Digital Commons Network^™

The Importance Of Community Rehabilitation: Evaluating Effectiveness Of Tennessee Interventions, Sarah Grace Knight

Masters Theses

Rehabilitation for offenders has been a topic of discussion for decades. While the system expresses that rehabilitation is the best method of practice, statistics show that these individuals still struggle to reenter society successfully. This study addresses environmental factors and barriers that can make the reentry process difficult and increase chances of recidivism. Additionally, this article takes a look at the state of Tennessee in particular, considering its high crime and recidivism rates. While many states have programs in place, it is apparent that the government needs to focus on creating more stable financial budgets for both community and prison …

An Occupational Perspective On Collegiate Athlete Mental Health, Katelyn D. Cardwell

Graduate Student Scholarship

Abstract

College can impact mental health for all students, especially those involved in a college sport. Sports require significant time dedication that decreases time available for students to be involved in other activities such as academics or leisure which can lead to increased stress. This study focuses on investigating the impact level of competition and location of school may have on student athletes’ mental health in the state of West Virginia. A mixed methods self-report survey with a total of 75 questions was administered online via Qualtrics software. Quantitative data was analyzed using Stats IQ feature on Qualtrics and qualitative …

Examining The Tax Landscape Of Recreational Cannabis: Trends And Considerations From The Past 10 Years Of Policy, Thomas A. Norton, Amanda K. Thompson-Abbott, Raymond Keener Iii, Alberto Coustasse

Accounting Faculty Research

This article aims to provide an overview of the taxation of recreational cannabis in states where it has been legalized for recreational purposes. By delving into the various approaches taken by different jurisdictions, analyzing the economic impacts, and examining the challenges and opportunities inherent in cannabis taxation, we seek to shed light on a topic that is rapidly shaping the future of the cannabis industry and the broader economy. From excise taxes to sales taxes and licensing fees to revenue allocation, the taxation framework surrounding recreational cannabis is a dynamic and evolving landscape. Potential federal excise taxes could further complicate …

Effect Of Incarceration On Prisoners Diagnosed With Mental Health Conditions: Trauma, Treatment, And Transitioning, Ingria S. Haywood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A mental illness is a medical disorder that affects a person’s behavior, thoughts, and emotions. It also has an impact on social and cognitive functions. Misuse of substances, biological factors, or abuse, whether as a victim or a bystander to repeated abuse, are all variables that contribute to mental illness. The prevalence of mental illness among incarcerated prisoners is alarming, and it is nondiscriminatory in that it affects both men and women. Several variables contribute to inmates’ susceptibility to mental health problems. Anxiety disorders, depression as a mood disorder, dementia, and schizophrenia are examples of these. A diagnosis of mental …

Classic Grounded Theory: Identifying The Main Concern, Justine Connor, Tracy Flenady, Deb Massey, Trudy Dwyer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Grounded theory comprises a family of research approaches designed to support the generation of a theory explaining a phenomenon experienced by a group of participants. One style of grounded theory, Classic grounded theory, is used less often than other types of grounded theory. The less frequent use of Classic grounded theory may be attributed to the limited availability of clearly articulated processes for conducting this method. Particularly important within Classic grounded theory, and not used in other forms of grounded theory, is identifying the participants' main concern. Identifying the participants' main concern is a signature feature of Classic grounded theory …

What Can Pharmacists Do To Reduce Drug Abuse?, Saul E. Alvarado-Rosario

College of Pharmacy Student Research

This review paper provides an overview of the current status of substance abuse, involving both illicit drugs and medically regulated medications. Although global statistics are considered, the primary focus is the substance abuse crisis within the United States. Through review of experimental and observational peer-reviewed articles, this report examines the definition of substance abuse, demographic impacts, and governmental interventions, with particular emphasizes on the role of the pharmacy profession and individual pharmacists in addressing this widespread issue.

