Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice (Nursing)

Full citation of selected article

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Kim, E., Furlong, M., Dowdy, E., & Felix, E. (2014). Exploring the Relative Contributions of the Strength and Distress Components of Dual-Factor Complete Mental Health Screening. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 29(2), 127-140. DOI: 10.1177/0829573514529567

Rückert, H. (2015). Students׳ mental health and psychological counseling in Europe. Mental Health & Prevention, 3(1-2), 34-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.mhp.2015.04.006

Dieser, R., Christenson, J., & Davis-Gage, D. (2014). Integrating flow theory and the serious leisure perspective into mental health counseling. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 28(1), 97-111. DOI: 10.1080/09515070.2014.944883

Laux, J., Calmes, S., Moe, J., Dupuy, P., Cox, J., & Ventura, L. et al. (2018). The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Needs of Mothers in the Criminal Justice System. The Family Journal, 19(3), 291-298. DOI: 10.1177/1066480711405823

Conceptual Framework

Describe the theoretical basis for the study

Universal screening for mental health has been identified as one of the effective methods of identifying and preventing students from emotional-behavioral disorders. During the screening process, clinicians employ a dual-factor mental health approach to identify the positive traits that are essential in cultivating a burgeoning mental health. Identification of the strengths that an individual possesses helps in reducing the severity of the mental health disorders’ symptoms.

University students face numerous psychological problems which are in most cases associated with mental disorders. Changes in mood and suicide have been frequent among university students. There is need for students to be provided with psychological assistance to deal with mental illnesses. It is important to study the common mental disorders that affect students and the counselling approaches that need to be employed.

The flow theory states that individuals can get fully engaged mentally in a physical activity such that they develop a feeling of being energized and enjoy every moment in the course of an activity. Serious leisure perspective on the other hand involve a systematic approach in which individuals engage in an amateur physical activity voluntarily with the aim of acquiring knowledge, skills, and experience. The flow theory and serious leisure perspective can be combined by therapists when offering counselling services to mental health patients. This study provides the role of leisure in therapeutic processes.

Incarcerated mothers require the services of mental health counsellors to recover from the traumatic experiences that they go through in prison. Mental health counsellors help incarcerated mothers to define their senses and enable them to get support systems. To identify the mental health needs of these mothers, mental health counsellors identify their mental health status and the experiences they go through in the justice system.

Design/Method Describe the design

and how the study

was carried out

The study adopted a qualitative research design. It sought to establish how Social Emotional Health Survey (SEHS) and Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) was related to an individual’s Subjective Well-Being (SWB). The researchers controlled the effect of gender on the relationship.

This research utilized a mixed approach to review existing research to identify the mental disorders that are frequently reported by students and the internationally recognized counselling interventions that should be employed. Data was mostly collected from the European Forum of Student Guidance (FEDORA) and Center for Academic Advising

The study adopted a qualitative research design where data was gathered from scholarly publications which relate to mental health counseling. The information collected emphasized the use of flow theory and leisure in mental health counselling.

Mixed-methods design was used in the study. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods in the collection of data. The research employed quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to identify the mental health counselling needs of the incarcerated mothers in need of mental counselling.

Sample/Setting

The number and

characteristics of

patients,

attrition rate, etc.

The initial sample of the study included 123 students all of who had achieved the 10th grade. Two students were eliminated for admitting of being dishonest and three recorded elevated results from the rest. The study used a sample of 118 students who successfully completed the surveys and admitted to have honestly responded to the questions.

The research did not have a study sample because it relied on secondary data which included previous scholarly publications.

The article was a non-explanatory research and only relied on scholarly publications. The research reviewed published research work and provided a meta-analysis of the research.

A study sample of 1,170 mothers was used in the research.

Major Variables Studied

List and define dependent and independent variables

The independent variables were social emotional health survey (SEHS) and behavioral and emotional screening system (BESS), whereas the dependent variable was Subjective well-being (SWB) is affected by SEHS and BESS. Gender was the intervening variable of the study.

This non-experimental research lacks independent and dependent variables because it doesn’t seek to establish a statistical relationship between any variables. The aim of the researchers was to identify the mental disorders among students, counselling services available and the structure of the counselling interventions students get.

The independent variables of the study were the flow theory and serious leisure perspective, whereas the dependent variable of the study was mental health counselling. The study sought to establish the relationship between flow theory, leisure and mental health counselling.

The study had only one study variable which was the mental health needs of incarcerated mothers. The research did not attempt to establish any relationship between variables. These type of studies are referred to as non-experimental studies.

