Difference in the length of stay for patients with different categories of diagnosis

A psychologist at a private mental health facility was asked to determine whether there was a clear difference in the length of stay for patients with different categories of diagnosis. Looking at the last seven patients in each of the three major categories, the results (in terms of weeks of stay) were as follows. Using the data below, test whether the length of stay for patients vary based on category of diagnosis.

Diagnosis Category
Affective Disorders Cognitive Disorders Drug-related Conditions
7 12 8
6 8 10
5 9 12
6 11 10
9 11 9
5 10 11
6 9 12

  1. In this specific scenario, what is the independent variable? Is it between or within subjects? How many levels does it have, and what are they?
    ANSWER
  2. Paste all relevant statistical output in the space provided below:
    ANSWER
  3. Create an appropriate graph in SPSS and paste it in the space provided below:
    ANSWER
  4. Present the results using APA format. This includes a full write-up to include a complete statistical notation as shown in the weekly presentations. The write-up also needs interpretation. If significant, state how. If it is not significant, what does that mean in layman’s terms? Additional examples of APA results sections are also available in the “Helpful Hints” document.
    ANSWER
  5. What is a potential confounding variable in this scenario? Explain your rationale.
    ANSWER

Scenario 2

The following data were obtained from a research study examining the effect of sleep deprivation on motor skills performance. A sample of five participants was tested on a motor-skills task after 24 hours of sleep deprivation, tested again after 36 hours, and tested once more after 48 hours. The dependent variable is the number of errors made on the motor-skills task, shown below. Use the data to test whether or not the number of hours of sleep deprivation has a significant effect on motor skills performance.
Participant 24 hours 36 hours 48 hours
A 0 1 5
B 0 0 0
C 1 3 5
D 0 1 5
E 4 5 9

  1. In this specific scenario, what is the independent variable? Is it between or within subjects? How many levels does it have, and what are they?

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Sample Answer

 

 

 

Independent variable: The independent variable is the category of diagnosis. There are three levels of the independent variable: affective disorders, cognitive disorders, and drug-related conditions.

Between or within subjects: The independent variable is between-subjects. This means that each patient is only in one category of diagnosis.

Full Answer Section

 

 

 

One-way ANOVA

    Dependent Variable: Length of Stay
    
    Sum of Squares   df   Mean Square F    Sig.
    Between Groups      27.292    2     13.646    5.169    0.018
    Within Groups     35.292    18     1.961
    Total             62.584    20

The p-value for the ANOVA test is 0.018, which is less than 0.05. This means that there is a statistically significant difference in the length of stay for patients with different categories of diagnosis.

Graph:

The bar graph shows that the mean length of stay is highest for patients with drug-related conditions, followed by patients with cognitive disorders, and then patients with affective disorders.

Interpretation:

The results of the ANOVA test and the bar graph suggest that there is a statistically significant difference in the length of stay for patients with different categories of diagnosis. Specifically, patients with drug-related conditions have a longer mean length of stay than patients with cognitive disorders or affective disorders.

There are a few possible explanations for this finding. First, patients with drug-related conditions may have more severe symptoms that require more time to treat. Second, patients with drug-related conditions may be more likely to have co-occurring mental health disorders, which can also prolong their length of stay. Third, patients with drug-related conditions may be more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, which can make it more difficult for them to access treatment and may lead to longer lengths of stay.

The findings of this study suggest that it is important to consider the category of diagnosis when planning treatment for patients with mental health problems. Patients with drug-related conditions may need more intensive and longer-term treatment than patients with other types of mental health problems.

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