Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

U.S. Military Veteran Identity And Civilian Adjustment, Darren A. Sosa

Pacific Journal of Health

U.S. military veterans transitioning back into the civilian sector often experience a variety of challenges and need to readjust into non-military environments. In order to examine the psychological challenges involved in the transition and readjustment processes among U. S. active military veterans, a qualitative study was conducted. For 6 months, data was collected from veterans in California, Nevada, Texas, Florida, and New York. Following an IRB approval, semi-structured open-ended self-developed interviews were developed and conducted with sixteen military veterans who have served in 4 branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Data and information …

Nutrition Counseling Practices Among Psychologists, Wibecke Stromsnes

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

There is a lack of treatment guidelines for how to address the impact of nutrition on clients’ mental health. Prior research is limited regarding psychologists’ practices of nutrition counseling and has mostly focused on practices of dieticians and medical doctors. The purpose of this study was to examine psychologists’ beliefs and attitudes about nutrition counseling, amount of training and use of nutrition counseling, self-rated knowledge in the use of nutrition counseling and perceived benefits and barriers to using nutrition counseling. Data was collected using an online survey of 76 licensed psychologists’ training in nutrition and use of nutrition counseling. Findings …

Analyzing Sex Differences In Human Performance Through 3d Isotonic Resistance, Jacob M. Cunha

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Appraisal of scientific literature and understanding continues to grow in the domain of human performance. The effects of sex on concentric resistance training and power output are not well understood. Recent advancements in technology permit more precise measurements of force output and the kinematic changes elicited by training stress. A unique device in capturing kinematic performance output is Proteus Motion. The machine produces an external magnetic load through a protruding apparatus connected to a gyrosphere, which in turn captures concentric movement through all three planes of movement (sagittal, coronal, transversal). The aim of this study is to investigate power output …

Assessment Revision Of ‘Perceptions Of Disabled Veterans In The Civilian Workforce’, Rebecca L. Reed

Pacific Journal of Health

As there continues to be limited research related to perceptions of disability status in the workforce, specific to the veteran population, the importance of employer understanding as well as willingness to provide accommodations is necessary to help promote change. This study carefully reviewed the assessment tool used by Reed (2016) to measure perceptions towards hiring disabled veterans as they enter the civilian workforce. To help support validity and/or reliability of the tool previously used, two professional experts were interviewed to provide feedback on the data tool in support of revisions. The vignettes, job attainment questionnaire, and demographics questionnaire were revised …

What We Know About School-Based Health Centers: Literature On Outcomes, Cost Impact, Implementation, And Sustainability, Michelle R. Coble, Valerie F. Mcdaniel

Pacific Journal of Health

Many children lack access to adequate healthcare in the United States. School Based Health Centers (SBHC) are a useful resource for accessing those needed services. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the available research for the strengths of SBHCs with improving health outcomes and health equity, cost impact of SBHCs, and best practices for implementing and sustaining an SBHC. The focus of this study was on reviewing the current literature on the impact of SBHCs on improving health equity, health outcomes, cost impact, and to establish best practices for implementing and sustaining an SBHC. Although the current literature …

From Life To Life: Transitioning To Freedom After 45 Years Of Incarceration- A Single Subject Case Study, James O. Mackey, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

This case study delves into the complex process of reintegrating an elderly parolee who recently emerged from a 45-year-long incarceration within California's state prisons. The research explores this unique individual's reentry experiences and compares them with those of parolees of average age and sentence length. Factors such as family support, educational background, criminal history, health, social support, employment, access to age-appropriate resources, and recidivism rates are meticulously examined to provide valuable insights into the successful reintegration of elderly individuals back into society.

Veterans In Crisis: Identifying And Reducing Suicide, David C. Cole, Natalie A. Perkins, Lindsay Gietzen, Zohair Hussain, Dione M. Cole

Pacific Journal of Health

The base of this Integrative Review is built on the foundation of information from research by Ramchand (2021), “Veterans are committing suicide at a rate twice the non-veteran.” (p.2) and “From 2005 to 2018 the suicide rate went from 20% to 32%” in the veteran population. (p.3). According to Ahmedani et al. (2019), “The majority of persons committing suicide (71.2%) had received health care in the 180 days prior to their death.” (p.6). This review analyzed and organized the findings to spotlight 4 common themes that lead to a better understanding of best practices. Eligibility criteria started with the PICOT …

Exercise Behavior And Recreational Sports Participation Predicts Academic Success In University Students, Natalie Matian

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Most universities offer fitness and recreational opportunities. Few prospective studies have measured the effect of those services on academic outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercise behavior and recreational sport participation on student success. We tracked 1,507 students at a private D1 university for 4 years. Upon completion of the 2017-2018 academic year, we exported a registry of every undergraduate student who accessed the university fitness center. We documented how often students swiped into the recreation facility and participated in group exercise classes, personal training sessions, and rock tower usage; these served as independent …

