Economic Recession and Shifts in Mental Health - Research Proposal Example

Research Proposal within Social Sciences Introduction The global economic meltdown was an unprecedented event which took every government in the world by surprise and had an enormous effect on the daily workings of society. Among the social factors which were most affected by this catastrophe were number of individuals employed in various field of different practices. According to the executive summary written by Suhrcke and Stuckler there have been a number of studies and literature reviews which have exhaustively investigated whether or not a link which exists between the current economic recession and changes in mental health status of an individual (Suhrcke and Stuckler 2010). The paper which will be written intends to review this evidence which is directed towards the impact of the recession on mental health. Currently information gleaned from studies suggests two opposing viewpoints regarding the impact the recession will have on the world populace. Certain individuals believe that the global economic meltdown will have a negative effect on the socio economic status of the unemployed and result in them committing more suicides and suffering from mental illnesses (Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mental Health Network, NHS Confederation and London School of Economics and Political Science 2009). While other experts argue that the recession actually has an effect of improving mental health as evidenced in the short run (Suhrcke and Stuckler 2010). The information provided by them suggests that there is an actual perceived increase in the number of lives saved from traffic accidents, deaths due to alcohol and admissions into hospitals when being compared to times of global expansion (Suhrcke and Stuckler 2010). The researcher’s question which forms the central focus of the proposed paper is “Does the economic recession have an adverse effect on the mental health status in the workplace?” Background As mentioned above there have been documented studies conducted in the past which have recorded the effects of the unemployment on an individual level. These studies have primarily correlated the mental distress caused by unemployment as leading to depressive or suicidal episodes or unhealthy/thrill seeking behaviors. Studies conducted as recently as 2010 on the effects of the economic downturn have found that in the context of a social environment, adolescence, low revenues and financial difficulties were the primary causes of mental distress among individuals across race, gender and ethnicity (Cokes and Kornblum 2010). These difficulties have been corroborated by a report released by the National Health Service which found that people who are exposed to difficulties in work or finances in an economic downturn will require greater primary and secondary mental health care (Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mental Health Network, NHS Confederation and London School of Economics and Political Science 2009). In the researcher’s mind, the primary research questions which will guide the direction of this study will be “Within a multinational organization, how has the economic recession affected the mental status of their employees?” Purposes Since most of the studies conducted previously have focused on suicidal and depressive as the primary mental ailments caused by the economic downturn, given the relative obscurity of the topic above it can clearly be seen that exploration of such a proposal will result in attainment of a new psychological understanding behind the effects of a destabilized economy. In practical terms the study would show a twofold advantage. The key research question regarding the effect of the recession on the employed will be invaluable to human resource managers who wish to maintain morale and sustained productivity within a period of heavy recession. Theoretically the constant stress of losing employment, as well as financially de stability which is inherent in these times can cause depressive episodes among individuals which can lead to a loss in work productivity or even hurt the reputation of the company in question. The attainment of the information in question can lead to the creation of personalized health programs designed to offset the symptoms associated with the corresponding mental abnormalities. The studies detailed in the introduction have shown examples of individuals cataloguing their personal experiences as well as statistically relevant data. However, the researcher found no relevant data catalogued in case of the psychological effects on those individuals who are were employed during these unstable economic times. This data can be invaluable in increasing our understanding of the socio psychological factors having a major effect on these individuals. Scope The current research paper has a scope which will be expanded or limited according to the details prescribed in the third chapter on Research Methodology. All efforts will of course be made by the researcher to ensure that all the information which is provided in this paper is free from any form of error, oversight or exclusion. The perspective used to display the information gained from various sources, reflects the ability and interpretation of the researcher correlate the data available without any form of intentional bias. Different perspectives may be achievable if a different theoretical framework was employed. The overall objective of the study will be to investigate the predicted outcomes of the relationship between the economy and the mental health process. Given the broad scope of the topic the time period given to accomplish the research objectives will last a period of approximately ten weeks. The initial month will act as the data collection period of the study of which at least 65-80% of the available time will be directed towards the completion of the survey and questionnaire by the sample chosen. The region chosen towards the completion of the surveys will reflect the requirements of the questions put forth by