Digital Commons Network^™

South Asian American Experiences Of Microaggressions And Wellbeing: The Moderating Role Of Social Support, Archita Birla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although the South Asian American community is rapidly expanding in the United States (South Asian Americans Leading Together [SAALT], 2015), there remains a dearth of psychological research regarding the impacts on mental health and wellbeing affecting this diverse community. Racial microaggressions, or verbal or behavioral actions indicating hostile or negative attitudes toward marginalized individuals (Sue et al., 2007), negatively impact People of Color (POC) mental health and wellbeing (Forrest-Bank & Jenson, 2015a; Nadal, Wong, et al., 2015). Some research exists on South Asian American communities and microaggressions (Houshmand et al., 2014; Poolokasingham et al., 2014) but there is limited research …

Roles For Maine’S Physicians In The Climate Crisis, Gail Carlson, Megan Andersen

Maine Policy Review

Physicians have important roles to play in the climate crisis because they deal with the health impacts of climate change. We surveyed physicians in Maine about climate change and health, and of the 108 respondents, 84 (78 percent) believe that climate change poses a threat to the health of their patients, particularly for asthma, vector-borne diseases, heat-related illnesses, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and mental health problems. Most reported that these conditions are becoming more prevalent, and they identified children, older adults, and patients with chronic health conditions as those most at risk. Despite this awareness, most respondents did not discuss …

Mental Health And Spiritual Well-Being: The Generational Differences Of Worship Experiences In The Multicultural Church, Lashawna S. Wills

Masters Theses

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, 52.9 million people in 2020. “Mental health and well-being are an asset whatever an individual’s age, race or ethnicity, and mental health problems [do not] discriminate [based on] these attributes.” The execution of this research is to facilitate healing within a community in need and open avenues of conversation for understanding, relativity, and oneness within the body of Christ. The researcher will use the qualitative design method through research in literature and population cohorts. Using research sources of panel discussions, …

Moral Injury In Active Service And Veteran Female Military Combatants, William Curtis Neal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A topic of concern and discussion in the mental health community, and maybe a special concern from both governmental and civilian practitioners, is the subject of moral injury. Moral Injury has been widely researched over the last 10 years and is a known and discussed condition that is linked to military personnel and veterans who have experienced events while deployed or operating in adverse conditions such as combat. The following descriptive study focuses on one group from which they have been excluded or overlooked in past studies. This creates a gap in the published literature: female servicewomen and veterans. Both …

The Therapeutic Use Of Heavy Music: Challenging Stigmas And Uncovering Interventions, Lenny Schwartz

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The present review of literature aims to explore the therapeutic use of heavier forms of music including heavy metal, metalcore, and hardcore punk in a music therapy context to decrease mental health symptomology. Mental health symptomology explored within this review includes anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) among others. Most literature reviewed revealed institutional and individual stigmatization of heavy music genres; all literature reviewed served to challenge these stigmas. Even researchers who purported a negative bias towards both the general listening and playing of heavy music and the use of heavy music in clinical music …

Nourishing Movement: The Role Of Food In A Dance/Movement Therapist’S Practice: A Literature Review, Gabriele Dunkley

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review is an inquiry into the role of food in dance/movement therapy (DMT). It aims to deepen the understanding of how essential nutritional requirements, nourishment, and an individual's relationship with food can integrate into the practice of a dance/movement therapist. The review explores the impact of nutrition on physical energy and brain function, underscoring its significance. It also examines factors influencing food choices and delves into the historical relationship between dancers and food and DMT's connection with eating disorders. Ultimately, the review proposes practical methods for DMT practitioners to integrate this knowledge into their work by introducing a …

Development Of A Method Of Short-Session, Task-Divided Therapeutic Songwriting, Eric Schwartz

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The benefits of therapeutic songwriting (TS) in the context of music therapy sessions are well-documented. As music therapists are sometimes given brief periods in which to work, a method of therapeutic songwriting wherein the music therapist divides the writing process into multiple short sessions would be useful. This capstone thesis details the development of such a method. The researcher enacted this method with a group of youth who participated in an arts program in Massachusetts that utilized a resource-oriented approach. After each TS session, the researcher recorded the participants' reactions to the intervention's application. The researcher coded the reactions using …

Theatrical Intimacy Direction And Drama Therapy: A Community Workshop, Caitlin Mcfann

