Problem
Topic
For my topic on substance abuse, depression associated with mental illness, drug abuse. I am interested in researching the cognitive psychology, specifically how different types of mental illness can impact cognitive development. Depression is a mental illness that is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. (Arango, C., Díaz-Caneja, C. M., McGorry, P. D., Rapoport, J., Sommer, I. E., Vorstman, J. A., ... & Carpenter, W. (2018). Preventive strategies for mental health. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(7), 591-604. There is a strong link between substance abuse and depression. People who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to suffer from depression, and people who are depressed are more likely to turn to substance abuse to cope with their feelings. This is because drugs and alcohol can temporarily relieve the symptoms of depression, but in the long run they make the condition worse.
Substance abuse and depression often go together because they both involve a loss of control. When someone is depressed, they may feel like they have no control over their emotions or their life. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness, and the belief that nothing will ever get better. Drinking or using drugs can give a person a temporary sense of control, which can lead to more drug use as they try to escape their feelings of depression. The cycle of substance abuse and depression can be difficult to break. Once someone starts using drugs or alcohol to cope with their depression, it can be hard to stop. The substances may become more and more important as they try to numb their pain, and the depression may become more severe as they lose control of their substance use. This can "create a" spiral of addiction and mental illness that is difficult to escape. (Kuerbis, A. 2020). If we can understand how the two conditions interact, we can develop more targeted and effective treatments. And finally, understanding the link between substance abuse and depression can help to reduce the stigma around mental illness. It is also interested in how mental illness can impact cognitive development.
Hypothesis
The theory is appropriate considering the literature examined in that it demonstrates how closely drug addiction and depression are related. It also explains why people who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to experience depression and why those who experience depression are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol to treat their symptoms.
The theory also makes sense within the context of the literature since it clarifies how difficult it may be to escape the vicious cycle of hopelessness and drug abuse. Article that is significant is by John R. Weisz and is titled "The Impact of Substance Abuse on Cognitive Development." Investigates how drug abuse may affect a person's cognitive growth. It explains how drugs like alcohol and the stress and solitude associated with substance addiction can either cause depression or exacerbate it if it already exists. Narcotics may cause changes in the brain that contribute to sadness. examine how drug addiction and depression are closely related. It explains why individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to experience depression and why those who experience depression are more likely to abuse alcohol or medications to treat their symptoms. Arango, C., Dáz-Caneja, C. M., McGorry, P. D., Rapoport, J., Sommer, I. E., Vorstman, J. A., et al (2018),discusses how hard it may be to break out from the vicious cycle of hopelessness and drug abuse.
Methodology
A mixed-methods study design that combines qualitative and quantitative techniques has been chosen by me. This kind of research design, in my opinion, is suitable for my study since it will let me get information from many sources, such as surveys, interviews, and observations. This will enable me to have a comprehensive grasp of the problem at hand. Additionally, by triangulating my data utilizing many sources, employing a mixed-methods approach will enable me to assure the accuracy and dependability of my results.
Individuals with a history of substance misuse will participate as research participants in my study depression. I will choose these individuals using several techniques, such as word-of-mouth and advertising in regional newspapers and online. I'm planning on having 30 volunteers in total for my study.
Data collection
I. Sampling Frame The sampling frame is a list of all the members of the population you wish to examine. For example, you might wish to examine single moms between the ages of 18 and 24 who make less than $40,000 a year.
II. Instrument Identify the instrument you will use to gather data. You might use a standardized test to gather information on personality, or you might use a survey, or you might use a physiological recording device (like an EEG) to record brain activity. Also discuss how the data collected will address your hypothesis.
III. Protection of Participants Explain the steps you will take to protect the participants. For example, who will have access to the data? Where/how will the data be stored? Will the participants suffer any adverse effects from the procedures of the experiment? Will they be anonymous?