Digital Commons Network^™

Adaptations And Transformations: Perceptions Of Change In Academic Motivation, Resilience, And Covid-19 Stress, Ella V. Gregorio

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Of concern to educators, post-COVID-19 assessments have revealed significant achievement gaps in student performance, as well as significant decreases in adolescent mental health. Less is known about changes in achievement motivation. Here we ask how students perceive their own motivation and whether it changed between “before” the pandemic to the present (Fall 2022 - Spring 2023), about three years after the beginning of the pandemic when many school routines were returning to “normal.” To understand how variance in these perceived changes might be related to pandemic-related stressors, trait resilience, and current mental health, we conducted a large survey study (N …

Do Resilience And Treatment Satisfaction Moderate The Association Between Adhd And Quality Of Life?, Allison Macht

Senior Theses and Projects

This study examined how resilience moderated the association between ADHD symptom severity and general Quality of Life (QoL) in emerging adults. Using data from an anonymous online survey distributed at six US colleges/universities, participants (N=4396; 73% female-identifying; 72% White) reported on ADHD symptomatology and their diagnostic status; resilience; perceived QoL; and satisfaction with pharmacological and behavioral treatment for ADHD (if diagnosed). As hypothesized, overall ADHD severity was inversely associated with the different facets of QoL (rs = -.18 to -.29). However, contrary to our hypothesis, inattentive symptoms showed larger inverse associations with QoL compared to hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. There was a …

Expressive Therapies And Resiliency – Resistance In Mental Health: A Literature Review, Gabrielle Lopez

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This review evaluates the current literature on psychological resistance amongst human service professionals experiencing burnout and the effect of Expressive Arts interventions on resiliency. Concepts include identifying the main symptoms, risk factors, causes, and treatments for burnout in education faculty, medical staff, and clinicians. Qualitative, quantitative, and meta-analysis studies are included to identify the most prevalent intervention frameworks for reducing stress including Arts-Based and Mindfulness-compassion based techniques. The effectiveness of Arts-based tools on strengthening identity, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and meaning-making in combating burnout is presented. Based on analysis of the literature, the author proposes a three-step intervention framework for utilizing …

Developing An Ebook For First Responders: Exploring Arts-Based Interventions To Counter Burnout And Build Resilience, Taysia De Mesa, Baylor Duncan, Emmanuelle Evans, Ashley Herbinger, Hannah Kent, Olivia Waldorf

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

The researchers in this project studied the prevalence and impact of burnout among first responders, after which they produced CRISP (Creative Resilience Initiatives for Service Providers), a groundbreaking art therapy-based program published in an electronic book format aimed at addressing burnout and fostering resilience among first responders. Our program aims to foster resilience by integrating art therapy's Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) model with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and anti-racism strategies. The ETC model aligns with inclusive and diverse practices as it emphasizes a system-focused approach in using creativity, self-reflection, and cultivation of effective body-mind empathy. The CRISP eBook features 18 …

Illness Perceptions And Health-Promoting Behaviors: The Buffering Role Of Resilience In Adults With Congenital Heart Disease, Taylor Rose Eldridge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are one of the most prevalent genetic abnormalities, impacting the lives of millions of children, teens, and young adults. Conservative diagnoses estimate that 2.4 million children and adults are living with CHD in the United States (Gilboa et al., 2016). CHD requires consistent cardiac support with multiple surgeries and hospitalizations expected throughout the lifetime, which significantly impacts psychological health. Specifically, patients present with a host of extra-cardiac conditions that impact their quality of life. With advancements in medical technology, mortality rates continue to improve for this population; however, individuals face a number of consequences that impact …

Cultivating Resilience In Adolescence: How Educational Environments Can Support Positive Youth Development During Identity Exploration, Heather I. Arndt, Genesis G. Larin, Gladis Abigail Munguia, Henry William Perez, Dianne Preciado

