Using The Tarot To Heal: A Study Of The Use Of Tarot In Therapeutic Settings And The Creation Of A Major Arcana, Venae Demarte

Honors College

The purpose of this project is to determine whether the use of Tarot has merit in clinical use of mindfulness techniques. Both mindfulness and Tarot alike have been used to help those who struggle with their mental health (Nehra, et al., 2013; Semetsky, 2010). This study aims to combine these two notions by researching the use of Tarot readings as a mindfulness technique.

With Tarot already being used as a healing method to those who are open to its use, it makes sense to bring Tarot into a more empirical light, rather than limit its use to those who are …

Increasing Accessibility To Newborn Hearing Screening For Out-Of-Hospital Births, Katherine Russum

Student and Trainee Scholarship

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH), in collaboration with the Maine Newborn Hearing program, and participating midwives embarked on a pilot program to increase accessibility to newborn hearing screening for out-of-hospital births. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines recommend screening infants for hearing differences by 1 month of age, evaluation by 3 months of age, and being enrolled in early intervention by 6 months of age. Most infants who have a missed hearing screen after 1 month of age have consistently been infants born outside the hospital setting.

Step 1 Of Maine Cdc Maternal & Child Health Title V Block Grant Needs Assessment: Gathering Community Input, Elizabeth Deliso

Student and Trainee Scholarship

The Maine Center for Disease Control (ME CDC) receives funding through the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program, which creates Federal/State partnerships to address the health services needs of 5 population domains: women, infants, children, children with special health care needs, & adolescents. Every 5 years Maine must conduct a needs assessment to determine its priorities for the next 5 years. Currently Maine is in Step 1 (highlighted in graphic below) of the Needs Assessment Process for 2025-2030. This step involves gathering community input.

Maine Educational Center For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Advisory Council, Fozia Robleh

Student and Trainee Scholarship

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MECDHH) plays a crucial role in supporting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing across Maine. One of its primary focuses is on providing quality education and support services to deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. MECDHH primarily serves individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, including children, adolescents, and adults, across the state of Maine. Their services and programs are designed to support these individuals in various aspects of their lives, including education, communication, accessibility, and advocacy. Additionally, MECDHH also works with families, …

Relations Among Self-Disclosure, Digital Communications Behavior, And Mental Health In College Students During And After Covid-19, Estephanie Baez-Vazquez

Honors College

This study aimed to investigate adolescents’ comfort in self-disclosing (i.e., sharing personal information with another) in both face-to-face and electronic communication contexts during the COVID-19 pandemic and currently. In addition, the role of several possible moderating factors, including gender, sexuality, depression, and social anxiety, was examined. Participants were 137 college students between 18 and 20 years of age who responded to an online survey assessing their depressive symptomatology, social anxiety symptomatology, and comfort in several aspects of self- disclosure within electronic and face-to-face settings during the COVID-19 pandemic and currently.

Results indicated that there were no significant differences in comfort …

Relations Of Emotional Functioning And Hormonal Contraceptive Use In Umaine Female Students, Shannen Fitzjurls

Honors College

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations of hormonal contraceptive use to emotional functioning in biological women. Hormonal contraceptives contain one of two hormones, progestin and estrogen, which are key regulatory hormones in women. Estrogen and progestin help to regulate brain networks and processes related to changes in stress response, cognition, and emotion regulation. Participants included 86 female college students, ages 18-25, who responded to measures that assessed hormonal contraceptive use, depressive symptoms, relationship quality, and mood. Results revealed no significant differences in depressive symptoms or mood states between women using hormonal contraceptives (51% of the sample) …

Teaching Gender: Analyzing And Transforming The Limitations Of The Gender Binary In Pre-Medical Education, Elliott Hooper

Honors College

Pre-medical education’s traditional orientation of teaching gender as a binary results in future medical providers who are not prepared to adequately care for trans* and gender-nonconforming patients (Snelgrove et al., 2012). To address this issue, I conducted an autoethnographic study of my educational experiences in the pre-medical program here at the University of Maine. I also investigated current pedagogical approaches in the field of pre-med and medical education, as well as scientific and social understandings of sex and gender, to create a tool to reflect on the gender inclusivity of course curricula and classroom environments. The tool draws on and …

Are Rural States Equipped For The Youth Mental Health Crisis? An Investigation Of The Mental Health Attitudes And Stigma Beliefs Of Caregivers, Benjamin Roseman

Honors College

There are clear mental health treatment disparities between rural and urban communities, especially in accessing quality mental health care and youth suicide prevention services. In 2021, the CDC reported an increase in youth mental health concern rates and alarmingly, a rise in youth suicidality rates. Considering these trends, and that rural people already experience higher suicide rates, the status of caregivers’ readiness and ability to access mental health services for their children must be examined. The present study aimed to investigate how caregiver mental health stigma and knowledge drives rural-urban disparities in suicide rates and access to quality mental health …

