BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 3, WEEK 4, AND WEEK 5

Respond to four of your peers, suggesting another possible framework for their study. 
Respond again to check in with your cohort by asking a question, sharing an experience, responding to someone else, or adding helpful links and resources.

SOPHIA

Summarize your research problem.

The absence of reasonably priced housing options for employees in the food service business is a problem characterized by the need for more affordable housing options. Low wages, high living expenses, a shortage of inexpensive homes, and a general lack of affordable rental properties are the root causes. Many people in the food service industry find it difficult to obtain housing that fits within their budget, which causes housing instability, overcrowding, long commutes, and occasionally even homelessness. To address this issue, it may be necessary to make extensive efforts to raise wages, build affordable housing, and put rules in place that prioritize low-income food service employees’ housing requirements.

Identify and define two theories that might provide a framework, OR two variations of a conceptual framework, OR one theory and one conceptual framework that may be used in your study.

Social Capital Theory: Social capital theory focuses on the idea that social networks and relationships contribute to developing resources and opportunities within a community.

Human Rights Approach: The human rights approach frames housing as a fundamental human right, emphasizing the responsibility of governments and societies to ensure access to adequate housing for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status. 

Explain how both of your chosen theories or conceptual frameworks could work in your study.

Social Capital Theory

In the context of affordable housing for food service workers, this theory suggests that creating strong social networks and collaborations can help establish housing solutions. Definition: Social capital refers to individuals’ social connections, networks, and relationships within a community. These connections can provide access to various support, information, and resources to address challenges like affordable housing.

Human Rights Approach

Applying this approach to food service workers would involve advocating for policies and practices that uphold their right to affordable and decent housing. Definition: The human rights approach to housing asserts that everyone has the right to live in safe, secure, and affordable housing. This approach places the responsibility on governments and institutions to create policies and mechanisms that ensure the fulfillment of this right. Application to Affordable Housing for Food Service Workers: Implementing the human rights approach involves advocating for policy changes prioritizing affordable housing for food service workers. This could include rent control measures, zoning regulations encouraging affordable housing development, and subsidies targeting low-income individuals. Additionally, this approach calls for addressing systemic issues that contribute to housing inequality, such as income disparities and discrimination.

Explain how once you choose a framework it will influence the entire study.

Application to Affordable Housing for Food Service Workers: To implement social capital theory, community organizations, local governments, and non-profit groups can create platforms where food service workers can connect, share information, and collaborate. For instance, creating housing cooperatives or support networks can allow workers to pool resources and collectively address their housing needs. These networks can also facilitate access to information about available affordable housing options, government programs, and financial assistance. Advocacy groups can raise awareness about the housing challenges that food service workers face and work to influence policy changes that promote their right to adequate housing. By applying these theories, policymakers, community organizations, and advocates can create comprehensive frameworks to address the affordable housing needs of food service workers, ultimately improving their quality of life and well-being.

Reference

United Nations Sustainable Development Group (n.d.). Principle One: Human Rights-Based Approach. Unsdg.un.org. https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/human-rights-based-approach#:~:text=The%20human%20rights%2Dbased%20approach,promoting%20and%20protecting%20human%20rights.

CARRIE

  Research Problem

The research problem that will be solved by the study is assessing the experiences of suicidal teens in rural areas have with access to telemedicine. Rural areas have challenges accessing health services due to the limited hospitals, caregivers, and literacy levels of community members. Suicide is among the top two leading causes of death among teenagers and young adults, with the rates expected to rise after the COVID-19 pandemic (Wasserman et al., 2020). Mongelli et al. (2020) report that poor communities, minority tribes, and underserved communities lack access to quality health services.  Therefore, teenagers in rural areas are at a greater risk of committing suicide and lacking proper health services. The study will assess the experiences and challenges that suicidal teens in rural areas may face with accessing telemedicine.

