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Combat Veteran Mental Health Care Advocacy, Gerald Graham

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal: The goal of Combat Veteran Mental Health Care Advocacy is to promote, support and draw attention to critical combat veteran mental health issues, such as PTSD, depression and substance abuse, where the real and actual consequence may lead to suicide.

Significant Findings: Presently, there are about 18 million living veterans (Inoue et al., 2023; Vespa, 2020), of which approximately 7.7 million served between 1990 and the present; roughly 42 percent of the total (Vespa, 2020). Wounded Warrior Project (2022) reported that these combat veterans face significant mental health issues such as sleep deprivation, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. …

Association Between Antidepressant Adherence And Major Depressive Disorder Complications, Philip Lisinge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite evidence that antidepressants are more effective at treating major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms, there is growing evidence that MDD management is still hampered by nonadherence to antidepressant treatment regimens. Researchers have suggested that MDD, if untreated, might lead to MDD-related complications, but other researchers have argued that adherence to antidepressants can lead to these same MDD-related complications. This quantitative cross-sectional study used primary data collected from 298 volunteers to examine the association between MDD-related complications and antidepressant adherence to clarify these diverging opinions. The study’s objective was to provide evidence to accept or reject the premise that antidepressant adherence …

Help-Seeking Behaviors And Employment Hope Among Depressed Black Male Foster Care Alumni, Vanessa Jennings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic depression is a system of experiences where the mind, heart, and gut track happenings lingering among systemic models of prevention and intervention and personal stories. This nonexperimental correlational study aimed to provide insights into mental help-seeking and employment hope among depressed Black/African American foster care male alums. The central research question was to what degree, if any, a positive relationship exists between employment hope and seeking access to mental health-related services among male foster care alums who identify with depression. It was hypothesized that a statistically significant relationship exists. The social cognitive career theory and theory of planned behavior …

Help-Seeking Behaviors And Employment Hope Among Depressed Black Male Foster Care Alumni, Vanessa Jennings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic depression is a system of experiences where the mind, heart, and gut track happenings lingering among systemic models of prevention and intervention and personal stories. This nonexperimental correlational study aimed to provide insights into mental help-seeking and employment hope among depressed Black/African American foster care male alums. The central research question was to what degree, if any, a positive relationship exists between employment hope and seeking access to mental health-related services among male foster care alums who identify with depression. It was hypothesized that a statistically significant relationship exists. The social cognitive career theory and theory of planned behavior …

African American Women And Social Support Networks To Overcome The Strong Black Woman Schema And Depression, Teia Jelisia D. Clements

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental illness disorders within the United States are on the rise. Researchers have indicated that African Americans are less likely to seek mental health compared to European Americans. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand how social support networks influence African American women between the ages of 25 and 50 in addressing the strong Black woman (SBW) schema and depression. A conceptual framework consisting of the SBW collective theory guided the study. A purposive sample of 16 African American women who use social support networks to address the SBW schema and depression was obtained through flyers posted …

The Relationship Between Adolescent Stress In Five Domains And Depression: Rumination As A Moderator, Crystal Victoria Lupo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior to this study, understanding the impact of rumination as a moderating factor in predicting the interaction between specific domains of stress and adolescent depression remained largely unknown. Guided by the theoretical frameworks of response style theory of depression, control mastery theory, and diasthesis stress model, the purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to examine the link between five domains of adolescent stress (i.e., school, family, peers, appearance, and sports) and depression, the relationship between rumination and depression, and the moderating effect of rumination on these relationships. Participants included previously data collected from 635 adolescents from a midwestern U.S.city. …

The Relationship Between Adolescent Stress In Five Domains And Depression: Rumination As A Moderator, Crystal Victoria Lupo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior to this study, understanding the impact of rumination as a moderating factor in predicting the interaction between specific domains of stress and adolescent depression remained largely unknown. Guided by the theoretical frameworks of response style theory of depression, control mastery theory, and diasthesis stress model, the purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to examine the link between five domains of adolescent stress (i.e., school, family, peers, appearance, and sports) and depression, the relationship between rumination and depression, and the moderating effect of rumination on these relationships. Participants included previously data collected from 635 adolescents from a midwestern U.S.city. …