Exploring The Nexus: The Influence Of Acculturation And Stress On Infant Outcomes Among Hispanic And Black/African American Adolescents, Mia I. Moreno

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects

Numerous studies on acculturation and acculturative stress exist; however, findings are inconsistent and overlook an exploration of differences between Hispanic and Black/African American (B/AA) adolescents’ acculturation, stress, and birth outcomes. Despite societal and cultural challenges for both minorities, Hispanic women typically have positive birth outcomes comparable to White women, but B/AA women show an increased risk for negative birth outcomes. Further, minority and adolescent childbearing women frequently receive fewer prenatal care (PNC) visits than recommended which may impact birth outcomes. Therefore, my study sought to compare Hispanic and B/AA women’s birth outcomes assessing acculturation and stress and examine the relationship …

Addressing Social Determinants Of Health In Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs, Audrey Hunter

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Student Works

Introduction: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is considered the most effective treatment for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD); however, MAT program retention rates are consistently low across the United States. Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) through text message could impact MAT retention; therefore, a pilot project at a federally qualified healthcare center (FQHC) was implemented.

Methods: The Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risk, and Experiences (PRAPARE) SDOH screening tool was implemented for patients undergoing MAT for OUD. Community resource referrals were provided via text message based on the screening results. Retention in treatment was measured by prescriptions …

The Heavy Mark Of Ptsd The Justice System Leaves On The People Going Through It., Ezavier Miller, Angel Emetuche, Sakina Ahmed

ENGL 1102 Showcase

This is a paper about how the justice system in it's many forms can cause PTSD. Not only to the criminals that go through it but also the children, victims. With many process having extensive repercussion causing PSTD to take hold of the many people that seek the justice system for help or judgement.

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind: The Hidden Issues And Entertainment Within The World Of Crime And Punishment, John Charlton, Christian Sorrells, Aaron Burney, Jonathan Yi

ENGL 1102 Showcase

An anthology diving into observing topics related to crime and punishment and determining the effect on the greater topic. Explains why people are so interested in crime, how PTSD can lead to violence and questioning how prisoners spend their time and all through provoking questions addressed in this anthology in the hope that it creates a greater understanding of crime and punishment as a whole.

Clinical Efforts Double Disparity For Nonphysician Urim Faculty: Implications For Academic Family Medicine, Stacy A. Ogbeide, Deepu George, Adrian Sandoval, Yajaira Johnson-Esparza, Maria Montanez Villacampa

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

With a new definition of high-quality primary care and the shift in nonphysician faculty’s role as core faculty members in family medicine residency programs, new attention is needed on the delineation of clinical efforts and clinical efforts disparities across disciplines (eg, psychology, marriage and family therapy, pharmacy) within departments of family medicine. Additionally, those who identify as underrepresented in medicine (URiM), specifically those who are nonphysician faculty, are dually impacted by the clinical efforts double disparity. This paper examines the current landscape of clinical efforts in academic family medicine for physician faculty and nonphysician faculty as well as discusses how …

Assessing Socioeconomic Patterns Of Excessive Alcohol Consumption In Ohio: A County-Level Analysis, Tate Barney, Dev Patel

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption poses significant public health challenges, with complex socioeconomic factors influencing drinking behaviors. Understanding the relationship between socioeconomic determinants and excessive drinking patterns at the state and county levels is crucial for informing targeted interventions. Objective: To investigate the associations between excessive drinking (binge or heavy drinking) and socioeconomic factors, including median household income, mental health provider availability, health insurance coverage, educational attainment, and unemployment rates across counties in Ohio. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2023 County Health Rankings for 88 counties in Ohio. Spearman correlations were used to assess associations between excessive drinking and socioeconomic …

U.S. Government Agency Podcasts, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Presents podcasts from U.S. Government agencies which can be discovered through the U.S. Government Publishing Office's Catalog of Government Publications. Agencies whose podcasts are presented include the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Peace Corps, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Government Accountability Office (GAO), National Park Service, Department of Justice, Federal Reserve System, and U.S. Naval War College.