                                                                                          Theories To Provide a Framework

The two theories that will provide a robust conceptual framework are the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Socio-ecological Model (SEM). The TPB postulates that an individual’s behavior and reaction to a certain situation is influenced by their attitude and subjective to the influence of social pressure. Telemedicine being an integration of technology into healthcare, the theory will help understand the teen’s attitudes, social pressure, and perceptions to influence their health-seeking behavior using telemedicine (Hossain et al., 2021). On the other hand, the SEM is a conceptual framework that evaluates the impact several levels of the environment have on an individual’s behavior. Caperon et al. (2022) highlight that the SEM provides a multilevel lens for understanding human behavior by acknowledging the impact of societal beliefs.

                                                                                           Chosen Theories in My Study

The TPB will assist my study in developing interview questionnaires and survey instruments for assessing the teen’s attitudes, societal pressure, and perceived beliefs and barriers to using telemedicine (Hossain et al., 2021). Information gathered from the various aspects will provide the researcher with insight into the psychological determinants influencing the utility of telemedicine. On the other hand, the SEM will provide a holistic view of the societal barriers promoting success as well as hindering the utility of telemedicine. Using the SEM, I will develop the study design.

                                                                                         Influence of The Theory On My Study

The choice of theory to use for my study will influence my study design and form of data analysis. Using the TPB, my method of study will be a survey to assess the various factors affecting telemedicine while the SEM will have a mixed method study approach to factor the different ecological levels. Additionally, the choice will influence the formulations of recommendations and impacts of the various perceived beliefs.

References

Caperon, L., Saville, F., & Ahern, S. (2022). Developing a socio-ecological model for community engagement in a health program in an underserved urban area. 
PloS one, 
17(9), e0275092. 

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275092Links to an external site.

Hossain, M. B., Alam, M. Z., Islam, M. S., Sultan, S., Faysal, M. M., Rima, S., … & Mamun, A. A. (2021). Health belief model, theory of planned behavior, or psychological antecedents: What predicts COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy better among Bangladeshi adults? 
Frontiers in public health, 
9, 711066. 

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.711066Links to an external site.

Mongelli, F., Georgakopoulos, P., & Pato, M. T. (2020). Challenges and opportunities to meet the mental health needs of underserved and disenfranchised populations in the United States. 
Focus, 
18(1), 16-24.

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20190028Links to an external site.

Wasserman, D., Iosue, M., Wuestefeld, A., & Carli, V. (2020). Adaptation of evidence‐based suicide prevention strategies during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic. 
World psychiatry, 
19(3), 294-306. 

https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20801Links to an external site.

SHELLON

Summarize your research problem.

According to Steger (2016), meaning is described in the literature as a combination of emotional, cognitive, existential, and motivational factors that allow survivors to make sense of the trauma and feel fulfilled. Due to the lack of ethnic representativeness in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities about the meaning-making mechanisms experienced by women survivors of CSA (Van Der Westhuizen, 2023), my research problem will focus on exploring Caribbean women survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) and meaning-making mechanisms that CSA survivors experience.

Identify and define two theories that might provide a framework, OR two variations of a conceptual framework, OR one theory and one conceptual framework that may be used in your study.

The first theory that might provide a framework for my study is Resilience Theory. Resilience Theory looks for the strengths of individuals and identifies available resources for the individuals that would help create solutions (Hirschi, 2002). The second theory would be the General System theory because this theory looks at patterns to explain the behavior of people as well as details and relationships that are common (Walden University, 2020a).

Explain how both of your chosen theories or conceptual frameworks could work in your study.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a complex problem, and researchers have become increasingly aware of the prevalence of CSA among females (Van Der Westhuizen, 2023). With this said, the Resilience Theory and the General System Theory will provide a lens to how human behavior and the complexity of CSA produce ripple effects in the lives of the survivors and those close to them. And how meaning-making plays a significant role in promoting resilience in the lives of women survivors of CSA.

Explain how once you choose a framework it will influence the entire study.