the researcher. The survey will be primarily conducted in a major metropolitan city which houses two multinational corporations. One of the corporations will have documented research according to local news of being affected by the economic recession. Given the implications of the research questionnaire employees who are considered to be the most expendable according to company policy will be given preference. A set of fifteen participants will be chosen from each area. The second group chosen from the company not affected by the recession will be acting as a control. Each participant will be required to partake in one session of interviews detailing the previously prepared questionnaire. The services of authorities or the public representatives of a multinational company will be taken in order to facilitate the completion of the research. In order to find samples for the second questionnaire the researcher will ask the co-operation of staff from employment agencies and government unemployment offices. The remaining month will be used to collect all data related to the topic in the form of new articles, organizational websites, statistical data and peer reviewed journal articles. The data will then be correlated as needed in order to complete the proposed study. Of course due to the complexities of such a study and unforeseen variables, the research methodology may be altered or changed as required. Research Design Mimicking the aforementioned research by Cokes & Kornblum this research will also employ the use of open and closed ended questions. Towards that end a qualitative method of research will be followed. The groundwork of the research methodology performed by Cokes & Kornblum is noted later within the theoretical framework. The survey questionnaire approach to data collection has been adopted on account of the fact that it increases the degree of control that the researches over the form of data collected. An example of the significance of the control over the collection of data can be found in the aforementioned research performed by Cokes and Kornblum. In their study on the influences on the mental health of individuals that were reflected by the economic recession, it was observed that the researchers chose to exercise both open and closed-ended questions for data collection. The data collected was then subjected to the Likert scale to more easily quantify the open ended responses (Cokes and Kornblum 2010). However, this has been done while keeping the balance between the benefits of the survey questionnaire approach in comprehensive context. There is little doubt that the survey questionnaire presents a significant magnitude of risk with regard to its drawbacks; but if adequately implemented, the survey questionnaire can provide objective viewpoint of reality which though disputed due to its bias and limitations is still statistically relevant (Denscombe 2007 p. 153-172). The purpose behind the control is to establish and increase the validity of the data in the primary survey questionnaire. The control group detailed above may be deemed unnecessary at a later date given the limitations of time and funding, however it is an invaluable tool in providing a comparison study to the data provided and may also further validate any hypothesis put forth by the researcher in response to the research questionnaire. The indicators that shall be used to measure the impact of recession on employees' mental health will be established only once a comprehensive and thorough review of the literature has been conducted. The literature review will not only serve to establish a sound understanding of the research variables but will also assist in the identification of key indicators pertaining to the subject of the study that require research. The data will be analyzed by placing it in the context of former researches that have been performed in the area and evaluating it to establish upon new trends in the variables. Furthermore, the data will also be analyzed in terms of the relationships present between the studied research variables (Denscombe 2007 p.286-315). The statistical formulae of mean, median and mode shall be brought into use to acquire an understanding of the general position of the responses collected. However, it is important to note that these formulae will only represent a part of the research and the averages shall be established to clarify upon the research findings; not as the actual research findings (Denscombe 2007 p.286-315). Since the qualitative data will be collected and treated categorically by the researcher it behooves that the categories chosen are not done so towards the attainment of a biased outcome. Towards that end the categories may be represented by frequency tables or various forms of graphs such as bar charts or pie charts. The visualization of data used in conveying the proportions of each category without depending on the numerical data (Denscombe 2007 p.286-315). Theoretical Framework The researcher recognizes that the theoretical framework of the research has to serve certain functions in order to fulfill the criteria establish within the boundaries of social research. Towards that end the theoretical framework will be structured to follow the purposes of exploration, description and explanation. Exploration is defined as increasing the recognition of a researcher to a certain topic. Exploratory studies are essential to increase the researchers understanding of a topic, to develop the methods which may be used in the next study and testing the viability of the undertaking a more detailed study. Description refers to scientifically accurate observations of what occurs by the researcher and in turn finds patterns which lead to the formation of conclusions. Finally, explanation is the most general purpose of social sciences which is directed towards answering orientation questions regarding the topic in question (Babbie 2009 p.223-231). The research questions which have been previously decided upon by the researcher will form the basis for the theoretical framework in question. Primarily, the