BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT 1
Benchmark Research Proposal
Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Liberty University
Author Note
Benchmark Research Proposal Assignment
What is the problem statement (gap identified in the literature) this research addresses?
Most children will have anxiety throughout their development in life during acceptance and
performance expectations (DeGangi, 2017). Children can experience most anxiety because they
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT 2
worry about fitting in with their peers, not being prepared or completing school assignments, and
worry about not achieving their goals in life and academics. However, children can get support
by seeking help from a counselor who will address any issues they’re having dealt with the
different anxiety levels. According to DeGangi (2017), the research must consider how effective
counseling techniques contribute to multiple anxiety disorders for children.
What is the purpose of the research proposal (how this study fills the gap)? The research
proposal aims to analyze how anxiety disorder affects children's development. The research
states that various things and causes affect the outcome of children who will or have struggled
with severe anxieties, and this research can address concerns for children and their loved ones
(DeGangi, 2017). From this proposal, future research can explore other treatments and
interventions that can help children to be able to control their behaviors and emotions that will
cause them anxiety.
What is (are) the research question(s)? Why is this research question important? The
research question states: How can Black American families use cognitive-behavioral techniques
like self-evaluation to help support children who suffer from anxiety disorders? This research
question is crucial because it focuses on how multiple risk factors like poverty, adverse life
events, and community violence contribute to anxiety amongst Black Americans (Washington et
al., 2017). These factors come from stereotypes that traumatized and labeled them through racial
discrimination. Also, home environments and parenting practices that promote positivity are not
healthy for a child’s well-being. So, this research questions explore positive family factors that
can play a protective role for Black American children.
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What research design will help answer your questions and why? I would use a descriptive
field design to help me answer my questions. After all, I will observe the change of behaviors
and personalities of children whose demographic has experiences anxiety disorders.
Will your research produce qualitative or quantitative data? My research will be qualitative
data to give a broad picture of the relationships among more significant participants' common
interests. (Hepner el. alt. 2016).
If quantitative:
What is the researcher’s hypothesis? If families practice positive parenting practices and
establish a healthy home environment, children can develop a sense of connection and feel
protective in the background. If children gain more confidence in What is the null hypothesis?
themselves, they can control their behaviors and emotions associated with their anxiety
(DeGangi, 2017).
What variables are you planning to explore? I will explain the dynamic and independent
variables of cognitive-behavioral therapy and the variables of anxiety symptoms.
Considering the chosen strategy of inquiry, what is one way you can enhance
trustworthiness of the data? To ensure the credibility of my data and the dependability of the
data. I can also challenge the children to express their denial of traumatic experiences that will
help them address their issues of why they have negative behavior that can affect their mindset.
This will help the child think of solutions, be accountable, and monitor the behavior and promote
growth.
How will this research investigation contribute to the field of counseling? Within the
counseling process, children should self-evaluate how their experiences have impacted their
wellbeing and use methods that influence positive change. Incorporating solutions-focused
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therapy and choice and reality therapy can help children think about what they have control of in
their lives compared to what is out of their control (DeGangi, 2017). Solution-focused therapy
reduces clients' resistance to motivate them to address concerns and issues to come up with
coping solutions (Hsu et al. t., 2021). Choice Therapy will allow children to make realistic
choices that will benefit their behaviors and decrease high anxiety levels.
Biblical Integration
BENCHMARK RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT 5
One biblical scripture related to the research of anxiety in Black American children is
Philippians chapter 4 verses 6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses
all understanding will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.
Children who suffer from high anxiety tend to lose hope in change because risk factors like
poverty, abuse, and neglect can prevent positive change. God’s solution to stress and anxiety is
his peace standing on our minds and hearts. Children’s worries keep them from expressing their
true feelings because they fear being a burden. Children who worry should silence their pain by
releasing their problems to God, asking him for reasonings behind their suffering. As a
counselor, motivating children to open to God can help them seek insight into the future and
positive outcomes that can successfully impact their development. God’s grace will give grace,
but for children, God sees them as the most innocent as they continue to learn more about
themselves and the world around them. So, they feel vulnerable when they have experienced
trauma and hurt. God always wants humans to understand that there is always a way to gain
confidence in yourself to change the narrative of past experiences to create positive futures
throughout our worries. One implication is that students identify feeling words and how they
experience them (Thompson et, 2013). According to Thompson, communicating how one feels
allows individuals to address problems that affect their wellbeing (2013). I can relate this to the
biblical scripture of Philippians chapter 4verses 6-7 because children’s emotions can create a
positive or negative atmosphere for them.
References
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DeGangi, G.A. (2017). Chapter 3 - Anxiety Disorders: How to Calm the Anxiety Cycle and
Build Self-Confidence. Pediatric Disorders of Regulation in Affect and Behavior (Second
Edition). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar+ticle/pii/B9780128104231000039)
Doherty-Torstrick, E.R; Walton, K.E; Fallon, B.A (2016). Cyberchondria: Parsing Health
Anxiety From Online Behavior. Psychosomatics,Volume 57, Issue 4. Pages 390-400, ISSN
0033- 3182, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psym.2016.02.002.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(original work published 1769). Philippians Chapter 4
Thompson, E. H., Robertson, P., PhD., Curtis, R., PhD., & Frick, M. H., PhD. (2013).
STUDENTS WITH ANXIETY: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
COUNSELORS. Professional School Counseling, 16(4), 222-234.
Washington, T., Rose, T., Coard, S. I., Patton, D. U., Young, S., Giles, S., & Nolen, M. (2017).
Family-Level Factors, Depression, and Anxiety Among African American Children: A
Systematic Review. Child & Youth Care Forum, 46(1), 137-156.
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1007/s10566-016-9372-z