Holistic Healthcare: Bridging The Gap With Primary Mental Health Care, Peter Nyame

Non-Thesis Student Work

The integration of mental health services into primary care settings is crucial for addressing the holistic well-being of individuals, particularly in light of the interconnected nature of physical and mental health. However, prevailing gaps persist, marked by a shortage of mental health professionals, limited resources, and enduring stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Notably, the state of Maine faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to mental health care, with a substantial portion of the population lacking sufficient support. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the urgency of integrating mental health services into primary care, amplifying existing challenges and necessitating adaptive …

Effectiveness Of Probiotic Therapy On The Symptoms Of Major Depressive Disorder (Mdd), Lydia L.M. Sprague

Non-Thesis Student Work

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents a pervasive mental health challenge globally, necessitating effective treatment approaches. This paper examines the efficacy of probiotic therapy compared to placebo in individuals diagnosed with MDD, addressing the PICOT question: In people diagnosed with MDD, what effect does probiotic therapy versus placebo have on their symptoms of depression? Through a review of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the study elucidates the potential of probiotics as adjunctive treatments for MDD. Findings indicate that probiotic interventions may yield improvements in depression symptoms, reflecting promising avenues for complementary therapeutic strategies. However, variations in study designs and probiotic strains …

Student Clinical Judgment Skills Using The Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, Sara E. Carr

Non-Thesis Student Work

Nurses provide care to clients in complex situations. Nurses entering practice need greater confidence and skills to make sound clinical judgment decisions when caring for clients. A question arises: do structured clinical judgment activities based on the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM) improve students’ clinical judgment skills throughout a semester simulation and clinical rotation? A literature search of EBSCOhost, CINAHL, Next Generation: NCLEX News, and article reference lists were used. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2018-2023 were reviewed, resulting in 13 articles being selected. The literature demonstrated that nursing schools work to prepare nurses for entry-level practice by designing a curriculum …

Strategies To Minimize Lead Exposure And Ensure Early Detection Of Elevated Lead Levels In Children Less Than 5 Years Of Age, Stephanie Massey

Non-Thesis Student Work

Exposure to lead in children can have serious long-term health implications, including cognitive and developmental delays. This systematic literature review identifies evidence-based strategies to prevent lead exposure and ensure early detection of elevated lead levels in children less than 5 years of age. The purpose of this review is to determine reliable and valid methods to prevent and screen for lead exposure in children less than 5 years of age to inform practice, research, and policy.

The Clinical Judgment Measurement Model And Improving Student Clinical Judgment, Sara E. Carr

Non-Thesis Student Work

Nurses provide care to clients in complex situations. Nurses entering practice need greater confidence and skills to make sound clinical judgment decisions when caring for clients. A question arises: Do structured clinical judgment activities based on the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM) improve students’ clinical judgment skills throughout a semester simulation and clinical rotation? A literature search of EBSCOhost, CINAHL, Next Generation: NCLEX News, and article reference lists were used. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2018-2023 were reviewed, resulting in 13 articles being selected. The literature demonstrated that nursing schools work to prepare nurses for entry-level practice by designing a curriculum …

Diabetes Management In Adolescents: Insulin Pump Therapy Versus Insulin Injection Therapy, Candice J. Ryder, Chantal Connelly, Lindsay Clements, Keri Hebert

Non-Thesis Student Work

Understanding the compliance of different insulin delivery methods among adolescents with diabetes is crucial for bettering their outcomes as they grow into adulthood. Adherence to insulin regimens can be influenced by many factors, including education provided to the adolescent from caregivers and providers, utilization of diabetes educators, peer influence, and stereotyping. The two methods of insulin delivery focused on for this review are insulin pumps and daily insulin injections. These authors pose the question: in adolescents, aged 13-18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), does the use of an insulin pump therapy compared to insulin injection therapy lead to …

Ozempic (Semaglutide) Versus Nonpharmacologic Interventions For Weight Management In Overweight Individuals, Elena N. Jacey, Lily Jennings, Callie Gillmore, Emily Kane, Emma Digirolamo

Non-Thesis Student Work

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication prescribed for individuals managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, helping to regulate glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion and reducing glucagon secretion. Many patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus rely on Ozempic (semaglutide) as a weight loss aid as opposed to implementing healthy lifestyle changes. This information proposes the question: in overweight individuals taking Ozempic (semaglutide), a medication prescribed for those with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, for the management of weight loss, does the use of Ozempic (semaglutide) compared to non-pharmacologic weight loss strategies exaggerate the occurrence …

