Research proposal on the factors Influencing the Risk of Mental Health Conditions
Tagged: Research Proposal
Introduction
According to the World Health Organisation, the combination of substance use disorders and Mental Health conditions are the second largest cause of morbidity worldwide. In addition, co-occurring disorders along with mental health disorders significantly raise unfavourable health outcomes and expenses for the individual and the general population. Severe mental illness causes people to pass away 25 years earlier than the general population does, and the most common causes of death are heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and other disorders that are closely associated (Shim, 2013). With globalisation, natural disasters, social media, and COVID-19, mental health conditions have become more prevalent, especially among adolescents (Sharma, 2016) (O’Reilly, 2018).
Even though the number of persons with mental health problems has significantly increased, very few seek professional assistance. Studies have shown that stigma against mental health diseases and substance disorders have contributed to adverse health outcomes (Shim, 2013). Stigma has also been perpetuated by the media, where a person with mental health conditions is portrayed as being violent and having an unkempt appearance (Parrott, 2015). Suicide is the second leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 15 and 29 and the third for those between 15 and 44, which accounts for a significant number of deaths among young people (Bachmann, 2018).
Literature gap
Many studies have been done on the possible risk factors that lead to mental health conditions, including how some conditions like anxiety can be transmitted from parents to their offspring, how the environment plays a crucial role in shaping personality, and the impact of pandemics like COVID-19 (Smith, 2022). There is, however, very little research on the awareness of parents of the risk factors for their children’s mental health conditions. An increase in the awareness of the risk factors can help parents create a conducive environment for their children and seek help when their children exhibit some deviation in their attitude and behaviour.
Aim
The study aims to understand parents’ knowledge of the risk factors for mental health conditions.
Objectives
The objectives of the research are as follows:
To Understand-
- How many parents regard mental health as important as physical health, and
- Whether the parents are aware of the possible risk factors that can lead to Mental Health Conditions, and
- Whether the parents are aware of whom to seek help and guidance if they observe any deviations in their children’s behaviour.
- The mental state of the mother when she was pregnant,
- The role of both parents in building a personality for their child,
- The health risks of mental health conditions,
- Identify any drastic change in their child’s well-being, and
- Sources where they can seek help for their children.
- Ruth Shim and George Rust, 2013: Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Public Health: Partners in Reducing Mental Health Stigma, American Journal of Public Health 103, 774_776, https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301214
- Sharma, S. (2016). Impact of Globalisation on Mental Health in Low- and Middle-income Countries. Psychology and Developing Societies, 28(2), 251–279. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971333616657176
- O’Reilly M, Dogra N, Whiteman N, Hughes J, Eruyar S, Reilly P. Is social media bad for mental health and well-being? Exploring the perspectives of adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2018;23(4):601-613. doi:10.1177/1359104518775154
- Parrott, S., & Parrott, C. T. (2015). Law & disorder: The portrayal of mental illness in US crime dramas. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 59(4), 640-657.
- Bachmann S. Epidemiology of Suicide and the Psychiatric Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Jul 6;15(7):1425. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15071425. PMID: 29986446; PMCID: PMC6068947.
- Smith, C. (2022). The transmission of anxiety and stress states from parent to infant: Mechanisms of emotion dysregulation in dyads at elevated likelihood of mental health conditions (Doctoral dissertation, King’s College London).
- Doherty, A.M., Gaughran, F. The interface of physical and mental health. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 49, 673–682 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0847-7
Questionnaire
The participant will receive a questionnaire with questions directed to their awareness of various mental health conditions and the possible risk factors that could be causing them. The research will revolve around the following areas-
Rationale
Mental health conditions are multifactorial, and there is an increasing prevalence of people with mental health conditions, but the actual count could be much higher. If mental health conditions are not catered to, there could be a significant deterioration in the quality of life, as mental and physical health are correlated (Doherty, 2014). Many individuals refuse to seek help because of the stigma and negative portrayal of mentally ill patients by the media (Parrott, 2015). Since most suicides often occur in middle- and high school students, parents can play a crucial role in identifying those factors that cause mental health conditions, which can help them seek professional help and prevent suicides among youth.
Methodology
A thorough search will be conducted on online databases like PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Medline to give updated and accurate information to help write a psychology dissertation. The search will be conducted using keywords and the Google Scholar search engine, which will make use of all search query permutations. Additionally, this study will take into account previous English-language studies. After a literature search on this topic during the last five to ten years, the intended conclusion and recommendations are listed as the inclusion criteria. Unpublished English articles, as well as those that demand payment and whose full texts are not accessible from any source, will be excluded. In addition to online databases, a manual search in eminent journals will be conducted to source valuable information crucial to the study.
After this search, qualitative methods will be used wherein the participants will be selected via convenience sampling. The data will then be analysed via MAXQDA.
Ethical considerations
The challenge that might be encountered in this study will be that of ‘Autonomy’, and the participants will be chosen voluntarily. All participants will receive information on the type of response, along with a consent form outlining the advantages and dangers. The consent letter will be included in the appendix.
Summary
Mental health conditions can begin from early childhood through adolescence, and those with these conditions will continue to live with them throughout adulthood. They create tensions, uncertainties and significantly deteriorate the quality of life. Understanding the risk factors may help seek medical attention in the initial stage and help ease the condition and improve the lives of young individuals.
