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Cleft Lip And Depression In Adults: A Multi-Ancestry Mendelian Randomization Study, Anne Lyon Havlik

Public Health Theses

Background: Clefting of the lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) is the most common congenital craniofacial abnormality globally, affecting one in 700 live births. Traditional observational studies suggest an increased risk of adult depression among subjects with CLP, but these studies are subject to residual confounding.Objective: We aimed to address residual confounding by evaluating the association between the genetically-predicted risk of CLP on the risk of adult depression in a Mendelian randomization framework. Methods: We used single-nucleotide polymorphisms strongly associated with CLP as genetic instruments. Genetic associations with adult depression were extracted from separate studies. Three ancestry groups were …

Sexual Orientation Disclosure And Depression Among Thailand Men Who Have Sex With Men: Associations With Intimate Partner Violence And Social Support, Eduardo Encina

Public Health Theses

Objectives: The analytical goal of this project is to better understand the association of sexual orientation disclosure among different social networks of Thailand men who have sex with men (MSM) and depression. Along with this, we aim to extensively explore the intersectional influence of social support and intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences with each other, with disclosure, and ultimately depression outcomes.

Methods: The secondary dataset for this project was comprised of results from a cross-sectional study. This study utilized a web-based epidemiological and behavioral survey, distributed among young MSM ages 15-24. Self-reported data was provided through collaboration with Mahidol University …

Associations Between Depression And Blood Pressure Among United States Adults: A Bayesian Vs. Frequentist Approach, Vinay Rudresh

Public Health Theses

High blood pressure can lead to life threatening incidents such as a heart attack or stroke. The direct costs of high blood pressure are expected to rise to 154 billion dollars annually by 2035. Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the United States with an estimated 35% of those who experienced major depressive episodes not receiving treatment. The research question this study aims to answer is if there is an association between depression and blood pressure. This study also aims to see if results are comparable between models using frequentist statistics and Bayesian models using weakly …

Investigating The Oral Health Of Individuals With Depression: Finding From The 2015-2016 National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), Bayan Ali M Almohaimeed

Public Health Theses

Background: Recent studies have shown an association between oral disease (e.g. periodontal) and depression. However, most of these studies did not examine depression in association with other critical oral health outcomes such as preventative dental care and dental care access, as well as oral health-related quality of life. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the association between depression with indicators of oral health taking into account sociodemographics and chronic disease indicators (CDI).

Methods: The data were obtained from 2015-2016 NHANES. Our independent variable is depression status, which was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The dependent variables are oral …

Caregiver Support And The Mental Health Of Transgender And Gender Expansive Youth: Race-Specific Effects In A Clinic-Based Sample, Whitney Morgan Menary

Public Health Theses

Parental and caregiver support has been shown to be a protective factor against poor mental health in transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth. However, little is known about how race and ethnicity might affect this relationship. This study extends the literature by examining whether the associations between parental support and mental health outcomes are moderated by race. A clinic-based sample of 81 TGE youth (mean age = 15.31, SD = 1.61) completed assessments of their anxiety and depression symptoms. Caregiver support scores were gathered from youth and the caregivers themselves. Results show that TGE youth of color have decreased odds …

Acknowledgment Of Sexual Violence And Mental Health Among College Students, Francesca Maviglia

Public Health Theses

A significant number of individuals who experience a form of sexual violence that could be classifiable as rape or sexual assault do not label their experience as such. Studies found that rape acknowledgement status can impact a survivor’s postassault experiences and recovery process. This study examined how a sample of 236 college students who experienced some form of sexual violence labeled their experience. The association between different degrees of acknowledgement and posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms was tested. 162 (68.6%) of respondents did not label their experience as unwanted; the remaining 74 (31.4%) varied in their labeling of the experience …

Haunted By The Past: Adverse Childhood Experiences And Chronic Disease In Adulthood, Terrianna Woodard

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Beginning with the original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, there has been increasing understanding and appreciation for the powerful relationship between traumatic experiences during childhood and subsequent health and life outcomes. Nearly half of all adults in the United States have experienced at least one adverse experience during childhood. The exposure to ACEs, traumatic events occurring prior to age 18, has been linked to chronic health conditions as well as social, emotional, physical, and cognitive problems.

AIM: The purpose of this thesis was to examine the relationship between ACE exposure and chronic disease outcomes, specifically heart disease, asthma, and …

Depression In Contemporary Times: A Study Of Its Determinants Among Middle-Aged Adults In The United States, Takiyah L. Johnson

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (major depression) is a disabling mental illness that impairs mood, reduces physical functioning, and causes emotional distress. Depression studies often focus on adolescents and young adults or older adults, but evidence suggests that the most severe consequences of this illness increasingly affect those in the middle (ages 40-64).

