Digital Commons Network^™

Adaptedex: Community-Based Adapted Exercise Program For Adolescents With Physical Disabilities To Support Health Maintenance, Grace Mura

Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

This capstone project describes an adapted exercise program for adolescents with physical disabilities to promote health management in adolescents with physical disabilities developed in partnership with the Robert D. Fowler YMCA. The adapted program is mainly geared toward adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Three main objectives of this project included conducting a literature review, creating a program for Robert D. Fowler YMCA staff that included both education on CP and DMD and two adapted exercise modules for adolescents with physical disabilities, and participate in professional development of creating and facilitating a community group-based program. In …

Regional Income Inequality And Current Substance Use Among Hispanic 12th Grade Students In The United States, Aresha Nadeem

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Income inequality has been previously shown to be related to adverse population health outcomes. A suggested etiology is that income inequality intensifies status anxiety, leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance use. Behavioral factors specific to Hispanic cultures may have the potential to build resiliency in adolescents against substance use related to status anxiety, but have not been considered as protective factors in large, nationwide studies on substance use among adolescents.

AIM: Determine the association between regional income inequality in the U.S. and substance use among 12^th grade students, and determine whether this association is different for …

Examining The Relationship Between The Use And Awareness Of Alternative Tobacco Products And Smoking Quit Attempt Among U.S Adolescents., Colvette Brown

Public Health Theses

Introduction: Public health interventions have heightened awareness of risk factors and ill effects of tobacco use. Though sales of conventional tobacco products have steadily been declining, there is the advent of a new generation of alternative tobacco products that are being marketed with claims of reduced harms and smoking cessation aid.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of tobacco quit attempt among U.S. adolescents and to examine its relationship to the use and self-reported awareness of two alternative tobacco products (E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of …

Psychological Distress Among Orphaned Youth And Youth Reporting Sexual Exploitation In Kampala, Uganda, Elizabeth W. Perry

Public Health Theses

Psychological distress is an increasingly recognized public health priority in low-income countries due to its long-term physical, social, and economic impact. The purpose of this study was to compute the prevalence of self-reported psychological distress among youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda and examine how orphan status and self-reported experiences of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) are related to psychological distress. Data were derived from a cross-sectional survey which consisted of a convenience sample of service-seeking youth (N = 1134) living in the slums or on the streets of Kampala, Uganda. Bivariate and multivariable multinomial regression analyses were …

Attitudes And Risky Sexual Behavior Among Youth In Kampala, Uganda: Empirical Analyses Of Risk Factors By Gender, Alaina M. Whitton

Public Health Theses

Purpose: The majority of HIV-infected individuals live in sub-Saharan Africa and youth account for the largest sub-population with new infections. Because the highest proportion of new infections is among girls, research is needed to understand the risk factors and context by gender. An analysis of peer and parental approval perceptions can elucidate the gender differences in this large, susceptible population in risky behaviors, including histories of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Methods: Using the cross-sectional Kampala Youth Survey (2014) based in Kampala, Uganda (n=1,134), descriptive statistics were used to explore gender differences in demographics, peer and parental influence variables, …

Distribution Of Psychiatric Disorders Among Adolescents Of Togo, Kokou Volley

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Mental health disorders are a major public health concern, whether it is in developed countries or developing countries. The importance of the mental health disorders is more pronounced when they concern adolescents. Suicide, one of the consequences of mental health disorders, which is among the leading cause of death of adolescents in the world, is the second leading cause of death in the United States (US). In the Western world, many data have been published concerning the phenomenon and actions are being taken to prevent those disorders. Unfortunately, in the developing world, especially in Togo, which is the focus …

Reasons I Care: Exploring Relationships Among Social Identities, Cultural Values, And Black Adolescent Males’ Pro-Social Behaviors, Johari Harris

Communication Sciences and Disorders Dissertations

Black male students face a multitude of challenges that often lead to poor academic and social outcomes at school (Ferguson, 2001; Noguera, 2003). There is extensive research on the predictors of their problems, but far less on the factors that can lead to positive outcomes. Research has demonstrated Black males who are positive about their racial-ethnic identity have better academic and psychological outcomes than peers who have less positive feelings (Chavous et al., 2003). Less is known about how racial identity and other social-cognitive variables influence Black males’ pro-social behaviors, an important component of school success. To address this gap, …

Trends In Prediabetes And Associated Comorbid Conditions In Adolescents Aged 12 To 19 Years, Between 2003 And 2014., Taylor Dias

Public Health Theses

NTRODUCTION: Understanding of the trends in Pre-Diabetes (PD), a reversible condition and precursor/risk factor for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), among adolescents may help to develop robust public health initiatives for slowing the epidemic of T2DM and its associated comorbidities. Currently, published research only investigates only the prevalence of T2DM and T1DM in the adolescent population with no focus on PD. We have the following three hypotheses: the prevalence of PD will be increasing during the study period, the prevalence of both comorbid conditions will be increasing in prevalence, there association of PD with each of the comorbid conditions will …

Physical Dating Violence In Georgia: A Growing Disparity Among Hispanic Youth, Britni Knott

Public Health Theses

Background:

Nationally representative data of high school students in the U.S. indicate that levels of physical dating violence are higher among students in Georgia than in most states. This study seeks to understand the increased risk for physical dating violence among youth in Georgia and make recommendations for prevention and interventions.

