Discussion Section Components

The five components of the discussion section of a scientific research article are the interpretation of findings, comparison with previous research, consequences and/or practical implementation of the research, drawbacks, and ways to enhance future research. In Emerging Adulthood, Lucas-article Thompson’s Relationship Quality With Parents, Traumatic Life Events, and Cortisol Development has all the elements.
Interpreting Results
Examples of interpreting the outcome variable are the tables and figures in the discussion section of the paper. The purpose of the research article was to investigate how quality relationships with parents and life stress is associated with cortisol production across the day among the emerging adults. Table 1 shows the correlation between quality relationships with parents, cortisol production and the emerging adults who are represented by the control variables (Lucas-Thompson, 98). Table 2 shows the relationship quality, stressful life events as well as the cortisol produced across the day. Figure 2 shows the relationship between mother’s warmth and the daily hassles to the cortisol intercept (Lucas-Thompson, 99).

Comparison to The Previous Research

Lucas-Thompson has cited the work of other researchers such as (Aquilino, 1997), (Waters, Merrick, Treboux, Crowell, & Albersheim, 2000), and (Cohen& Wills, 1985) throughout the discussion section. Cohen and Willis had researched on the relationship between stress and social support (Lucas-Thompson, 100). Aquilino had researched on the long-term effects the parenting practices have on the wellbeing of an adolescent (Lucas-Thompson, 99). Water et al. had researched on the different forms of childhood attachment and how they affect a child when he or she grows up (Lucas-Thompson, 99).

Implications And/or Practical Application of The Research

Lucas-Thompson states that the results of his study are essential because the stress psychology explains the association between chronic stressors such as strained family relationships as well as health problems (Lucas-Thompson, 101). Therefore, maintaining high relationships between mothers and children helps the emerging adults in maintaining suitable physiological regulation.

Limitations

Lucas-Thompson identifies limitations in his study in which the cross-sectional design does not allow causal correlations between the three variables which include stressful life events, relationship quality, and cortisol production. Besides, he says that the saliva samples were collected in a single day and could have limited the measurement of typical cortisol production and account for day-to-day variations in cortisol production (Lucas-Thompson, 101).

Ways to Improve Future Research

Lucas-Thompson recommends that the future studies should longitudinally examine correlations between the quality of the relationship and cortisol to help understand better the period in which relationship quality predicts the production of (Lucas-Thompson, 101). Secondly, he recommends that the samples to be used in the future studies should be collected over several days for better measurement of typical cortisol production and account for day-to-day variations in cortisol production

Works Cited

Lucas-Thompson, Rachel G. “Relationship quality with parents, stressful life events, and cortisol production in emerging adulthood.” Emerging Adulthood 2.2 (2014): 92-104.