The Impacts of Unemployment on Womens Mental Health - Essay Example

The Impact of Long Term Unemployment on Women Mental Health What is the Impact of Long Term Unemployment on Women Mental Health? Background and Rationale for the study It is very challenging to analyze the impact of long term unemployment on women’s mental health. Since some women have severe attacks of Depression after unemployment and some might become a victim of Attention Deficient Hyperactive Disorder while others might not reflect any significant impact (Peter Bryan Warr, 1987). This study would be useful to analyze that what are the possible effects on women’s mental health due to unemployment and how these effects can be minimized. Similar studies have been conducted in the past as well; for instance, Dew and his co-researchers carried out a study on the same subject for which he selected ifferent females and analyzed their work patterns for one year. During the course of study they found that women who were unemployed for more than five months; which is consider long term unemployment period showed higher depressive symptoms (Bruce P. Dohrenwend, 1998). In this regard Jahoda’s Deprivation Theory of Unemployment has played a significant role in recognizing the impacts of unemployment on women’s mental health. The theory states that class, age (Stephen Edgell, 2012) and social setup (Torild Hammer, 2003) are dominant factors of poor mental conditions of women in post unemployment period. Name of funder The research will be financed by the NGOs which are working for the betterment of unemployed women especially in the area of improving their mental health. Research question Primary and secondary impacts on mental health of unemployed women will be identified through this research work. In addition to analyzing the key factors due to which women lose their jobs. Aims of the study Women are more susceptible to stress, depression and other mental health issues due to unemployment (Susan G. Kornstein, Anita H. Clayton, 2004). However, recent researches have indicated that women can cope up with the stress more quickly than men (Sarah E. Romans, Mary Violette Seeman, 2006). The aim of this study is to identify the variables through which women can easily deal with post unemployment situations and health issues. Study population The target population is the unemployed women who have failed to get employment in the last five months. In addition to employed women who are working from last five months. The sample size is calculated to be 50 as it would be convenient to collect data from small yet diverse group of individuals. Study design – justification of methodology Questionnaires are found to be more suitable for this research than personal interviews. It will be an individual project and would be carried out under the supervision of course coordinator. It shall be done in two stages; in the first stage filtration of the target population will be done and in the second stage actual research will be conducted. Methods Data collection is the initial and the most important step of this research which shall be done through numbered questionnaires. Sampling Random sampling procedures will be used for population sample. All the participants will have equal opportunity of being chosen; no biasness shall be considered. Participants shall be rewarded with the token of appreciation on the basis of their active participation in the research. Ethical aspects Ethics shall be strictly followed as no participant would be forced to disclose the required information. Everything shall be done on the basis of approved ethical code of conduct signed by the course coordinator. For further smoothness participants shall be informed about the research topic and its requirements so that they do not turn back during the study. People having work experience of less than five months or being unemployed for the same duration shall not qualify as the target population. All the complaints made by the participants at any time shall be attended immediately by the volunteers (Allan J. Kimmel, 2009). Data management and protection Data recording will be done through SPSS and Google Docs (Deryck Beyleveld, 2004). Participants will not be required to mention their names in order to maintain privacy. The ultimate owner of the collected data and participants’ information would be the head researcher. Data analysis Data shall be analyzed using statistical calculations and graphic representation of the variables generated by SPSS and Google Docs (William E. Wagner III et al., 2010). Research timetable The complete research will take one month starting from last week of January and ending in the last week February 2013. It is enough time to conduct research and analyze data since the sample size is small. Limitations Political and economic conditions might create influence over the completion of research. The availability and willingness of participants might also limit the analysis and conclusions. Researcher bias The possible biasness can be shown in selecting the participants which can be tackled through using random sample procedures. Also the analysis shall be made using statistical inference to remove researcher bias. Presentation of findings The research shall be presented in the form of report followed by a presentation. Dissemination of results Social media will be used to disseminate the results which will be followed by a public speaking session (Peter Lynam et al., 1982). University website will also be showing updates on the research. Project management The project shall be managed using the timetable check. Everything shall be done as per the plan to ensure that the focus of the study is not shifted (Michael Jay Polonsky et al., 2010). Reflection Research is a complete learning process. During this study I have come to know about the mental issues pertaining to women. They are significantly more protective about their self esteem and respect which gets drastically hurt due to unemployment (Victor W. Marshall, 2001). One of the major reasons of the current unemployment especially in UK is the lack of opportunities for unskilled and semiskilled employees especially women (Jane Seymour et al., 2000). One way that I have figured out to minimize the impacts of unemployment on women’s mental health is to induce more job opportunities in the labor market and make it more flexible for women with average or no skills (Great Britain: H.M. Treasury, 2004). In addition to this the whole research process has taught me data organization and use of different statistical tools which has ultimately enabled me to use online questionnaires for conducting this research. . References Allan J. Kimmel, (2009) Ethical Issues in Behavioral Research: Basic and Applied Perspectives. Australia: John Wiley & Sons. Bruce P. Dohrenwend, (1998) Adversity, Stress, and Psychopathology. Oxford University Press. Deryck Beyleveld, (2004) Implementation Of The Data Protection Directive In Relation To Medical Research In Europe. England: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Great Britain: H.M. Treasury, (2004) Opportunity for All, the Strength to Take the Long-Term Decisions for Britain, Pre-Budget Report: Cm. 6408. London: The Stationery Office. Jane Seymour, Uned-UK, (2000) Poverty in Plenty: A Human Development Report for the UK. United Kingdom: Earthscan. Michael Jay Polonsky, David S. Waller, (2010) Designing and Managing a Research Project: A Business Students Guide. California: SAGE. Peter Bryan Warr, (1987) Work, unemployment, and mental health. Clarendon Press. Peter Lynam, Margaret Slater, Rennie Walker, (1982) Research and the practitioner: dissemination of research results within the library-information profession. Aslib Sarah E. Romans, Mary Violette Seeman, (2006) Womens Mental Health: A Life-Cycle Approach. USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Stephen Edgell, (2012) The Sociology of Work: Continuity and Change in Paid and Unpaid Work. SAGE Susan G. Kornstein, Anita H. Clayton, (2004) Womens Mental Health: A Comprehensive Textbook. New York: Guilford Press. Torild Hammer, (2003) Youth Unemployment and Social Exclusion in Europe: A Comparative Study. UK: The Policy Press. Victor W. Marshall, (2001) Restructuring Work and the Life Course. Canada: University of Toronto Press. William E. Wagner III, Fred S. Halley, Jeanne Zaino, Earl Babbie, (2010) Adventures in Social Research: Data Analysis Using IBM® SPSS® Statistics. 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