Reference no: EM133777276
Respond to two colleagues by describing ways in which their research could influence social change.
In my research proposal, I researched how different types of social media use affect the mental health and well-being of adolescents. A key takeaway from this research proposal is the distinction between passive scrolling and active engagement on social media and their different impacts on adolescent mental health. The proposal highlights the importance of exploring these complex aspects to understand how varying types of social media use-whether passive or active affect anxiety, depression, and self-esteem among adolescents. This distinction is crucial as it can help identify specific patterns of use that may worsen or alleviate mental health issues.
This research would significantly inform social work practice by providing a clearer understanding of how different social media behaviors impact adolescent mental health. With evidence on whether passive scrolling or active engagement is more detrimental or beneficial, as social workers, we can tailor interventions more effectively. For instance, social workers could develop targeted strategies to address excessive passive scrolling among adolescents, potentially incorporating educational programs on healthy social media habits and coping mechanisms for managing anxiety and depression. The findings could also guide social workers in providing parents with strategies to monitor and guide their children's social media use in ways that mitigate negative mental health effects while encouraging positive interactions. By understanding the differential impacts, social workers can offer more guidance and support, enhancing our role in promoting adolescent well-being in the digital age.
One potential limitation is the reliance on self-reported data for both social media usage and mental health indicators. Self-reports may be subject to biases such as social desirability or inaccurate self-assessment. To address this, incorporating objective measures, such as social media usage data (e.g., screen time apps) and physiological indicators of stress, could complement self-reported data and provide a more comprehensive picture. Another limitation could be a cross-sectional design that may not capture the long-term effects of social media use. As noted by Creswell and Poth (2018), longitudinal studies are necessary to understand cumulative impacts over time. To overcome this, future research could incorporate longitudinal methods to track participants over several years, assessing changes in mental health outcomes and social media usage patterns.
References
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). *Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches*. Sage Publications.
National Association of Social Workers. (2017). *NASW code of ethics*.
Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). Pearson.