The Relationship Between Acculturation And Depression With Burmese Refugees, Gunnar Greg Newman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Acculturation and acculturative stress have been linked to depression among immigrants and refugee populations. Asian Americans and Asian American subgroups are underrepresented and have been neglected in research. The purpose of this quantitative study was to measure the relationship between acculturation and depression with length of time in the United States and acculturative stress as mediating variables among the understudied Asian American subgroup, Burmese refugees resettled in the United States. Unidimensional and bidimensional models of acculturation form the theoretical framework for this study. Three instruments, the Suinn-Lew Asian Self Identity Acculturation scale, the Riverside Acculturation Stress Inventory, and the Beck …

The Lived Experience Of Lung Cancer Patients With Psychological Health And Physical Activity, Donna Leeann Homkes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPhysical activity (PA) is recognized as a treatment protocol for lung cancer patients that improves physical impairments and reduces symptoms of psychological stress. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was conducted to explore the lived experience of lung cancer patients and how PA is influenced by anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This study was guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Engel’s biopsychosocial model. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with seven lung cancer participants over Zoom and in person. The data were analyzed using manual hand coding. The analysis revealed themes in patients’ experiences about how PA participation is influenced …

African American Women And Social Support Networks To Overcome The Strong Black Woman Schema And Depression, Teia Jelisia D. Clements

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental illness disorders within the United States are on the rise. Researchers have indicated that African Americans are less likely to seek mental health compared to European Americans. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand how social support networks influence African American women between the ages of 25 and 50 in addressing the strong Black woman (SBW) schema and depression. A conceptual framework consisting of the SBW collective theory guided the study. A purposive sample of 16 African American women who use social support networks to address the SBW schema and depression was obtained through flyers posted …

Screening For Depression In Immigrants In Their Host Country, Hortense Bissila

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe initial need for care for depression is greater for immigrants, who encounter linguistic, cultural, structural, and attitudinal hurdles to mental health care that render them more susceptible to increased levels of depressive symptoms compared to populations of hosting country. The aim of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to educate frontliners in the community on how to assess for depression in immigrants in culturally congruent ways. This project addresses gap in mental health care practice that needs urgent redress in promoting self-cultural competence and raising awareness to assess for depression on immigrants. To meet the aims of the …

Help-Seeking Behaviors And Employment Hope Among Depressed Black Male Foster Care Alumni, Vanessa Jennings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic depression is a system of experiences where the mind, heart, and gut track happenings lingering among systemic models of prevention and intervention and personal stories. This nonexperimental correlational study aimed to provide insights into mental help-seeking and employment hope among depressed Black/African American foster care male alums. The central research question was to what degree, if any, a positive relationship exists between employment hope and seeking access to mental health-related services among male foster care alums who identify with depression. It was hypothesized that a statistically significant relationship exists. The social cognitive career theory and theory of planned behavior …

Association Between Antidepressant Adherence And Major Depressive Disorder Complications, Philip Lisinge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite evidence that antidepressants are more effective at treating major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms, there is growing evidence that MDD management is still hampered by nonadherence to antidepressant treatment regimens. Researchers have suggested that MDD, if untreated, might lead to MDD-related complications, but other researchers have argued that adherence to antidepressants can lead to these same MDD-related complications. This quantitative cross-sectional study used primary data collected from 298 volunteers to examine the association between MDD-related complications and antidepressant adherence to clarify these diverging opinions. The study’s objective was to provide evidence to accept or reject the premise that antidepressant adherence …

Screening For Depression In Immigrants In Their Host Country, Hortense Bissila

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe initial need for care for depression is greater for immigrants, who encounter linguistic, cultural, structural, and attitudinal hurdles to mental health care that render them more susceptible to increased levels of depressive symptoms compared to populations of hosting country. The aim of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to educate frontliners in the community on how to assess for depression in immigrants in culturally congruent ways. This project addresses gap in mental health care practice that needs urgent redress in promoting self-cultural competence and raising awareness to assess for depression on immigrants. To meet the aims of the …

Stressors And Depression Among Adolescents With Co-Rumination As A Moderator, Angela Grosso-Burke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stress, depression, and co-rumination have been a focus of scholars in recent years. Although studies have considered the relationship among stressors, depression, and co-rumination, little is known about the moderating effects of co-rumination. This study aimed to address the gap in the literature by examining moderating effects of co-rumination on relations between stressors and depression, along with further moderating effects of sex, race, and grade. The current study examined mean-level race, sex, and grade differences in the relation among stressors (total, family, peer, physical appearance, sport/physical activity, school) and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Analyses were conducted to determine the relationship …

