psych final draft
Mishawn6Attachments below need 15 pages
10 months ago
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files (2)Instructions.docx
MML.docx
Instructions.docx
Final Paper:
Each student will produce a final paper due during Week 11 of the term, on a topic pre-approved by Week 4. In general, the paper must relate to a discussion, topic, issue, or theory that we covered in class or read about in the text. The paper is a challenging assignment, but the step-by-step requirements are organized so that you can get the feedback you need to get a good grade, and so that you will be unable to procrastinate but will instead begin working on it early in the quarter and continue to progress throughout the quarter.
Papers are required to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the current state of the research in your chosen topic. A broad, general paper about basic areas of forensic psychology is not adequate. Rather, it must address a specific issue that is currently being developed or investigated in this field. For example: "The Death Penalty" (inadequate); "Changes in the Admissibility of Expert Testimony Since Daubert" (excellent).
A superior paper demonstrates breadth and depth of knowledge, and critical thinking appropriate for doctoral-level scholarship. The paper must follow APA Publication Manual guidelines and be free of typographical, spelling, and grammatical errors. I expect a minimum of 18/maximum of 25 pages of text, not counting title page, abstract, or references.
References: You must support every statement made in a scholarly research paper with a reference. Be very cautious when stating your opinion or using terms suggesting absolute facts or values, as these MUST be supported by references. Note that textbooks, including our course text, are composed of information from many other sources (see the reference section in our assigned textbook). With this in mind, I expect an adequate number of appropriate references. A good "rule of thumb" would be to include approximately three pages or more of references in APA style.
Please note that you are to use primary sources. Peer-reviewed journal articles should make up the bulk of your references (90%). If referring to a book, be sure to include all information in APA style, including specific page numbers. Note that an article referred to in a book is a secondary source. More on this topic is available in the APA Publication Manual and in the Walden Writing CenterLinks to an external site.. Also see "Policies on Academic Honesty" in the Syllabus, Part II, Walden University Policies and Information. Plagiarism, including slightly-paraphrased material when the citation is correct, will not be tolerated.
MML.docx
2
How Limited Resources Affect Mental Health
Michelle Lynn
Walden University
HUMN 6912
Instructor Millimen
8/8/2025
How Limited Resources Affect Mental Health
Mental health refers to an individual's emotional, psychological, and social well-being, shaping how people think, feel, and behave daily. It is crucial for stress management, connection building, and decision-making. However, when critical resources—such as safe housing, nutritious food, accessible healthcare, quality education, and supportive communities—are lacking, mental health often declines. These shortcomings may cause stress, neglect, and isolation, eroding mental stability and resilience
Housing Instability and Mental Health
Lack of stable housing fosters constant insecurity, anxiety, and fear. Homelessness interrupts habit, exposes people to risky situations, and causes insomnia, depression, and helplessness. Research has linked housing instability to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and other serious mental health concerns (Barry et al., 2024). Without a secure, private location to recuperate, trauma processing is more difficult, and instability worsens symptoms.
Limited Access to Healthcare
Access to mental health care is essential for early diagnosis and treatment. Without insurance or limited income, many delay or avoid treatment, letting illnesses worsen (Modi et al., 2022). Rural and underserved communities face additional challenges due to shortages of mental health professionals (Conroy et al., 2020). Healthcare disparities increase hospitalizations, untreated diseases, and suicide risk, emphasizing the need for fair access to excellent treatment.
Food Insecurity and Mental Health
Consistent access to nutritious food is vital for maintaining emotional balance and cognitive functioning. Poor nutrition may cause irritation, weariness, and reduced mental clarity. Fear of food shortages increases stress and sadness (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Food insecurity may impede emotional and cognitive development in children, developing vulnerabilities that may affect mental health as adults.
Educational and Economic Inequities
Quality education opens doors to employment opportunities, yet access is often limited in low-resource settings. Poor opportunities promote poverty, causing financial stress and mental instability. Without proper education, people may not know how to get mental health treatments (Adely et al., 2021). This lack of awareness and economic hardship deepens disparities and perpetuates disadvantage.
Social Isolation and Lack of Support
Strong social connections are a protective factor for mental well-being. In low-resource areas, supporting partnerships and community networks is rare. Social isolation can lead to loneliness, hopelessness, and emotional detachment. Mental illness stigma hinders help-seeking. Many underprivileged communities lack outreach initiatives or culturally suitable services (Kaihlanen et al., 2022), worsening the isolation's psychological effects.
Conclusion
When basic human needs are unmet, mental health suffers profoundly—housing instability, food insecurity, healthcare inequalities, educational inequalities, and social isolation cause psychological discomfort. Policies and community activities must provide fair access to necessary resources to bridge these disparities. By addressing these requirements, cultures may reduce emotional stress, build resilience, and improve mental health.
References
Adely, F. I. J., Mitra, A., Mohamed, M., & Shaham, A. (2021). Poor education, unemployment, and the promise of skills: The hegemony of the "skills mismatch" discourse. International Journal of Educational Development, 82, 102381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102381
Conroy, J., Lin, L., & Ghaness, A. (2020, July 1). Why People Are Not Getting the Care They Need. Apa.org; American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/07/datapoint-care
Kaihlanen, A.-M., Virtanen, L., Buchert, U., Safarov, N., Valkonen, P., Hietapakka, L., Hörhammer, I., Kujala, S., Kouvonen, A., & Heponiemi, T. (2022). Towards digital health equity - a qualitative study of the challenges experienced by vulnerable groups in using digital health services in the COVID-19 era. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07584-4
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 20). Overcoming mental health care barriers. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/overcoming-mental-health-care-barriers
Modi, H., Orgera, K., & Grover, A. (2022, October 10). Exploring barriers to mental health care in the U.S. AAMC Research and Action Institute. https://www.aamcresearchinstitute.org/our-work/issue-brief/exploring-barriers-mental-health-care-us
Barry, R., Anderson, J., Tran, L., Bahji, A., Dimitropoulos, G., Ghosh, S. M., Kirkham, J., Messier, G., Patten, S. B., Rittenbach, K., & Seitz, D. (2024). Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 81(7). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0426
