Homelessness in Melbourne

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Despite the high prevalence of mental illness and homelessness among veterans in the Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom in Iraq, there are growing concerns about barriers to mental health care and stigmatization (Pietrzak et al., 2009). The objective of Pietrzak’s research was to explore how myths about mental illness and social support associate with stigmatization and barriers to mental care among homeless veterans. The investigators used a sample of 272 OEF and OIF veterans for the survey. They used a Perceived Stigma and Barriers to Care for Psychological Problems tool in evaluating stigma. In measuring depression, the team used a Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A CAGE questionnaire was used to identify respondent’s with alcohol issues. The analysis tools used by the researchers include the univariate analysis tool, which compared data through screening, and logistic regression. Results of the study revealed that pessimistic beliefs about mental illness predicted elevated lack of mental care and stigmatization. Negative beliefs also prevented the veterans from gaining access to mental counselling and medication. In conclusion to the study, the researchers suggest that educational interventions could help adjust people’s negative beliefs, enhancing social support and increasing mental health care support for the OIF-OEF veterans.

From the research above, it is apparent that most of these studies seek to demonstrate the relationship between homelessness and mental illness. There is little research on the barriers to mental health care among the homeless. I seek to determine these barriers by conducting a survey on homeless people in Melbourne.

Methodological Paradigm

The research will implement the positivism approach, because it is the most suitable in sociological studies. According to Levin (1988), positivists believe that reality is stable and can be witnessed from an objective point of view. Positives argue that phenomena ought to be isolated and interpretations should be repeatable. This paradigm mostly applies in the manipulation of reality with variable in a single independent variable, seeking to identify regularities and form relationships. It is an appropriate approach to seek predictions and explain realities. Positivism has had successful association with social science projects. For this reason, positivism is mostly used in conducting surveys and the use of questionnaires (Hayes, 2000).

I will use both qualitative and quantitative research method. Qualitative research with apply in the interview, where insight from the respondents will assist in determining the key predictors. The advantage of qualitative research is that covers issues in great depth and suitable in understanding a particular concept (Onwuegbuzie and Leech, 2005). On the other hand, quantitative research will apply in handling the survey. The research needs statistical analysis of the results in order to calculate the prevalence of mental illness. It is more reliable and objective. It also assumes that the sample is a representation of the entire population (Newman and Benz, 1998).

Method

Firstly, I will conduct a brief survey to determine the prevalence of mental illness among homeless people in Melbourne. The survey is beneficial in gaining statistical information about a given population that represents a larger size (Kelley et al., 2003). . I will randomly select a sample of 50 members of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program. The second step will involve engaging the candidates in an interview, where they will respond to outlined questions. Interviews are effective qualitative methods of research, because they provide a deep understanding of the issue. The aim of this paper is to understand the barriers that prevent homeless people from gaining access to mental health support. The use of an interview will aid in getting these answers (Gill et al., 2008). In gathering data, I will use In-Person interviews, which is a personal approach to collecting data during a survey. Having a face-to-face question and answer session enables one to gain trust and collaboration from the respondent. Furthermore, it enables one to read the respondents facial expressions and mood. Nonetheless, the method is costly and time consuming (Kelley et al., 2003).

Challenges/Limitations

One of the main anticipated challenges involves gaining the respondent’s trust and cooperation. Being mentally ill, some of these people may be afraid to partake in the exercise or may not be in a position to comprehend the questions. In resolving this I will seek the aid of a psychology expert, who will try to interpret my questions to the respondents in a manner they understand.

Data Analysis

After recording data from the interviews, an appropriate analysis approach is required to process it into information. In most qualitative research, an inductive approach is the most suitable way to process the data (Thomas, 2006). The purpose of inductive research is to condense extensive data into a brief summary format. Secondly, it aids in establishing transparent connections between the summarized findings and the objectives of the study. Lastly, the inductive approach aids in developing a theory about the underlying framework of experiences, which are evident in the raw data (Thomas, 2003).

In conducting the inductive analysis approach, I will first set-up the raw data in a common format. For example, similar font size, highlight comments, and use margins. The second step will involve reading the raw text closely and familiarizing with the content. The third step engrosses categorizing the main themes of the data. There are two levels of categories, including the upper and lower level classes. The upper level contains general information while lower levels possess detailed data. Coding of themes takes place at this stage. Coding helps in separating relevant data from that which is irrelevant to the study. The process of coding and encoding is done several times to refine the data. Finally, I will select the core theme that conveys the main theme of each category (Thomas, 2006).

Ethical Approval

Some of the ethical concerns in this research may involve confidentiality and gaining informed consent from the respondents. In social and psychological research, informed consents is an essential step, where the interviewer must seek permission from the respondent to ask the questions (Schroter et al., 2006). Secondly, it is important to maintain confidentiality of the information shared between the interviewer and interviewee