Critique of empirical research article presentation

¶ … post traumatic stress disorder has been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because of shifts in conventional thinking about the lasting impact it is having on everyone. In the case of children, they are increasingly vulnerable from how they are interpreting past events and the way it affects their ability to deal with a variety of issues. These challenges are particularly complex, as they will make it more difficult for them to learn the best techniques for socially interacting with others. (Dorrepaal, 2012)

In the article, Stabilizing Group Treatment for Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Related to Child Abuse Based on Psycho Education and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial, Dorrepaal (2012) is seeking to understand these difficulties. This is achieved by conducting a psychological and behavioral analysis of these variables. To fully understand its findings and conclusions requires completing a review of key ideas. Together, these elements will offer specific insights. As to the how these factors are impacting children and the way they adapt to the world around them. (Dorrepaal, 2012)

Overall Topic

The overall topic of the research is concentrating on the effects of post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) on children from psychological and behavioral perspective. This is something that is helpful for social workers by assisting them in understanding the lingering effects of various incidents in the life of child. The different ways that this assists them is to provide better comprehension about how issues (such as: abuse) will influence the way they react to those around them. This enables the social worker to relate to these challenges and to seek out assistance. That will help the child to effectively address the root causes of their PTSD. At the same time, it ensures that everyone understands specific factors which are influencing the child's behavior. This reduces any kind of issues related to social deviance or lashing out from the experiences they went through. (Dorrepaal, 2012)

Research Questions

The primary research question is focusing on building off of previous findings from other studies. That is showing the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in addressing PTSD. There are no secondary research questions. The type of research actuaries are using is the descriptive model. This is when a population sample is collected and independent results are collected to determine the impact of the condition on different types of children. They are representative of various demographics of society. There is a hypothesis which is stated. It is theorizing that additional techniques utilized, in dealing with these problems, will improve the social worker's ability to prevent deviances. (Dorrepaal, 2012)

Literature Review

The literature is easy to understand and it is providing a way of seeing how these factors are impacting children. This establishes a background for the study and it enables actuaries to use the conclusions as a foundation to build off of. The assumptions were clearly articulated and the various studies are supporting the hypothesis which is presented. (Dorrepaal, 2012)

Methodology

The basic sampling method that was used is quota approach. This is when there is a focus on selecting individuals who are exhibiting these characteristics within various mental health institutions. These are probability techniques. They provide clearer insights as to how participants were selected and screened based upon these variables. The time frame of the project was conducted over a period of seven months. It was obtained through recommendations made by mental health professionals. The bias stated in the article, is that all participants were known to have some form of PTSD in varying degrees. The unstated biases are that each person has some kind of social problems and were forced to go through added amounts of therapy to address them. A large segment was selected from different gender groups, ethnic and racial backgrounds. In general, the study results are concentrating on understanding specific factors impacting the population sample. It is based upon the challenges impacting everyone and the way they are adjusting with them. (Dorrepaal, 2012) (Goodard, 2004) (Litwin, 1995)

The design of the study was clearly articulated. A randomized controlled sample was used. This achieved through concentrating on a number of factors in each module. The most notable are demonstrated in the below diagram:

Safe sleep

Disassociation

The correct recognition of emotions Skills

Crisis management

Anger management Assertiveness Distrust Guilt

This is strong design for the research. It improves internal validity by illustrating how these factors are related to one another. The potential threats are that respondents could tell researchers what they want to hear and not offer any kind of substance. The strengths of this design are it is examining different causes of the problem. The weaknesses are a lack of having a broader sample and more time to work with subjects. (Dorrepaal, 2012) (Goodard, 2004) (Litwin, 1995)

The independent variables are those respondents, who received lower amounts of therapy and supervision. Whereas, the dependent variables, are concentrating on how participants are reacting based upon increased levels of counseling and discussions. The values were designed around the responses of the person and how their reactions shifted. The information provided conclusions about the reliability of data. Through demonstrating the responses participants had to the various forms of therapy. This is based upon the different kinds of protocols that were utilized with each module. (Dorrepaal, 2012) (Goodard, 2004) (Litwin, 1995)

Ethical Issues

The biggest ethical issues are concerned about the lasting impacts of the shifting forms of therapy on different groups. This is problematic, as it could help one group of children more than others. (Dorrepaal, 2012) (Goodard, 2004) (Litwin, 1995)