Psychological Distress and Mental Health Problems With Respect to Healthcare Delivery in America - Research Proposal Example

Methodology Methodology Purposes of the Study This study investigates psychological distress and mental health problems with respect to healthcare delivery in America. The study will establish the socio-demographic characteristics of Americans suffering from psychological distress or Americans with a history of mental health issues. In this context, the research defines the relevant primary care for psychological distress and secondary mental health services that can solve for mental health issues within a year. In investigating the point prevalence of psychological distress in America and describing psychological distress and mental health problems from a medical practitioner, the study compares the findings with the stress in America survey conducted by Harris Interactive Inc., on behalf of the American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association, 2014). The research question for this study relates to defining the prevalence of psychological distress and mental health problems as well as how to mitigate these psychological problems. The study seeks to establish the prevalence and potential of cost effective and accessible health interventions to solve psychological distress and mental health problems for the general American population. The study adopts a hypothesis that a greater population is suffering from diverse psychological distress and mental health problems and that practitioners can offer primary care to solve psychological distress mental health problems in America. Research Design The study adopts a mix of qualitative and qualitative approach that involves a survey to access mental health and psychological distress and health care service in the general American population. Having received an ethical approval, the study adopts a telephone survey that requires respondents to answer to a General Health Questionnaire. The study enhances the validity and reliability of the study by including randomization and controls in designing the general health questionnaire. The researchers selected an original set of random clusters to ensure that the study covered all geographic areas in America. The study also adopts the re-weighting procedure to eliminate over-representation or under-representation of respondents in the actual sample. The study ensures that individuals cannot participate again in the same survey before the end of 1 year by marking the matching stem of each caller on a given file. The interviewers confirmed the confidentiality and privacy of the information derived from the telephone survey to eligible respondents. The interviewers guaranteed the respondents that their response is for this research only and that the respondents have the liberty to terminate the interview at their convenience. The survey will take 1 year. The sample for this study includes private households in America. The study uses random digit dialing (RDD) in the original sample of areas to establish a random telephone sample (Doherty, Moran & Kartalova-O’Doherty, n.d). The sample contains females and males aged between 13 and 28 years. The study uses a telephone survey that requires respondents to answer a questionnaire via a telephone interview to collect the required data. The study weighed the sample under different categories that included age, gender, marital status, economic status, education level, and number of adults in a private household. Ideally, the study seeks to establish the prevalence and potential of cost effective and accessible health interventions to solve psychological distress and mental health problems for the general American population. Target Population and Participant Selection The target population for the study includes all persons aged 13 years and over living in private households. The study derived the population distribution from the Stress in America survey conducted by Harris Interactive Inc., on behalf of the American Psychological Association (American Psychological Association, 2014). A sample of about 2, 500 respondents aged between 13 and 28 years old formed the population distribution. The study adopted a re-weighing procedure that generated a nationally representative sample of persons aged 13 years and over. The study adopted the initial sample of areas to derive a random telephone sample using an RDD system that led to different phone numbers for each month (Doherty, Moran & Kartalova-O’Doherty, n.d). The study re-weighted the completed sample to ensure that it represents the original American population. In re-weighing the completed sample, the study considered the age, economic status, marital status, level of education, and gender of the respondents. The re-weighting procedure eliminated the possibility of over-representation or under-representation of the entire population that generates the actual sample. Procedures The study adopted various procedures to establish the actual sample and enhance the validity and reliability of the findings. Indeed, the study adopted the re-weighting procedure and random digit dialing to conduct the telephone survey. The study selected sampling areas to ensure that the actual sample represents all geographical areas in America. This led to a detailed list of private households in America. Through the RDD, the study established a list of different phone numbers for each month (Doherty, Moran & Kartalova-O’Doherty, n,d). Indeed, through a random, probability basis the study established a sample of telephone numbers. In addition, the study marked the corresponding stems of each phone number on a file to avoid multiple participations from individual respondents. The interviewers also guaranteed the confidentiality, privacy, and freedom of the respondents in participating in the telephone