From the study that is posted below would need to:

Provide additional strategies for addressing challenges to obtaining a sample from the identified population.

• Suggest a different population that may be appropriate for addressing the research problem.
• Summarize the strengths of the data collection method identified in the post.
• Share any problems or concerns over the identified data collection method.
• Suggest an alternative data collection method and provide your rationale.

Researchable Populations

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) hoping to advance evidence-based practice through research inquiry, there are several viable target populations present in my local community. Potential research groups include but are not limited to adolescents coping with mounting anxiety and depression, adults attempting to maintain sobriety and recovery from long-term substance abuse disorders, military veterans struggling with PTSD following traumatic combat exposures, isolated elderly individuals facing mounting risks for cognitive decline and other health issues, and more. Each subset of the local population has distinct mental health challenges and knowledge gaps amenable to scientific investigation through carefully designed research aims, metrics, and methodologies.

Most Appropriate Population for Use in My Research Study

Following comprehensive review, adults seeking ongoing treatment and recovery maintenance following extensive substance abuse disorders appear to represent the most prudent, promising, and appropriate target population for a community-based mental health research study. Substance abuse is prevalent yet inadequately researched, allowing ample opportunity for inquiry to expand understanding and optimization of treatment modalities tailored to this group (Di Maggio et al., 2022). Furthermore, according to Di Maggio et al. (2022), individuals coping with chronic substance abuse face multifaceted challenges regarding engagement and retention in mental health services, crisis intervention, relapse prevention, and managing comorbid psychiatric conditions - underscoring the vital need for evidence-based interventions that support this vulnerable demographic. Focusing research priorities specifically on the recovery needs of this underserved population has potential to guide transformative clinical practice changes to enhance access, quality of care, and mental health outcomes.

Challenges of Obtaining a Sample from This Population

Despite the immense benefits of conducting rigorous research on adults with substance abuse disorders, accurately sampling from this population evokes an array of feasibility and ethical challenges requiring careful navigation and solutions. For one, high drop-out rates and poor treatment retention impedes obtaining a representative, sufficiently sized sample (Raynor et al., 2022). Reluctance to participate in research activities also limits recruitment. Compounded mental health symptoms, cognitive functioning fluctuations, housing/financial instability, and related issues threaten sample viability and completion (Raynor et al., 2022). Protecting participant privacy with substance abuse history adds further complexity around informed consent, dual relationships, and carefully maintained confidentiality.

Addressing the Challenges

In order to mitigate the aforementioned sampling barriers, I would propose partnering directly with local short- and long-term residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment centers that already interface with target population on a compassionate, supportive basis. For instance, throughout the process, I would clearly communicate at all levels the voluntary, confidential nature of participation with no impact on clients' programming or status. Additionally, Vachon et al. (2019) highlights that tactful informed consent procedures could establish realistic expectations upfront regarding time commitments, potential risks/benefits, reimbursements, involvement level, and transparency around data ownership and usage.

Data Collection from the Sample

The ideal data collection methodology to explore research questions related to substance abuse disorder treatment would entail a mixed methods approach combining multiple complementary sources - surveys, individual interviews, and focus groups. Quantitative survey data can efficiently gather participant background details, mental health history, previous treatment experiences, support systems, symptom severity ratings, functional status, quality of life indicators, and similar metrics. Meanwhile, qualitative data from open-ended interview questions and group discussions offers rich, comprehensive insights into individuals' unique treatment needs/preferences, barriers faced, progression through recovery, perspectives on care quality, relationships with providers, and living with co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Blending quantitative and qualitative data paints a thorough multidimensional picture to inform targeted treatment optimizations while feasibly working within realistic constraints of the study population (Gray & Grove, 2020).

Conclusion

Applied research with real-world impact such as this can transform populations through synergy between academic inquiry, community partnerships, and improved mental healthcare delivery across systems. Adults with substance abuse disorders currently engaged in local residential and outpatient treatment programs represent a crucial, underserved mental health research priority population. Despite the numerous sampling feasibility and ethical hurdles associated with this historically marginalized group, tangible solutions and best practices exist to develop a strong mutually beneficial research partnership (Vachon et al., 2019). Establishing trust and compassionately attaining informed consent are imperative first steps to conduct ethical, inclusive, patient-centered, methodologically-sound mixed methods research on adult treatment seeking individuals with substance abuse issues. According to Gray and Grove, (2020), the dense qualitative and quantitative data collected through surveys, interviews, and focus groups with this sample would offer multidimensional insights into patient perspectives, experiences, preferences, symptom profiles, and recovery trajectories.

References

Di Maggio, I., Montenegro, E., Little, T. D., Nota, L., & Ginevra, M. C. (2022). Career adaptability, hope, and life satisfaction: An analysis of adults with and without substance use disorder. Journal of happiness studies, 23(2), 439-454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00405-1Links to an external site.

Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020).Burns and Grove's the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence(9th ed.). Elsevier.

Raynor, P., Corbett, C., Prinz, R., West, D., & Litwin, A. (2022). Using communitybased participatory methods to design a digital intervention for mothers with substance use disorders: Qualitative results from focus group discussions.Perspectives in Psychiatric Care,58(2), 615-622. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12823Links to an external site.

Vachon, H., Viechtbauer, W., Rintala, A., & Myin-Germeys, I. (2019). Compliance and retention with the experience sampling method over the continuum of severe mental disorders: meta-analysis and recommendations.Journal of medical Internet research,21(12), e14475. https://doi.org/10.2196/14475Links to an external site.