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is a critical stage of human development, one that can be especially challenging for teens that are navigating certain vulnerabilities in their identity formation. With the World Health Organization stating that 14% of 10–19 year-olds experience mental health conditions, educational environments are increasingly needed to address mental concerns in their curriculums. This qualitative research project used a combination of art based inquiry and narrative analysis to answer the following question, “How can educational environments promote resilience and positive youth development during adolescent identity exploration?” Findings illuminated several emergent themes that culminated in the following four recommendations for educational environments; …

The Together Study: Exploring The Relationship Between Ontario Undergraduate University Students’ Levels Of Resilience And Their Experiences Of Diversity And Inclusion, Manvir Ahluwalia

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study’s primary purpose was to assess, quantitatively, the relationship between Ontario undergraduates’ levels of resilience and experiences of diversity and inclusion, and to identify demographic factors most associated with these outcomes. The secondary purpose was to explore, qualitatively, students’ experiences of diversity and inclusion and their perspectives on how these experiences influenced their resilience. Demographic questions, three scales, and (focus group and individual) interviews were used. Undergraduates (n = 276) from 19 Ontario universities completed the survey. Pearson’s correlation revealed a positive relationship between resilience and experiences of diversity and feelings of inclusion. Demographics indicative of equity-deserving group …

Balancing Wellness And Leadership: Exploring Black Women Administrators’ Subjective Well-Being, Resilience, And Radical Self-Care In Higher Education, Lashae Grottis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Leaders in higher education experience high and unrealistic demands for their skills, time, and energy, causing stress, competing priorities, burnout, compromised health, and attrition. However, unlike other racial and gender groups, Black women higher education administrators experienced these challenges more intensely. As a result of chronic stress associated with being undervalued and overworked, discriminatory and unwelcoming workplaces, and intersectional biases, Black women leaders are leaving higher education workplaces. Despite the link between gendered racism and unwellness, little is known about the problem from a positive leadership perspective. This study addressed the lack of knowledge of the wellness strategies Black women …

Integrating Behavioral Health Into Family Medicine: Improving Access To Specialty Care Using A Collaborative Care Model, Christina Stephens

DNP Scholarly Projects

Primary care, an extensive of family medicine remains a key access point for patients entering the healthcare system. Accessing medical care and specialty psychiatric services is limited in rural communities. Patients often find exhaustive wait times, untimely referrals, and reliance on emergency services for crisis management. The primary care provider is able to help their community improve access to behavioral health care by using a collaborative approach. This quality improvement initiative used the framework produced by the AIMS Center at the University of Washington and adopted for use creating an 8-week intensive program in a family medical practice located in …

The Effect Of A Community Resiliency Model Education On Resilience, Psychological Empowerment, And Well-Being In Behavioral Health Nurses, Lorrie Smith-Esterle

DNP Projects

Background: Resilience, well-being, and psychological empowerment are associated with improvement in job satisfaction and nurse retention rates. The Community Resiliency Model (CRM) can promote emotional regulation, well-being, and create an internal state of balance in response to work-related stressors. Educating nurses on how to use CRM enables the recognition of changes in thoughts, emotions, sensations, and internal or external stimuli, which can promote resilience, well-being, and psychological empowerment.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate evaluate the effect of a resiliency education using the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) on resilience, psychological empowerment, and well-being of behavioral health nurses. …

Resilience As A State, "A Learned Trait," Among The Brain Injury Population: A Narrative Analysis, Bailey Gifford

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are acquired injuries resulting from an external trauma to the head (Brain Injury Association of America, 2019). The impact of a TBI is significant with those affected experiencing cognitive decline, decreased mobility, communication barriers, reduced social participation and impairments with engagement in valued occupations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the existing literature regarding state resilience for persons who have experienced TBI.

Theoretical Framework: Occupational Adaptation Model promotes occupational performance in meaningful activities through adaptation, which is a continual process based on fluctuating changes in adversity.

Methods: This project design was a …

Does What Doesn’T Kill You Make You Stronger? Examining The Effects Of Resilience And Functional Outcomes On Post-Traumatic Growth In Adults With Acquired Disability, Dominique Renee Ghirardi M.S.

