Digital Commons Network^™

Supporting Mental Health In Children By Providing Basic Skills And Knowledge Of Mental Health To Middle-School Teachers, Mariaelena Falcon

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Mental health first aid training in middle school is an effective way to help teachers gain the necessary knowledge and confidence needed to support students with mental health distress and provide early interventions.

Local Problem: Lack of mental health training may result in teachers facing challenges in identifying and addressing mental health issues among their students. Specific problems resulting from this include limited awareness, insufficient skills, and strategies to effectively communicate and engage with students in mental health distress, and stigma surrounding mental health may make teachers uncomfortable discussing mental health.

Methods: The project will take place at Harper …

Promoting Parent-Child Relationships Through Community-Based Family Wellness Programs To Improve Mental Health In Children, Maria Elena Falcon

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences can affect a child mentally and lead to mental, health, and learning problems later in life. Establishing healthy parent-child relationships through family-oriented programs can promote mental well-being, improve behavior and learning in children and strengthen positive parent-child relationships.

Methods: A systematic electronic search using databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, and PsycINFO, contextualized current research on the importance of parent-child relationships and their influence on mental health. The inclusion criteria for the review used were articles in the English language and relevant dates from 2014 to 2021. The key terms used …

Implementing Community Health Workers To Improve The Management Of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Minority children from low-income families, especially those with environmental disadvantages, face additional risk factors for the development of these diseases. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to help address these negative health externalities by being attuned with the linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional needs of members of their communities. Research has demonstrated success in CHW-led interventions curtailing the negative impacts associated with these diseases in low-income, minority communities.

Methods: A literature …

Community Health Worker Program: Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases In Children, Julia L. Newell

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions, are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to address these negative health externalities by leveraging linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional connectedness within their communities.

Local Problem: Minority children in the Central Valley of California, face additional risk factors for the development of CNDs. CHWs working in this area require enhanced training on CNDs to improve their practice.

Methods: In partnership with Save the Children (STC), the University of San Francisco (USF) …

The Mental Health Of First-Generation College Students Of Color, Devin Hallquist

Doctoral Dissertations

College students who identify as a person of color and are also the first person in their family to attend college must navigate challenges related to white supremacy, institutional racism, and structural inequality. Though the amount of research on first-generation college students of color is steadily increasing, there remains a lack of research on the mental health of these students. Through an intersectional approach, the current study explored the mental health of first-generation college students of color during their sophomore year of college. Participants in the current study completed questionnaires related to psychological symptoms, experiences of racial/ethnic stress, and ethnic …

Bridging The Gaps: A Policy Analysis Of Child Human Trafficking In Underserved Populations, Its Impact On Mental Illnesses, And Recommendations For Enhancing The Existing System, Nguyen Cao Thao Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Extensive research indicates that children who are victims of human and sex trafficking are at an increased risk of developing a variety of mental health illnesses and concerns. This policy analysis aims to pinpoint the deficiencies within the United States' current system and propose evidence-based interventions that can effectively mitigate the negative mental health impact of these individuals. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis, this study establishes a strong correlation between child trafficking and mental illnesses, predominately in underserved communities. Data interpreted in this paper are collected from published studies, articles, governmental websites, and organizational pages. The proposed recommendations …

Therapeutic Gardening For Mental Health In Substance Use Recovery, Stephanie E. Schafer

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

As the clinical nurse leader (CNL) in this project, I used the “[CNL]

Essential 1: Background for Practice from Sciences and Humanities” (Competencies and Curricular Expectations for Clinical Nurse Leader Education and Practice, 2013) and its competencies to focus on designing nursing care for a clinical or community-focused population based on biopsychosocial, public health, nursing, and organizational sciences and to synthesize evidence for practice to determine appropriate application of interventions across diverse populations. With the help of the CNL competencies and collaboration with the healthcare team, we created and implemented a therapeutic garden for residents in a substance use …

Surviving The Stigma: Incorporating Mental Health Literacy To Increase Help-Seeking In California First Responders, Yvonne C. Newson

Master's Projects and Capstones

First responders are at risk of developing mental health problems due to repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, increasing their chance of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and suicide. Unfortunately, first responders do not recognize that they may have a mental illness and are reluctant to seek help. This paper will discuss the prevalence of mental health problems among first responders and the barriers to their help-seeking. These barriers include the stigma around mental illness within the culture, the assessability of professional help, and the lack of mental health literacy regarding their well-being. Further discussion will focus …

Mental Health Services: Improving Utilization In Homeless Populations, Gurdeep Mann