survey. The re-weighting procedure eliminated the possibility of over-representation or under-representation of the entire population that generates the actual sample. Moreover, the re-weighing of the completed sample ensured that the final sample was an actual and effective representation of general American population. The re-weighting procedure utilized the minimum information loss algorithm on the final sample. Notably, the application of weightings related to respective population distributions that defined the age, economic status, marital status, level of education, and gender of the respondents. Instruments/ Measures Socio-demographic variables that include age, gender economic status, details of the location, marital status, and level of communication are measures in this study. The study adopts the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) as a measure of psychological distress subject to its validity. A self-reported mental health problem is another measure that features in the questionnaire. The self-reported mental health problems include depression, emotional breakdown, anxiety, and fear among others. The study seeks to know whether respondents experienced any mental health problem in the last one year. Help seeking is another measure that establishes the level and frequency of help sought by victims of mental health problems and psychological stress in the last one year. Research Questions and Hypotheses This study investigates the prevalence of psychological distress and mental health problems in America in the last one year and the consequent healthcare sought to address these problems. Indeed, the study seeks to the socio-demographic characteristics of Americans suffering from psychological distress or Americans with a history of mental health issues. In doing this, the study compares the findings with previous studies on stress in America. The research defines the relevant primary care and secondary care available for psychological distress mental health victims. The study defines the potential of various cost effective and accessible health interventions to solve psychological distress and mental health problems for the general American population. The study adopts the hypothesis that psychological distress and mental health problems vary between Americans depending on their age, gender, marital status, economic status, education level, and number of adults in a private household. It also adopt the hypothesis that a significant population is suffering from diverse psychological distress and mental health problems and that practitioners can offer primary care to solve psychological distress mental health problems in America. Data Analysis The results will only present valid findings from respondents who complete the questionnaire. The chi-square tests and regression analysis will analyze the correlation between the mental health variables and the socio-demographic variables under investigation. In this case, the study will only consider variables that were statistically significant in chi-square tests. Indeed, the regression analysis will assess the influence of an individual variable (psychological distress or mental health problem) with reference to other variables like age, gender, level of education, marital status, and economic level (Princeton University, 2007). Logistic regression analysis will examine the socio-demographic indicators of mental health problems. In logistic regression analysis, the study will consider the GHQ12 scores and self-reported mental health problems in the last one year. A GHQ12 score of zero depict lack of psychological distress that defines high level of wellbeing. The analysis will include a univariate analysis on GHQ12 scores and proportion of respondents with mental health problems and a multiple logistic regression analysis on the prevalence of psychological distress and significant indicators of self-reported mental health problems in America. Expected Findings A clear correlation exists between high GHQ12 scores and self-reported mental health problems where individuals who had reported mental health problems depict low GHQ12 scores. Females manifest high GHQ12 scores compared to males suffering from mental health problems in the same age bracket. Age influences GHQ12 scores where the youngest and oldest manifest low GHQ12 scores while the middle aged manifest high GHQ12 scores. The separated, divorced, widowed people manifest high GHQ12 scores than the married and single individuals. The most educated people manifest low levels of GHQ12 since they are less vulnerable to psychological distress and mental health problems. The hardships and inequalities experienced by households with low economic levels leads to high GHQ12 scores and more mental health problems since they become vulnerable to disabilities and illness. Respondents living in large and highly populated towns have the highest prevalence of psychological distress and mental health problems compared to households living in small villages and towns with sparse populations. GHQ12 scores and self-reports of mental health problems correlate with free medical cover where the rich who afford private insurance manifest low GHQ12 scores compared to the poor who survive on free medical cover. References American Psychological Association. (2014). American Psychological Association Survey Shows Teen Stress Rivals That of Adults. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/02/teen-stress.aspx Doherty, D, Moran, R, & Kartalova-O’Doherty, Y. (n.d). Psychological distress, mental health problems and use of health services in Ireland. Retrieved from: http://www.hrb.ie/uploads/tx_hrbpublications/HRB_Research_Series_5.pdf Princeton University. (2007). Introduction to Regression. Retrieved from: http://dss.princeton.edu/online_help/analysis/regression_intro.htm Read More