Screening For Colon Cancer In Adults Under And Over 50: Effects On Mortality Rates, Lauren M. Dean, Eve Daries, Ethan Grover, Morgan Howes, Kayla Loughman

Non-Thesis Student Work

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of adults under the age of 50 who are diagnosed with colon cancer, and many of these adults are diagnosed with stage III or IV. In 2018, the recommended age for initial colon cancer screening through colonoscopies decreased from age 50 to 45. Despite this, there are rising concerns about the effectiveness of current screening mechanisms and the recommended age for screening. These authors pose the question: among adults under the age of 50, how does colon cancer screening impact mortality rates compared to those over the age of 50? A …

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Cancer Patients With Radiation-Induced Tissue Injuries, Abigail R. Roy, Julia Shannon, Sampaguita French, Daniel Weaver

Non-Thesis Student Work

Cancer, secondary to cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). Radiation is a standard cancer therapy, however it can cause fibrosis of blood vessels, the breakdown of soft tissue, and subsequently lead to necrosis. When caring for cancer patients, it is imperative to consider the lasting effects interventions pose on their long-term health. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a healing treatment consisting of administering 100% oxygen to the body in a pressurized chamber; in turn, HBOT facilitates capillary regrowth, blood flow restoration, and increased efficiency of wound healing time. The efficacy …

The Effectiveness Of Annual Mammograms Versus Triennial Mammograms In Women Under The Age Of 50, Jordyn A. Gowell, Dakota Grace Cochran, Ashley Cantwell, Sara Doughty, Allison Sgrosso

Non-Thesis Student Work

The current recommendation for mammography frequency is every 2 years after age 50. However, newer data shows that yearly mammograms are effective in early detection of breast cancer, even before age 50. These authors posed the question: In women under age 50, is a yearly mammogram more effective than a mammogram every 3 years in detecting breast cancer? A literature search was conducted on CINAHL, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library using the following terms: mammography, mammogram, annual, yearly, every three years, triennial, and breast cancer. A total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results of the literature …

Mindfulness Based Interventions To Reduce Burnout And Ptsd Symptoms In Critical Care Nursing, Kelly A. Pellegrino, Libby M. Colley, Carly R. Fazendin, Emma R. Parrotta, Mollie Johnson

Non-Thesis Student Work

Within the medical field, nursing is a career that can be very taxing on both one’s physical and mental wellbeing, especially in regards to critical care. The life-threatening situations and strenuous work that critical care nurses are met with everyday make them especially susceptible to struggling with burnout, compassion fatigue, and PTSD-like symptoms. This not only puts their own safety at risk, but the safety of their patients as well. This raises the question: In critical care nursing, does the utilization of mindfulness based interventions, compared to no intervention, aid in the reduction of nursing burnout and PTSD symptoms? In …

Distraction Interventions And Play Therapy: Decreasing Fear And Anxiety In Hospitalized Patients Less Than 12 Years, Terence J. Olds, Jordan Conroy, Rebecca Rider, Julia Good, Hannah Peacock

Non-Thesis Student Work

Hospitalization can be a frightening experience for pediatric patients. Addressing these negative emotions greatly impacts their experience, wellbeing, and recovery process. It is crucial to understand and implement strategies that alleviate these negative emotions and promote healing during hospitalization. The authors will review two safe, effective, and reliable methods of alleviating fear and anxiety in hospitalized children under 12 years old; distraction techniques and play therapy. A literature search was conducted on CINAHL and PubMed using the following search criteria: child, youth, kid, play therapy, therapeutic play, anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety, hospital, acute setting, inpatient, and distraction. A total of …

Use Of Mentor Education In Nursing Dedicated Education Unit (Deu) Clinical Models: Correlation To Student And Preceptor Satisfaction Levels, Maggie Menter

Non-Thesis Student Work

The project focuses on implementing preceptor education for those within the dedicated education unit clinical model and its correlation to increased student and preceptor satisfaction. Implementing Dedicated Education Units (DEU) aims to increase satisfaction within the learning environment, thus creating greater student engagement in the clinical experience. Nursing students who participated in the DEU model report positive learning experiences, increased self-confidence, supportive learning environments, teamwork and communication, and decreased cognitive loads and stress levels after participating in the DEU clinical experience. It is essential to have preceptors who have been well-prepared to involve students in the care they are providing …

Historical Trauma And The Support Of Wabanaki Elders Caring For Indigenous Children, Susan Plissey

Non-Thesis Student Work

The Indigenous Wabanaki population in Maine have experienced centuries of trauma. In the United States removal of children from their parents and tribal communities in an effort of planned cultural genocide has continued for decades. In 2016, Maine and federal ICWA laws sought to protect Indigenous children from being separated from their families and communities. When Indigenous children require removal from their biological parents, the priority is placement within their Indigenous community, and care often falls onto elders. However, many Indigenous elders experience significant challenges when children are placed in their care as a result of the consequences of historical …

