Discrimination and prejudice are forms of social behaviors that determine the quality of life and academic performance among college students. Experiences of prejudice turn out to be a serious stressor and a cause of mental health problems. The purpose of this research proposal is to identify the components of the study about the correlation between discrimination/prejudice and depression/anxiety. “Is there the association of social behaviors (prejudice and discrimination) with mental health (depression and anxiety)?” is the research question to be answered.
When it is time for students to study in colleges, a number of psychological, financial, and social problems emerge. According to Jochman et al. (2019), the college years are a period of new academic opportunities and serious emotional challenges based on expectations and existing prejudices. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose and support students in the early stages to predict serious mental health complications. Chen, Stevens, Wong, and Liu (2019) prove that racial and ethnic minorities are exposed to high risks of psychiatric illnesses and recommend improving screening measures for college students. The relationship between specific mental disorders and student behaviors has to be thoroughly investigated.
To study the chosen topic, a survey research design can be used. It is one of the most appropriate ways due to its distinguishing features to develop self-reports and gather personal attitudes and behaviors. College students may participate in questionnaires or interviews to share their opinions about the presence and impact of such behaviors as discrimination or prejudice in their lives and the growth of depressive/anxious symptoms.
To complete this task at a high level, ethical issues have to be properly addressed. In this case, respect for all participants (privacy and confidentiality), beneficence, and informed consent play a crucial role. The researcher is responsible for informing the participants about the goals and expected outcomes of the study, as well as their duties in this work.
References
Chen, J. A., Stevens, C., Wong, S. H., & Liu, C. H. (2019). Psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses among US college students: A comparison by race and ethnicity. Psychiatric Services, 70(6), 442-449.
Jochman, J. C., Cheadle, J. E., Goosby, B. J., Tomaso, C., Kozikowski, C., & Nelson, T. (2019). Mental health outcomes of discrimination among college students on a predominately white campus: A prospective study. Socius, 5, 1-16. Web.