Fall Risk Among Older Adults: Major Risk Factors, Primary Assessment Tools, And The Influence Of Medications, Marie Roseann Jensen

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Fall risk among older adult is a worldwide public health problem. As the older adult population is continuing to increase, addressing this issue is critical. Several fall risk assessment tools have been designed to help predict various risk factors. Among these assessment tools is the Hendrich II Fall Risk Model (HIIFRM). This tool uses evidence-based risk factors including mental status, sex, functional status, and whether the patient is taking antileptics and/or benzodiazepines. The purpose of this paper is to validate the HFRM, explore additional variables that increase the likelihood of falling including both past falls and the number of prescription …

Depression And Anxiety Amongst College D1 Athletes, Jessica Radford

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

College student-athletes are having an increasingly amount of mental health concerns recently at an alarming rate. Therefore, researchers should attempt to better understand how student-athletes can cope with their mental health problems to improve their mental and physical well-being. The researcher administered a questionnaire to 300 college students, 150 student-athletes and 150 non-athletes from the University of the Pacific using various modified scales examining emotional intelligence, depression, anxiety, coping strategies, intentions to seek help, self-stigma, public stigma, social network stigma, alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, and communication competence. The data were analyzed to determine the severity of student-athletes’ mental health and …

The Interrelationship Between Treatment, Ethnicity, And Structured Exercise In Clinical Populations, Amanda M. F. Lopez

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is the second leading cause of death, with about approximately 1.9 million Americans being diagnosed each year. Yet, it has high survival rates with the help of advancing treatments like radiation therapy. Cancer patients and survivors are contingent on experiencing a decline in physical functioning, quality of life, and physiological parameters. Treatment is effective and can prolong life expectancy but can be deleterious to a patient’s health. Parallel with cancer's impact on Americans is cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 1 in 4 deaths. The development of cardiovascular disease is not spread accordantly among all ethnicities. Hispanics are …

Effects Of Tommy John Surgery, Draft Order, And Monetary Factors On The Value Of Pitchers In Major League Baseball, Jonathan P. Wong

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to determine what effects draft order, monetary earnings, and Tommy John Surgery (TJS) have on the perceived value of a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). For the context of this thesis, value will be defined as a player's ability to contribute to their team's wins in a positive manner. TJS has become synonymous with MLB and baseball as a sport, and many are either skeptical of its effects or over-assuming of its benefits. The three aforementioned areas of concerns were used to structure the thesis, as each dependent outcome is analyzed in a …

Similarities And Disparities Between Available Interventions For Ptsd In Veterans And The Formerly Incarcerated, James Mackey, Richard Oliva

MSW Capstone Conference

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Healthcare Professionals Mental Health: A Year Later, Eli Frank Mall, Britlyn Faith Neary

MSW Capstone Conference

No abstract provided.

African Americans With Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes In San Joaquin County: Barriers Associated To Biases And Stereotypes In Diabetes Care, Leacha Clark, Alexis Jones

MSW Capstone Conference

No abstract provided.

Social Determinants Of Health That Bring People With Diabetes To The Emergency Department In Stockton, California, Ana Diaz-Garcia, Denise Mendez

MSW Capstone Conference

No abstract provided.

Master Of Social Work Capstone Projects: 2021: Executive Summary, University Of The Pacific

MSW Capstone Conference

Full program of the 2021 Master of Social Work Capstone Projects. See individual reports here: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/msw-conference/

Chronic Illness And Rehospitalization: A Study Of Patients Experiencing Homelessness In Stockton, Sandra Leon, Marisela Cruz-Castro, Princess Nguyen

MSW Capstone Conference

No abstract provided.

Diabetes In The Workplace, Diana Madera Escobedo, Guadalupe Gomez, Sarah Vang

MSW Capstone Conference

No abstract provided.

Telehealth Services For Transgender Individuals, Cohen Price, Gina Girardi, Miguel Nazario

MSW Capstone Conference

This study looked into the positive and negative effects of telehealth services on the transgender community during the Covid- 19 pandemic. Via collaboration with the gender health. Center in Sacramento, five participants were interviewed utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire. Some of the major points that have been found in this study show that there are about an equal number of positive and negative effects telehealth and Covid- 19 has had on the transgender community. Interviewers noted that they were generally affected by the Covid- 19 pandemic which led to isolation and deterioration of their mental health. Some participants found the telehealth …

Dataset For Study: Reliability Of The Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale In Health Sciences Students, David B. Gillette, Todd E. Davenport, J. Mark Vanness, Rupa Balachandran, Edward L. Rogan, Deepti Vyas, Suzanne M. Galal, Tracey Delnero, Paul Subar, Elisa Chavez

Physical Therapy Faculty & Staff Datasets

Background: Empathy is the ability to understand and identify with another person’s feelings and is important in student development.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess reliability of the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale (KCES)[1] and its subscales in health professions students.

