Risk Factors for Deliberate Self

Introduction Deliberate self-harm is one of the fields in research that have received little attention from scholars and academicians in general. This is despite the fact that this behavior is becoming more evident among youths and especially college going students.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Risk Factors for Deliberate Self-Harm among College Students: Article Review specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There are several factors that have been identified by the few studies that have been conducted in this field as being the major causes of this kind of behavior. It is against this backdrop that three scholars from the University of Massachusetts at Boston carried out a self-report study that sought to identify and analyze the risk factors behind deliberate self-harm among college students in the United States of America. This is a review of the article that the three scholars (Gratz, Conrad Roemer, 2002) wrot e to report on the findings of their study. This review will specifically address three aspects of the article and the study that is reported therein. The first will be the construct of the investigation, where the operationalization of the construct will be addressed. The second will be the methods used in the study, with specific analysis of the research design, the independent and dependent variables. The last will be the results of the study, where an outline of the statistical methods that the three scholars used will be analyzed. Construct of the Investigation In a study, a construct can be viewed as the concept that the study revolves around, or the concept that is addressed by the study. The researcher conceptualizes the construct by refining it and rendering it a conceptual and theoretical definition (Atkinson, 2008). After conceptualization, the researcher then goes ahead and conducts operationalization of the construct. Here, the investigator makes the conceptual definiti on of the construct more specific by creating a link between it and an indicator (Atkinson, 2008).Advertising Looking for report on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In Gratz, Conrad Roemer (2002), the construct of their study is â€Å"deliberate self-harm† among college students. This is the concept that is addressed by this study. They conceptualize this construct as the â€Å"deliberate, direct destruction or alteration of body tissue† (Gratz et al, 2002: p128) where the individual harbors no conscious intent to commit suicide. This action on the part of the individual leads to injuries that may be so severe as to cause tissue damage. Gratz et al (2002) operationalize their construct by linking it to several indicators that they refer to as the risk factors to deliberate self-harm. The investigators operationalize deliberate self-harm by making the assertion that it is the kind of outcome that is li kely to be brought about by four risk factors in the life of the individual. These are childhood separation and loss, physical and sexual abuse in childhood, quality of attachment to caregivers and dissociation (Gratz et al, 2002: p130). Methods used in the Study Gratz et al (2002) used a self-report design to carry out their study. This is whereby the respondents were given questionnaires to complete on their own. The questionnaires contained questions designed to make the respondents report on their opinions, views and status regarding several attributes that the researchers were interested in (Atkinson, 2008).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Risk Factors for Deliberate Self-Harm among College Students: Article Review specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As far as the research design of the study is concerned, the three scholars used a sample of 133 students drawn from undergraduate psychology courses in the univ ersity (Gratz et al, 2002). The participants were given a questionnaire with several measures to complete. These included the deliberate self-harm inventory measure, the abuse and perpetration inventory, the disruptions in attachment survey, the parental bonding index among others (Gratz et al, 2002). The study also had both independent and dependent variables. The independent variable in the study is â€Å"deliberate self-harm† among the respondents. The independent variable in this case is attribute in nature. This is given the fact that the researchers did not manipulate it during the study (Atkinson, 2008). The study has four dependent variables or criterion measures. These are the risk factors that the researchers identify as the ones leading to deliberate self-harm. These are childhood physical and sexual abuse, childhood separation and loss, perceived quality of attachment to caregivers and finally, dissociation (Gratz et al, 2002: p130). Results of the Study One of th e significant findings of this study is the prevalence of self-harm among the respondents. 