The Myth Of Brokenness: Ableism And Anti-Ableism In The Field Of Speech-Language Pathology, Kieran Sutton

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This Zine investigates the treatment of clients with disabilities within the field of speech-language pathology (SLP). Speech-language pathologists support individuals with communication challenges such as individuals recovering from a stroke, Autistic people, or people who stutter. Many SLP clients are disabled, therefore understanding ableism (discrimination against disabled people or people perceived as disabled) is essential to a successful and ethical SLP clinic. This Zine compiles and summarizes relevant sources relating to ableism and speech-language pathology. In addition, outreach was conducted to hold interviews with SLPs and SLP clients. The primary finding of this project is that ableism can be perpetuated …

Study Protocol: Identifying Transcriptional Regulatory Alterations Of Chronic Effects Of Blast And Disturbed Sleep In United States Veterans, Molly J. Sullan, Kelly A. Stearns-Yoder, Zhaoyu Wang, Andrew J. Hoisington, Adam D. Brenoweth, Walter Carr, Yongchao Ge, Hanga Galfalvy, Fatemah Haghighi, Lisa A. Brenner

Faculty Publications

Injury related to blast exposure dramatically rose during post-911 era military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is among the most common injuries following blast, an exposure that may not result in a definitive physiologic marker (e.g., loss of consciousness). Recent research suggests that exposure to low level blasts and, more specifically repetitive blast exposure (RBE), which may be subconcussive in nature, may also impact long term physiologic and psychological outcomes, though findings have been mixed. For military personnel, blast-related injuries often occur in chaotic settings (e.g., combat), which create challenges in the immediate assessment of …

Neighborhood Eviction Trajectories And Odds Of Moderate And Serious Psychological Distress During Pregnancy Among African American Women, Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, Benita Jackson, Brittney Francis

Psychology: Faculty Publications

African American mothers are unjustly burdened both by residential evictions and psychological distress. We quantified associations between trajectories of neighborhood evictions over time, and odds of moderate and serious psychological distress (MPD and SPD, respectively) during pregnancy among African American women. We linked publicly available neighborhood eviction filing and judgement rate data to preconception and during pregnancy addresses from the Life-course Influences on Fetal Environments Study (2009-2011, n=808). Multinomial logistic regression estimated odds of MPD and SPD during pregnancy associated with eviction filing and judgement rate trajectories incorporating preconception and during pregnancy addresses (each categorized as low/medium/high, with two 9-category …

Diondre Also Has Bad Days: Cannabis Use And The Criminalization Of Black Youth, Rommel Johnson

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

Black, school-aged youth may experience socioeconomic, psychological, and emotional difficulties that affect their mental health, leading to maladaptive ways of coping, such as cannabis use. Instead of getting treatment and support to help them manage their stressors in positive ways, Black youth often receive punitive school practices, including referrals to the juvenile justice system. Counselors who work with school-aged youth are likely to encounter many Black youth and can thus either be instrumental to their psychological development or inadvertently impede their well-being with over-pathologization and criminalization of their cannabis use. In this article, the author reflects on a particular experience …

Dhea: A Neglected Biological Signal That May Affect Fetal And Child Development, Natasha A. Bailey, Elysia Poggi Davis, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The stress-sensitive maternal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis through the end-product cortisol, represents a primary pathway through which maternal experience shapes fetal development with long-term consequences for child neurodevelopment. However, there is another HPA axis end-product that has been widely ignored in the study of human pregnancy. The synthesis and release of dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA) is similar to cortisol, so it is a plausible, but neglected, biological signal that may influence fetal neurodevelopment. DHEA also may interact with cortisol to determine developmental outcomes. Surprisingly, there is virtually nothing known about human fetal exposure to prenatal maternal DHEA and offspring neurodevelopment. The current study …

Modality And Terminology Changes For Behavioral Health Service Delivery During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review, Kimberly S. Elliot, Eman H. Nabulsi, Nicholas Sims-Rhodes, Vandy C. Dubre, Emily Barena, Nelly Yuen, Michael Morris, Sarah Sass, Bridget Kennedy, Karan P. Singh

Healthcare Policy, Economics and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted healthcare professionals to implement service delivery adaptations to remain in compliance with safety regulations. Though many adaptations in service delivery were reported throughout the literature, a wide variety of terminology and definitions were used. Methods: To address this, we conducted a PRISMA review to identify service delivery adaptations across behavioral healthcare services in the United States from March 2020 to May 2022 and to identify variations in terminology used to describe these adaptations. We identified 445 initial articles for our review across eight databases using predetermined keywords. Using a two-round screening process, authors used a …

