Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment Therapy To Decrease Anxiety And Stress In College Athletes, Breana Hunt, Samantha Bauer

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Background: Elite athletes experience up to 640 stressors daily that can impact their mental health, such as injuries, inadequate financial support, and team dynamics. The NCAA found that female athletes endorsed feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, mentally exhausted, and feeling overwhelmed by all they have to do two times more likely than their male counterparts. Current research suggest Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) therapy is more effective in improving mental health in athletes compared to other sports therapies.

Local Problem: The southeastern university’s mental health and wellness department currently follows the NCAA’s mental health practice recommendations (UT Sports, 2018). While the athletics department has …

Implementing A Brief Intervention For Smoking Cessation In An Inpatient Psychiatric Facility, Erika Gotway

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Smoking is a leading cause of various preventable diseases, and those who experience mental illness smoke cigarettes at a higher rate than the general population. Brief intervention is a type counseling that has proven successful in encouraging smokers to quit. The “5 A’s” is a type of brief intervention which stands for: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange. Addressing the smoking epidemic among individuals with mental illness is not only essential for improving their overall well-being, but also for reducing health disparities and enhancing the effectiveness of existing mental health interventions.

Methods: The approach to this project was a …

Implementation Of Postnatal Depression Screening: A Pilot Study, Mollie Gulino

Dissertations

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent problem among women during their childbearing years, affecting approximately 1 in 7 women. Alarmingly, about 50% of PPD cases go undiagnosed and untreated, contributing to poor maternal outcomes, including suicide, which is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States.

Issue: Despite its prevalence and severe consequences, PPD often goes unrecognized due to inconsistent screening practices. Current guidelines vary by organization and lack consistent, evidence-based criteria.

Objective: This pilot program aimed to implement universal PPD screening with a validated tool at the six-week postpartum follow-up visit. The goal was to …

Reducing Stress And Improving Mindfulness Practices Among Mental Health Professionals Through Guided Meditation., Liara G. Patton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Abstract

Background: Chronic exposure to psychological stress places mental health providers in a vulnerable position when coping skills are not learned or available. Mental health providers are at risk for both mental and physical illness due to the empathetic demands of their client’s stressors. The deficit in adequate coping skills can cause provider-client relationships to suffer and create an undesirable work environment.

Setting: This project took place in Somerset, KY, at a mental health company called A New Beginnings Achievement Center (ANBAC). Twenty-six employees work at ANBAC, all of whom are involved in providing mental health services to developmentally delayed …

Improving Treatment And Follow-Up Care For Patients Who Screen Positive For Depression In Family Practice: A Quality Improvement Project., Jennifer D. Hooper

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Background: Depression is a prevalent condition requiring systematic approaches for effective treatment and follow-up in primary care. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance care for patients screening positive for depression at an academic family practice with a diverse patient population and a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system.

Purpose: The primary objective was to assess whether a provider educational session and the implementation of an optional depression treatment and follow-up algorithm could improve timely and appropriate care for patients with positive PHQ-9 screenings.

Setting: The project was conducted at an academic family practice office.

Methods/Procedures: The intervention included a …

Impact Of The Blaylock Risk Assessment Screening Score On Inpatient Length Of Stay On Inpatient Psychiatric Units Within An Acute Care Hospital, Princess P. Minter

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Insufficient discharge planning at the time of patient admission can result in increased hospitalization length of stay and poor clinical outcomes, including a rapid deterioration of stabilized patients’ mental status while unnecessarily waiting for discharge arrangements to be put in place at the time of discharge. Purpose: To determine if completing the Blaylock Risk Assessment Screening Score (BRASS) index tool to identify barriers to discharge at the time of patient admission impacts the length of stay for patients admitted to general psychiatric inpatient units. Methods: Patient admission and discharge data collected using the BRASS index within 48 hours …

Balancing Life After Spousal Loss: A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating The Mental Well-Being And Life Satisfaction Of Martyrs’ Wives, Mehreen Aslam, Ambreen Tharani, Yasmin Parpio, Rafat Jan

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: The wives who have lost their spouses in conflict zones are known as martyrs’ wives. After sacrificing the martyrs’ lives, their wives not only face the traumatic experience of losing their loved ones, but this loss may substantially affect their physical, socioeconomic, and emotional health. It may serve as a "vulnerability factor," raising the risk of depression.
Objective: To assess the levels of life satisfaction and mental well-being within the wives of martyrs residing in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the mental well-being and life satisfaction of martyrs’ wives living in Karachi Pakistan. …

A Contextual Analysis Of Life Stories From Older Adults Participating In A Telephone Reminiscence Program, Eliana Likorama

Honors Scholar Theses

Life satisfaction, loneliness, and mental health & well-being are important factors to consider when working with the older adult population. This population is predisposed to many risk factors for mental health problems such as coping with a serious illness, losing a loved one, living alone, cognitive deficits, and more. Reminiscence is one simple, flexible, and cost-effective intervention that can be utilized to promote the mental health and well-being of older adults. Reminiscence is defined as the cognitive process of recalling the past. Numerous studies have shown beneficial effects of reminiscence in older adults: increased self-esteem, enhanced quality of life, increased …