Theses and Dissertations

Disabilities acquired in adulthood are often unexpected and disruptive because a loss of functioning can affect one’s ability to maintain employment, pursue their interests, and participate in social activity without assistance or accommodation. This is especially true for those who experience a life-altering injury or develop a chronic health condition between the ages of 18 and 64, as they likely have not planned for the financial and social adjustments that life with a disability involves. However, factors such as post-traumatic growth can reveal the extent to which someone experiences personal growth and improvement in the wake of a traumatic and …

The Impact Of Self-Compassion Strategies To Reduce Stress And Support The Transition To Practice For New Graduate Nurses: A Pilot Project, Charity Michelle Ballmann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of self-compassion exercises to reduce stress and support the transition to practice for new graduate nurses. As the years pass, one thing remains a consistent topic in healthcare, and the need for nurses remains constant. The nursing staffing shortage gap seemingly widened further as the COVID-19 pandemic created additional challenges for healthcare systems, patient care, and employees. Retention of the workforce and an intentional focus on new graduate nurses' well-being have become increasingly important. New graduate nurses are a pipeline for the nursing workforce. Supporting the transition to practice …

Developing An Online Questionnaire To Investigate The Covid-19 Pandemic’S Impacts On Social Isolation And Health In Older Adults Living With Multimorbidity: A Pilot Study, Patricia Nistor

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction. Social restrictions preventing the spread of COVID-19 possibly increased social isolation and loneliness. The validity and reliability of a questionnaire assessing the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on social isolation and loneliness in community dwelling older adults with multimorbidity was investigated.

Methods. A conceptual framework was developed to guide questionnaire construction. Participants were recruited through professional networks, comprising a convenience sample. Feedback interviews assessed usability and face validity. Content validity was assessed using a Content Validity Matrix, and construct validity through tests of association. Reliability of validated scales was assessed using Cronbach’s ⍺. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed. …

Implementation Of A Mindfulness Intervention To Increase Adolescent Resilience In An After-School Program: A Quality Improvement Project., Katie Thomas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Background: Globally, fourteen percent of adolescents ages 10 to 19 years old suffer from mental health problems (World Health Organization, 2021). Resilience is a fundamental concept of the mental health promotion framework (CAMH, 2022).The WHO (2020) “Guidelines on Mental Health Promotive and Preventive Interventions for Adolescents” includes the recommendation that universal interventions to promote mental health and reduce mental disorders should include social and emotional learning (SEL), such as emotional regulation, mindfulness, stress management, problem solving, and interpersonal skills. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are one evidence-based method of accomplishing this goal (Sapthiang et al., 2018). Purpose: The purpose of …

Embracing Unity: Reconnecting With The Self In Contemporary Culture Through Dance/Movement Therapy Values, Dilara Akpinar

Dance/Movement Therapy Theses

This thesis explores the interplay between a sense of wholeness, environmental factors, inner conflict and injuries, and the transformative journey towards rediscovering one's sense of Self on a psyche somatic level. This paper delves into the significance of the Self as a central archetype in the human psyche: the totality of one's consciousness, encompassing both the conscious and unconscious aspects of an individual. By recognizing and confronting the unconscious aspects– of inner conflicts, polarities and perceptions– individuals can start to develop a healthier sense of self, based on self-acceptance and self-compassion. The interconnection between movement through dance/movement therapy values and …

Perspectives Of Home Care Nurses On Frailty And Resilience In Older Adults Living At Home, Lisa Foley

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The population of older adults is growing rapidly in the United States. As more people are living to an advanced age, they are often managing a multitude of chronic illnesses and disabilities while continuing to live at home. Frailty is a common condition that affects how one ages and the condition is associated with dependency and poor health outcomes. Resilience is considered to be a protective factor against health stressors that lead to frailty in older adults. Perspectives of home care nurses were obtained by semi-structured interviews which described how older adults live at home with frailty and demonstrate resilience. …

Self-Care, Resilience, Self-Compassion, And Burnout In Doctoral Nursing Students: An Exploratory Needs Assessment, Logan Justice

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: In the United States, one in three nurses experience symptoms of burnout, and doctoral nursing students are additionally challenged to juggle multiple school, work, and life demands (Reith, 2018; Woo et al., 2020). The purpose of this project was to explore the current self-care practices of doctoral nursing students to understand how self-care relates to resilience and burnout.