Methods:

Analyses were conducted using the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative dataset sampling of high school students in grades 9-12 in the United States. Data from a total of 13,583 adolescents were used in the study. Physical dating violence was defined as reporting being hit, slammed …

Exploring Resilience And Adaptation In Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease, Laura Ann Cousins

Psychology Dissertations

Living with sickle cell disease (SCD) can be a significant adversity due to disease-related symptoms and complications. Compounding these challenges, SCD predominantly affects ethnic minority populations already vulnerable to societal stigmatization, discrimination, and health disparities. It is important to recognize the negative impact of this chronic illness on psychosocial functioning; however, there is value in utilizing a strengths-based approach to determine how to promote adaptation to a challenging life-long disease. The current study explored the association among pain characteristics, adolescent, caregiver, and family protective factors, and functioning outcomes. Another primary aim of this study was to apply the protective factor …

Exploratory Factor Analysis Of The Trauma Symptom Checklist For Children: A Comparison Of Two Factor Extraction Methods, Rayleen Lewis, Betty S. Lai, Shannon Self-Brown

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Assessment tools that demonstrate adequate construct validity are needed to identify youth at risk of developing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) so these at risk youth can be referred to appropriate resources such as counseling. Research on the construct validity of instruments designed to measure PTSS have not shown a consistent factor structure of PTSS. Furthermore, the factor structure of PTSS measured using the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC), a widely used instrument, have only been studied using principal component analysis (PCA), a data reduction technique, rather than exploratory factor analysis (EFA), a factor analytic technique.

AIM: The present …

Factors Affecting Length Of Stay In Children And Adolescents Admitted With An Eating Disorder To A Large Urban Pediatric Hospital, Adelina Paduraru

Nutrition Theses

Background: Hospitalizations including the diagnosis of an eating disorder (ED) have increased significantly in the pediatric population over the past few decades. Patients who are male, who areage, who receive an nasogastric (NG) tube, or who require admission to a residential treatment program often remain in the hospital for longer periods of time. Few studies examining LOS exist for children and adolescents with an ED. Longer lengths of stay have previously been associated with factors such as having Medicaid, a reduced body mass index (BMI) upon admission, and a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN).

Objective: The purpose of …

Association Between Adolescent Substance Use And Weapon Carrying: Analysis Of 2013 Yrbs, Samantha Bourque

Public Health Theses

Purpose: Substance use and weapon carrying among adolescents is a growing concern. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between adolescent substance use and weapon carrying using the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).

Methods: Analyses were conducted using the 2013 YRBS, a nationally representative dataset sampling public and private high school students throughout the United States (US). Data from a total of 148,282 US adolescents were used in the present study.

Results: Two outcomes were assessed: weapon carrying within the past 30 days and weapon carrying on school property within the past 30 days. Among adolescents …

Peer Support In Adolescents Hospitalized For Sickle Cell Pain Crises, Sarah R. Martin

Psychology Dissertations

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder, which has a range of symptoms including pain, fatigue, organ damage, and immunodeficiency. Patients are commonly hospitalized for SCD-related difficulties, most frequently for vaso-occlusive pain crises. In other illness populations, social support has served as a protective factor and aspects of social support (e.g., type of peers and communication) may have differential benefits. The overall aim of this study was to examine pain, social support, type of friend communication, similarity of friends, perceived stigma, quality of life, and loneliness in adolescents admitted to the hospital for SCD pain crises. Perceived social …

Preventing Hiv In Adolescents Affected By Maternal Hiv Infection: The Ms. Now! Program, Nicholas Tarantino

Psychology Dissertations

Young people in the United States, particularly African American youth, are at heightened risk for HIV infection. One proven prevention strategy is to enhance family processes through a group-based behavioral intervention. Such interventions have garnered considerable evidence for their effectiveness. Moreover, they have become increasingly culturally-informed in order to engage specific vulnerable populations and more effectively address their unique risk factors. A group overlooked by these efforts is adolescent children of mothers living with HIV (MLH). The current study therefore investigated the structured adaptation of an evidence-based HIV prevention intervention for this population. Two main phases of the study were …

The Relationship Between The Source Of Protein Intake And Obesity Risk In Children, Grace Stuhrman, Anita M. Nucci, Barbara Hopkins, Sarah T. Henes

Nutrition Theses

Background: Previous research has reported a relationship between high protein intake (>15% of energy) during early childhood and an increased risk of obesity later in life. However, few studies have investigated this relationship during middle childhood to early adolescence or examined the effects of different sources of protein.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the source of protein intake (animal vs. plant) and body mass index (BMI) in children between the ages 6-14 years.