Measurement

Identify primary statistics used to answer clinical questions

Linear regressions was used to establish how strength-based screening improved the prediction of an individual’s SWB.

The researchers did not apply any statistical instruments in the collection of data for the research

The authors did not employ any statistical tools in the research.

The research did not measure the results because the researchers did not seek to establish any relationship by use of statistical tools.

Data Analysis

Statistical or

qualitative

findings

Regression analysis was performed on the study variables and established that SEHS positively correlates with SWB. When SEHS was compared to SWB, r(116)=.57 and p<.01. When BESS was compared to SWB, r(116)= = −.55, and p<.01, whereas between BESS and SEHS, r(116)= −..57 and p<.01. The variance between the variables was insignificant. The changes in the variables showed that β = .38, p < .001, thus SEHS was a better predictor than BESS.

The researchers did not employ any statistical and analytical tools in the research. The researchers conducted a data mining process to extract useful information for the purpose of the research. The study established that there are various mental disorders that students complain about. It was also established that there are several mental health services that are available to students including cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.

The qualitative findings of the study showed that mental health counsellors can incorporate the flow theory and leisure in mental health counselling. Addition of flow-based approaches and serious leisure perspective in counselling helps mental health patients in the recovery process.

The qualitative findings of the study showed that incarcerated mothers require counselling needs to help them recover from traumatic experiences in the justice system. The results were coded through open coding tom make the data make more sense. NVivo data analysis software was used to analyze the data in order to gather useful materials.

Findings and Recommendations

General findings and recommendations of the research

The findings of the study showed that there is a significant correlation between both SEHS and BESS, but SEHS predicted SWB better compared to BESS. However, prediction improved when the two approaches were used together to predict SWB. The study recommends a combination of symptom-based and strength-based approaches to predict mental health disorders among the youth.

The results of the research showed that international students lack a good support system to help them overcome the life stressors they face. About 300-400 university students attend counselling sessions annually. Students get residential psychotherapy as well as peer therapy. The research recommends that learning institutions to identify life stressors in their environment and integrate counselling in school.

The findings of the study showed that mental health counsellors should understand how the flow and leisure would help a patient overcome the symptoms before integrating them into the counselling process. Understanding leisure enables counsellors to understand the type of leisure that is suitable for the patient, either project-based, serious, and causal leisure.

The study finding showed that a majority of women in prison are exposed to trauma, especially domestic trauma and interpersonal trauma. The study established that most incarcerated women do not meet their social and economic needs. They face significant problems both in-prison and during the post-release period.

Appraisal

Describe the general worth of this research to practice. What are the strengths and limitations of study? What are the risks associated with implementation of the suggested practices or processes detailed in the research? What is the feasibility of

use in your practice?

The study provides essential information that is critical in the identification and prevention of mental health disorders. The major strength of the study is that the study relied on primary data and the findings are supported by existing research. The limitations of the study the study sample was small and thus the study findings cannot be generalized. Implementation of the combined approach of screening faces the risk of underutilization especially when used in the first stage of screening where students may be found negative. A combined approach of screening is practical in the field of nursing.

The research is critical in providing information about the prevalence of mental health disorders among students and the counselling interventions available to students. The information would establish the gaps that exist in the treatment of mental health problems. The limitation of the study is that the study findings do not give a global perspective of the mental health problems but only isolated cases from the United States and Europe.

The article provides useful information for the treatment of mental health problems by focusing on the leisure endeavors that would help a patient to create flow and facilitate the recovery process. Counsellors should understand the appropriate leisure activities to be integrated into the counselling process to avoid engaging clients in activities that overwhelm them. However, integrating leisure and flow doesn’t require prior knowledge

The article is essential in identifying the counselling needs of women in prison. The strengths of the study are that the respondents provided information in an area that is not widely researched. The limitations of the study are that it focused on women and doesn’t compare it to males’ prisons. The findings of the study can be generalized because it relied on a large sample. The study is feasible because it revealed that incarcerated women require mental health counselling services.

General Notes/Comments

A combination of symptom-based and strength-based approaches would be most effective when used in the second stage of screening after a mental disorder has been suspected.

Although the study findings show that mental disorders are common among university students, more research is needed to capture information about the other parts of the world.

Integration of leisure and flow can be an effective way of dealing with the problem of mental health disorders.

Women in prison go through traumatic experiences and should be provided with counselling services.

Author and year of selected article

Article #1

Article #2

Article #3

Article #4

Kim et al. (2014)

Rückert (2015).