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the individual association between three health determinants (social support systems, health status, and access to health insurance) and major depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults. Also, factors such as demographic factors, socioeconomic status, military service, risky behaviors, and health-promoting behaviors were evaluated for their associations …

The Association Between The Use Of Mind-Body Therapies And U.S. Adults With Depressive Symptoms, National Health Interview Survey 2012, Emilie Seena

Public Health Theses

BACKGROUND

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has dramatically increased over the years since 1990. It is one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare and it is widely used today in the United States. Most people utilizing CAM approaches are seeking ways to improve overall health and well-being to relieve symptoms associated with body aches such as neck and back pain, stiffness, chronic illnesses, anxiety and depression, and side effects of conventional medicine. Symptoms of depression can lead to major depression, which is consequentially a major public health problem in the United States. In 2014, more than …

Examining The Association Between Perceptions Of Racial Discrimination And Depressive Symptoms Among African Americans In Georgia, Obioesio Bassey

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Depression in the United States is a persistent but relatively understudied public health issue, especially among particularly burdened populations that suffer from comorbidities and additional conditions that may trigger or exacerbate the presence of depressive symptoms. Stress is a leading causes of many health defects and many recent theories concerning health disparities center around the differences in stress between different subpopulations contribute to health. Perceived discrimination is a unique stressor that has been linked to the observed wellness gap between races. Discrimination in the United States is often targeted towards African Americans and the effect that this unique stressor …

Associations Between Multi-Level Contextual Factors And Mental Health Service Utilization In Adolescents With Comorbid Depression And Substance-Use: Moderating Role Of School Connectedness On Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Service Utilization, Katherine Thornton

Public Health Theses

INTRODUCTION: Comorbid depression and substance-use has been a prevalent issue in adolescent health. Although rates have remained relatively stable their presence is still alarming and efforts to see a decrease have led leaders and organizations to call for research to better understand factors related to both depression and substance-use as well as how these factors may change when focusing on the presence of these disorders together.

AIM: The primary aim of this study is to better understand the contextual factors related to mental health care utilization in comorbid adolescents. Specifically focus will be directed to better understand how and individual’s …

Associations Of Depression With End-Of-Life Cancer Care Intensity, Kathy Cao Doan

Public Health Theses

Background: Depression has adverse effects on health outcomes and the quality of end-of-life care among cancer patients. However, overly aggressive EOL care can result in high costs and may not be consistent with patient preferences or linked to better health. As such, there is rising interest in identifying the associations between depression and care quality for cancer patients. This study investigates whether depression is associated with EOL care intensity among elderly individuals with cancer.

Methods: Utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database, we identified decedents aged 66 years or older either with pre-cancer depression, post-cancer depression, or no …

The Association Of Major Depression And Selected Health Behaviors Among Hiv-Positive Adults Receiving Medical Care In Georgia: Findings From The Georgia Medical Monitoring Project, 2009-2012, Rachel Culbreth

Public Health Theses

Introduction: Currently there are approximately 1.2 million people in the United States living with HIV and it is estimated that 25.6% of HIV-positive adults suffer from depression. The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of depression on substance use and medication adherence specifically among HIV-positive adult Georgians receiving medical care for HIV.

Methods: Secondary data with a probability sample of 608 HIV-positive adults who took part in the 2009-2012 Georgia Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) were analyzed. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to assess relationships between depression with current cigarette smoking, injection drug use, …

Association Between Adverse Health Behaviors And Depression In American Adults With Metabolic Syndrome, Ebenezer Dawodu

Public Health Theses

Background: Metabolic Syndrome has been defined as a complex of risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 Diabetes and all-cause mortality. Dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, elevated Fasting Blood Glucose and elevated Blood pressure are established clusters of risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome. Smoking, Alcohol use, sedentary behavior and Depression continue to be major public health issues. Several studies have shown association between Smoking, Alcohol use, depression and metabolic syndrome. No study has revealed association between clusters of adverse behavioral risk factors and depression in individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between clusters of adverse …

Access To Mental Healthcare And Help-Seeking Behaviors Among African American Women With Depressive Symptoms In A Community-Based Primary Healthcare Center, Allyson S. Belton

Public Health Theses

Mental illness is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. As public health practitioners, we must generate more than sufficient knowledge about mental health and illness in order to identify risk factors, increase awareness, improve treatment, eliminate the overall disparity associated with mental illness, and improve access to care to all affected, including those disproportionally affected by mental illness. Over time, there has been an overall lack of sufficient research studies on depression among African American women. As research in this area grows, it is critical to examine the underlying causative factors that are correlated with this disease …

Associations Of Vigorous Physical Activity With Depression: An Examination Of Nhanes Data 2007-2008, Ugonma U. Emeruem

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT

Background: Major depressive disorder or depression is a mental illness which affects people of a range of different ages. In terms of years lost due to disability, it is a leader. Physical activity is currently being used as a therapeutic treatment of depression that decreases levels of depression in individuals suffering from it. Physical activity can also be used as a form of prevention against depression. This study examines the association between vigorous physical activity and depression.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that utilized the secondary data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2008. Statistical …