38 percent of the students reported that they had a history of self-harm (Gratz et al, 2002: p132). Several statistical methods were used by the three investigators in this study. This included correlational analysis to determine the link between deliberate self-harm frequency and each of the four risk factors that had been identified. Most of the risk factors that had been identified were found to be significantly correlated with the frequency of deliberate self-harm (Gratz et al, 2002).Advertising Looking for report on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The scholars also carried out a multiple regression analysis to determine the unique predictive value of each of the identified risk factors. Other variables within this model were controlled. The risk factors were found to be significantly related to deliberate self-harm among the respondents. Conclusion This review focused on the article reporting the findings of a self-report study carried out by three scholars from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. The scholars were interested in the analysis of risk factors for deliberate self-harm among college students in the United States of America, taking the university as their sample group. The scholars identified four risk factors and designed a study aimed at finding out the relationship between them and deliberate self-harm. These were childhood abuse, dissociation, childhood separation and loss, and attachment to caregivers such as parents. References Atkinson, R. L. (2008). Essentials of social research. 2nd ed. New York: F ree Press. Gratz, K. L., Conrad, S. D., Roemer, L. (2002). Risk factors for deliberate self-harm among college student. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 72(1), 128-140. This report on Risk Factors for Deliberate Self-Harm among College Students: Article Review was written and submitted by user Scarlett N. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Hawker Typhoon in World War II

Hawker Typhoon in World War II A troubled aircraft in its early days, the Hawker Typhoon became a critical part of the Allied air forces as World War II (1939-1945) progressed. Initially envisioned as mid- to high-altitude interceptor, early Typhoons suffered from a variety of performance issues that could not be rectified to allow it to achieve success in this role. Initially introduced as a high-speed, low-altitude interceptor in 1941, the following year the type began transitioning to ground-attack missions. Highly successful in this role, the Typhoon played a critical part in the Allied advance across Western Europe. Background In early 1937, as his previous design, the Hawker Hurricane was entering production, Sydney Camm commenced work on its successor. The chief designer at Hawker Aircraft, Camm based his new fighter around the Napier Sabre engine which was capable of around 2,200 hp. A year later, his efforts found a demand when the Air Ministry issued Specification F.18/37 which called for a fighter designed around either the Sabre or the Rolls-Royce Vulture. Concerned about the reliability of the new Sabre engine, Camm created two designs, the N and R which centered on the Napier and Rolls-Royce power plants respectively. The Napier-powered design later received the name Typhoon while the Rolls-Royce-powered aircraft was dubbed Tornado. Though the Tornado design flew first, its performance proved disappointing and the project was later cancelled. Design To accommodate Napier Sabre, the Typhoon design featured a distinctive chin-mounted radiator. Camms initial design utilized unusually thick wings which created a stable gun platform and allowed for ample fuel capacity. In constructing the fuselage, Hawker employed a mix of techniques including duralumin and steel tubes forward and a flush-riveted, semi-monocoque structure aft. The aircrafts initial armament consisted of twelve .30 cal. machine guns (Typhoon IA) but was later switched to four, belt-fed 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannon (Typhoon IB). Work on the new fighter continued after the beginning of World War II in September 1939. On February 24, 1940, the first Typhoon prototype took to skies with test pilot Philip Lucas at the controls. Development Problems Testing continued until May 9 when the prototype suffered an in-flight structural failure where the forward and rear fuselage met. Despite this, Lucas successfully landed the aircraft in a feat that later earned him the George Medal. Six days later, the Typhoon program suffered a setback when Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production, proclaimed that wartime production should focus on the Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley, Bristol Blenheim, and Vickers Wellington. Due to the delays imposed by this decision, a