Dieser et al. (2014)

Laux et al. (2018)

Study Design

Theoretical basis for the study

Kim et al. (2014) applied a qualitative research design in the study. The authors sought to establish the relationship that exists between social emotional health survey, behavioral and emotional screening system, and subjective well-being.

Rückert (2015) provides a meta-analysis of the previous scholarly publications addressing the clinical issue of interest. The author searched relevant articles from popular databases.

Dieser et al. (2014) applied a qualitative research design to analyze data collected from scholarly publications. The authors applied mixed methods to collect data.

The article utilized mixed methods design to collect and analyze study information. The study focused on both quantitative and qualitative data.

Sample/Setting

The number and

characteristics of

patients

Data from a sample of 118 students was analyzed. The study included only students who were above the 10th grade.

The research did not have a study sample because it relied on secondary data to draw inferences.

The research did not have a study sample since it did not rely of primary data.

A sample of 1,170 was used in the study. The respondents were female adults.

Evidence Level *

(I, II, or III)

II

III

III

II

Outcomes

The findings of the study showed that strength-focused approach was a better predictor of an individual’s mental health status. However, the results were even better when both measures were used in the assessment.

The findings of the study revealed that students face traumatic experiences in school. However, there are a number of techniques available in offering mental health counselling.

The article revealed that serious leisure perspective can be successfully integrated with flow in a counselling process to increase the effect of the process to the clients.

The study revealed that incarcerated women face traumatic experiences, and lack the necessary counselling that is required by people struggling with mental illness.

General Notes/Comments

Screening of individuals’ mental health status is critical to ensure mental health disorders are identified early enough and as well prevent mental health problems.

Mental health problems can only be handled in learning institutions through development of effective counselling programs.

The various types of leisure are appropriate for different situations and client characteristics.

Mental health problems are common in most correctional facilities.

Author and year of selected article

Article #1

Article #2

Article #3

Article #4

Kim et al. (2014)

Rückert (2015).

Dieser et al. (2014)

Laux et al. (2018)

Sample/Setting

The number and

characteristics of

patients

Data from a sample of 118 students was analyzed. The study included only students who were above the 10th grade.

The research did not have a study sample because it relied on secondary data to draw inferences.

The research did not have a study sample since it did not rely of primary data.

A sample of 1,170 was used in the study. The respondents were female adults.

Outcomes

The findings of the study showed that strength-focused approach was a better predictor of an individual’s mental health status. However, the results were even better when both measures were used in the assessment.

The findings of the study revealed that students face traumatic experiences in school. However, there are a number of techniques available in offering mental health counselling.

The article revealed that serious leisure perspective can be successfully integrated with flow in a counselling process to increase the effect of the process to the clients.

The study revealed that incarcerated women face traumatic experiences, and lack the necessary counselling that is required by people struggling with mental illness.

Key Findings

Strength-focused approaches were identified to be effective predictors of an individual’s well-being. However, a combination of symptom-focused and strength-focused approaches have identified to be the most effective.

The authors revealed that university students are faced by numerous mental health issues, but there are counselling interventions that have been put in place

The article revealed that serious leisure perspective and flow theory could be used effectively in helping mental health patients during the recovery process.

Laux et al. (2018) established that incarcerated women face numerous traumatic experiences which affect their mental health status. Provision of mental health counselling isn’t sufficient in correction centers and significantly affect them both in prison and after being released.

Appraisal and Study Quality

A combination of SEHS and BESS effectively predict an individual’s well-being in mental health screening. The dual-factor model is critical in the screening of mental health disorders. The study provided sufficient evidence but cannot be generalized due to the small size of the sample.

Evaluation of the study points out that students are faced with traumatic experiences which affect their mental health. The youth is the largest population that is suffering from mental health disorders despite the counselling interventions.

Assessment of the research shows that serious leisure perspective and flow helps recovering patient by helping them select activities that help them develop a flow experience.

Women in prison encounter various challenges which affect their mental status. They need counselling interventions to help them cope with the changes in their life in prison and in the post-release period where they face stigma for the community and family.

General Notes/Comments

Strategies should be put in place to ensure that mental health screening is done early to control and prevent mental health problems.

Counselling is the most effective method of mental health problems and should be readily available in all learning institutions.

Mental health disorders are difficult to treat especially in severe cases. However, a combination of serious leisure perspective and flow can be used to deal with the problem.

Counselling centers should be established in prisons to deal with the rising number of mental health reports in prison.