Discussion Section of The Hypothesis Study

Running Head: DISCUSSION SECTION 1

DISCUSSION SECTION 4

Discussion Section of The Hypothesis Study

Discussion Section

My aim in this study was to undertake a comprehensive evaluation and analysis to show the mental health beliefs that exist among veterans and how it may affect their access to medical treatment. According to this research, veterans who are likely to benefit from mental health treatment programs do not always seek care. The study has provided an in-depth examination of beliefs that are related to mental health. The key reasons why individuals with mental illness may fail to seek care due to shame and the treatment process they must go through. Different variables have been used in this research. They include personal beliefs, stigmas towards mental illness, stress, depression, and the severity of alcohol abuse.

The stigma was measured by interactions and personal experience from loved ones and the workplace. Own beliefs were also measured by collecting surveys about mental illness, psychiatric treatment, and their feelings about seeking medical care. A scale consisting of eight statements was used with a 5-point Likert-type response. The size ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The 17-item PTSD Checklist-Military version was used to measure the level of stress. Depression, on the other hand, was determined using 7-item Beck Depression Inventory-Primary Care. The scale also ranged between 1 and 5. The high levels of stigma among the people are an indication of how negative individuals view this disorder.

The research was conducted ethically since all principles of ethics were considered. No harm was caused to respondents, both mentally and physically. Before emailing the survey questions to participants, the researcher first asked them if they were willing to take part in the study. They obtained informed consent so that participants understood what the research was taking part in and why the researcher required their responses. The veterans voluntarily took part in the study, and they were not deceived or forced to take part. Also another ethical aspect that was considered is the confidentiality of the respondents. Data collected was well stored in databases to prevent access to third parties. Veterans who participated in the study could withdraw at any time if they felt that the research was violating their rights. To ensure that no respondents were disrupted from their regular work schedule, the survey questions were sent to through emails. They were also given ample time to go through the items so that they could provide their most appropriate responses.

My findings have several implications for therapists providing therapeutic interventions and treatment to veterans with PTSD. Although my results cannot determine casualty, it seems prudent for therapists to not only discuss with veterans the direct dangers of post-traumatic disorders but also review the observed mental health beliefs that may exist among veterans and educated them about the misconceptions and stigma that surround the thought of getting help. When physicians and other psychologists identify veterans with mental health beliefs on PTSD, they have a heightened awareness of how it can affect their access to treatment and potential opportunities for prevention and education. Educators should consider the higher likelihood of mental health beliefs on PTSD on soldiers, police officers, firefighters, emergency service workers, healthcare professionals, ambulance personnel, and divers. Additionally, psychiatrists evaluating patients for PTSD should take into consideration their mental health beliefs as it is a risk factor for a suicide attempt.

There were a few limitations that should be considered when interpreting results. First, the study was cross-sectional, thus limiting the possibility of determining the casualty of outcomes. However, this study provides a brief overview of PTSD associated with mental health beliefs. Additional variables such as performance at work and socioeconomic status were not considered during the study but may have implications on the results.

Conclusion

These limitations notwithstanding, I report that veterans who have mental health beliefs on PTSD are more likely to have engaged in a broad range of activities such as merciless killings, accidents, natural disasters, or physical assaults, all of which contribute to significant adverse health outcomes. Future efforts should be directed on better understanding of patients with mental health beliefs on PTSD. Despite the willingness of veterans to seek help themselves the treatment of PTSD minimizes the overall risks and effects of PTSD.
Running head: MENTAL HEALTH BELIEFS 1

MENTAL HEALTH BELIEFS 2

Mental Health Beliefs

Relationship between Mental Health Beliefs and Treatment of PTSD among Veterans

Purpose:

The study is aimed at answering two primary questions;

· What are the primary factors that discourage veterans from seeking medical treatment of PTSD?

· Which are the most relevant interventions that can be put in place to address these variables positively?

Hypothesis: Most veterans do not seek or access medical treatment because of various mental health beliefs, although there are channels that can help and benefit them.

METHODOLOGY

Research design:

The study will be conducted using an experimental research design. The design is the best for this particular investigation as it will help get first-hand and accurate information that is relevant to the research questions. It will facilitate the collection of multiple and distinct data analyzing while creating a reliable and coherent decision when using a survey as the research technique. The design is an appropriate guide when sampling and selecting the best setting to conduct the study. As such, it will be possible to determine the influence of certain variables in this research. The factors to be accessed include stigma, fear, depression, substance use, and individual beliefs.

Participants:

In this particular study, between 500 and 600 participants will be selected, considering that some are likely to withdraw from the surveys. It entails that relevant and adequate information will be obtained from the remaining sample to ensure the credibility and reliability of the research report. Several methods will be used to select the participants to ensure the diversity of ideas and locations. As such, advertisements, emails, and informational flyers will be used to choose interested individuals. These methods are practical and efficient are they will help in gathering many people who are geographically dispersed of which will reduce bias and facilitate the accuracy of the analyzed data. From the interested population, a convenience sampling method will be used to establish the participants willing to participate in the study as per the researcher’s guidelines. It is an appropriate technique as it will enable the participants to make individual decisions without being scrutinized by anyone; thus, this will guarantee accuracy.

The remaining sample will be teamed-up in virtual groups considering that they are geographically dispersed. The intent of using groups is to encourage the participants to interact and share their life experiences regarding the study. In groups of people with similar characteristics, it will be easier for individuals to share their thoughts freely about seeking medical health concerning their mental health. So, the data obtained from each group will be assessed and analyzed to help in making a relevant inference. Moreover, the study is not based on a specific sample’s demographics since it will include both male and female veterans who are willing to participate in the surveys. By doing this way, diverse information will be obtained and can probably be analyzed in terms of gender for clarity.

Procedures:

The study will involve online surveys, mostly since the participants will be interacting in virtual groups. In using the online platforms as setting, the participants will have the chance to create trustworthy relationships regardless of their geographical location wherein they will share self-experiences during and after military life. The implication is that the integration will motivate most of them if not all, to give information relevant to the study such that within the period set for the surveys, the goal will have been achieved. The sample is most likely to consist of over 350 participants, who will be assigned to several groups of 25 people each. They must be given ample time to integrate and be familiar with each participant to increase the willingness to share information. As such, the required data will be collected within 12 months, of which the first three will involve mostly familiarization and creating a sense of trust among the group members and the researcher. Within the next nine months, the participants are expected to have shared the required information considering that by this time, they ought to have known and familiarized themselves with every group member. The groups will have ample time to interact because they are expected to meet online for two hours for five sessions per week, implying that they will have ten hours together weekly.

Measures:

In the study, a test will be used to determine the mental statuses of the participants. It is an essential process since it helps in associating the individual’s mental health with the response provided regarding seeking medical treatment. As such, a rating survey will be used to establish the participants’ symptoms of PTSD. The average test score of each group will be used to evaluate the relationship with the information acquired regarding the variables being assessed. Thus, it will help in analyzing how the mental condition affects the decision to access medical treatment. The rating survey, which has 17 items those are problems that veterans have concerning their stressing military…