Participants/setting: 285 healthy 6-14 year old (male n=154) Caucasian and African American (n=171) …

Addressing Social And Structural Determinants Affecting Hiv Medical Care Among Adolescents Aged 13-24 In Georgia, 2013, Heta Patel

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND: Adolescents aged 13-24 account for a substantial number of new HIV infections every year in the United States. Timely linkage to care and continuous engagement is very imperative for effective medical interventions and overall improved health outcomes for HIV positive young adults. This thesis addresses and evaluates the factors affecting linkage to and retention in care for the newly diagnosed HIV positive adolescents in Georgia in 2013 and potential solutions to address the disparities.

METHODS: The analysis assessed quantitative and qualitative data extracted from Georgia’s HIV Surveillance-Electronic HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS), Grady Infectious Disease Program (IDP), Ryan …

Analysis Of The Association Between Availability Of School Facilities Available For Physical Activity And Met Scores Among Adolescents Aged 12-15: Nhanes National Youth Fitness Survey 2012, Alana Cilwick

Public Health Theses

Abstract

Background:

Physical activity (PA) is a means to improve the overall health and well-being of adolescents. Daily PA helps decrease the risk of obesity, chronic diseases, and mental health disorders. However, adolescents are not participating in sufficient amounts of daily PA and negative health related conditions are becoming more prevalent. Youth spend the majority of their days at school. PA in the school environment is influenced by a number of factors including, break/free times, access to PA facilities, and allotted time for physical education (PE). Improving the factors that contribute to school-based PA levels may facilitate an increase in …

Yoga Intervention For Adolescent Females With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Amanda B. Feinstein

Psychology Dissertations

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic rheumatic disease associated with pain, stiffness and increased psychosocial burden. The purpose of this study was to investigate through an ABAB single-case design the impact of a yoga intervention on pain and morning stiffness in adolescent females with JIA. A secondary aim was to assess the impact of this intervention on self-efficacy, mindfulness, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Two adolescents with JIA participated in three yoga groups and daily home yoga practice with a DVD. Participants engaged in daily self-monitoring of pain and stiffness and completed questionnaires assessing psychosocial functioning at pre- …

An Assessment Of Selected Factors Associated With Hpv Vaccination Completion Among The African American Adolescents In United States: 2012 National Immunization Survey - Teen, Vaishali Sahu

Public Health Theses

Background: Human Papillomavirus is the most common STI in United States and is most prevalent among the adolescents and young adults. HPV causes cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, oropharyngeal cancers and ano-genital warts. Certain populations are found to be at higher risk such as African Americans. 3 doses of HPV vaccine are recommended to adolescents before sexual debut to immunize against HPV. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with the completion of 3 dose HPV vaccination series particularly among the African American adolescents.

Methods: National Immunization Survey – Teen 2012 data was used to assess …

Association Of Antioxidant Intake And Body Mass Index In Pre-To-Early Adolescent Children, Elizabeth K. Imboden

Nutrition Theses

ABSTRACT

ASSOCIATION OF ANTIOXIDANT INTAKE AND BODY MASS INDEX IN

PRE-TO-EARLY ADOLESCENT CHILDREN

by

E. Kelly Imboden

Background: The prevalence of overweight (Body Mass Index [BMI]85-<95^th percentile) and obesity (BMI>95^thpercentile) for individuals aged 2-19 years in the United States in 2009-2010 was estimated to be 31.8%. Excessive body fat increases the risk for chronic conditions such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Studies have established an association between obesity and oxidative stress and inflammation in children and adolescents. Antioxidants have been shown to have protective effects against inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the effect of …

The Relationship Between Fruit And Vegetable Intake Of Adolescents Before Sleeve Gastrectomy And Success With Weight Loss Six Months Post-Surgery, Abby L. Johnson

Nutrition Theses

Importance: Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity have more than tripled over the past two decades. Bariatric surgery is becoming more common for adolescents. Currently, there are few studies that describe outcomes after bariatric surgery in adolescents and no studies that describe nutritional behaviors that predict sustained weight loss in this population post-surgery.

