IDS 402 Milestone Four Guidelines And Rubric: Analyzing An I ✓ Solved

IDS 402 Milestone Four Guidelines and Rubric Analyzing an Issue

Overview: For the first part of your final project, the critical analysis portfolio, you will select an issue or event in wellness and critically analyze it through the four general education lenses: history, humanities, natural and applied sciences, and social sciences. By viewing the issue or event through these lenses, you will gain insight into how the interconnected nature of wellness affects society as well as both your own individual framework of perception and the choices, attitudes, and behaviors of others in the world around you.

For this fourth milestone, you will analyze your issue/event in wellness through the lenses of the natural and applied sciences and the social sciences. This task provides you with an opportunity to dive deeper into your analysis of the issue/event through these two lenses. This will provide you with a chance to practice analyzing your issue/event through these lenses and receive feedback on this practice attempt.

Prompt: First, review your work in Modules Five and Six, as well as the IDS Four General Education Lenses document in the Reading and Resources section of Module One. Next, analyze your issue/event through the lens of the natural and applied sciences by exploring the following questions:

  • How does this issue/event provide a social commentary through the natural and applied sciences?
  • In what ways can science help resolve or enhance your issue/event?

Next, analyze your issue/event through the lens of the social sciences, and address the following:

  • How does this issue/event interact with the social sciences lens and impact social issues?
  • In what ways does the social science lens help articulate a deeper understanding of the social issue(s) that inform your issue/event?

Note: You are completing two separate analyses: one from the natural and applied sciences and one from the social sciences. You must submit two papers in a single Word document. Be sure to use evidence from research to support your analysis. Refer to course resources, the IDS 402 Research LibGuide, and any other pertinent resources to support your responses. Relevant current news sources may be used with instructor approval. Incorporate instructor feedback into Final Project Part One.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

  • Lens Analysis: Analyze your issue/event through the lens of the natural and applied sciences and the social sciences for determining its impact on various institutions, utilizing evidence from research to support your analysis.

Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Milestone Four should be submitted as two papers in a single Word document. The entire submission should be 2 to 4 pages, following the assigned course resources, or other scholarly sources located independently via the Shapiro Library. Cite your supporting sources in APA style.

Paper For Above Instructions

The issue of mental health and its implications on society is a concern that resonates deeply in our contemporary world. This paper aims to critically analyze the issue of mental health through the lenses of the natural and applied sciences and the social sciences to showcase how these perspectives contribute to a richer understanding of wellness. By doing so, it seeks to highlight the interconnected nature of health, science, and social dynamics.

Analysis through the Natural and Applied Sciences

Mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression, provide a profound social commentary that reveals the complexities of human behavior and biology. The rise in reported mental health issues correlates with increasing stressors in modern life, such as economic instability, social isolation, and societal expectations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2021), nearly one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness, highlighting the reality that mental health is a significant public health concern. The natural sciences help us understand these phenomena through fields such as psychology, neurology, and biology.

From a biological standpoint, mental disorders have roots that can be traced to imbalances in brain chemistry and dysfunction in neural circuits. For instance, studies have shown that serotonin and dopamine levels can significantly affect mood and behavior (Miller et al., 2020). Furthermore, the role of genetics cannot be overlooked as many mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, show familial patterns (Smoller, 2016). Thus, scientific analysis aids in recognizing the biological underpinnings of these disorders, which can lead to biomedical interventions such as pharmacotherapy.

However, science does not simply rest on biological causation; it also engages with the applied sciences to discern effective treatment modalities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one such evidence-based intervention formed through combining psychological theory with practical application (Hofmann et al., 2012). Research indicates that CBT not only reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression but also enhances coping strategies in individuals (Hofmann et al., 2012). Moreover, advances in neuroimaging allow researchers and clinicians to observe the brain in action, thereby refining therapeutic approaches that cater to individual needs.

In summary, the natural and applied sciences collectively inform our understanding of mental health as a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. By employing scientific research and evidence-based practices, we can better address the mental health crisis through both preventative and reactive means.

Analysis through the Social Sciences

From a social sciences perspective, mental health issues intersect with numerous societal factors, including socioeconomic status, stigma, and cultural attitudes. Research has shown that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience mental health issues at higher rates and have less access to mental health services (McLeod & Rosenfeld, 2018). This intersectionality underscores how social structures can exacerbate mental health disparities, creating a cycle where disadvantaged groups suffer disproportionately from mental health problems.

The social sciences lens also provides valuable insights into the stigma surrounding mental health. Stigmatization can discourage individuals from seeking help, resulting in unaddressed mental health issues that negatively impact their quality of life and societal contributions (Corrigan & Watson, 2002). By understanding the social dynamics at play, interventions can be developed that not only aim to treat individuals but also seek to change societal attitudes towards mental health. Public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and policy changes are vital in combating stigma and promoting mental health equity (Sweeney et al., 2015).

Additionally, social sciences research can articulate how community support systems play crucial roles in addressing mental health concerns. Social support, whether from family, friends, or community organizations, can significantly bolster an individual's coping mechanisms (Hawton et al., 2012). Hence, by recognizing the importance of social networks, mental health practitioners can advocate for community-building initiatives that foster resilience among individuals facing mental health challenges.

In conclusion, the social sciences lens elucidates the intricate ways in which societal factors influence mental health. By addressing these issues through a social framework, we can better understand the broader societal dynamics that inform individual mental health experiences and create impactful interventions that enhance community wellness.

References

  • Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002). Understanding the stigma of mental illness. World Psychiatry, 1(1), 16-20.
  • Hawton, K., Casañas i Comabella, C., Comet, J., & Haw, C. (2012). Risk factors for suicide in deliberate self-harm patients: a systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 69(1), 53-61.
  • Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427-440.
  • McLeod, J. D., & Rosenfeld, R. A. (2018). A new perspective on mental health and social inequality. American Sociological Review, 83(1), 79-102.
  • Miller, J. P., & Hekler, E. B. (2020). Neurobiology of suicide: an overview of the pathways to understanding and intervention. Crisis, 41(4), 245-254.
  • Smoller, J. W. (2016). The genetics of stress-related disorders: a review of findings and challenges. Depression and Anxiety, 33(12), 1098-1108.
  • Sweeney, A., & Kelsey, J. (2015). The role of peer support in recovery from serious mental illnesses. Behavioral Healthcare, 35(2), 26-30.
  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Mental Illness. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml

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