Once I’ve chosen a framework, using it would help drive the entire study because the study may inform treatment and practice by assisting professionals working with women survivors of CSA (such as social workers and psychologists) or those conducting intervention programs to focus on specific treatment needs and aiding in finding positive meaning in the aftermath of the traumatic ordeal, encouraging the journey of recovery.  

References:

Hirschi, T. (2002). 
Control theoriesLinks to an external site.
Links to an external site.
. In D. Levinson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of crime and punishment (Vol. 1, pp. 312–315). SAGE. 
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412950664.n82
Links to an external site.
.

Steger, M. F. (2016). Creating meaning and purpose at work. In L. G. Oades, M. F. Steger, A. Delle Fave, & J. Passmore (Eds.), The Wiley Blackwell handbook of the psychology of positivity and strengths-based approaches at work (pp. 60–81). Wiley & Sons Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118977620.ch5.

Van Der Westhuizen, M., Walker-Williams, H. J., & Fouché, A. (2023). Meaning Making Mechanisms in Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Scoping Review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(3), 1363–1386. 
https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211066100
Links to an external site.

Walden University. (2020a). 

Carousel of theoriesLinks to an external site.
Links to an external site.

 [Interactive media]. Walden University Blackboard. https://class.waldenu.edu

LINDA

Framework Application

       The research problem addressed in the study based on “An Exploration of the Psychosocial and Clinical Factors Influencing the Health-Seeking Behaviors and Decision-Making Processes of Elderly African American Males Regarding Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening and Therapy” focuses on understanding the complex factors that influence healthcare-seeking behaviors and decision-making processes among elderly African American males (AAMs), specifically concerning prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and therapy. The research problem is significant due to the disproportionate impact of prostate cancer on AAMs and the need to uncover the underlying psychosocial and clinical determinants driving their healthcare decisions.

       Two theoretical frameworks applied to this study are the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) (Bandura, 1986; Bandura, 2005). The HBM posits that individuals’ health behaviors are influenced by their perceptions of the severity of a health issue, their susceptibility to it, the benefits of taking action, and the barriers to action. In the context of PSA screening and therapy, the theory can help explain how elderly AAMs’ perceptions of prostate cancer’s severity, susceptibility, and effectiveness of screening and treatment shape their healthcare decisions.

       On the other hand, the Social Cognitive Theory 1986, rooted in Albert Bandura’s 1960s work, emphasizes the role of observational learning, self-efficacy, and social influences in shaping health behaviors. The theory can be applied to examine how the target populations’ healthcare decisions are influenced by observing others in their community, their confidence (self-efficacy) in managing prostate health, and the impact of social support and cultural norms on their actions (Schwarzer, 1992).

       Both theories provide valuable lenses for understanding the factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviors and decision-making among this population. The HBM focuses on individual perceptions and beliefs, while the SCT extends the analysis to social and environmental influences. Depending on the specific research questions and objectives, researchers can choose one of these theories or integrate elements from both into a conceptual framework (Bandura, 1986).

       The choice of a theoretical framework will significantly influence the study’s design, data collection methods, and data analysis (Lincoln and Guba, 1994). For instance, if the HBM is chosen, survey instruments may be designed to measure participants’ perceptions of prostate cancer severity, susceptibility, and the benefits of screening. If the SCT is incorporated, qualitative interviews may be conducted to explore the role of observational learning and social support in decision-making. The framework will also guide the interpretation of findings and the development of interventions or recommendations to improve healthcare decision-making in this population. In essence, the chosen framework will provide the overarching structure that shapes the entire study, from inception to conclusion.

Reference

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Bandura A. (2005). The evolution of social cognitive theory. In K. G. Smith & M. A. Hitt (Eds.), Great minds in management (pp. 9-35). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Guba, E. G., Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In Denzin, N. K., Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105–117). London, England: Sage.

Schwarzer, R. (Ed.). (1992). Self-efficacy: Thought control of action. Washington, DC: Hemisphere.Self-efficacy: Thought control of action. Washington, DC: Hemisphere.