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Research Proposal 1

This research proposal aims to investigate the moderating role of family support in the relationship between parental conflict and depression among young adults in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory and Attachment Theory, the study seeks to assess how family dynamics influence mental health outcomes. By employing a cross-sectional quantitative design, the research will provide culturally relevant insights and inform mental health interventions in the region.

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Hooria Amer
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16 views

Research Proposal 1

This research proposal aims to investigate the moderating role of family support in the relationship between parental conflict and depression among young adults in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory and Attachment Theory, the study seeks to assess how family dynamics influence mental health outcomes. By employing a cross-sectional quantitative design, the research will provide culturally relevant insights and inform mental health interventions in the region.

Uploaded by

Hooria Amer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Research Proposal

Title of the topic : The Moderating Role of Family Support in the Relationship Between
Parental Conflict and Depression Among Young Adults in Faisalabad

Introduction: Mental health issues, particularly depression, are increasingly prevalent among
young adults. Research highlights that family dynamics, such as parental conflict, can
significantly influence mental health outcomes. However, the role of protective factors like
family support in mitigating the negative impact of parental conflict remains underexplored,
particularly in Pakistan. This study aims to investigate whether family support moderates the
relationship between parental conflict and depression among young adults in Faisalabad.

Theoretical Background: This study is grounded in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems


Theory, which emphasizes the influence of the family as part of the microsystem on individual
development and well-being. Parental conflict, a significant aspect of family dynamics, can
disrupt emotional stability, leading to increased vulnerability to depression. Additionally,
Attachment Theory provides insight into the role of supportive family relationships as a
protective factor, suggesting that secure attachments can buffer against psychological distress.
By integrating these frameworks, this study explores how the interaction of negative (parental
conflict) and positive (family support) family factors influences depression in young adults.

Rationale: Depression among young adults is a growing concern, particularly in developing


countries like Pakistan, where mental health resources are limited, and family plays a central role
in individual well-being. Parental conflict has been identified as a risk factor for depression, but
not all individuals exposed to such conflict experience adverse outcomes. Family support may
serve as a crucial protective factor that buffers the negative effects of parental conflict. However,
there is a lack of empirical research in the Pakistani context exploring how these variables
interact. Understanding this dynamic can help inform culturally sensitive interventions and
promote mental health resilience among young adults in Faisalabad.

Research Objectives:

1. To assess the relationship between parental conflict and depression among young adults.
2. To examine the role of family support as a moderating factor in the relationship between
parental conflict and depression.
3. To provide culturally relevant insights into the role of family dynamics in mental health.

Research Questions:

1. Is there a significant relationship between parental conflict and depression among young
adults?
2. Does family support moderate the relationship between parental conflict and depression?

Hypotheses:

1. H1: Parental conflict is positively associated with depression among young adults.
2. H2: Family support moderates the relationship between parental conflict and depression,
such that higher family support weakens this association.

Methodology:

Research Design: A cross-sectional quantitative research design will be employed.

Population: Young adults aged 18-25 years residing in Faisalabad.

Sample Size: Approximately 150–200 participants will be recruited using convenience sampling
from universities and community settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

 Individuals aged 18-25 years.


 Residing in Faisalabad.
 Willing to participate voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria:

 Individuals with a diagnosed mental illness.


 Those who have experienced a major family event (e.g., death of a parent) in the last six
months.

Data Collection Tools:

1. Parental Conflict: Measured using the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ).


2. Depression: Measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) or Beck
Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).
3. Family Support: Measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social
Support (MSPSS).
4. Demographic Information: A structured questionnaire to collect age, gender,
socioeconomic status, and family structure.

Procedure:

1. Ethical approval will be obtained from the relevant institutional review board.
2. Participants will be recruited from universities and community centers in Faisalabad.
3. After obtaining informed consent, participants will complete the self-report
questionnaires.
4. Data collection is estimated to take 4-6 weeks.

Data Analysis:

1. Descriptive statistics will summarize demographic information.


2. Pearson correlation will assess the relationship between parental conflict, family support,
and depression.
3. Moderation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS macro in SPSS will test whether family
support moderates the relationship between parental conflict and depression.

Significance of the Study: This study will provide insights into how family support can mitigate
the adverse effects of parental conflict on mental health. The findings can inform culturally
relevant mental health interventions and family counseling practices in Pakistan.

Ethical Considerations:

1. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants.


2. Confidentiality and anonymity will be ensured.
3. Participants will be informed of their right to withdraw at any time.
4. Support resources will be provided to participants if the study raises any psychological
distress.

References:

 Hayes, A. F. (2017). Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process


Analysis: A Regression-Based Approach.
 Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Manual for the Beck Depression
Inventory-II.
 Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.

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