psychological conceptual framework detailed within the study by Cokes & Kornblum will dictate the direction of the study, the formation of the questionnaire and the implications for its research methods. The research question, “Within a multinational organization, how has the economic recession affected the mental status of their employees?” will be the basis for the set of research questionnaire. The conceptual theory behind the psychological framework which will dictate the purpose of these questionnaires will be the Load and Capacity theory. This model is used to illustrate how the load which can be depicted by external environmental forces can cause a disturbance within the established physiological balance of a body causing it to compensate by the use of certain mechanisms. Though this model is primarily a physiological model its concepts can be adapted to be used within the psychological exploration of workload. The model suggests that despite the addition of external factors which increase the workload as long as the individual remains within his level of compensation or competence no negative effects can occur. It can be inferred that the negative effects on an individual may be attributed to the relationship between the variables of external load and maximum capacity. Thus an inadequately trained individual or an individual who is exposed to a greater load than he can compensate for would come under such negative effects. These negative effects can be translated into health outcomes (Drenth Thierry and Wolff 2001 p.5-8). The psychological framework is one of the stress paradigm. This is one of the primary frameworks used today in the conceptualization of the relation between socio-economic factors and health outcomes. The mediators which define this relationship are a variety of stress factors which in turn are affected by social support, ability to cope and an inner feeling of control. The load capacity theory is derived from this framework and extrapolates how stress from the external environment can affect the mental status of the participants in question. The reason why this framework from the study by Cokes & Kornblum has been referenced numerous times in this proposal is because of how their data shows the effectiveness of their psychological framework in detailing the effects of various socioeconomic stress factors on its participants on both an individual and a national level (Cokes and Kornblum 2010). The sample for the survey chosen will be done so using the systemic sampling method. In the systemic sampling method every arbitrarily established element within the total population acts as the chosen sample. Thus, for example if the company where the survey is being taken employs a total of three to five hundred employees and one hundred of them are considered expendable. A systemic sampling of every fifth employee will be done from each group. Fifteen of those individuals will be the primary survey group, while 15 more individuals chosen from the non-expendable group will act as a control group (Babbie 2008 p.223-231). It should be noted that due to the inherent limitations within the study in the form of monetary concerns and time constraints, the researcher will be required to limit the number of participants in the study. Since the survey consists of both closed and open ended questions, difficulties in categorizing the information provided by the participants and the time which must be allotted for personal interviews must be taken into account. Additional difficulties may also arise later on in the study which may be reflected by company policy or the outlook of the participants in the study. Towards this end the limitations in the study will allow the researcher to form and implement contingencies without sacrificing the data requirements. One such contingency may be the use of the semi-quota sampling method which is employed in cases where there is a shortage in the number of participants initially intended. It is important to mention however, that though the psychological theories mentioned are being used to decide the direction which the research methodology will take. However, the researcher himself is required to acclimate the various theoretical concepts to meet the requirements of primary and secondary research. Studies which have been previously conducted will be referenced in order to create a template for the research study to follow and ensure a successful outcome. Timetable Proposed Tasks Timeline Initial Study/ Contacting various companies in order to propose outlined research study/ Submission of Proposal Week 1 In depth Study and research/ Formation of Questionnaire Week 1 Choosing personnel/ Conducting survey from primary group at chosen site Week 2 Choosing personnel/ Conducting survey from control group at chosen site Week 3 Assessment of the validity of data collected/ Provision of data to relevant authorities Week 4 Further required Data collection/Tabulation and Categorization of Data Collected Week 5 Chapter 1 Introduction Week 5 Chapter 2 Literature Review Week 5 to Week 6 Chapter 3 Research Methodology Week 6 to Week 7 Chapter 4 Primary Research Week 7 to Week 8 Chapter 5 Secondary Research Week 8 to Week 9 Chapter 6 Discussion Week 9 to Week 10 Chapter 7 Conclusion and Revivification of material written Week 10 Final assessment of data collected/ Final assessment of material written/ Provision to relevant authorities Week 10 Limitations The purpose of designing the theoretical framework is in an effort to remove the limitations which may lead to conclusions not originally intended or alternative to the explanations provided by the researcher himself. Even the most well thought out research design can result in the extrapolation of the dependant variables which can be taken being manipulated by the researcher towards their own conclusions. Such limitations are detailed below: 1) History: This can occur in cases when the survey is taken at different moments or days in time resulting in the formation of new unforeseen variable which may affect the study in a positive or a negative manner (Crano and Brewer 2002 p.26). 