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Emergency shelters provide a unique location to offer easily accessible services for unhoused individuals experiencing mental distress and serious mental illness. Housing First interventions do not improve mental health or social integration. It is important to consider alternative approaches to providing care for homeless individuals. This integrated review was undertaken to evaluate existing evidence of interventions that improve mental health awareness and utilization of mental health services among unhoused populations living in shelters. Assertive outreach is an important strategy that was shown to improve effectiveness of mental health programs in shelters; reconnect individuals with family; and help with psychological integration. …

The Association Between Physical Pain, Depression, Anxiety, And Nervios Among Latinx Agricultural Workers, Iveth Cuellar Celallos

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical pain, chronic pain, socio-cultural factors and mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and nervios among Latinx agricultural workers. Survey data were collected in Northern California (N = 104). The sample of Latinx agricultural workers consisted of 47 (45.2%) female and 57 (54.8%) male respondents. The average age of participants was 43.13 years (SD = 14.37). Over half of participants were married (60.6%). The majority of participants (95.2%) reported Mexico as their country of origin. Most (85.6%) participants reported currently working in agriculture. Two hierarchical multiple linear regressions …

Mental Health Navigators Bridging The Gap Of Care For Clients With Schizophrenia: A Review, Valentina Loreto-Ashley, Valentina Loreto-Ashley

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Background: Schizophrenia is a thought disorder. As such it affects an individual level of function, and often leads to acute hospitalization. When clients with schizophrenia disorders are discharged, they are a great risk for suicide and danger to others. Services aimed at bridging patients from an acute facility to their community setting could be essential in helping the client in treatment to reach functional recovery and avoid relapse.

Objective: This article explores the role of mental health peer navigators in improving treatment adherence for adult clients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder being discharged from a psychiatric facility into their unique community …

Modern Day Colonization: Gentrification As A Public Health Emergency And Its Impact On Health, Safety, And Wellbeing, Theresa Hayes

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper analyzes the impact of gentrification in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically in Oakland, and its relationship to the health and wellbeing of communities. It highlights the public health consequences of gentrification, presents recommendations for policies that will mitigate this impact, and encourages behavior change among newcomers as well as long-term residents. To provide an understanding of gentrification and the Bay Area landscape in which it occurs, a comprehensive literature review was conducted and an exhaustive web search was undertaken to obtain all pertinent information related to the topic. Based on the research, recommendations to combat gentrification now …

Using Machine Learning To Analyze Children’S Drawings As Indicators Of Mental Well-Being, Nicholas R. Lawrie

Master's Theses

Human figure drawings are a well-studied diagnostic tool for emotional distress in children. Cleft lip/palate is one of the most common birth defects in the world, and has been shown to negatively impact emotional well-being in childhood which can have negative economic consequences in adulthood. Utilizing a dataset of human figure drawings from children in India and survey data on mental health, this paper will assess the impact of corrective surgery on mental health outcomes, as well as assess the validity of the drawing emotional indicators themselves. The results indicate that while the emotional indicators may not be valid in …

Addressing The Phenomena Of Nursing Burnout: Seeking The Need For Mental Health Interventions To Support The Nursing Workforce, Cialina L. Moy

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Nursing burnout has been an existing phenomenon, which the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated. Burnout has contributed to escalated mental health concerns, increased staff turnover rates, and the nationwide nursing shortage.

Context: Studies indicate that depression, anxiety, and stress significantly correlate to burnout; studies also reveal that burnout consequently contributes to job dissatisfaction and organizational turnover. To reduce perceived burnout and increase nurse retention at the ambulatory COVID-19 clinics, nurses completed a pilot program that integrated two mental health tools.

Intervention: Nurses responded to a pre-survey to identify burnout factors and measure perceived burnout, using a modification of the …

Preventing Self-Harm Among Adolescent Victims Of Adverse Child Experiences Integrated Review, Irene Tsimba Zenga, Trinette Radasta, Julie Maxworthy

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Background: Evidence shows a clear connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health disorders in adolescence. If not treated, adolescent victims of ACEs could develop maladaptive behaviors such as self-mutilation and suicidal ideation. The standard therapies to treat this population are psychotropic medications or cognitive behavior therapy.

Search Methodology: Ten studies from a literature search on CINAHL, PubMed, APA PsychInfo, and Joanna Briggs databases were selected, appraised, and reviewed.

Integrated Review: Studies were grouped into six types: (a) screening for ACEs, (b) usual care and alternative therapies, (c) ineffectiveness of usual care, (d) comprehensive treatment that included trauma-informed therapy, …

Designing And Implementing A De-Escalation Toolkit To Improve Staff Education And Competency On De-Escalation Within A Mental Health Outpatient Setting, Balraj Bajwa

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The purpose of this study is to develop and implement a de-escalation toolkit to help improve memory, retention, and utility of de-escalation techniques within an outpatient mental health crisis stabilization unit.

