Introduction to Research
Nowadays, the issue of poverty is acute due to burdens experienced by households in the context of financial, healthcare, and academic opportunities. The most vulnerable groups in such circumstances can be minors and racial and ethnic minorities. Research by Crouch and colleagues, published in 2019 in the Child Abuse & Neglect journal, focuses on the issue of poverty among American children, specifically the effects of poverty experienced by African-American children living in rural areas.
Problem Identification and Purpose of Research
The first element of the study that must be considered is the problem and purpose. The aim was to determine the incidence of a problem of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among children in the U.S. and to investigate the probability of reported exposure to ACEs (Crouch et al., 2019).
Subjects of the Study
As for the subjects of the study, 45,287 children between the ages of 0 and 17 were involved (Crouch et al., 2019). Therefore, the researchers involved a larger sample to grasp the whole picture.
Stated Hypothesis
The hypothesis of the paper was not explicit but evident from the purpose. The authors argued that non-Hispanic African-American children living in rural areas were more likely to be exposed to poverty and adverse socioeconomic conditions, which could later affect their well-being and prospects.
Literature Review Analysis: Thoroughness, Currency, and Relevance
The following component is the concise literature review of the study. While the literature review is relevant to the study and thorough, it is not current. The authors focus on adverse childhood experiences and the definition of this phenomenon, highlighting socioeconomic factors and making the review relevant. Additionally, the researchers involve other studies, such as those connected to questionnaires that help discover the harmful effects of adverse childhood experiences on adult outcomes, which makes the study thorough (Crouch et al., 2019). As Crouch and colleagues (2019) emphasize, such experiences increase the likelihood of poor mental or physical wellness, chronic illnesses, and cancer.
Research Design and Its Description
With the chosen research design, the authors prove the hypothesis. Cross-sectional analysis was chosen as a research design, with authors analyzing questionnaire statistics.
Practical Implications of the Study
The study’s practical implications are based on raising awareness by highlighting the inequality and adverse effects experienced by children of minority groups. The findings that rural children have higher prevalence rates support the significance of the relationship between geography and ACEs (Crouch et al., 2019). Policymakers must, therefore, take the regional component of ACEs into account. Early interventions at the national level can be influenced by the discovery of predicted factors connected to high ACE exposure (Crouch et al., 2019).
Article Summary
In terms of the summary of the article, the authors focused on the physical and mental implications of unfavorable economic conditions and their effects on children’s well-being, even in adulthood. Reviewing responses from over 40,000 households made it possible to determine the effects of unfavorable socioeconomic factors on African-American children residing in rural areas.
In the findings sections, the authors claim that such children were more likely to face economic hardship than those from other racial groups and urban areas (Crouch et al., 2019). Consequently, such individuals are more likely to have problems with the law, poor well-being, and academic and employment issues (Crouch et al., 2019). Thus, through their research, Crouch and colleagues draw the public’s and policymakers’ attention.
Article Critique
The research can be considered adequate for several reasons. First, the study has enhanced the generalizability of the results. The extensive study sample that involves other racial groups besides African-American individuals makes the results more generalizable. Additionally, the sample is not restricted to one location and covers urban and rural areas nationwide. Other aspects that make the study effective are the appropriate interpretation and discussion of findings, the focus on the issue of African-American children in rural areas, and the contribution to knowledge.
Nevertheless, one limitation was found, such as outdated sources used in the literature review. Most sources used in the research paper are old and published in the early 2000s and late 1990s, which means that the review is not fully current and can reduce data credibility. Overall, the research can be successful and effective, drawing attention to the acute social work issue.
Reference
Crouch, E., Probst, J. C., Radcliff, E., Bennett, K. J., & McKinney, S. H. (2019). Prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among US children. Child Abuse & Neglect, 92, 209-218. Web.
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