Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Lingering Effects Of Covid-19 On Mental Health In College Students, Morgan Bodker

Scholars Week

This study examined whether severity of an individual’s COVID symptoms is predictive of a long-term risk for depression in college students. An online survey was completed by 123 students (M = 19.45; SD = 4.23) who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at any time since the pandemic. Severity of COVID symptoms at the time of diagnosis was assessed using seven questions on a 4-point Likert scale. Current depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Participants who had a COVID diagnosis reported significantly higher levels of depression than participants who have never had COVID. A linear regression restricted …

Reducing Burnout Among Pediatric Oncology Nurses, Karlie Devore, Madison Jarvis

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Screenings To Decrease Pediatric Suicide, Jordan Bridges, Dana Schildmeyer, Amanda Austin, Laura Boesken

Posters-at-the-Capitol

This project aimed to examine the current practice related to mental health and depression screenings in pediatric patients. The benefits of implementing screening in schools in identifying depression and suicide risks sooner were also considered. This project focused on the correlation between earlier mental health screening and identification of these mental health disorders earlier in the life of pediatric patients and suicide rates. Current, published literature notes mental health screening in the pediatric population in schools is an effective method to facilitate monitoring and early intervention in detecting a mental illness. Schools implementing mental health screenings can result in increased …

Peer Deviance As A Predictor Of E-Cigarette Use Pre And Post Pandemic, Jenna Dunham, Heather Kissel, Ty Brumback

Posters-at-the-Capitol

There is growing concern regarding the use of e-cigarettes among younger demographics. Also known as vaping, e-cigarettes have been posited as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes and have increased in popularity due to marketing, added flavors, and discreet delivery methods (Durkin et al., 2021; Hart et al., 2017). Research has shown dangerous and adverse outcomes of using e-cigarettes, including mood disorders, attention deficit, addiction, and lung injury (Durkin et al., 2021; Krishnasamy et al., 2020).

Peer group deviance is associated with risky external behaviors in young adults and youth (Durkin et al., 2021; Kendler et al., 2016). This research …

Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Early In The Lives Of Children And Adults, Carley Clymer

Scholars Week

Throughout the health care industry, providers are failing to recognize the implications that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have upon adult health. As a result, these patients not only have to endure these traumas, but they’re also faced with crippling health conditions that accompany them including depression, heart disease and obesity. The prevalence of common high-risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use can also co-exist with adversity, which leads to an exacerbation of already poor health. This presentation aims to relay the significance of adopting a trauma informed care (TIC) approach early in the lives of clients to …

Implementing Mandatory Psychiatric Training For Medical-Surgical Nurses, Hannah Berry

Scholars Week

Hospitals worldwide experience poor outcomes for patients with mental illnesses. Psychiatric patients have a lesser likelihood of surviving a particular illness than does a person with that same illness who does not have a psychiatric comorbidity. This is a bleak reality that nurses have the unique opportunity to influence for the better. Destigmatizing mental illness is perhaps the largest component of stepping toward this goal. Our nurses being more educated on the nature of mental illnesses—their signs, symptoms, and common treatments—will improve care outcomes for patients who suffer from them. Not only should we educate nurses on mental illness for …

Recommending That School Nurses Provide Mental Health Screenings To Students, Mariah Dufault

Scholars Week

Childhood mental health issues not being identified early, caused by a lack of knowledge and awareness in childhood mental health, can lead to lifelong debilitating issues. The Center for Disease Control states, “Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, which cause distress and problems getting through the day” (CDC 2020). These issues can lead to negative self-worth, a lack of ambition, thoughts of self-harm, aggression towards others, and suicidal ideations. Studies have even shown that, “Half of adults with mental health disorders report or have been shown …

Near Real-Time Determination Of The Prevalence Of Cannabinoids, Cathinones, And Synthetic Opioids, Catherine O'Rourke, Bikram Subedi

Scholars Week

Unregulated new psychoactive substances (NPS) in “pure” or “preparation” forms are designed to mimic the effects of controlled substances, and are introduced and reintroduced in the market as a cheap substitute of established regulated drugs in quick succession to loophole the law enforcement efforts on combating drugs. For example, carfentanil, a synthetic opioid activates the opioid receptors similar to morphine but it is astoundingly potent compared to a typical drug of abuse (100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine). Based on the cost- and time-intensive forensic analysis, National Drug Early Warning System reported the …

Cyberbullying And Teenage Mental Health, Emma Renfro, Melony Shemberger

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Abstract Cyberbullying is something that is becoming prevalent in today’s digital society. It is something that impacts more than one age group, but the primary age group seems to be aged 13-18. As a society, it is recognized that cyberbullying happens. However, how often does one stop to think deeper? In this research, I will approach cyberbullying from a mental health standpoint. I will demonstrate things such as why certain demographics are more susceptible to the impact of cyberbullying, what mental illnesses are caused by cyberbullying, and present statistics that, hopefully, motivate people to begin to combat this issue. Over …

Determination Of Cannabinoids, Cathinones, And Synthetic Fentanyls Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology, Catherine O'Rourke, Bikram Subedi

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Unregulated new psychoactive substances (NPS) in “pure” or “preparation” forms are designed to mimic the effects of controlled substances, and are introduced and reintroduced in the market as a cheap substitute for established regulated drugs in quick succession to loophole the law enforcement efforts on combating drugs. For example, carfentanil, a synthetic opioid activates the opioid receptors similar to morphine but it is astoundingly potent compared to a typical drug of abuse (100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine). Based on the cost- and time-intensive forensic analysis, National Drug Early Warning System reported the …

Barriers To Change For Augmentative And Alternative Communication Use, Lauren E. Brown

Scholars Week

Title: BARRIERS TO CHANGE FOR AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION USE

Keywords: speech language pathology, augmentative and alternative communication, counseling, readiness to change, self-efficacy

In recent literature, there has been a marked increase in importance placed upon understanding what factors both positively and negatively impact the progress made by a client and that client’s family in response to speech and language therapy. Today, clinicians prioritize evidence based practice (EBP) when making clinical decisions, focusing on not only clinical expertise and best evidence, but also client and caregiver perspectives, or preferences (ASHA, 2018). In consideration of EBP for augmentative and alternative communication …

Experiential Learning Through The Health & Wellness Peer Education Program, Matthew T. Allen, Christian R. Barefield

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The Health and Wellness Peer Education program was established on the Murray State University campus during the Fall 2016 semester. The purpose of this program is to empower and engage the campus community through outreach and advocacy to help make Murray State a healthier and safer environment for all students. The National Peer Educator Study (2011) found numerous benefits to having peer educator programs on college campuses. One of those benefits is that undergraduate peers are the single most potent source of influence on undergraduate student's affective and cognitive growth and development. Students often feel more comfortable when learning and …

Effects Of Heart Disease, Autumn Brown

Scholars Week

I did my paper on the effects of heart disease in Calloway County and the two photos attached in my paper include a pro and a con of how to help prevent heart disease in Calloway County.

Roommate And Relationship Difficulties, Alexus Flowers

Scholars Week

This is to aid and improve coping skills of sharing living spaces for (in particular) college students. Information is provided on understanding the benefits and the drawbacks of living with others, and more importantly how it should be considered a community health concern/issue that should not be taken lightly.