Promoting Mental Health And Well-Being Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Practice Guideline, Armen Mailyan

DNP Scholarly Projects

Poor mental health and well-being among undergraduate nursing students negatively affects social dynamics, communication, decision making, and stress management, thus compromising the quality of healthcare delivery and patient care outcomes. It is imperative that nursing programs support students to develop positive self-care, resilience, and mental health skills while in school to foster their well-being, enhance their academic success, and to promote high-quality, patient-centered care in their future practice. The purpose of this Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) project was to develop a mental health and well-being practice guideline with a comprehensive set of evidence-based interventions for academic nursing programs to …

Stepping Into Mindfulness: Enhancing Mental Health For Nursing Student Athletes, Amanda A. Marek

MSN Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores the impact of mindfulness practice on nursing student athletes, aiming to understand how mindfulness techniques can enhance their psychological well-being. The project investigates the intersection of mindfulness and addresses the unique challenges and stressors face by nursing student athletes. The project proposals a research study that focuses on how mindfulness can impact nursing student athletes. There is literature that shows how mindfulness can improve stress and mental disorders for nursing students and student athletes separately, but there is a lack of knowledge on how this may affect nursing students who are also student athletes. Mindfulness based …

Protocols For Postpartum Hemorrhage, Nicole A. Mitchell, Wilbur Greene, Samantha Claxton, Lydia Lester

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the protocols for postpartum hemorrhage and lack of implementation, how race may play a role in care, the different effect on maternal lives; physically and mentally, and more effective treatment options. Many women all over the world struggle with postpartum hemorrhaging as it is a life-threatening complication that can follow giving birth. There are standard protocols set in place for different facilities that relay how the healthcare professionals should act in that situation. The PICOT question, “In child-bearing women, how do protocols for postpartum hemorrhage compared with a lack …

Implementation Of A Standardized Suicide Screening Process In A University Student Health Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Addie Grace Strong, Kathryn Dambrino, R. David Phillippi, Linda Wofford

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among college age students, prompting the need for evidence-based screening tools like the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to enable early detection and timely intervention. Inconsistencies in suicide screening may pose a risk of missed intervention opportunities. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project specifically aimed to improve the quality and consistency of suicide screening in a university student health clinic by implementing the C-SSRS tool into the clinic workflow during mental health appointments. Methods: Employing a quality improvement framework, this scholarly project followed the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement …

Integration Of Mental Health And Enabling Services In A Rural School-Based Setting: An Evidence-Based Initiative, Kim Ferguson, Teresa Carnevale

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

The Rural Expansion Program for At-risk Communities to Promote Health Outcomes through the Integration of Mental health and Enabling services in an Existing Primary Care School-Based Setting (REACH ME) program was established to increase access to mental health services at two existing school-based health centers (SBHC) in rural Hancock County, TN. These SBHCs are among the most unique in the nation, holding designations as federally funded qualified health centers - proving primary care services in a geographically isolated, rural, and medically underserved area. The aim of the project is increasing the number of patients receiving mental health and enabling services …

Policy Review And Recommendation: Full Practice Authority For Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners In Georgia, Shantelle Coe

Student Scholarly Projects

Citizens of the state of Georgia, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, experience a lack of mental health resources. Extensive research evidence underscores the urgent need for enhanced access to mental health services, especially in rural areas where individuals face significant barriers such as limited provider availability and long travel distances. Through a thorough review of existing policy related to scope of practice, this scholarly work advocates for policy changes related to the practice authority of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). Advancement of legislative priorities to promote full practice authority for PMHNPs in the state of Georgia empowers …

The Missing Link: The Significance Of Mental Health Screenings Post Natural Disasters: An Integrative Review, Chalita Mccormick Ellis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Following a natural disaster, the emotional and psychological demands on survivors are great. In addition to generating suffering, such as bodily injuries, natural disasters impact disaster victims’ lives in catastrophic ways, causing loss of homes, property, and jobs; food insecurities; transportation disruption; and communication difficulties. These events disrupt communities, exacerbating adversities to physical and psychological well-being. This presents a critical need for effective mental health response. Screening specific to post-disaster trauma may assist in identifying clients who require prioritized mental health care. Depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder are three common mental health issues that are often triggered by disasters. …

The Prevalence Of Stress And Stressors Among Pediatric Oncology Nurses Working In Pediatric Oncology Units In Pakistan - An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study, Shenila Anwarali

Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Pediatric oncology nurses in Pakistan are at the forefront of caring for young cancer patients. In Pakistan, thousands of children are diagnosed with cancer every year, however the country's healthcare system lacks a comprehensive National cancer registry. Pediatric oncology nurses face high stress levels due to the demanding nature of their work, lack of specialized training, and communication challenges with patients and families. This study aims to explore the prevalence of stress and its predictors among these nurses in Pakistan, addressing a significant research gap.
Purpose: The purpose for the study was to measure stress and identify its predictors …