Stressors And Depression Among Adolescents With Co-Rumination As A Moderator, Angela Grosso-Burke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stress, depression, and co-rumination have been a focus of scholars in recent years. Although studies have considered the relationship among stressors, depression, and co-rumination, little is known about the moderating effects of co-rumination. This study aimed to address the gap in the literature by examining moderating effects of co-rumination on relations between stressors and depression, along with further moderating effects of sex, race, and grade. The current study examined mean-level race, sex, and grade differences in the relation among stressors (total, family, peer, physical appearance, sport/physical activity, school) and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Analyses were conducted to determine the relationship …

The Lived Experience Of Lung Cancer Patients With Psychological Health And Physical Activity, Donna Leeann Homkes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPhysical activity (PA) is recognized as a treatment protocol for lung cancer patients that improves physical impairments and reduces symptoms of psychological stress. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was conducted to explore the lived experience of lung cancer patients and how PA is influenced by anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This study was guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Engel’s biopsychosocial model. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with seven lung cancer participants over Zoom and in person. The data were analyzed using manual hand coding. The analysis revealed themes in patients’ experiences about how PA participation is influenced …

Reducing The Risk Of Depressive Disorders Among High School Students In Delaware, Ohio, Abigail C. Le Roy

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this project is to increase awareness of adolescent depressive disorders and to identify resources and develop a plan to address risk factors.

Significant Findings: Central Ohio’s adolescent population faces challenges related to chronic disease, mental health, and addiction. Mental health challenges are increasing among high school students with a notable rise in depressive symptoms and depressive disorders. When depressive symptoms are left untreated, individuals may experience significant negative physical, social, and academic consequences. Additionally, risk-taking behaviors often increase and comorbid disorders become more likely. People are affected by their environments, and the socio-ecological model highlights …

Social Support Needs Of African American Single Parent Women Residing In Atlanta, Tyneisha Douglas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers may serve marginalized groups of people such as single parents who may face challenges and barriers to raising a healthy family. African American mothers are more likely to have adverse experiences with parenting without a partner or additional supportive primary caregiver than women in other racial groups. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the mental health challenges that impact African American women who are single parents. Social cognitive theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. Data were collected from individual interviews with ten parents from daycare centers in the metropolitan Atlanta area that …

Help-Seeking Behaviors For Depression Among Native Hawaiian Women In The Western Region Of The United States Mainland, Marlana Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Help-seeking for depression, as with other mental illnesses is contingent upon stigmas that one perceives. Although causes for depression differ among indigenous populations, native Hawaiians suffer from the Western acculturation and colonization of their homeland. With lack of trust in the U.S. healthcare system, many native Hawaiians are reluctant to seek help for depression. Furthermore, research has shown that most studies on native Hawaiians are conducted in their native environment when many Hawaiians relocate to the U.S. mainland. Because of the current depression crisis, it is critical to explore depression among native Hawaiians, particularly women on the mainland to see …

Examining Health Care Utilization Among Adult Heart Disease Patients With Self-Reported Depressive Symptoms, Courtney R. Lockett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care costs are most commonly concentrated among small groups of high-cost patients, or high utilizers. Many of these patients receive unnecessary and ineffective care and often critical health care needs can go unmet, even when substantial care from multiple sources is received. Thus, there is a need to look into high utilizing patients for not only quality improvement but also effective resource allocation. The operational problem for health care administrators is managing resources and improving quality of care by targeting specific medical conditions that may be high utilizers of medical resources. The purpose of this study was to identify …

Depression, Drug Use, And Hsv-2 Among Women Who Have Sex With Women, Viani Picchetti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the main cause of genital herpes, is an incurable sexually transmitted infection responsible in 2018 for 18.6 million infections in the United States. HSV-2 is twice as frequent in women than in men. Women who have sex with women (WSW) have a higher prevalence of depression and drug use than women who have sex exclusively with men (WSM), which are each related to HSV-2 as they increase the likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive relationship between depression status, nonprescription drug use status, and …

Impact Of Exercise On Depression And Anxiety In Adolescents With Complex Trauma Living In Residential Treatment Centers, Candace Snodgrass

