Part I: Research Problem and Objectives
What do you want to study? State the study objectives. (These may change after you review the literature but think about what you would like to do now.)
We want to study homeless LGBTQ+ veterans. Our objective is to evaluate whether community-based mental health programs are more effective than institution-based mental health programs in reducing homelessness rates among LGBTQ+ veterans living in California, USA, aged 40-55.
Why is it important to study this problem? Provide citations for any information that is not your own. Use Facts found in the literature. Note practice and policy implications of investigating this problem.
This problem is important to study because society is beginning to witness the emergence of LGBTQ+ veterans who are undergoing several social dilemmas, including homelessness, without the substantial research needed to thoroughly understand and assess their needs. Hahn et al. (2023) reported that an estimated one million LGBTQ+ veterans reside in the U.S. This is a number that will most certainly see an increase over the coming years. California, home to the United States’ largest population of LGBTQ+ veterans (California Research Bureau, 2015), serves as a focal point in the studying and addressing of this issue. Kondo et al. (2017) conducted a systematic search of research studies focusing on the veteran population and found that there are gaps in studies and knowledge regarding health disparities among LGBTQ+ and homeless veterans. As LGBTQ+ veterans continue to emerge, social workers and other professionals have a responsibility to conduct research that would lead to an understanding of the unique needs of this population.
The minimal research conducted on LGBTQ+ adults who are homeless finds that this population is at much greater risk for mental health challenges (Ecker, 2019). When LGBTQ+ homeless individuals hold veteran statuses, the risk for mental health challenges may rise significantly due to the disparities faced by the intersecting identities. In fact, LGBTQ+ veterans “experience disparities in social stressors, including decreased emotional and social support and higher rates of homelessness and military sexual trauma” (Blosnich et al., 2016, and Brown et al., 2016, as cited in Rajinder et al., 2024, p. 2). These social stressors, lack of social and emotional support, and homelessness rates can be buffered by both community-based and institution-based mental health programs. It is therefore imperative to research which of the two mental health program settings is most effective in doing so and which may require advocacy leading to policy implementation.
Due to the historically negative stigmas associated with being LGBTQ+ compounded by past reprisal, and fear of recurring discrimination, 25% of LGBTQ+ veterans forego seeking mental health services through the Department of Veterans Affairs, an institution-based mental health program site (Mark et al., 2019). It is worth researching whether community-based mental health programs would make hesitant veterans feel more comfortable in seeking the help they need. LGBTQ+ veterans already confronting increased risks and barriers in accessing healthcare necessitate inclusive treatment approaches and safe environments to effectively address mental health challenges (Bryant et al., 2023). Addressing such mental health challenges in more appropriate and suitable settings would in turn have a positive effect on the homelessness rates experienced by LGBTQ+ veterans. The research findings would be beneficial to all mental health programs and may even open a myriad of other research opportunities geared towards contributing to the overall well-being of LGBTQ+ veterans at risk of experiencing homelessness and other social issues.
Practice and policy implications of investigating this problem include: promoting social justice, addressing systemic inequalities and oppression of this population and social issue, advocacy towards and formulation of more inclusive policies that would promote the well-being of LGBTQ+ veterans facing homelessness, developing culturally responsive care, raising awareness, and an overall contribution to the sparse research currently in existence.
******Above is the preexisting component of the assignment to give some background. Below I have one source and I will need two more peer-reviewed scholarly articles on the LGBTQ Homeless Veterans. I need 3 sources total, 3 annotations written in this style.
Combined Informative/Evaluative Style – This style is recommended by the library as it combines all the styles to provide a more complete view of a source. The annotation should explain the value of the source for the overall research topic by providing a summary combined with an analysis of the source.
Example:
Aluedse, O. (2006). Bullying in schools: A form of child abuse in schools. Educational Research Quarterly, 30(1), 37.
The author classifies bullying in schools as a “form of child abuse,” and goes well beyond the notion that schoolyard bullying is “just child’s play.” The article provides an in-depth definition of bullying, and explores the likelihood that school-aged bullies may also experience difficult lives as adults. The author discusses the modern prevalence of bullying in school systems, the effects of bullying, intervention strategies, and provides an extensive list of resources and references.
Statistics included provide an alarming realization that bullying is prevalent not only in the United States, but also worldwide. According to the author, “American schools harbor approximately 2.1 million bullies and 2.7 million victims.” The author references the National Association of School Psychologists and quotes, “Thus, one in seven children is a bully or a target of bullying.” A major point of emphasis centers around what has always been considered a “normal part of growing up” versus the levels of actual abuse reached in today’s society.
The author concludes with a section that addresses intervention strategies for school administrators, teachers, counselors, and school staff. The concept of school staff helping build students’ “social competence” is showcased as a prevalent means of preventing and reducing this growing social menace. Overall, the article is worthwhile for anyone interested in the subject matter, and provides a wealth of resources for researching this topic of growing concern.
(Renfrow & Teuton, 2008)
Mark, K. M., McNamara, K. A., Gribble, R., Rhead, R., Sharp, M.-L., Stevelink, S. A. M., Schwartz, A., Castro, C., & Fear, N. T. (2019). The health and well-being of LGBTQ serving and ex-serving personnel: A narrative review. International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England), 31(1), 75–94. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/ 09540261.2019.1575190
