Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Pros And Cons

As professionals, research is something we will continuously come across during our practice. Research can be produced by many different people on various topics. Being able to critically analyze and critique research will ensure we are absorbing information through a critical lens and only taking in what is ethically and fairly researched and then reported. By analyzing the work of others, it is working to build skills as a critical reader within us, but also working to build skills for personal future research projects we as professionals, may conduct. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, commonly referred to as FAS, is a disorder that is pervasive across North America and the rest of the world, it is said to be the leading genetic cause of birth defects

The researchers conducted this study with their sample population being 20 adults, aged 30 +- 8 years. Their control group that they compared their findings to were adults that did not have a FAS diagnosis but were comparative in gender and age. Findings like depression, anxiety and addictions were measured by using well-established index’s or inventory scales. Questions were asked in an interview type setting and participants were also asked to fill out Beck’s Depression Index (BDI) as well as an anxiety scale index. (Rangmar, Sandberg, Arsonson and Fahlke, 2017). According to Creswell (2014), this would make the research approach, mixed method. Mixed method research is the combination of qualitative and quantitative research (Creswell, 2014). The researches used interviews, which would be considered qualitative. In addition, scales and indexes were used which do not allow for any explanation from participants, and would therefore be considered quantitative (Creswell,

The study group was said to be adults with a diagnosis of FAS. Not adults, with a diagnosis of FAS who also grew up in care. According to, Percora et al (2014), children who grow up in foster care are at a significantly greater risk to develop mental illnesses, such as, major depressive disorder, mania and post-traumatic stress disorder. This is an extremely important correlation between growing-up in foster care and struggling with psychiatric problems. This correlation is not considered or mentioned in Rangmar, Sandberg, Arsonson and Fahlke’s research. Their findings were that the subject group with FAS, experienced higher reports of depression and anxiety. While there is a possibility this may have been caused by other aspects of their lives, it is highly likely some of these psychiatric conditions were caused or started while growing up in care. It is shocking that the all 20 participants with FAS grew up in care. In order, to find more credible results and results that are less skewed, a better sample population should have been