Identifying Factors Behind Increasing PTSD Cases: Research Project

This research project investigates the increasing prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The report begins with an introduction to PTSD, outlining its symptoms and impact on individuals. The methodology section details the research approach, philosophy, data collection methods (including primary and secondary sources), sampling techniques, and data analysis using a qualitative approach with thematic analysis. The literature review explores existing research on PTSD, its causes, and effects, referencing key studies. The investigation section presents interview findings from individuals with PTSD and healthcare professionals, exploring traumatic experiences, contributing factors like abuse and genetics, and the impact of PTSD on mental health. The results and findings section interprets the interviews, highlighting themes such as traumatic events, physical and social abuse, and the effects of PTSD. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and offers recommendations based on the research. The report emphasizes the importance of understanding PTSD, its causes, and the need for effective treatment and support for those affected. The project also addresses the limitations, including time and financial constraints.

RESEARCH PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...................................................................................................................... 3
Methodology.....................................................................................................................4
Literature review...........................................................................................................8
Investigation..................................................................................................................... 9
Results and Findings......................................................................................................13
Interpretation of Interview 1........................................................................................13
Interpretation of Interview 2........................................................................................14
Conclusion and Recommendations................................................................................15
References.....................................................................................................................17

Topic of the project –
“To identify why there has been increase in the number of people diagnosed with
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)”
INTRODUCTION
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder typically develops in those who have
experienced any sort of shocking, scary and dangerous event. On general note, it is
apparent that a person gets afraid during and after a traumatic situation; hence it brings
fear in the behaviour of that person. Thus, considering this aspect, the present research
work has been made with an attempt to analyse why number of people (suffering from
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) have been increasing. In order to meet the aim of the
research work, several objectives has been developed which has described how Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder develops.
 To define the reasons of increasing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in people
 To ascertain the factors that are associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
 To identify the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The present research work has analyses the reasons that increases Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder in people and which also enhances other health problems
(Grupe, Wielgosz, Davidson and Nitschke, 2016). The study is beneficial for health care
practitioners to get knowledge about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are so
many mythologies associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; hence in the present
work, the exact causes of PTSD have been defined.
1

METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is the most important section of the research work in
which discussion has been included regarding different tools and techniques. Several
methods that have been used in the research study are discussed in the following
section.
Research approach: Research approach holds more importance in a research
study; however it does not require adoption of any specific research area (Bromet and
et.al., 2017). For the present study, inductive approach has been taken into account
since it starts with observation and at the same time, theories are being developed while
finishing the entire research process.
Research philosophy: It deals with the source, nature and development of
knowledge; thus it will be included in the present study. The categories are Positivism
and Interpretivism and in the present study, researcher has been using Interpretivism
philosophy that allows researcher to integrate data aspects in suitable manner. It is
socially constructed; hence it has been used in the subsequent project.
Data collection: In order to collect data, it is crucial for researcher to emphasize
on diverse sources as that will also amend the validity of research procedure. In the
present study, both the sources primary and secondary have been used (Howlett and
Stein, 2016). Under primary source, data has been collected through carrying out one to
one interviews with people who have been exposed to trauma in past. Further, several
health care practitioners and professionals have been included in the interview process
to analyse the reasons that develops the issues related to Post- Traumatic Stress
Disorder in people.
2

Sampling: Sampling is the procedure in which a few people are being selected
from the entire population for the purpose of conducting the overall research procedure.
Probability and non- probability are two basic methods on the basis of which sample
size can be selected; however in the present research study researcher has been
emphasizing on random sampling technique. Hence, sample size for the present study
is 10 people who have been exposed to PTSD and 10 health care professionals.
Data analysis: Data analysis is the section in which findings of the study is being
analysed and interpreted according to suitable method (Bromet and et.al., 2017). Thus,
for the present research work, researcher has used Qualitative method and under that
Thematic analysis has been done. In addition to the same, charts, diagrams and tables
have been made to depict the responses of participants.
Ethical considerations: Ethics play crucial role in the research procedure;
hence for such purpose researcher has been focusing on all relevant and accurate
sources to collect suitable data. At the same time, researcher has also acquired consent
from the participants prior involving them in research procedure. Under ethical
terminology, researcher has also ensured to maintain data in secured database; this will
also enhance the validity and reliability of research procedure.
Research limitations: At the time of developing research work, apparently
researcher experiences many constraints and limitations (Fink and et.al., 2016). Thus,
integrating the same, in the subsequent work researcher had time and financial
constraints which also affected the overall procedure.
Timeline
3

Activity Wee
k1
Wee
k2
Wee
k3
Wee
k4
Wee
k5
Wee
k6
Wee
k7
Wee
k8
Week
9
Week
10
4