Exploring The Influence Of Trauma-Informed Care On Pelvic Examinations For Women, Sarah Dodge, Madison Child, Madison Shirland, Chloe Smith, Claudia Fox, Grace Fernandez

Non-Thesis Student Work

Trauma-informed care (TIC) has become increasingly common in discussions regarding women’s health. TIC refers to a clinical approach that implements compassion, respect, and acknowledges the impact of trauma on patients. In the United States, pelvic exams are routinely performed on women over 21 for gynecological abnormalities. Many of these women present with histories of post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and other psychological comorbidities. These histories greatly influence women’s behaviors, including their likelihood to seek gynecological care in fear of being retraumatized. A literature search was conducted to determine the impact of TIC on the rates of women …

Student Nurse Clinical Experience In A Dedicated Education Unit, Kendall F. Doyle

Non-Thesis Student Work

New graduate nurses are reporting gaps in clinical expertise and knowledge when transitioning from student to new graduate nurses. The student clinical experiences are paramount to the new graduate nurses' transition into practice. It is imperative that school of nursing (SON) programs and clinical settings collaborate to provide the best possible clinical experience. One clinical model that can be utilized is the dedicated education unit (DEU). In this work, I will demonstrate the clinical impact the DEU model has in increasing clinical expertise. This will be done by reviewing peer-reviewed articles that relate to the DEU clinical module, the traditional …

Life Experiences Of First-Year College Students Who Resided With A Parent Experiencing Depression, Jasmine Olshin

Honors College

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the United States (US), and a significant number of depressed adults are parents to children who depend on them for care and nurturing. Research on parental depression (PD) focuses predominantly on its impacts on children and adolescents and has shown many negative outcomes as well as a predisposition to developing depression themselves. The literature on the impact of parental depression on young adults and college students is scant. Young adults (ages 18- 25) experience the highest rates of depression, and many of these individuals enter college where they are continuing …

The Reversal Of Roe Vs. Wade And Its Effect On Contraception Access In The U.S., Jessica Dupler, Abby Enck

Non-Thesis Student Work

Over the past year, there has been a shift in the United States healthcare system following the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade. This shift has caused a burden to fall on contraceptive use across states that either prohibited abortion or permitted it. This information poses the following question: In women of reproductive age living in the U.S., has the reversal of Roe v. Wade impacted birth control access in U.S. states with limited abortion rights compared to U.S. states that do not limit abortions over the past year? A literature search was conducted on CINAHL, PubMed, and Google …

Office Of The Vice President For Research And Dean Of The Graduate _Invitation To "Long Covid: A Long Way To Go" Lecture, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Dean Of The Graduate School

Teaching, Learning & Research Documents

Email from the University of Maine Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate regarding the Institute of Medicine's Second Annual Distinguished Science Lecture, "Long Covid: A Long Way to Go.".

The Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder And Epilepsy: Challenging The Dichotomy Of Mental And Physical Health, Mia A. Dawbin

Psychology and Community Studies | Student Scholarship

Abstract

The body of literature associating epilepsy with mood disorders is vast and can be traced as far back as Hippocrates. The comorbidity of the two is notoriously high. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among people with epilepsy has been widely reported for decades, though these symptoms may not be considered or treated as successfully in people with epilepsy as they are in their non-epileptic counterparts. More recently, evidence has been found suggesting that psychiatric symptoms may serve as a precursor to epilepsy. The episodic nature of the illnesses and their congruent model of progression suggest a possible connection. The …

Advancing Data Equity To Improve Health Equity For People With Disabilities (Pwd), Michelle Fong

Policy Analysis

Up to 26% of adults and 4.3% of children (nearly 70.6 million people) in the US have at least one disability. This is the largest population with consistent health disparities and intersects with all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. Equity is at the core of public health practice. Health data linked with disability data provide accountability and a basis for trust in leaders who seek meaningful health progress for people with disabilities (PWD). Disability data gaps hide health disparities and perspectives of PWD, perpetuating harmful biases.The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a US law that upholds civil …

Mind The Gap: A White Paper On Maine's Missing Covid-19 Surveillance Data, How They Perpetuate Health Disparities Of Maine's Citizens With Disabilities, And What Can Be Done To Increase Maine's Public Health Data & Service Equity, Michelle Fong

Student and Trainee Scholarship

A white paper by Michelle Fong, a 2023 NH-ME Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) trainee and MPH student at the University of New England. Equitable health data represents all populations and can be linked to their common characteristics. Maine’s COVID-19 data can be disaggregated by gender, race, ethnicity, and age, but not by disability status or type. It is an example of inequity in data collection, or a data gap, that prevents analysis of pandemic health outcomes for Mainers with disabilities.