BY DAY 5

Respond to two of your colleagues’ posts and provide feedback on the following:

· The alignment of the component parts of your colleague’s post

· The quality of the question as a qualitative research question

· Recommendations on how to improve

LARITA

The research purpose of your inquiry

– The purpose of this qualitative research study is to discover the lived experiences of women veterans to understand the impacts of combat on their physical and mental health, and to shed light (identifying coping skills/lived experiences) for future research (treatment seeking and effectiveness) regarding comorbidities of PTSD and SUD. Qualitative research design necessitates criticality, reflexivity, collaboration, and rigor. It involves creating the conditions necessary to critically think through all aspects of the research process. Achieving complexity in understanding people’s lived experiences begins with the way you design your study, and your research questions are central to this (Ravitch, et. al., 2021).

The rationale

– This question can be used to explore the experiences of women veterans with dual diagnosis of PTSD and SUD who have undergone treatment to reduce relapse. The question is open-ended and allows for a detailed exploration of the experiences of these women and can be used to identify factors that contribute to relapse and factors that help prevent relapse. The question can also be used to identify areas where further research is needed. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to identify and explore the lived experiences of women veterans that have been diagnosed with both PTSD and SUD and have undergone treatment to reduce relapse.

Issues of positionality

– Research on the lived experiences of women veterans who have dual diagnosis of PTSD and SUD can help reduce relapse rates and improve the quality of life for these women. The research can help identify the unique challenges faced by women veterans with dual diagnosis and provide insights into how to address these challenges. It can also help identify effective interventions that can be used to reduce relapse rates and improve outcomes for these women. The impact of this research on the community can be significant as it can help improve the overall health and well-being of women veterans with dual diagnosis and their families.

The research question

-The proposed research question is “What are the lived experiences of women veterans with dual diagnosis of PTSD and SUD who have undergone treatment to reduce relapse?”  Women veterans with dual diagnosis of PTSD and SUD experience high rates of relapse. The lived experiences of these women veterans are not well understood. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) often co-occur, with an estimated prevalence of SUD amongst individuals with PTSD of 46% in an epidemiologic study in the United States (Pietrzak, et al, 2011). Studies in patients with SUD have reported rates of current PTSD amongst individuals with SUD of 25 to 34% (Kok, et al, 2013). with the highest rates reported in SUD patients with both alcohol and drug use disorders (Driessen, et al, 2008). This proposed study aims to explore the lived experiences of women veterans with dual diagnosis of PTSD and SUD to identify factors that contribute to the relapse and develop interventions that can reduce relapse rate.

References

Driessen M, Schulte S, Luedecke C, Schaefer I, Sutmann F, Ohlmeier M, et al.2008. Trauma and PTSD in patients with alcohol, drug, or dual dependence: a multi-center study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res;32(3):481–8. 

Kok T, de Haan HA, van der Velden HJW, van der Meer M, Najavits LM, de Jong. 2013. Validation of two screening instruments for PTSD in Dutch substance use disorder inpatients. Addict Behav;38(3):1726-31.

Pietrzak RH, Goldstein RB, Southwick SM, Grant BF. 2011. Prevalence and Axis I comorbidity of full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: results from wave two of the National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol and related conditions. J Anxiety   Disord;25(3):456–65. 

Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2021). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological (2nd ed.) Sage Publications

AARON

The Research Purpose of My Inquiry 

            My potential study involves exploring the experiences of Alaska Native single mothers pursuing self-sufficiency who are participating in a tribal TANF program. The purpose of the qualitative study is to explore the experiences of Alaska Native single mothers pursuing self-sufficiency and are participating in a tribal TANF program, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face in achieving independence from cash assistance. Furthermore, this research aims to highlight the perspectives of these single mothers, ensuring their unique experiences are acknowledged and considered in future program development and policy formulation.

The Rationale

            When addressing the rationale for a study, it is key to articulate the stance as to why the study is relevant and important (Ravitch & Carl, 2019). The rationale for this research lies in addressing an underserved and marginalized population, ensuring their unique needs are acknowledged through research and informing policymaking. Understanding their challenges, obstacles, and successes can improve the effectiveness of TANF programs, making them more culturally sensitive and responsive to the distinct values of Alaska Native communities. Ultimately, empowering these mothers to achieve self-sufficiency benefits not only them but also their families and community. This research aims to offer insight into their experiences, inform programs, and support the journey towards independence from cash assistance. 

Issues of Positionality 

            Positionality refers to the researcher’s background, beliefs, and relationship that can influence the study and impact interpretations of findings (Ravitch & Carl, 2019). One issue of positionality could be the lack of cultural competency as it pertains to Alaska Native culture. Another issue of positionality is that in my former role, I provided case management services to families participating in tribal TANF. 

The Research Question 

            What are the experiences and perceptions of Alaska Native single mothers participating in a Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in Southeast Alaska as the they strive to achieve self-sufficiency?

References

Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2019). Qualitative Research: Bridging the Conceptual, Theoretical, and Methodological (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.