Relationship Among Self-Esteem, Stress, Coping, Eating Behavior,

¶ … Relationship Among Self-Esteem, Stress, Coping, Eating Behavior, and Depressive Mood in Adolescents

What is the research problem? Is the problem statement easy to locate and is it clearly stated? Does the problem statement build a cogent and persuasive argument for the new study?

The research problem explores the relationship between coping strategies, emotional problems and the tendency to overeat in adolescence. The problem statement is easy to identify and is contained in a properly labeled separate section located at the beginning of the study. The problem statement uses statistical data about the need to control obesity and adolescents as the key persuasive argument for the study.

Does the problem have significance for nursing? How might the research contribute to nursing practice, administration, education, or policy?

The study has significance for the nursing profession due to the health related problems that are caused by obesity. The problems do not end with overweight adolescents and the research indicates that overweight adolescents tend to grow into overweight adults. As adults the person is more likely to develop diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other problems that could be prevented if the psychosocial problems that led to the obesity are resolved during the adolescent years. Finding a way to prevent adult diseases through behavioral change is the primary goal of the research study.

The study has implications in all areas of nursing including practice, administration, education, and policy. The problem that is approached by the research will help in the development of educational programs to help curb obesity in adolescence. Administration will be affected by the research as they develop programs and policies within the organization for helping adolescent teens. In practice, the nurse can help to spot and manage individual adolescents that are at risk for obesity during their adult years.

3) Is there a good fit between the research problem and the paradigm within the research that was conducted?

The research problem is preventive in nature and focused on behavioral modification and the development of adequate coping mechanisms for teens with emotional issues. The research was based on the paradigm that teens who lack adequate social supports will engage in avoidant coping mechanisms, which can lead to overheating and obesity. The program was based on the idea that providing adequate social support for teens would result in more effective coping strategies for stress. The paradigm is in alignment with the research problem, in that it will result in specific actions that provide solutions to the primary research problem.

4) Does the report formally present a statement of purpose, research question and/or hypothesis? Is this information communicated clearly and concisely, and is it placed in a logical and useful location?

The research contains specific research questions and hypothesis sections. Both of the sections were stated in a concise and clear manner that clearly related to the research problem stated earlier. They were placed directly after the problem statement, which is to traditional location for the sections.

5). Are the purpose statements or questions worded appropriately? For example are key concepts/variables identified and the population of interest specified? Are verbs used appropriately to suggest the nature of research tradition?

The purpose statements and questions were worded appropriately and that they provided clarity as to the need for this study. They supported the intended research and how it would solve the problems that were identified. Verbs were used appropriately and the language chosen was consistent with that of the research tradition. They clearly identified the population for the research study, but identification of research variables was inadequate. The concepts behind the design use standard empirical methods. The presence of comorbid conditions within the teens and other confounding variables was not adequately addressed. The research needs to provide a contingency for addressing confounding variables. Addressing these issues would make the research much stronger.

6) If there is no formal hypothesis, is the absence justified? Are statistical test used in analyzing the data despite the absence of stated hypothesis?

The research does have a formal hypothesis and statistical analysis was used to prove or disprove the hypothesis. The statistical methods chosen were descriptive and correlational analysis. Statistical methods to support the validity of the findings were used. Sufficient statistical support exists for the results of the research study to be considered valid and reliable.

7) Do hypothesis (if any) flow from a theory or previous research? Is there a justifiable basis for the predictions? '

The hypothesis for the research study is based on previous research, rather than theoretical constructs. The hypothesis is based on statistics that suggest that overeating and obesity and adolescents is connected to their emotional state. The hypothesis is justifiable based on the literature review and previous research findings by other authors. Previous research suggests that overeating and obesity are connected to self-esteem. The author included theories regarding emotional difficulties and its affect on self-esteem. Previous research suggests a strong connection among all of the areas that the author linked through the research hypothesis.

8) Are hypothesis (if any) properly worded- do they state a predicted relationship between 2 or more variables Are they directional or non-directional, and is there a rationale for how they were stated? Are they presented as research or as a null hypothesis?

The hypothesis is directional and proposes that the factors of low self-esteem, increased stress, and decreased social support will lead to avoidance mechanisms of coping. The hypothesis further goes on to suggest that avoidance coping as result of these factors would lead to a unavoidance of healthy eating and depressed moods. This hypothesis statement has several problems. The first is that it has a fallacy of association. A hypothesis should state one single idea, not that, "this leads to that and then that further leads to another thing." That is to infer that the first condition directly leads to the first thing and to the second thing. Aside from being confusing in its wording, this creates a hypothesis within a hypothesis.

The term, "unavoidance of healthy eating" is confusing. It would be better to say "unhealthy eating habits." In addition, unhealthy eating habits and depressed moods are not always comorbid conditions. It would have been more accurate to say, "and/or" depressed moods. The term "depressive" is used incorrectly and should read "depressed" to be grammatically correct. At the beginning of the hypothesis, we have the same problem with lumping self-esteem, increased stress, and decreased social support. These are not always conditions that will exist concurrently in this study population. In addition, hypotheses are predictive and should avoid using subjective wording such as "would."