Writing
Research
Proposal
Reading
various
literature
Finalizing
the aims
and
objectives
Draft
literature
review
Collect
secondar
y data
Analyze
secondar
y data
Develop
research
5

approach
Draft
research
methodol
ogy
Develop
questionn
aire
Arrange
the
interview
Conduct
the
interview
Accumula
te the
data
Draft
Findings
Analyze
data
6

Complete
remaining
chapters
Submit it
to tutor
and await
for
feedback
Revise
the draft
Print and
bind
Submit
Literature review
According to Grupe, Wielgosz, Davidson and Nitschke (2016), PTSD starts when
a person has one month of a traumatic event; however such symptoms do not appear
immediately; therefore suitable analysis of the situation is essential. PTSD typically
impacts person’s ability while managing normal daily tasks and practices. Traumatic
event can happen because of any reason and it also brings negativity in the person.
This also led to memory problems; hence a person becomes unable to maintain close
relationships. However, on the other hand Howlett and Stein (2016), says that generally
7

it brings negative change in thinking, mood, physical and emotional areas which is a
negative sign for a person’s health.
PTSD develops in 1 in 3 people who experience severe trauma and which also
leads to stress and anxiety. It changes mental health condition and especially it occurs
when a person experiences severe traumatic event such as war, natural disaster and
any other situation of intense fear. Contrary to the same, Khusid and Vythilingam
(2016), contends that most of the people eventually adjust to the aftereffects of such
events; however situation of some people get worse with time. Emotional symptoms
include depression, worry, fear, helplessness and emotionally numb.
INVESTIGATION
In order to conduct the process of investigation, researcher has made use of
different sources which also contributes in carrying out the research procedure. In the
present research study, focus has been laid on increasing number of Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder which is yet another reason for mental issue that occurs in people
(Prakash, Saha, Das, Srivastava and Shashikumar, 2016). Researcher has selected
this topic because large number of data is available on this area and also due to area of
interest. Thus, this section interview is being conducted so that to get views of people
who have experienced PTSD. Interview has been conducted with women and men who
have exposed to trauma in past.
While conducting the interview, it is being ascertained that all the participants
have given different responses because all them are experiencing diverse traumatic
events. Here, it can be articulated that PTSD symptoms can vary over time and it also
8

leads to more stress in the person especially while recalling the event (Khusid and
Vythilingam, 2016). However, PTSD is commonly occurred in those people who have
experienced social and physical abuse for longer period. Older people also have such
kind of problem because they have seen impacts of war and natural disasters.
Physical abuse and harm affects the person negatively and it also changes the
way people think and conduct different activities. For instance- women who experience
sexual abuse from their partners usually get depressed at the time when the incident
comes in their mind. Sexual abuse changes the mental and physical thinking of women
and it also leads to bring more psychological impact on women (Howlett and Stein,
2016). This impacts regular life and as a result, overall family gets affected. Most of the
women take treatment for the same; however they often experience long term issues
even after getting suitable treatment.
Another example could be stated about Holocaust people who have experienced
many issues because of war and natural disaster wherein they lost their family
members. Such events also affects present life of the person and as a result people
become unable to enjoy the life. Emotional numbness is one of the major impacts that
occur especially at the time when a person experiences stress due to traumatic event
(Grupe, Wielgosz, Davidson and Nitschke, 2016) The number of PTSD has been
increasing because issues related to stress are more common in people. In current
scenario, it is apparent that people have stress because of many reasons and that gets
worse when they any sort of experienced traumatic event comes in their mind on
repetitive basis (Fink and et.al., 2016).
9

Another interview has been conducted with health care professionals who have
knowledge about impact of PTSD on patients. Questions for the interview have been
stated in the below section:
Health care practitioners are much aware about the impacts of PTSD; hence
considering this as a serious health mental condition, health care practiotners have
changed the way of delivering effective services to the concerned people. Post-
traumatic stress disorder seems to be a long lasting consequence that occurs due to
traumatic events devastate the ability, strength and competency of the person (Bromet
and et.al., 2017). Changes in service delivery procedure greatly affects the person’s
mind-set and it also develops different feeling of anger, fear and anxiety. People usually
behave abnormally when such natural event occurs in their life.
The most common reason that increases PTSD in people is genetics which
contends that anxiety disorders tend to run in families and people who have first degree
relatives (those who struggle anxiety disorder) are at greater risk of developing such
disorder in themselves. In this respect, Al Jadili and Thabet (2017), says that there is
not a definite cause for PTSD; however on the other hand it makes a person more
vulnerable to develop the disorder after experiencing any sort of traumatic attack.
Further, it is also believed that certain areas of brain regulate emotions and fear
especially among those who have experienced traumatic effects.
Moreover, it is also ascertained that people who have a history of trauma and
stress are more likely to PTSD and children usually develop this trauma because of
experiencing this in one of the family members (Zuckerman and et.al., 2017). In addition
to this, mental illness, anxiety and depression are yet another causes that increases the
10