Making Cities Mental Health Friendly For Adolescents And Young Adults, Pamela Y. Collins, Moitreyee Sinha, Tessa Concepcion, George Patton, Thaisa Way, Layla Mccay, Augustina Mensa-Kwao, Helen Herrman, Evelyne De Leeuw, Lukoye Atwoli

Brain and Mind Institute

Urban life shapes the mental health of city dwellers, and although cities provide access to health, education and economic gain, urban environments are often detrimental to mental health1,2. Increasing urbanization over the next three decades will be accompanied by a growing population of children and adolescents living in cities3. Shaping the aspects of urban life that influence youth mental health could have an enormous impact on adolescent well-being and adult trajectories4. We invited a multidisciplinary, global group of researchers, practitioners, advocates and young people to complete sequential surveys to identify and prioritize the characteristics of a mental health-friendly city for …

Health Equity And Policy Considerations For Pediatric And Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care Among Minoritized Populations In The United States., Keila N. Lopez, Kiona Y. Allen, Carissa M. Baker-Smith, Katia Bravo-Jaimes, Joseph Burns, Bianca Cherestal, Jason F. Deen, Brittany K. Hills, Jennifer H. Huang, Ramiro W. Lizano Santamaria, Carlos A. Lodeiro, Valentina Melo, Jasmine S. Moreno, Flora Nuñez Gallegos, Harris Onugha, Tony A. Pastor, Michelle C. Wallace, Deidra A. Ansah

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Achieving health equity in populations with congenital heart disease (CHD) requires recognizing existing disparities throughout the lifespan that negatively and disproportionately impact specific groups of individuals. These disparities occur at individual, institutional, or system levels and often result in increased morbidity and mortality for marginalized or racially minoritized populations (population subgroups (e.g., ethnic, racial, social, religious) with differential power compared to those deemed to hold the majority power in the population). Creating actionable strategies and solutions to address these health disparities in patients with CHD requires critically examining multilevel factors and health policies that continue to drive health inequities, including …

The Social, Mental, And Physical Health Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On People With Hiv: Protocol Of An Observational International Multisite Study, Yvette P. Cuca, Christine Horvat, Inge Corless, Craig Phillips, Álvaro José Sierra-Perez, Solymar Solís Báez, Emilia Iwu, Motshedisi Sabone, Mercy Tshilidzi Mulaudzi, Sheila Shaibu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world, immunocompromised individuals such as people with HIV (PWH) may have faced a disproportionate impact on their health and HIV outcomes, both from COVID-19 and from the strategies enacted to contain it. Based on the SPIRIT guidelines, we describe the protocol for an international multisite observational study being conducted by The International Nursing Network for HIV Research, with the Coordinating Center based at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing. Site Principal Investigators implement a standardized protocol to recruit PWH to complete the study online or in-person. Questions address demographics; …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Intracommunity Attitudinal And Experiential Barriers To The Utilization Of Psychotherapeutic Services In Bipoc Populations, Jade Turner

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the role that intracommunity attitudes and beliefs and negative mental healthcare experiences play in determining treatment-seeking behavior in BIPOC communities. Through in-depth semistructured interviews, five participants shared their perspectives and experiences, providing rich and nuanced insight into the subjective landscape of mental healthcare avoidance among racial and ethnic minority populations. The analysis revealed five overarching themes (pray it away, isolated and invisible, fear, perceived importance of racial matching, and therapeutic experiences profoundly impact treatment-seeking) shedding light on the nuanced ways in which BIPOC individuals make sense of and navigate mental health within …

Experiences Of Counselors Working With Adolescents, Allison Bradford Chow

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study aimed to examine the lived experience of clinical mental health counselors working with adolescents. Participants included pre-licensed (associate) or licensed counselors who predominately work with and have a strong preference for working with adolescent clients. Data was collected through individual interviews and analyzed with a descriptive-interpretative approach. Ten domains were identified as part of data analysis: (a) Understanding Adolescent Culture and Building a Therapeutic Alliance, (b) The Intersection of Counselor and Adolescent Emotions, (c) Transference and Countertransference, (d) Clinical Challenges and Barriers, (e) The Multifaceted Role of Parents, (f) Nuances of Confidentiality, (g) Adolescent Development and Strengths, …