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Within the last several years, the field of intimacy direction and coordination has grown exponentially, both in usage within theatre and film and within public consciousness. Contributing to this rise is an increased awareness of and consideration for the potential psychological and emotional harm of production processes on performers. Both intimacy directors and drama therapists are uniquely equipped to handle such concerns: intimacy directors, due to their their frequent engagement with sensitive and potentially activating material, and drama therapists, due to their background in and understanding of both artistic and clinical processes.This thesis presents the process and results of a …

Expressive Arts Therapy And Oncology Care Teams, Edwige Raimbault

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review offers an overview of the mental health of oncology care team members, medical professionals as well as oncology floor hospital staff, and the therapeutic benefits of expressive therapies on that specific population. Working on an oncology floor means interacting with patients and their loved ones at a time of utmost suffering, uncertainty, and possible death. This environment presents risks of burnout, compassion fatigue, and a sense of isolation for the medical and non-medical professionals working with cancer patients. The results of qualitative, quantitative, and art-based studies conducted pre-and post-Covid-19 pandemic show multi-faceted and multi-layered positive impacts of …

The Effects Of Online Learning On Mental Health During A Pandemic, Christina J. Mcrae

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the effects of online learning on mental health. The focus included six aspects: academic performance, physical activity, social isolation, food insecurity and other stressors, pros and cons, and religion and mental health. Each aspect included advantages and disadvantages that adolescent students experienced. The study included 6th - 12th graders attending a Charter school. The eligibility requirement was that participants participated in online learning during the 2020-2021 school year. Academic performance data was obtained from the school office for students who attended the school during online learning and requested from parents if they attended other schools. Both positive …

Gender-Based Differences In Stress And Coping Among Farmers: A Cross-Sectional Study With Propensity Score Matching, Anne Montgomery, James B. Dunaway, Stephanie M. Basey, Chris T. Scoggins, Lily R. Baucom

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

This cross-sectional study compares the mental health experiences of male and female farmers, with a particular focus on stress levels, stressors, and coping mechanisms. The research aims to shed light on gender-based differences in stress experiences and coping strategies among agricultural workers. The study involved 1,394 farmers (67.7% male, 32.3% female) from Georgia, USA, who completed an online survey on aspects of mental well-being.

Findings indicate that female farmers were more likely to hold farm manager roles and less likely to be farm owners. Notably, a higher proportion of female farmers were first-generation farmers, indicating potential unique challenges for this …

Addressing Mental Disability Head On: The Challenges Of Reasonable Accommodation Requests For Virginia Housing Providers, Haley Fortner

Washington and Lee Law Review Online

A person’s home should be a sanctuary of safety, security, and comfortability away from the demands of the outside world. Yet for many people living with mental illness, a home can all too easily become a sort of temporary prison. Nowhere is this more apparent than when a housing provider stands in the way of allowing someone with a mental disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy their home. Fair housing law’s reasonable accommodation requirement works to ensure those living with mental illness receive the accommodations they need in order to live safely and comfortably in their own home. …

Supporting Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Neurodivergence: University Of San Diego Accommodations And Resources, Carina Mendoza

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

This research focuses on better understanding the unique classroom experiences faced by autistic and neurodiverse students at the University of San Diego (USD) and offers recommendations to improve their college experience. Through a well-studied literature review and data collection through semi structured interviews and focus groups, the overall goal was to have a more holistic understanding of the current support services from faculty and staff that are available for students at USD. The study will provide unique challenges and curated recommendations for students with autism spectrum disorder and neurodiverse identities. This research also identifies specific areas where the USD can …

Dungeons And Dragons As A Therapeutic Intervention Training, Samuel Grove

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a role-playing game that gives players’ versatility by allowing them to dictate, customize, or create their own experience. There are many different iterations of role-playing games with varying presentations for in-person and online play; table-top role-playing games and video games (Connell, 2024) (Kowal et al, 2021). Through the 3 pillars of play (Exploration, Role-play, and Combat) player are able to customize their own experience to their preference or collective preference of the group. The balance between the 3 frames of play (Player, Game, and Character) optimizes the players role-playing experience (Connell, 2023). D&D is the …

Trends In Substance Use And Mental Health Among Adolescents In Georgia, 2002-2022, Saumya S. Palipudi, Bangaru Talli Palipudi, Murty Komanduri

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference

Background: While substance use and absence of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (US) have declined over the past two decades, post COVID-19 pandemic, these conditions have increased significantly with notable disparities, and witnessed a crisis in public health. In 2022, 24.7% or 6.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the US had either Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and 3.7 percent had both in the prior year². Increased stress, lack of peer connections, parental abuse, and poor mental health conditions were attributed to this increase in substance use^{3-7 …}