Lived Experiences: Growing Up With A Seriously Mentally Ill Parent, Deborah Lindell, Elliane Irani

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Individuals with serious mental illness often have persistent and disruptive symptoms. These can profoundly affect their children's lives, exposing them to adverse social and psychological conditions. Such conditions can result in traumatic lived experiences during childhood, which can carry over into adulthood, influencing their self-perceptions and shaping their attitudes toward themselves and society. To gain insights into this phenomenon, this study explored the lived experiences of adults who grew up with a parent with serious mental illness and their perceptions of their lives in adulthood. Design: This study used an interpretive phenomenological design. Methods: Participants were invited to voluntarily …

Introducing Mental Health Resources To Nurse Practitioner Residents, Tiffanie Bailey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project identified the increased need for mental health resources after the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies showed the rate of anxiety, depression, and substance use has also been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate the country mentally and physically, it became quickly apparent that additional resources to provide support for those suffering from mental illness were essential. This project aimed to introduce a Mental Health First Aid course within the Residency Program at the Center for Family Guidance. Participants were asked to complete a pre-test indicating their …

Mental Health And The Black Church: Decreasing The Division In Divinity, Latonya Gray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Racial disparities in mental health care persist for Black Americans, with only one in three who need treatment receiving it. The care they do receive is often of a poorer quality than that of other groups. Faith communities serving Black members could help address this gap by partnering with mental health professionals to meet congregants' needs. With mental health now at the forefront of public discourse, considering the specific needs of the Black community is critical. Black Americans face disproportionate mental health burdens but are more likely to seek counsel from clergy due to cultural stigma. Educating clergy on mental …

Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Mental Health Of Frontline Hospital-Based Nurses: Rapid Review And Meta-Analysis, Diane I. N. Trudgill, Kevin M. Gorey

Social Work Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic focused the world’s attention on the gross relative health risks, inequities and injustices experienced by first responders, of whom front-line, hospital-based nurses may be the most vulnerable. A series of research syntheses prior to the pandemic estimated that such front-line nurses were at approximately two-fold greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges such as increased symptoms (and diagnoses) of anxiety, depression and PTSD than were nursing administrators or otherwise similar, people in the general population. Aiming to clarify how the pandemic impacted such mental health risks, we conducted a rapid review and meta-analysis of observational studies from …

Student Perspectives On The Adequacy Of Mental Health Curriculum Within The College Of Health And Human Services At Unh, Brianna Lee Meyer

Honors Theses and Capstones

This study aims to understand the confidence students in future healthcare oriented majors feel in regards to treating or interacting with individuals with mental health conditions. It also aims to understand the effect of students' in-major education, outside-major education, and lived experience on this confidence level. Students within the College of Health and Human Services at UNH were the participants who completed a short Qualtrics survey online. The survey collected data from Likert scales and short-answer questions. The Likert scales were then analyzed with a regression and descriptive statistics, while the short-answer questions were analyzed with thematic analysis. The study …

Cultural Wounds Find Release: Art Therapy And First Generation Immigrants’ Mental Health, Crystal Soojung Yi, Dennis Chavez Calderon

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: First-generation immigrants in the United States confront significant mental health challenges rooted in cultural identity conflict. Specifically, these challenges are linked to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as indicated by Lindert et al. (2009). Art therapy holds promise as an intervention for treating mental health and identity conflicts in a variety of populations. Yet, little is known about how art therapy can improve the experience of first-generation immigrants experiencing cultural identity conflicts.

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of art therapy in improving the mental health and cultural identity conflicts of first-generation …

Improving The Postpartum Depression Discharge Education To Increase Quality And Safety Of Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Amanda Lucia

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent psychological condition to affect mothers following childbirth which can have detrimental consequences on the physical and mental health of the mother, child, and spouse (Wang et al., 2021). Globally, postpartum depression affects 17.2% of the world population, and in the United States 1 in 8 women who recently gave birth reported symptoms of PPD, and 1 in 10 women reported experiencing a major depressive episode within a year following delivery (CDC, 2023). Patients’ spouses and family members are in a unique position to identify early manifestations of PPD which can lead to …

Maternal Health Considerations: Highlighting And Advancing Opportunities For Improved Maternal Health, Caitlin Fox-Harding

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The special collection on Maternal Health Considerations offers a comprehensive exploration of critical issues surrounding maternal well-being across diverse contexts and disciplines. Recognising that maternal health extends beyond the physiological realm, this collection delves into the multifaceted dimensions of maternal well-being, including physical, mental, and socio-ecological factors. The collection comprises a series of interdisciplinary studies that investigate various facets of maternal health, from conception to postpartum stages. It addresses the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and socio-cultural determinants that influence maternal health outcomes. By adopting a holistic approach, the contributors shed light on the interconnectedness of maternal well-being. Key themes …