Promoting Mental and Physical Health (Essay Sample)

Title
Author
Institution
In the first article, the effects of Social connections on self rated mental and physical health among the internal migrant and local adolescents in Shanghai, China, the author carried out the study in Pudong new area of Shanghai where there is a high population of immigrants therefore representing diverse occupations and backgrounds. It is noted that in the year 2004 Shanghai was the largest host for internal migrants in China. As a result of this the author chose to use the random data collection method. The author also argues that the suburban schools in this city usually serve the children of the general population. This is in contrast to those schools located in the city proper that particularly cater for the gifted children and those considered elite, thus enhancing his logic for the choice of data collection method.
According to the article the author randomly selected three regular middle schools from Suburban districts of Pudong new area. He then randomly chose four classes in each grade and administered anonymous self administered questionnaires; thus the design. The questionnaires were issued from grades 6-8 to ensure respondents have total comprehension of what is required. The questionnaires administered bore the same instructions and were all collected after class sessions.
The author argues that there is a noticeably poor physical and mental health among migrant adolescents. This is as a result of poor social connections, significant disparities in the social cohesion, peer associations as well as family cohesion. This is evident when a comparison is made with their local peers.
In the second article, social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and health among older adults, the author takes a different approach employing individual interviews as the method of data collection. This is because an interview allows the author to reach deeper depths of meaning (Burns & Grove, 2005). This cannot be achieved through any other technique. It is also a flexible way and allows an individual to be understood from the perspective of the particular context.
In addition, the author also used Focus Groups as yet another method of data collection. This technique is also relatively effective as it minimizes the interviewer’s influence on the data (Hummelvoll & Severinsson, 2005). It also ensures the accuracy of reflection of social reality in comparison to other techniques.
The design used in the second article is that the researcher organized the focus group discussion so that it was facilitated by a moderator. The researcher also had an observer in place to act as the co-moderator. The role of the observer was to concentrate on the group dynamics as well as support the moderator.
The author in the second article argue...