Supporting International Students' Emotional And Social Wellbeing: Addressing Pressing Issues Related To Tuition And Visa Status Anxiety, Jinyi Chen

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of my research was to engage and build community with international students and to find ways to support them emotionally and socially leading to better mental health outcomes. My research question was: how can I support international college students to alleviate common mental health issues many continue to experience as a result of their international status? This occurs particularly when they must deal with tuition and visa status anxiety. I did three cycles in the research process using online surveys, interviews, and a large debriefing group meeting. Findings indicated that visa status anxiety is one of the most …

The Longitudinal Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status, Child Separation Anxiety Symptoms, And School Achievement In 1st Grade, Filip-Bogdan Serban-Dragan

Student Research Symposium

This informative poster highlights a study examining the association between child separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and school achievement, considering socioeconomic status (SES) and perceived financial stress. Data came from the Early Growth and Development Study (EGDS). Data from the kindergarten (age 6) and 1^st grade (age 7) assessments in the adoptive families (N=360 adoptive triads) were analyzed.

By controlling for parent’s income, financial stress, child’s gender and by measuring children at two time points (6 and 7 years), our study aims to identify the specific contribution of separation anxiety on academic achievement, enhancing our understanding of this …

Mindfulness, Music, & Art: Development Of A Mindfulness Based Expressive Arts Therapy Method For Adults In A Short-Term Psychiatric Hospital Setting, Annabelle Lord-Patey

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Existing literature shows that mindfulness is a modality that promotes human mental wellbeing, as is the use of creative forms of expression such as art and music. There is some emerging evidence that these two modalities are particularly useful when used in conjunction with one another. Utilizing such methods has been found to have notable results in the context of clinical mental health counseling. This kind of research, while promising, remains to be relatively new and there is a significant need for more data to be collected on this topic. To further explore the use of these modalities in clinical …

Mental Health Among Collegiate Athletes, Stella Elise Fairbanks

Honors Thesis

Mental health has become increasingly more linked with athletics, especially collegiate athletics. There has been an increase in public acknowledgment of the presence of mental health in sports, specifically, more athletes are speaking about their mental health struggles as well as more research is being conducted in order to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between mental health and athletics. This literature review discusses athletes’ personal experiences of their mental health struggles, the presence of stigma associated with mental health and athletics, and the results of the recent NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association, research. This thesis aims to uncover …

The Correlation Of Consistent Exercise With Depressive Symptoms, John Gericke, Tara Pellegrino, Robert Steer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Depression is a major health issue that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Typically, depression is associated with individuals who follow a poor diet and are physically inactive. Exercise is one form of treatment for depression and has been shown to reduce the risk of depression and protect against the onset of depression. The PHQ-9 Depression Score is a tool used to screen individuals for depression on a scale from 0-27. The goal of this study is to identify a relationship between consistent exercise and depression symptoms.

Methods: An original Qualtrics survey was created to be distributed with …

The Utilization Of Music And Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response In Reducing Stress, Robert Scott

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Stress is often identified as a “silent killer” and the negative impact on one’s mental and physical well-being is greatly impacted without intervention. This study sought to determine which form of coping, autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) or music, is an effective strategy for reducing stress. The study was conceptualized using the positivist paradigm of research. An electronic survey was dispersed to participants via the website SurveyMonkey. Descriptive data was collected using demographic information gathered during the first portion of the survey. Participants’ self-identified stress levels were gathered before and after they viewed their randomly assigned coping strategy (ASMR or …

Touch The Earth: Integrating Biophilic Design And Nature Rx Therapy Initiatives At Georgia State University, Kennedy L. Burks

Art and Design Theses

Touch the Earth aims to establish a meaningful connection between university students experiencing mental health difficulties and the therapeutic advantages inherent in the natural world. The Touch the Earth program currently concentrates its efforts on an outdoor activity initiative at Georgia State University (GSU) within the Recreational Services Department. This thesis applies the principles of biophilic graphic design and Nature Rx initiatives to revitalize, redefine, and educate GSU students on effective strategies to enhance their mental well-being through a strategic rebranding and the creation of informative and promotional materials. The thesis endeavors to raise awareness, educate, and encourage GSU students …