Examining Effects Of Perceived Discrimination And Loneliness On Overall Health Outcomes In Black Americans, Apoorva Saravanan

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

On average, Black Americans suffer more from a wide range of diseases when compared to White Americans. The national mortality rate for Black Americans is also 24% higher than their White counterparts. Although there are multiple factors contributing to such disparities, one line of research provides strong evidence that negative health outcomes are more likely to occur in Black Americans who experience racial discrimination than those who experience no discrimination. A separate line of research also provides evidence that loneliness is a major health risk factor. In fact, prior research indicates that the experience of discrimination and loneliness are both …

Black And African American Young Adult Male Experiences: Implications For Building Resilience And Survival Skills Within Educational Settings And Public Spaces, Akimma Wright-D'Abreau

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of this study is to better understand, from the perspective of Critical Race Theory, the experiences of adolescent males who are Black and living in the United States and to examine how they build resilience and survival skills. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 26 and asked to recall adolescent experiences as part of a semi-structured interview with a Black Storytelling approach. There were six participants and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. According to the results, there were seven themes: (1) Policing In the United States of America Comes in Many Forms, (2) Recognizing Racism …

I Am A Man: Understanding Black Male Identity And Mental Health Needs, Rommel Johnson

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite the historical and perpetual trauma, racism, discrimination, socio-economical, and socio-political disparities they have experienced in the United States, Black men have consistently forged ways to demonstrate resilience and assert their own sense of autonomy and masculinity. Nevertheless, their ecological context of living in a country that has historically sought to dehumanize them and eradicate their manhood is cumbersome to their mental wellbeing. Furthermore, the tendency by researchers to pathologize Black males obfuscates the reality of their situation in the United States, minimizing their mental needs. Understanding both the complexity of their ecological context as well as their adaptability and …

Examining Associations Between Genetic And Neural Risk For Externalizing Behaviors In Adolescence And Early Adulthood, Sarah J Brislin, Andrey P Anokhin, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Researchers have identified genetic and neural risk factors for externalizing behaviors. However, it has not yet been determined if genetic liability is conferred in part through associations with more proximal neurophysiological risk markers.

METHODS: Participants from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism, a large, family-based study of alcohol use disorders were genotyped and polygenic scores for externalizing (EXT PGS) were calculated. Associations with target P3 amplitude from a visual oddball task (P3) and broad endorsement of externalizing behaviors (indexed via self-report of alcohol and cannabis use, and antisocial behavior) were assessed in participants of European (EA;

RESULTS: …

Distance From A Cultural Model Of Substance Use Risk, Internalization, And Self-Stigma In Urban Brazil, Nicole L. Henderson, William W. Dressler, Natalia Priolli Jora Pegoraro, Ana Falcao, Sandra Cristin Pillon

APC Fund

Introduction: A cognitive theory of culture as socially distributed cultural models has proven useful in research. Cultural models exist in two forms: the model shared by individuals in a social group, and individual versions of that model modified by personal experience. In previous research we documented a shared cultural model of substance use risk among a general population sample in urban Brazil. Here we examine how this model is distributed among persons under treatment for substance use/misuse and the implications for perceived and self-stigma.

Methods: A convenience sample of 133 persons under treatment rated the influence of risk factors for …

Implementation Of A Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral To Treatment Protocol For Treatment Of Opioid Use Disorder In Post-Carceral Populations, Adaora Ede, Mary Johnson

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a pressing public health issue in the US affecting marginalized populations the most. Within the correctional setting, 65% of inmates are affected with OUD, worsening health outcomes when untreated.

LOCAL PROBLEM: This evidence-based practice (EBP) project targeted justice-involved individuals with co-occurring OUD at a behavioral health clinic in Johnson City, Tennessee. This project aimed to improve outcomes related to recidivism and relapse through clinician education and the implementation of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol.

METHODS: Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model (JHNEBP) was the guiding EBP model for the …