Based on your area of interest in human service research, find a research article related to your area of interest and discuss the following areas:
1- What is the purpose of the study
2- What are the ethical concerns as related to the human subjects
3- What is the design of the study
4- What are the measures used in the study
Full Answer Section
Ethical Concerns:
One of the ethical concerns associated with this study is the potential for harm to participants. Homeless youth with mental illness are a vulnerable population, and they may be at increased risk for harm if they are not provided with the support and services they need.
The researchers took steps to mitigate the potential for harm by screening participants for eligibility and by providing them with access to support services. However, it is important to note that there is always a risk of harm when conducting research with vulnerable populations.
Another ethical concern is the potential for coercion. Participants may have felt pressured to participate in the study in order to receive housing. To address this concern, the researchers informed participants that they were free to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
Design of the Study:
This study was a randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Housing First program or a control group that received standard services. Participants were followed for one year, and their outcomes were assessed at baseline, six months, and one year.
Measures Used in the Study:
The measures used in the study included:
- Housing status
- Mental health symptoms
- Substance use
- Quality of life
Results:
The study found that the Housing First program was effective in improving housing stability and reducing mental health symptoms among homeless youth with mental illness. Participants in the Housing First program were more likely to be housed and less likely to experience severe mental health symptoms at one year follow-up.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that Housing First is an effective intervention for homeless youth with mental illness. Housing First programs can help homeless youth to achieve housing stability and improve their overall well-being.
Discussion:
This study is well-designed and well-conducted. The researchers took steps to mitigate the potential for harm to participants, and they used valid and reliable measures. The results of the study are statistically significant and have implications for policy and practice.
One of the strengths of this study is that it was a randomized controlled trial. This is the strongest research design for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Another strength of the study is that it followed participants for one year. This allowed the researchers to assess the long-term impact of the Housing First program.
One limitation of the study is that it was conducted in a single city. This means that the results may not be generalizable to other populations or settings. Another limitation of the study is that the sample size was relatively small. This means that the results should be interpreted with caution.
Despite these limitations, this study provides valuable evidence that Housing First is an effective intervention for homeless youth with mental illness. Housing First programs can help homeless youth to achieve housing stability and improve their overall well-being.
Implications for Policy and Practice:
The findings of this study have implications for policy and practice. Policymakers should consider investing in Housing First programs for homeless youth with mental illness. Housing First programs are a cost-effective way to reduce homelessness and improve the lives of vulnerable youth.
Practitioners should consider implementing Housing First programs in their communities. Housing First programs can be implemented in a variety of settings, such as homeless shelters, mental health clinics, and primary care clinics.
Conclusion:
Homelessness is a complex problem with no easy solutions. However, the findings of this study suggest that Housing First is an effective intervention for homeless youth with
mental illness. Policymakers and practitioners should consider investing in Housing First programs to reduce homelessness and improve the lives of vulnerable youth.
Sample Answer
Area of Interest: Homelessness
Research Article: The Effectiveness of Housing First Programs for Homeless Youth with Mental Illness (Byrne et al., 2021)
Purpose of the Study:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Housing First programs for homeless youth with mental illness. Housing First is a type of homelessness intervention that provides homeless people with permanent housing without any preconditions, such as sobriety or abstinence from drugs.