Methodological Approach
According to the study, social identities are a fundamental psychological resource in the protection of general health (Cruwys, South, Greenaway & Haslam 2015, p.65). Social status is described to be the self-concept which reflects the internalization of group membership. Through the definition of self by particular social identity, it means that people with commonalities such as psychologists and Australians have adequate knowledge of each other. Through such group internalization, a sense of belonging, purpose, and direction is developed thus enhancing the lives of the participants. This is achieved since bonding, supporting, companionship and security platform is established (Cruwys et al., 2015 p.67). Previous researches on psychology have reported that social identities creation is closely correlated to the health and well-being of the parties involved. From empirical study, it is evident that social identities contribute significantly towards preventing and resolving depression. According to a longitudinal study conducted by Cruwys et al., (2015) involving a sample of 5,000 older adults, possessing multiple group membership dramatically prevented the development of depression as well as improving the likelihood of recovering from the recession. Several studies have also associated social isolation to development of stress and depression.
Social support facilitates the relationship between social identity and depression. However the previous studies, theoretically and empirically significantly associate the social identity with fundamental restructure cognition (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.65). The study also associates social personality and attribution style in the sense that stress is an undesirable ascription elegance, especially when producing unplanned clarifications for proceedings (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.66). Characters portraying depressive attribution style mostly show adverse events to internal causes, steady across period and effect on numerous parts of their life. Previous surveys have reported depressing ascription style to be causally related to depression. Concerning the earlier studies portraying social identities assist in structuring ascriptions, it becomes relevant to question on the whether social identity can potentially decrease stress through weakening depressive attribution style (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.67).
The primary goal of the study was to study on any potential interrelationship between social identity, depressive attributions, and depression (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.65). The results of the study anticipated on enlightening people on the role of social identity and why they should participate in social activities in attempts of protecting depression and dealing with depression. Specifically, the study investigated whether there exists correlation between social identity and reduced depression and positive attribution styles. The study also investigated association between positive attribution styles would be and reduced depression and whether a decrease in depressive attributes indicates protective effect of social identity on depression (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.66). The specific objectives formed the research hypotheses and were tested to determine the real correlation between social identity and depression.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Study
The research design was broken down into two concerning the studies. The first study involved surveying final-year university students who were in the course of finishing a significant investigation dissertation in psychology (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.65). This population was targeted because it is speculated to be in jeopardy of developing stress. The surveys were finished throughout the week when the respondents were succumbing their dissertation, a time when they are expected to undergo mass depression. An online survey was administered to 139 whereby 115 were ladies from four campuses. The survey investigated aspects of manifold group memberships, depressive attribution style, and depression system (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.67). The Exeter identity Transition scale was used to gauge respondent’s participation in various groups. To determine the depressive attribution style, a range comprising of 16 items across four related ascription areas was employed. The centre for epidemiological studies depression scale was employed to measure the present level of depression. The respondents replied to 20 declarations which enquired about the frequency of experiencing grief over the previous week (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.67).
The second study examined if an investigational operation of social identity salience could decrease depression ascriptions and undesirable disposition following failure on duty. In incorporated 88 participants who were undergraduate psychology students whereby 55 were females (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.67). The respondents were arbitrarily allocated to one of the three circumstances (none vs. one vs. three groups) and the individuality salience operated amongst the respondents. After manipulation, the respondents accomplished a problem-solving mission and established failure response beforehand completion of the dependent procedures. For the identity manipulation, participants were questioned on the groups they belonged and explained why the membership was essential to them. For the failure paradigm, four question problem-solving task was presented to the participants. The tested was collected after 5 minutes where the respondent’s received a score ranged between 0 and 4 (Cruwys et al., 2015, p.69). For the failure operation check, the respondents were enquired to rate their performance on the problematic task on a specified scale. To determine the current mood the positive and negative affect scale was used. The history of depression, depressive attribution style, and identity manipulation check was determined using respective scales.
The study lacks comprehensive research design. It comprises two studies with similar context but with different methodological approaches. Mostly the study has employed a questionnaire to test the hypothesis. An appropriate scale was used to guide the participants in responding to the formulated questions. This helped in acquiring primary data indicating that the results of the study could be realistic and highly reliable (Bryman, 2016). However, the study does not specify the target population which is a critical requirement in any empirical research. The sample size appears to be low concerning the mentioned targeted institution. It, therefore, becomes inappropriate to apply the results of the study in solving the real-world problem since the results might be extremely biased. The adopted research design does not efficiently provide a specific technique applied in obtaining sample size (De Vaus & de Vuas, 2013). This indicates that the sample was achieved without any statistically accepted procedure. This directly interferes with the accuracy of the results, therefore, making them inappropriate for application in real life situation (Neuman, 2013).
Validity and Reliability
The adopted research design insists on randomness which is highly recommended in the statistical study as it reduces bias. However, the research design is not generally fit for testing the objectives of the study. Although some of the aspects such as randomness and primary data are keenly adhered to sample size is fundamental in any study which does not appear to be addressed in this study (Lewis 2015, p.475). The methodology is useful since it employs descriptive statistics for testing the hypothesis.