second Typhoon prototype did not fly until May 3, 1941. In flight testing, the Typhoon failed to live up to Hawkers expectations. Imagined as a mid- to high-altitude interceptor, its performance fell off quickly above 20,000 feet and Napier Sabre continued to prove unreliable. Hawker Typhoon - Specifications General Length: 31 ft., 11.5 in.Wingspan: 41 ft., 7 in.Height: 15 ft., 4 in.Wing Area: 279 sq. ft.Empty Weight: 8,840 lbs.Loaded Weight: 11,400 lbs.Maximum Takeoff Weight: 13,250 lbs.Crew: 1 Performance Maximum Speed: 412 mphRange: 510 milesRate of Climb: 2,740 ft./min.Service Ceiling: 35,200 ft.Power Plant: Napier Sabre IIA, IIB or IIC liquid-cooled H-24 piston engine each​ Armament 4 Ãâ€" 20 mm Hispano M2 cannon8 Ãâ€" RP-3 unguided air-to-ground rockets2 Ãâ€" 500 lb. or 2 Ãâ€" 1,000 lb. bombs Problems Continue Despite these problems, the Typhoon was rushed into production that summer following the appearance of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 which quickly proved superior to the Spitfire Mk.V. As Hawkers plants were operating at near capacity, construction of the Typhoon was delegated to Gloster. Entering service with Nos. 56 and 609 Squadrons that fall, the Typhoon soon mounted a poor track record with several aircraft lost to structural failures and unknown causes. These issues were made worse by the seepage of carbon monoxide fumes into the cockpit. With the aircrafts future again under threat, Hawker spent much of 1942 working to improve the aircraft. Testing found that a problematic joint could lead to the Typhoons tail tearing away during flight. This was fixed by reinforcing the area with steel plates. In addition, as the Typhoons profile was similar to the Fw 190, it was the victim of several friendly fire incidents. To rectify this, the type was painted with high visibility black and white stripes under the wings. Early Combat In combat, the Typhoon proved effective in countering the Fw 190 particularly at lower altitudes. As a result, the Royal Air Force began mounting standing patrols of Typhoons along the southern coast of Britain. While many remained skeptical of the Typhoon, some, such as Squadron Leader Roland Beamont, recognized its merits and championed the type due to its speed and toughness. After testing at Boscombe Down in mid-1942, the Typhoon was cleared to carry two 500 lb. bombs. Subsequent experiments saw this doubled to two 1,000 lb. bombs a year later. As result, bomb-equipped Typhoons began reaching frontline squadrons in September 1942. Nicknamed Bombphoons, these aircraft began striking targets across the English Channel. An Unexpected Role Excelling in this role, the Typhoon soon saw the mounting of additional armor around the engine and cockpit as well as the installation of drop tanks to allow it to penetrate further into enemy territory. As operational squadrons honed their ground attack skills during 1943, efforts were made to incorporate RP3 rockets into the aircrafts arsenal. These proved successful and in September the first rocket-equipped Typhoons appeared. Capable of carrying eight RP3 rockets, this type of Typhoon soon became the backbone of the RAFs Second Tactical Air Force. Though the aircraft could switch between rockets and bombs, squadrons were typically specialized in one or the other to simplify supply lines. In early 1944, Typhoon squadrons commenced attacks against German communications and transportation targets in northwest Europe as a precursor to the Allied invasion. Ground Attack As the new Hawker Tempest fighter arrived on scene, the Typhoon was largely transitioned to the ground attack role. With the landing of Allied troops in Normandy on June 6, Typhoon squadrons began providing close support. RAF forward air controllers traveled with the ground forces and were able to call in Typhoon air support from squadrons loitering in the area. Striking with bombs, rockets, and cannon fire, Typhoon attacks had a debilitating effect on enemy morale. Playing a key role in the Normandy Campaign, the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, later singled out the contributions the Typhoon made to the Allied victory. Shifting to bases in France, the Typhoon continued to provide support as Allied forces raced east. Later Service In December 1944, Typhoons helped turn the tide during the Battle of Bulge and mounted countless raids against German armored forces. As spring 1945 began, the aircraft provided support during Operation Varsity as Allied airborne forces landing east of the Rhine. In the wars final days, Typhoons sank the merchant vessels Cap Arcona, Thielbeck, and Deutschland in the Baltic Sea. Unknown to the RAF, Cap Arcona carried around 5,000 prisoners taken from German concentration camps. With the end of the war, the Typhoon was quickly retired from service with the RAF. During the course of its career, 3,317 Typhoons were built.