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression and anxiety disorders are two of the most frequently reported mental healthproblems for adolescents entering Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs). Many adolescents in RTCs also have a higher rate of traumatic experiences than their peers. Traumatized children frequently develop mental illness disorders of depression and anxiety. Based on the theoretical foundations provided by attachment theory and social cognitive theory, this pilot study, using secondary data, observed the relationship between exercise participation, depression, trauma, and anxiety for 11 youth in an upper Midwest RTC. Adolescents with higher initial depression and anxiety scores tended to exercise less during RTC than those with …

Therapeutic Music Effectiveness In Managing Anxiety And Depression Feelings In Cancer Patients, Aida L. Ramos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractWith the emergence of advances in health care technology, increased life expectancy has exacerbated the manifestation of chronic disease states such as cancer. The side effects of cancer treatments can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, which can be as devastating as disease process. Many studies have provided evidence supporting the practice problem, therapeutic music effectiveness in managing anxiety and depression feelings in cancer patients. Available pharmacological treatments may result in additional side effects that may outweigh the benefits of their use. Current systematic reviews of literature demonstrating the effectiveness of therapeutic music use as a non-pharmacological thera-peutic adjunct …

Depression Among Older Immigrant African Women In Metro West Massachusetts, Bi Toh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis study addressed depression among older immigrant African Women in Metro West Massachusetts to better understand the causes and prevalence of depression among older women coming from Africa to live in the United States. The study situated older women to be above the age of 55 and focused on exploring the views of social workers in relation to issues of depression among these women. It addressed the factors that influence older immigrant African women’s adaptive capacity in Metro West Massachusetts, the mental health service social workers offer to older women from Africa living in the United States, how social workers …

Acculturation And Emotional Eating Among Arabic Middle Eastern Women In The United States, Sherri Alizz Roohi-Booroujeni

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a substantial problem that occurs worldwide and is highly associated with increased risks of chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes mellitus, cardiac-related diseases, hypertension, and some cancers. Middle Eastern cultures have one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity, estimated to be the second highest worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among stress, depression, emotional eating, and weight gain in Middle Eastern women, specifically Arabs, who have moved to the United States, using a quantitative approach. The theoretical foundation was psychosomatic theory, which explains the connection between psychological problems and emotional …

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Pessimism–Optimism Scale As A Predictor In Depression Change After Medication Treatment And Placebo, Donna J. Winsor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The field of positive psychology has included research on the personality traits of optimism and pessimism and how they predict depression; however, there has been limited investigation on whether these characteristics can predict treatment outcomes. This study used a quantitative nonexperimental design with archived data provided by Summit Research Network, to evaluate whether pessimism or optimism, as measured by the Pessimism–Optimism (PSM) scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, had an effect on depression and somatic symptom change in 98 adults with depression who were randomized into imipramine, alprazolam, or placebo treatment. Seligman’s explanatory style theory was used to guide …

Health Educator Experience: Recommendations For Physical Activity For Mental Health In Women, Patricia Schneider

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health issues, specifically anxiety and depression, continue to be a public health crisis in the United States. Despite the established therapies of pharmacology and cognitive behavioral therapy, not all patients seek or find relief using these methods. Therefore, other treatment strategies need to be studied. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the experiences of health educators who use physical activity as a strategy for anxiety and depression management among middle-aged women as well as their own attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral controls. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was leveraged as the theoretical foundation for …

Anxiety, Depression, Immunity, Quality Of Life, And Cannabis In Appalachia, Matthew Ian Frazier Ostrander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As decriminalization of cannabis in the United States increases, understanding how cannabis use may alter physical and mental health is important. The Appalachian Mountain region is an area with poor support systems, stigma against mental health, and historic drug use problems, resulting in residents being more vulnerable to societal change. The theoretical framework for this research is psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), which is the study of the interconnections between psychology, neurology, and immunology as a holistic approach to health. Via SurveyMonkey, 160 participants completed the study, and data were based on self-reporting of cannabis use patterns in relation to anxiety, depression, immunity, …

A Clinical Practice Guideline For Measuring Quality Of Life In Patients With Depression And Anxiety, Mary Fowaah Boateng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health conditions affect various aspects of an individual’s quality of life (QOL). Patients with anxiety and depression have a greater risk of having a negative perception of QOL. The gap in practice was the lack of an assessment tool to measure QOL in patients with mental health disorders. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) recommending the best evidence-based measurement tool for QOL in patients with anxiety and/or depression. The question that guided the CPG was: How should QOL be measured in patients with anxiety and/or depression in the …