life withdrawal and the damaging effects of the pandemic’s impact on families, such as domestic violence. Therefore, the studies advocated identifying these vulnerabilities and helping these teenagers to promote their wellbeing.
2.3 Gap in the literature
Despite the pieces of evidence that the literature present, there is a gap in it that this study will be seeking to fill. Numerous studies are general, and the need to be specific on the topic is critical. At the same time, some studies are systematic analyses, while others are weak case studies, and this study will aim to strengthen them. Therefore, these are gaps that the recent research will be aiming to close.
CHAPTER THREE: PROPOSED METHODOLOGY
3.1 Participants
The study will focus on collecting primary data directly from the source by administering surveys to ascertain the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotional and psychological health. This research methodology will involve an in-depth sampling of distinct units from the study population and administering collection techniques on the sample (Taylor et al., 2015). The sample size for the research study will be restricted to only 10 participants in the PSY 520 class. The participants will be selected using a random sampling technique, whereby each sample will have an equal probability of being selected. The rationale is that the random choice will provide an unbiased representation of the entire population, which is imperative for drawing accurate conclusions.
3.2 Materials
The study will rely on the survey to collect primary data from the sampled population. The researcher will avail a set of typed questions to the study sample to obtain their responses. There are two main types of surveys: offline and online surveys. In this study, an online survey will be conducted using internet-enabled devices, and the survey questions will be shared with respondents through a website. Specifically, the researcher will administer the surveys via the Southern New Hampshire University’s Qualtric platform, which allows one to build and distribute surveys and analyze responses online. The Qualtrics survey tool is readily available to all 510 and PSY 520 students enrolled in the psychology graduate program. The rationale for selecting the web-based tool is fast and straightforward processes, easily accessed results, online posting, and the ability to export data directly to Word and Excel.
3.3 Procedure
The first step is creating the online survey constituting 40 open-ended questions using the Quick Survey Builder tab in the Qualtrics platform. Secondly, the researcher will forward a web link to the new survey via email to the ten participants who will access the Qualtrics website and participate in the survey. Next, each participant will provide their responses to gain their insights on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents, focusing on their psychological and emotional health. Additionally, the participants will offer their views on other factors that trigger emotional and mental health issues among children focusing on smartphone use, social isolation, and the roles of the parents and teachers. Finally, these will review the study variables to ascertain whether the research hypothesis is acceptable.
3.4 Ethical Concerns
The Internet has created vast opportunities for performing online research. Though digital data are readily accessible, there are ethical guidelines that researchers can use. Academics assert that the conventional ethical principles are adequate and can apply to online research. The ethical concerns pertinent in online surveys for data collection include informed voluntary consent, anonymity, participant privacy, dual researcher roles, incentives, and data quality (Sugiura et al., 2017). Finally, the researcher should respect the respondents’ confidentiality and adhere to legal requirements on the protection of data. Thus, following ethical guidelines is a requirement for online research.
3.5 Data Analysis
3.5.1 The Preparation of New Data
Before analysis, the researcher will prepare the raw data collected from the online survey. This procedure will enable efficient analysis, limit inaccuracies and errors in processing, and avail all processed data to users. The preparation stage involves determining the right data for answering the research questions, drawing accurate conclusions from the data, and informing the overall decision-making process.
3.5.2 Descriptive Statistics
The descriptive statistics will organize and summarize the characteristics of the collection of survey responses from the sample. In qualitative studies, descriptive statistics allow a researcher to offer any additional context, either a richer or improved representation, to study the research phenomenon. The descriptive statistics that will be the most informative in answering the research questions are the central tendency measures: mean, mode, and median. Besides, the measures of variability, such as range and standard deviation, will be used to gain a sense of spread aspects in the responses. The goal is to summarize the data collected from the survey responses in a clear, accurate, and understandable manner.
3.5.3 Analytic Procedures
Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data to understand a wide range of concepts and gather detailed insights into the study problem. The thematic analysis will aid in the analysis of qualitative data. The analytic procedure aids in the analysis of documented and text information collected from survey responses. The analysis process was initially established for psychology research by Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke. It constitutes six main steps: familiarization, coding, generation, review, the definition of themes, and write-up (Miles et al., 2020). As part of the analysis, the researcher will closely examine the survey data to classify common themes and meaning patterns repetitively. The quantitative analysis will produce accurate results to guarantee the research authenticity and generate valid, insightful, and actionable findings.
3.6 APA Principles and Standards
Researchers face a wide range of ethical requirements as they have to conform to federal, professional, and institutional standards for conducting studies with human participants. The American Psychological Association’s ethical principles and code of conduct’s ethical standards help in avoiding ethical quandaries. The suggested data analysis methods are ethical as they conform to the APA ethical principles: beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and responsibility, integrity, justice, along with respect for rights and dignity (Hadjistavropoulos, 2020). Finally, the researcher will observe ethical standards in the data analysis by incorporating a frank discussion of intellectual property, a consciousness of multiple roles, adherence to informed-consent guidelines, and respect for confidentiality. Following all of these guidelines will ensure that the research adheres to the APA principles.
CHAPTER FOUR: ANTICIPATED RESULTS
The expected study results will be the acceptance of research hypotheses. The qualitative study may demonstrate the significant factors currently causing psychological and emotional issues among children and adolescents. These factors are the COVID-19 pandemic, excessive smartphone use, poor interactions with teachers, and parenting styles. The research implications include expanding the knowledge base by reviewing the causes of the high prevalence of psychological and emotional issues and proposing possible interventions to reverse the trends. The findings are applicable in practice to identify viable solutions to address the psychological and emotional problems in the vulnerable population group.
References
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