A Minimum Of Two Scholarly Peer-Reviewed Articles Must Be Si ✓ Solved

A minimum of 2 scholarly peered reviewed article must be sited

Discuss some practical ways that you practice self-care. How do your practices align with practical guidelines for self-care recommended by other psychologists? What are some risks associated with NOT practicing self-care?

Give an example of how using deception in research can and should be used. Describe why the use of deception can be considered acceptable while some of the classic research methods are not. Provide examples when applicable.

Usable Materials: Read “Introduction: Problems, Pitfalls, and Potentials” by Knapp, Gottlieb, & Handelsman, from Ethical Dilemmas in Psychotherapy: Positive Approaches to Decision Making (2015). Read “The Rationalization of Unethical Research: Revisionist Accounts of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the New Zealand ‘Unfortunate Experiment’" by Paul & Brookes, from American Journal of Public Health (2015). Read “Care of Others and Self: A Suicidal Patient's Impact on the Psychologist” by Webb, from Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (2011).

Paper For Above Instructions

Self-care is an increasingly essential component of maintaining mental and physical well-being, especially in professions that frequently engage with the emotional and psychological struggles of others. Psychologists, in particular, face significant challenges due to the emotional demands of their work. Practicing self-care involves active participation in activities or habits that promote personal health, both physically and emotionally. Examples of practical self-care methods include regular exercise, maintaining social relationships, setting boundaries, and engaging in hobbies that bring joy and relaxation.

One method I practice for self-care is regular exercise, which aligns with recommendations from various psychologists advocating physical activity as a strategy for combating stress (American Psychological Association, 2019). By participating in physical activities such as jogging or yoga, I not only enhance my physical fitness but also release endorphins, commonly referred to as "feel-good" hormones. This form of self-care helps mitigate feelings of anxiety and depression, showcasing the psychological benefits of physical activity (Peluso & Andrade, 2005).

Similarly, maintaining social connections is another critical strategy I employ. The American Psychological Association (2019) suggests that strong relationships can act as buffers against stress, making it vital to cultivate and maintain meaningful connections. Surrounding myself with supportive friends and family provides a network that helps promote resilience during challenging times.

Setting boundaries is another practical way I practice self-care, allowing me to manage my time effectively and avoid burnout. The guidelines offered by psychologists recommend recognizing personal limits to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life (Webb, 2011). Allocating time for personal interests, such as reading or engaging in creative projects, fosters a sense of fulfillment and enhances overall well-being.

Engaging in hobbies is also an essential factor for me. Pursuing interests outside of work provides necessary relief and contributes to life satisfaction. From painting to hiking, these activities encourage a mental shift and reduce stress levels (Cohen & Janicki-Deverts, 2012). Each of these practices correlates directly with established self-care guidelines and emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being.

However, not practicing self-care poses several risks, particularly for mental health professionals. The absence of these practices can lead to burnout, decreased empathy, and emotional exhaustion (Maslach & Leiter, 2016). As Webb (2011) articulates, ignoring self-care can result in harmful outcomes not only for the professional but also for clients who depend on their care. When psychologists are overwhelmed or fatigued, their ability to offer effective treatment diminishes significantly, impacting the quality of care delivered.

Moreover, the failure to engage in self-care may exacerbate existing mental health issues and contribute to a cycle of neglect that undermines both personal and professional effectiveness (Figley, 2002). Maintaining a consistent focus on self-care activities ensures that mental health professionals can effectively support others without compromising their emotional health.

Moving onto the second topic, the use of deception in research can be categorized as ethical in specific contexts wherein it is scientifically justified and critical to obtaining valid data. An example of this may include psychological studies aimed at understanding social behaviors, where participants are unaware of the true purpose of the study to avoid bias (Knapp, Gottlieb, & Handelsman, 2015). Deception can enhance the authenticity of responses and promote more valid conclusions about human behavior.

Using an ethical framework, researchers can justify deception if they emphasize the potential benefits of the findings outweighing the risks to participants. Deception is often deemed acceptable when alternative methods cannot yield the same quality of data (Paul & Brookes, 2015). Moreover, it is imperative that participants are debriefed post-study, ensuring they understand the purpose of the deception and receive assurance regarding the ethics surrounding their involvement.

However, the classic research methods that do not employ deception may lack the nuanced understandings obtained through exploratory techniques (Knapp et al., 2015). For example, straightforward surveys relying on self-report can lead to socially desirable responses that do not reflect genuine attitudes or actions. In contrast, experimental designs using deception may reveal more profound insights into human behavior and cognition.

In conclusion, self-care is a fundamental practice for mental health professionals, encouraging effective work and personal well-being. Likewise, the ethical use of deception in research serves as a tool for obtaining critical data while ensuring that ethical guidelines protect participant welfare. Both self-care and research methodologies intertwine, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in both realms.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2019). Stress management: Tips and strategies. Retrieved from [link]
  • Cohen, S., & Janicki-Deverts, D. (2012). Who's stressed? Distributions of psychological stress in the United States in a nationally representative sample. Psychological Science, 23(11), 1175-1182.
  • Figley, C. R. (2002). Treating compassion fatigue. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
  • Knapp, S., Gottlieb, M., & Handelsman, M. (2015). Introduction: Problems, Pitfalls, and Potentials. In Ethical dilemmas in psychotherapy: Positive approaches to decision making.
  • Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Burnout: A guide to identifying burnout and pathways to recovery. Harvard Business Review Press.
  • Paul, C., & Brookes, C. (2015). The rationalization of unethical research: Revisionist accounts of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the New Zealand 'Unfortunate Experiment.' American Journal of Public Health, 105(5), e1-e7.
  • Peluso, M. A. M., & Andrade, L. H. S. G. (2005). Physical activity and mental health: The association between exercise and mood. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 27(1), 27-32.
  • Webb, C. (2011). Care of others and self: A suicidal patient's impact on the psychologist. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(5), 455-460.