Methods: This exploratory needs assessment utilized a convenience sample of Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) nursing students at a medium sized midwestern university. An electronic data collection survey was constructed to assess student self-care practices, …

Fostering Resilience In Children Of United States Navy Seals Using A Social Media Platform, Riley Walker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Having resilience helps children overcome, cope, and manage stressors that they encounter throughout life and provides intrinsically protective factors to help a child thrive in the face of adversity.

Local problem: Children of United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land Operators (SEALs) face consistent stress as their parent is away from home more than 240 days per year doing high-risk training exercises.

Methods: Resilience education to mothers of children whose fathers are United States Navy SEALs delivered virtually on a social media platform. Pre- and post- intervention surveys using the Likert scale were conducted to measure the mothers’ understanding …

Enhancing Nurse Manager Resilience With A Resilience-Enhancing Toolkit, Rosarina A. J. Pelikan

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Nurse managers have one of the most stressful jobs in nursing leadership. They experience more burnout and are more likely to leave the job or leave the nursing profession altogether, leading to vacancies or burned-out leaders.

Local Problem: The organization experienced high nurse manager turnover. Of 12 positions, four have more than two years of experience, three have less than two years, and five are filled with interims.

Context: Strategies to address burnout are decreasing stressors or arming leaders with skills to withstand stressors. The organization offers programs that address burnout but are designed to be used outside of …

Community Health Worker Program: Adverse Childhood Experiences And Early Childhood, Arelis Sandoval

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) negatively affect childhood development and long-term health outcomes. Latino children face multiple adversities and social determinants of health compounded by ACEs. Community Health Workers (CHWs) have access to work with families to improve resilience and mitigate the effects of ACEs in this population.

Local Problem: In the Central Valley of California, CHWs provide support and resources to a largely Latino population with increased poverty rates, low educational attainment, lack of health insurance, and many chronic health issues, putting families at a higher risk for ACEs exposure. CHWs need further training to apply ACEs knowledge to …

Connecting With Our Roles Through Post Traumatic Growth After Experiencing Medical Trauma, Marie Angier

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper explores the combination of drama therapist, Robert Landy’s (1993), Role Theory and the psychological concept of Post Traumatic Growth (Tedeschi, 2018). The author created a protocol that involved psychoeducation surrounding the five domains of Post Traumatic Growth and a role card sort involving the drama therapeutic process of role theory. A young adult client experiencing significant medical trauma participated in these processes during a three session intervention. Results indicated that the client viewed negative experiences as potentials for growth toward furthered resilience and future hope and optimism. The sample size was limited to one person and further search …

Implementation Of A Peer Support Program To Increase Resilience In Nurse Managers In Acute Care Hospitals: A Pilot Study, Juana Castillo

Doctoral Projects

Background: Nurse managers are at risk for experiencing stress and burnout. The peer support program was implemented to increase resilience among nurse managers.
Methods: A one-group pretest and posttest design was employed to examine the impact of peer support on nurse manager resilience. The nurse managers participated in bi-weekly 30-minute peer sessions over 12 weeks. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was utilized prior to and following the intervention along with demographic and satisfaction surveys.
Results: There were six nurse managers who participated in the peer support program; however, only four completed both the pre- and post-survey. The peer support program intervention …

Social Dominance Alters Stress-Induced Neural Activity And Generates Individual Differences In Stress Vulnerability, Jenna Lee Laymon