Problem: The aforementioned crisis stabilization unit has elevated rates of patient aggression/violence and staff present with difficulty recalling de-escalation techniques due to the lapse in memory and/or retention.

Methods: The project was introduced to the stakeholders of the crisis stabilization unit and input was obtained on the design and components of the toolkit. Various analyses were conducted to ensure the appropriate implementation of the project.

Intervention: A de-escalation …

Assessment Of Conduct Disorder In Primary Care: Integrative Review, Chantel M. Kilford

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Conduct disorder and behavioral problems in children are the 6^th most prominent childhood health disorder within the United States of America. Early recognition and interventions have shown to improve outcomes and reduce lifelong adult sequela. Evidence suggests that primary care providers are not confident or knowledgeable about identification and assessment of the disorder. The manuscript examines the prevalence, co-morbidities, trajectories, mortality risk and outcomes of conduct disorder. Health disparities and diagnostic stigma are also addressed. Additionally, the manuscript provides primary care providers with evidence-based research and recommendations for prompt identification and screening. Conduct disorder has devasting individual, social, and …

Developing A Culturally Relevant Mental Health Assessment For Persons Of African Descent, Roberta Iyamu

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Problem: Persons of African descent have lower access to mental health care, are less likely to receive needed care, and are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience severe disease, and to receive mental health care through primary care than non-Hispanic Whites. Context: Cultural norms related to mental health as well as the lack of culturally congruent health care delivery contribute to lower mental health care access and uptake among persons of African descent. Interventions: Campinha-Bacote’s cultural competence model and the BATHE technique provided the theoretical framework for the development and implementation of a nurse practitioner (NP) (n = 4) …

Scholarly Manuscript: Deficiencies In Memory And Effective Education Of De-Escalation Techniques In Mental Health Settings, Balraj Bajwa

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Objective: To appraise and evaluate evidence recognizing the lack of effective staff education on de-escalation techniques, the impact that this creates on nursing practice, and staff perceptions on de-escalation methods and techniques in acute care inpatient and/or outpatient mental health settings.

Methods: Three databases were searched (CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO) to identify articles/reviews which focused on de-escalation techniques and training. Additionally, five journals were also reviewed to help with the search process. Specific inclusion criteria were used to streamline the search process and to help identify articles/reviews which were primarily focused on the desired objective. Five different articles …

Rural Young Adult Health: Drivers And Barriers To Accessing Care, Maggie Thompson

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Adolescents and young adults are developmentally inclined to seek autonomy and take risks. This propensity for risk and challenging boundaries is essential for personal identity formation and belief systems development. During the transition to adulthood, adolescents and young adults often place a high value on peer group acceptance and adhering to perceived social norms. As a result, adolescents and young adults are more likely to engage in pleasure-seeking behaviors despite the associated risks.

The potential for harm often grows in young adulthood, as newfound freedoms present more significant opportunities to engage in risk-taking behaviors. Despite some enduring controversy, age-specific, preventative …

The Importance Of Nutrition Education As A Recovery Component For Individuals With Severe Mental Illnesses, Emily Martinez

Master's Projects and Capstones

In efforts to challenge the Western medicine’s determination of nutrition as a holistic approach, this paper represents the intent for mental health facilities in California to improve or implement nutrition education curriculum by enhancing interprofessional teams with dietitians as an important component of recovery for severe mental illness patients. There is concrete evidence proving that individuals who are in facilities recovering from mental illnesses have benefited from optimal nutrition consumption. Nutrition education has become a component among the toolbox of recovery options, but unfortunately it is not encouraged enough. Pharmaceutical companies advertise drug therapy as the most effective way to …

Workplace Violence: An Urgent Call For Integrated Staff Education In Acute Care Hospitals, Nicole Bellisario

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Type II workplace violence (WPV) in acute care hospital settings has become an epidemic of costly proportions in the United States. Regulatory mandates and healthcare accreditation standards increasingly require healthcare employers to provide a safe and healthy healing environment for patients and a safe work environment for staff. Implementation of a comprehensive WPV prevention program depends largely on organizational culture, participation and commitment from key stakeholders, and readiness for change.