The fundamental concepts of the study which include social identity, depression and attribution style are clearly defined. Anyone going through the paper would readily understand the underlying concepts employed in the entire study. Appropriate previous research concerning the underlying concepts is sufficiently outlined by equipping any readers with proper knowledge (Kratochwill 2015, p.14). This is highly embraced in any survey since it provides adequate information on the study. The study uses valid measures in determining the fundamental concepts. Questionnaires were employed as the primary tool for collecting information concerning the underlying concepts. Respective scales were accorded to the individual fundamental concepts to obtain the accurate data to facilitate testing of the hypothesis (Creswell J & Creswell D, 2017). Some of the applied scales include the Exeter Identity Transition, the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and Depressive Attribution Questionnaire (DAQ). Generally, the definition and measure of the critical concepts were efficiently conducted throughout the study.
In any research, a cautiously selected population is said to be the best to intricately stand in for the entire population (Hockey & James, 2017). In this study, a probabilistic sample was chosen from the whole population as all participants had an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study. Random sampling is way too complicated and requires a lot of time as well as money (Bracher, 2018). The dependent variable for the study was the individuals from the society, with the independent variable being emotions that result in depression if not handled correctly.
The procedure adopted by the study is the best because it has parameters that enhance the results of the research. In line with the survey, the respondents’ job performance and physical health are presented. In this study, the respondents are actual individuals selected randomly from the entire target population to ensure that there was a low probability of margin errors in the analysis (Isaksson et al., 2017, p.12).
The study adopted questionnaires as a form of data collection because questionnaires are a simple tool for data collection. Questions were formulated with respect to the objectives and administered to the target population. The questionnaires were administered randomly to facilitate obtaining unbiased primary data. They are easily administered and collects data without any technical issues as the scholars present themselves to the participant and explain the essentiality of the research (Cruwys & Gunaseelan, 2016, p.36). However, questionnaires have challenges because the respondents may fail to append answers to all questions or provide answers giving the researcher information that he needs to hear. It is difficult to identify if the participant has given a wrong answer through questionnaires.
Discussion
The data for this study were analysed with the used of SPSS. The scholars used the data from the two groups and correlated their social identity with depression. The results of the study indicated that stronger social identities persons are less likely to experience depression. This is proved by the way people are restructuring around the world (Greenaway, Cruwys, Haslam & Jetten, 2016, p.294). The results suggest that attribution styles can be changed and modified via social processes. Social class determines the sort of life that a person leads. From the study, it is proved that social fibers play a significant part in making life meaningful. According to Baskerville & Wood-Harper (2016), peoples’ lives are put into contrast with their social classes.
The results of the study are well interpreted through use of tables. The interpretation of the results is in accordance with the objectives of the study. Anyone going through the results can clearly understand the obtained information concerning the objectives of the study. Appropriate language is used therefore expounding on the key concepts of the study. The analysis is well conducted and tables presented in a statistically acceptable manner (Denscombe, 2016). Through going through the charts, it appears natural for one to understand the results of the study.
Ethics are values that aid in controlling the behavior of researchers. There are specific questionable procedures that researchers may omit and raise queries on the credibility of the entire process. The study mentions that the board of reviews was presented with the proposal and approved the methods that were used. The review board has the responsibility for ensuring that researchers are supported and follow the right concepts in the whole research process (Webber & Fendt-Newlin, 2017, p.369). Respondents have the right to be protected from any psychological abuse as well as any physical harm. If any issues occur within the research towards the participant, the court orders for compensation with a deficiency of informed associates who did not take part in activities of violating participant’s rights. They, therefore, clear themselves to avoid being barred from conducting further studies in the future (Stevens et al. 2017, p.1911). The study did not, however, talk about ensuring the confidentiality of the participants upon their agreement to take part in the study. The questionnaires were administered anonymously.
The performances of the participants are questionable because no one can give an account of the errors present. Imparity is another requirement for any research that guards the researchers as well as the respondents and is ensured by the Institution Review Board. Some issues were addressed in the study (Frings & Albery, 2015, p.35). The first ethical issue that arose in the study was the privacy of the participants. In any research, the people conducting the research are liable for ensuring the information that is provided by the respondents’ remains confidential as well as their identities. In this study, the scholars gave an assurance to the participants that the information they provided would be kept confidential. The other ethical issue is that there was no treatment group meant to use as the non-treatment group within the study. The respondents who were in the control situation did not go through with the written reflection task as well as the other group.
Conclusion
The study used online questionnaires that did not require respondents to provide their background information to ensure that their contacts remained unknown. The scholars informed the participants about the importance of this study to the society to ensure that they give the most relevant answers to the questions asked. The research orally clarified the issues that the participants found challenging to compare if they aligned with the online questionnaires (Cruwys, Haslam, Dingle, Haslam & Jetten, 2014, p.215). Throughout the study, the scholars abided by the ethical principle of informed consent as they alerted the participants of the intention of the research and the information being asked of them. Also, the participants were given a chance to exit from the study in the realization of the sample to ensure that their participation was voluntary. The respondents were also informed of the possible risks to ensure that they were ready into what they were getting involved in as they gave their contributions for the study (Cooper, Smith & Russell, 2017, p.844). In summary, there were no significant ethical issues that arose in the course of the study.
Conclusion
Individuals can succeed in life upon other individuals. Individuals who are in a capable position in the society and willing to come together to help young people and other individuals with support by giving them solutions to end depression are known as a scholar, and they are known to improve the society a lot. The scholar was also in a position to identify that making individuals participate in the community activities can significantly help lessen depression if they take the opportunity seriously and use it correctly. Having real friends can have significant social effect in a depressed person and has positive results. Random sampling which has been carried out from different studies are in stratified have huge errors. However, this kind of sampling is only restricted to populations which are heterogeneous. With the use of Institute Board of Review, scholars can participate fully in the eradication of depression in the society. This is essential as a global audience can approve study examination.
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