Masters Theses

Identifying the physiological and behavioral mechanisms that underlie stress vulnerability is a crucial step toward identifying novel targets for the prevention and treatment of stress-related disorders. Social status is a key environmental factor that contributes to individual variations in stress vulnerability. In particular, achieving a subordinate social status has been shown to produce susceptibility to anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior. In this project, our aim was to identify neural ensembles regulating how dominance status modulated stress-induced changes in avoidant behavior in male and female Syrian hamsters. Using a viral vector that codes for robust activity marker (RAM), we investigated whether stress-induced …

Can We Learn To Heal Ourselves? The Promise, Perils, And Insights Behind Medicalizing Psychedelics, Brielle Seidel

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Before they were criminalized, psychedelics were once used in mental health research. Today, they are making a resurgence in the medical field following a long hiatus. Current clinical trials for psychedelic-assisted therapy reveal their potential to treat a variety of mental health conditions. While this novel treatment provides promise, there are many implications to consider regarding its integration into the Western medical model. This paper includes a literature review of the past and current use of psychedelics for healing purposes and mental health research. The literature review provides background for understanding the resurgence of psychedelics within a larger context. Additionally, …

The Hero's Journey In Dance/Movement Therapy: Answering The Call By Entering Experiences Through The Doorway Of Awe, Rachel Alford

Dance/Movement Therapy Theses

The hero’s journey tells the story of an ordinary person leaving their known life, setting out on an adventure into the unknown to fulfill a quest, and returning to their known world with some form of gift for their society. This storyline can be traced throughout myths and legends across time and cultures and is still used in current books and films to this day. The hero’s journey can also be traced throughout the course of an average person’s life and can be entered into at any time as the person encounters and overcomes trials to develop self-trust and resiliency …

Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Individuals With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome And Intellectual Disability, Sandra Garza Ochoa

Theses and Dissertations

Caregiving for a person with 22q11.2 chromosome deletion syndrome (22q) often entails dealing with medically life-threatening complications and is significantly compounded when the care recipient has comorbid 22q and intellectual disability (ID). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of support, spirituality, and resiliency on the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers of individuals with comorbid 22q/ID to ascertain if these protective factors would reduce their caregiving burden. Study participants consisted of 469 caregivers of persons with 22q/ID who were recruited through 22q social advocacy groups. Correlational analyses, analyses of variance, and multiple regression analysis were used …

The Resilience And Socioeconomic Status Of Caregivers And School-Aged Children In The Context Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Julia Yates

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged caregivers’ and school-aged children’s ability to adapt. Their adaptability may be due to their resilience, which socioeconomic status (SES) may impact.

Methods: Surveys were administered to 22 caregivers and 27 school-aged children (7-10 years) living in Ontario to measure their resilience and SES in the context of COVID-19. Correlations were employed to explore relationships between: (1) caregiver and child resilience; and (2) resilience and SES.

Results: Analyses found no significant relationship between caregiver and child resilience, nor resilience and SES in the context of COVID-19. Trends revealed caregivers with normal resilience had a higher …

Building Resilience Through Pregnancy Utilizing Tools From Occupational Therapy And Yoga, Rachel Brown

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Nurture Nashville, a local yoga and movement studio focused on promoting wellness and connection for pregnant and postpartum people throughout their journey in motherhood. The primary focus of this project was developing resources to promote resilience during the perinatal period by utilizing tools from both occupational therapy and yoga practice. Outcomes included the synthesis of research into a resilience toolkit, the creation and implementation of a 5-week yoga and sharing circle curriculum, and the re-establishment of a community-centered studio event titled “Meet the Doulas.”

Examining Relationships Among Nursing Students' Views Of Suffering, Positive Thinking, And Professional Quality Of Life, Ruth Anne Engbers

Dissertations (1934 -)

Despite the association between nursing students’ exposure to suffering and the development of compassion fatigue, little research exists regarding promoting nursing students’ adaptation to caring for suffering patients and families. As a possible nursing shortage is projected, it is imperative to better understand the factors that impact this adaptation to ensure that nursing students can successfully transition into their nursing role. Although beliefs about the reasons for human suffering affect their ability to cope with their exposure to the suffering of others, there is no empirical data regarding nursing students’ views of suffering. Nursing students also report using positive reframing …