Objective: To describe pre-surgery dietary intake in adolescents who underwent a sleeve gastrectomy between 2011 and 2013 at an outpatient pediatric weight loss clinic. This study specifically aims to determine whether there is a correlation between fruit and vegetable intake before surgery and weight loss post-surgery in …

Adolescent Sexual Victimization: The Role Of Social Support And Risky Lifestyle, Andia M. Azimi

Criminal Justice and Criminology Theses

Although about half of all rape victims are adolescents, the bulk of the research on sexual victimization is focused on college or community samples of adult women. As such, little is known about adolescent risk of sexual victimization. Adolescence is an important developmental phase in life, in which an individual undergoes major social and biological changes. These changes may make them more susceptible to environmental characteristics, such as family climate, compared to adults. Environmental factors may influence risk taking among adolescents, which may increase the risk of sexual victimization. The theory of social support can be useful in understanding why …

Ecology-Centered Experiences Among Children And Adolescents: A Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis, Judy Orton

Communication Sciences and Disorders Dissertations

The present research involved two studies that considered ecology-centered experiences (i.e., experiences with living things) as a factor in children’s environmental attitudes and behaviors and adolescents’ ecological understanding. The first study (Study 1) examined how a community garden provides children in an urban setting the opportunity to learn about ecology through ecology-centered experiences. To do this, I carried out a yearlong ethnographic study at an urban community garden located in a large city in the Southeastern United States. Through participant observations and informal interviews of community garden staff and participants, I found children had opportunities to learn about ecology through …

School Counselor-Parent Collaborations: Parents' Perceptions Of How School Counselors Can Meet Their Needs, Natalie Grubbs

Counseling and Psychological Services Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain a fuller understanding of the sort of assistance, support, or education parents feel they need from school counselors in parenting adolescents. The research question examined was: What sort of assistance, support, or education do independent school parents feel they need from school counselors in raising adolescent children? The participants for this study were parents of middle school children attending an independent school located in an urban southern city. All parents of children attending the independent school were asked to respond to an online “needs assessment” survey asking parents to select parent education …

Examining The Effects Of A Motion Comic Intervention On Hiv-Stigma Among A Sample Of Adolescent Men Who Have Sex With Men, Kristen M. Nichols

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: HIV disproportionately affects African Americans, Latinos, and gay and bisexual men of all racial and ethnicity groups. People living with HIV/AIDS experience stigma related to their disease. HIV/AIDS stigma can have detrimental effects on HIV prevention, testing and treatment. Entertainment-education is a health communication strategy that can be used to influence behavioral and social change in the population.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a Motion Comic intervention, an EE strategy, can decrease H/A stigma in a sample of MSM adolescents aged 15-24.

METHODS: Participants were recruited from GA, FL, NY and CA using convenience …

Cyberbullying Among School-Aged Adolescents And Teens: A Policy Review And Recommendations For Georgia, Britney Bennett Esq

Public Health Theses

Today, school bullying does not just stop in the schoolyard. When children return home after a school day filled with bullying incidents they are oftentimes tormented by a new phenomenon: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is the willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. Today, more adolescents and teens have access to technological mediums than ever before. Although different forms of technology can be used in productive manners, they are often misused by youth to torment their peers.

Some researchers believe that cyberbullying can be even more detrimental than traditional bullying because cyberbullies can …

Perceived Risk For Hiv Among High Risk Individuals: A Comparison Of Adolescents And Adults, Akele Jeffers

Public Health Theses

The United States continues to be affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and now public health is faced with new challenges in mitigating the spread of the disease. African-Americans are disproportionately affected by HIV and a further understanding about the factors that influence high risk sexual behaviors needs to be continuously examined. The aim of this study was to understand and compare the the perception of HIV risk and factors associated with risk perception in high risk adult and adolescent groups. After multivariate analysis, having multiple partners was the only predictor of an increased risk perception among adults. Among adolescents, no …

The Impact Of Race, School Diversity And Racial Congruence On School Connectedness, Karie A. Gaska

Psychology Theses

School connectedness, encompassing positive feelings toward teachers and peers and a sense of belonging at school, has been touted as a critical factor in promoting student achievement and reducing youth risk behaviors. The literature has been mixed in terms of understanding the relationship between race, racial congruence and school diversity’s influence on school connectedness, particularly for youth of color. The current study examines the effect of these variables on self reported feelings of school connectedness in a sample of 8,787 seventh grade students from 56 middle schools in one racially diverse school system. Multi-level modeling revealed that socioeconomic status and …

The Experiences Of Professional Counselors Who Exhibit Exceptional Practice With Children And Adolescents In Nonschool Settings, Maggie E. Walsh

Counseling and Psychological Services Dissertations

One in five children and adolescents in the United States has a mental health disorder (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999) and 12.5% of children and adolescents receive treatment in a special mental health setting each year (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2009). Children and adolescents have special needs in counseling, and applying adult based counseling skills and knowledge onto children is inappropriate and unethical (Lawrence & Robinson Kurpius, 2000). There exists no nationally recognized licensure, certification or training standards for professional counselors to work with children and adolescents in non-school settings despite the need for …