Implementation Of Mental Health Services And Curriculum For Elementary-Aged Children, Indra Flores Silva, Jason Kwan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study’s purpose was to describe elementary school teachers’perceptions about mental health services, curriculum, and their effect on the mental health of elementary-aged children. Our research addressed the question: What are elementary school teachers’ perceptions of mental healthservices and mental health curriculum and their effect on the mental health of elementary-aged children? It is crucial that we study this because many young children struggle with their mental health which can lead to poor outcomes leading into adulthood. This study utilized quantitative data on 28 participants that was collected through Qualtrics. Data was analyzed using SPSS by conducting univariate analysis. Our …

Psychology Of Athletes: Impact Of Injuries On Mental Health, Caitlin Rainey

Whittier Scholars Program

This article aims to contextualize the importance of understanding injuries in athletics and how those injuries impact mental health. With such a high prevalence of injuries in athletics, most studies analyze the physical implications on the athlete. It is vital that mental well being is studied as much as physical health throughout the injury and rehabilitation process. This study reviewed previous literature on the social impacts of team sports, psychological and social implications of injury, the impact of residual pain, and finally the process of retirement. A survey was also conducted at a small liberal arts college in Southern California …

The Components Necessary In A Clinical Day Program For A Successful Transition To Traditional School, Erica Parker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine what components of academic and therapeutic clinical day programs ensure success for students with mental health diagnoses as they transition back to conventional educational settings. This study focused on the importance of developing students' capabilities to fulfill their own needs within Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs through coping skills, academic skills, and ensuring those skills transition to their traditional home school setting. The research questions guiding this study were: 1. How is “successful reintegration” defined for students with mental health concerns by the students, families, teachers, and other school staff? 2. What program …

The Effect Of Crime On Mental Health In South Africa, Magda Tsaneva, Lauren-Kate Laplante

Economics

This paper examines the impact of district-level crime rates in South Africa on individual depression symptoms. We use panel data from the National Income Dynamics Survey collected between 2008 and 2014 and estimate an individual fixed effects regression model, thus controlling for characteristics of the individual's environment that could affect crime and mental health. We find that an increase of one standard deviation in property (violent) crime is associated with a 7.2 (8.7) percentage point increase in the probability of depression symptoms. Analysis of potential mechanisms suggests that indirect exposure to crime likely affects mental health by increasing stress rather …

Student Mental Health During And After The Coronavirus Pandemic, Olivia Harner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The educational setting serves as an influential force when considering the impacts that school can have on student mental health. Following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, research revealed negative effects on mental health for a variety of populations across the globe; however, comprehensive reviews about the effect that the pandemic had on the mental health of American K-12 students are limited. Consequently, the purpose of this specialist project is to evaluate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the mental health of American students in grades K-12 through a review of literature. Utilizing PRISMA procedures, 19 articles were selected …

Enhancing Student-Athlete Well-Being Through Effective Leadership In College Athletics, Jake Peavey

All Student Scholarship

For many young adults, the transition from high school to college athletics can be a challenging and intimidating process. It is common knowledge that many student-athletes struggle with finding the balance between their mental health and their academic, athletic, and social responsibilities. In fact, many student-athletes feel that their commitments are greater than a full- time job when you factor in all that is expected of them (Cutler & Dwyer, 2020). Student-athlete life balance is affected by pressures such as demanding training schedules, strict dietary guidelines, expectations on performance, and many other factors that can contribute to commitments totaling over …

Stressors, Caffeine Consumption, And Mental Health Concerns Among College Students, Stacey Trejo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between mental health challenges, life balance concerns and caffeine consumption among college students. As caffeine is considered a psychoactive and cognitive enhancer that enhances physical performance, consuming an excess of caffeine can result in caffeine intoxication, which may include experiencing negative side effects.

Utilizing quantitative methods and availability sampling, 61 college students completed a self-administered online survey via Instagram and, with the assistance of professors, in classrooms. The self-administered Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) reveals that college students are experiencing high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. A majority …

Occupational Therapy Services In Pediatric Mental Health, Hallie Jerome

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children and youth experiencing mental health concerns often have limited or decreased engagement in meaningful occupations. Additionally, children and youth who experience mental health concerns at an early age are more likely to experience negative health outcomes such as poor occupational engagement, academic achievement, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), maltreatment/abuse/neglect, family and peer conflict/rejection, low self-esteem, early substance use, and many others impacting their overall health and well-being. My capstone project aimed to administer occupation-based interventions in a pediatric mental health program while I advance my skills working with an interdisciplinary team. The literature and needs assessment indicated a need for …