2) Maturation: As the study goes along the participants can go through certain internal changes which can affect the viability of the study. An example of these changes can be a participant becoming disinterested in the study (Crano and Brewer 2002 p.26). 3) Testing: This occurs if the participants is surveyed more than once for any reason 4) Statistical regression: This refers to the error of measurement which is inherent within the calculation of the data collected (Crano and Brewer 2002 p.26). 5) Selection: This limitation directly affects the validity of the study since the selection of the participants though dependant on the research methodology is based upon two different criteria (Crano and Brewer 2002 p.26). 6) Experimental Mortality: This refers to those cases in which for any reason certain participants may drop out of the research study altogether and possibly invalidate their participation (Crano and Brewer 2002 p.26). 7) Selection History Interaction: This refers to the variables which are inherent in the selection process. This defers from the previous limitation mentioned known as selection since this limitation is based upon variables due to unforeseen circumstances which may change the outlook of the participants. These unforeseen circumstances are not dependent upon the research methodology (Crano and Brewer 2002 p.26). 8) Area of study: The area where both surveys will be conducted will be different according to the criteria required resulting in variability in socio economic concerns. 9) Researcher Bias: The most important limitation is directly related to the bias of the researcher since it is adversely affect the validity of all the data collected. 10) Systemic Sampling Limitations: In systemic sampling the randomness of the sampling is confined to the first unit and thereafter all the units chosen are defined by that first sample thus it is possible that there may be an inclusion of individuals within the survey which share the same characteristics as the first sample chosen. Thus the study would effectively be tainted (Bajpai 2009). Delimitations As defined before the purpose of a theoretical study is to remove the limitations of the study in question. Given that the removal of variable can result in the acquisition of a verifiable result, it can be seen why it is in the best interest of the research to define the delimitations of the study and ensure minimal causative effects of the limitations. 1) Established Research Methodology: The research methodology established has been done so with the aid of peer reviewed articles and books and will not be altered during the course of the study unless required. 2) The research questionnaire: The research questionnaire will be made beforehand by the researcher and will not be changed throughout the study. 3) Criteria: The criteria for selection of the survey group and the selection of the area where the survey will be undertaken will not be changed. 4) Sample Size: The sample size for both the primary survey and control group has been defined. Ethical Issues Given the inherent and personal human interaction in the study detailed above. Both participant and researcher will be affected by the knowledge gained through the use of the questionnaire. Given psychological implications of the study questions are raised whether or not the study is actually beneficial towards its targeted audience and does it enhance their understanding of the topic chosen. Additionally, the primary ethical issues which must be taken into consideration are directed towards the participants themselves. Basic considerations of informed consent, anonymity and professional consequences to these participants aside, the psychological harm which comes to them must be taken into consideration. Given that these participants may already be under a great deal of mental distress, this study may act as a further source of stress, especially if they are order to participate in the study without their consent on the behest of the company where the study is taking place. Invariably the outcomes of the research may also affect their job and financial status either positively or negatively. There is also concern that the answered questionnaire may be accessed by the management of said companies and may result in the researcher putting the participants in precarious situations in terms of their employment status. The researcher himself may also lose perspective on the study since he may end up identifying with the participants problems in deference to the requirements of the study itself (Willig and Rogers 2008). Bibliography Babbie, E. R. (2008). The basics of social research (pp. 223-231). Florence: Cengage . Babbie, E. R. (2009). The Practice of Social Research p.92-94. Florence: Cengage Learning. Bajpai, N. (2009). Business Statistics (pp. 226). Delhi: Pearson Education India. Cokes, C., & Kornblum, W. (2010). Experiences of Mental Distress by Individuals During an Economic Downturn: The story of an urban city. Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 34, No. 1, 24-35. Crano, W. D., & Brewer, M. B. (2002). Principles and methods of social research p.26. New York: Routledge. Denscombe, M. (2007). Qualitative Data. In M. Denscombe, The good research guide: for small-scale social research projects (pp. 153-172, 286-315). London: McGraw-Hill International. Drenth, P. J., Thierry, H., & Wolff, C. J. (2001). A Handbook Of Work And Organizational Psychology: Work Psychology (pp. 5-8). Florence: Psychology Press. Royal College of Psychiatrists; Mental Health Network; NHS Confederation; London School of Economics and Political Science . (2009). Mental health and the economic downturn: National priorities and NHS solutions . London: Royal College of Psychiatrists. Suhrcke, M., & Stuckler, D. (2010). Will the recession be bad for our health? A review of past experiences. London: European Centre for Health Assets and Architecture. Willig, C., & Rogers, W. S. (2008). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology (pp. 263-278). London: SAGE. Read More