Context: The patient-clinician relationship has drawn urgent attention, as healthcare organizations around the world implement key components of WPV prevention programs. The clinical management of patient aggression …

Indonesia’S Mental Health Services: Availability And Current Challenges, Alexander Gronowski

Master's Projects and Capstones

The deep deficits in Indonesia’s mental health care system seem to currently lack explanation. While Indonesia’s economic growth may outstrip even that of its neighbors, the country still appears to significantly lack parity in provided mental health resources. Due to the paucity in available information and studies on the topic, this paper seeks to inspect the issue directly through the use of direct interviews supplemented by available literature. Through the interviews of Indonesian self-identified patients, non-patients, and mental health care providers, it appears that the apparent weak state of Indonesia’s mental health care system stems from widely held cultural beliefs. …

Program Evaluation: Bring Change To Mind High School Club, Rachel Goldberg

Master's Projects and Capstones

Introduction. Mental illness (MI) stigma is common and causes adverse consequences such as reduced self-esteem and discrimination in housing and employment. Bring Change to Mind (BC2M), a national non-profit organization, strives to reduce this stigma through their high school club program. The evaluation goals were to assess the program’s operations and measure club members’ and advisors’ attitudes and perceptions around mental health (MH) and MI.

Methods. Qualtrics surveys were used to gather information from general club members (GCMs) (N=645), club advisors (N=97), and graduating seniors (N=57). BC2M staff held 52 small group discussions with club leaders. Data analysis was conducted …

Minority Stress, Social Support, And Mental Health Among Lgbqp+ Religious Disaffiliates, Kate Jablonski

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study investigated the association between four minority stress processes (victimization, internalized heterosexism, rejection sensitivity, and disclosure of sexual orientation identity) and symptoms of depression and anxiety among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or otherwise non-heterosexual (LGBQP+) disaffiliates from non-affirming religions, and whether social support mediated these relationships. A nonexperimental, cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Participants were recruited through Reddit, a popular social-networking site, and completed an online survey that assessed experiences of minority stress, perceptions of social support, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants were 161 non-religious, US-born, cisgender, LGBQP+ Reddit-users who identified as having disaffiliated from …

An Exploration Of Social Networking Use And Mental Health In Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Gender Non-Binary, And Gender Fluid Persons, Jennifer Trimpey

Doctoral Dissertations

Social networking sites (SNS) allow for rapid information sharing in online spaces. Research in the general public suggests that extended SNS use corresponds with poor mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety. Research regarding SNS use in LGBT populations seems to promote interpersonal connectedness. While such studies tend to include gender non-conforming persons (GNC), this group often represents a minimal proportion of participants. This study sought to explore SNS and mental health in persons identifying as GNC. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data to develop a substantive theory regarding SNS and mental health in this …

Estimating Predictors Of Mental Well-Being Through Analysis Of Children’S Drawings: The Case Of Syrian Refugees, Stephanie Smith

Master's Theses

There are currently over 65 million individuals that have been forcibly displaced globally. The cumulative trauma that comes from the refugee experience and exposure to violence has proven to have long-term negative psychological outcomes and thus negative impacts on human capital in the long run. Given that over 50% percent of the global refugee population are children, the ability to efficiently and accurately assess their mental well-being is of critical importance. Using data from over 2000 refugee children in Jordan, I use machine learning techniques to find key predictors of psychological distress, PTSD, and exposure to violence found in children’s …

"People Don't Know How I Feel": Developing A Mental Health Curriculum For Latinx Adolescents, Selina Flores

Master's Projects and Capstones

As rates of mental health issues worsen for Latinx adolescents, many barriers to utilizing mental health services increase. Mental health education shows promise in improving outcomes and decreasing potential barriers to utilization of mental health services among Latinx high school students. The purpose of this project was to pilot a mental health education course with Latinx (gender neutral term for Latino/a) high school students in Marin County and to evaluate its outcomes. A mental health curriculum and evaluation surveys were constructed, which focused on mental health knowledge, help-seeking, and attitudes and beliefs. Seven Latinx female high school students from Marin …

The Power Of P.E.: Evaluating A P.E. Program For An Urban Middle School, Matthew Tarape

Master's Projects and Capstones

This research study was aimed at developing an evaluation survey tool to measure the effects of physical activity and physical education on middle school students’ physical, mental, emotional, and social health and well-being. This study was conducted in a middle school in the challenging, underserved Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, California in April to June 2018. Data for this research was obtained by questionnaires distributed electronically to students. The questionnaire, sent to the students in the month of April and June, had them select the response that best described how they felt on the days they had P.E. and days …

Athletic Identity And Mental Health: The Experiences Of Black Male Former Student-Athletes, Miguel Frank

Doctoral Dissertations

On college campus across the nation, student-athletes represents a unique group among the student population. Black male student-athletes are an overrepresented group among the student-athlete population, representing more than a quarter of all student-athletes. Previous research has explored the impact of athletic identity on student-athletes, as well as the academic success of Black male student-athletes. Due to the high number of Black males participating in intercollegiate athletics and the lack of research related to their mental health experiences, the goal of this study was to examine the impact of athletic identity on the experiences of Black male student-athletes and the …