Methods: Students in six programs received two administrations. Surveys were matched and deidentified before analysis. Total and subscale homogeneity was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Association between subscale and total scores was assessed using Pearson correlation. Total and subscale reliability was determined using two-way intraclass correlation coefficients. Minimum detectable change (MDC₉₅)[2] was calculated.

Results: Two …

Determining Optimal Resistance Loads During Exercise In Male And Female College Students, Alexia Amo

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is a crucial component in obtaining proper health and fitness objectives in young adulthood. Determination of an optimal resistance load for men and women may aid in physiological function and reduce the likelihood of injury. We tested 32 physically active men (n=14) and women (n=18) between ages 18-25 on Proteus Motion, USA. Proteus applies continuous three-dimensional magnetic resistance loads during exercise. Testing consisted of 2 repetitions of horizontal and vertical push and pull exercises comparing performance of the dominant and non-dominant arm. Each exercise was performed with a resistance of 7lb, 14lb, 21lb, and 28lb for a total of …

The Effects Of Adding Motivational Interviewing To A Behavioral Coaching Intervention To Increase Physical Activity, Ryley Acrea

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Most people do not meet the physical activity guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). Sufficient physical activity plays an important role in preventing chronic illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes, which are a burden on the health care system. Health coaching (a client-centered approach to improve health outcomes) holds promise as a preventive strategy to change health behavior and limit office visits, thereby reducing the burden of illnesses caused by physical inactivity. One component of health coaching that warrants more research is motivational interviewing. The current study used a multiple baseline …

Evaluation Of A Division I Mid-Major University’S Student-Athlete Mental Health Program, Heather M. Swanson

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The following executive summary provides high level findings of a student-athlete mental health program (SAMHP) at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I mid-major university. Various elements of the SAMHP were evaluated to create a well-rounded understanding of the program to determine sustainability, goals, and stakeholder expectations. Findings from this study provided insight on stakeholder needs, program successes, and implications for program improvements.

Exploring The Relationship Between Grit, Work Engagement, And Career Success Among U.S. Pharmacists, Nareeta A. Sharma

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Background. Career success can be examined from an objective perspective by assessing tangible measures of success, such as salary, or from a subjective perspective by examining an individual’s reflections of their own career. While previous literature has identified characteristics of pharmacists that contribute to professional success, there is a lack in literature regarding whether certain traits or job-related characteristics may predict success.

Purpose and Objectives. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of grit and work engagement on career success among practicing pharmacists in the United States (U.S.). A secondary objective is to identify how pharmacists describe …

Exercise Training As Adjunct Therapy For Substance Use Disorder, Emily Lynn Roessel

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Exercise training for clients at out-patient drug rehabilitation centers likely helps with coping skills. However, a better examination of the mechanisms producing changes may help identify effective interventions. PURPOSE: To test the effect of a vigorous exercise prescription on drug abstinence in voluntary rehabilitation patients. METHODS: 25 surveyed participants in a male drug treatment program underwent a 12-week minimum training program. The program included moderate-rigorous exercise and psychotherapy. Three days per week all subjects participated in EP for 90 minutes. Subjects also participated in ABIT 3 days per week where each session lasted 2 hours. Subjects also participated in ESM …

Insurance Status And Obesity As Predictors Of Cost In Trauma Care, Emily Homer

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Insurance is a vital factor in the billed cost to the patient, but to what degree does insurance explain the amount a patient is left to pay? Also, does obesity further influence patient’s billed cost? This thesis assesses the type of thoracic trauma patient, insurance status, and their billed cost. Database variables were analyzed in IBM SPSS 25. Table 1 characteristics were evaluated based on demographics and systematic hospital factors. Linear regressions used Private0_Government1 and BMI Obese n_y_ as independent variables while Total Patient Cost was the dependent variable. Private0_Government1 insurance explained .03% of Total Patient Charges. Private0_Government1 and BMI …

Health Engagement Challenges And Strategic Perspectives For The 2023 Health Financing Transition In The Federated States Of Micronesia And The Republic Of The Marshall Islands, Alex Wheatley, Subroto Banerji

Pacific Journal of Health

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) are small sovereign island nations in the Pacific. These nations maintain a special relationship with the US Government (USG) through the Compacts of Free Association (COFA), first signed into law in 1986. One component of COFA—the more than $60 million in direct USG annual financial assistance to FSM and RMI through Compact Sector grants—will end in 2023. This financing shift brings an opportunity to re-assess FSM-RMI-USG engagement specifically around health systems strengthening moving forward. At present, FSM-RMI are included in HHS’ domestic appropriations and authorizations framework; …

Strong Side, Weak Side: Goal Generating Tactics In Ncaa Men's Water Polo, Joey Gullikson

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

In the game of water polo, it is generally accepted that the shooting position of the offensive player and the tactic employed are both important in generating goals. Despite their importance, little is known about the relationship between shooting position and offensive tactics and their impact on the probability of goal scoring. In this research, a sequence of hierarchical mixed logistic regression models is applied to a unique data set from 2016 and 2017 NCAA men’s water polo seasons to analyze the relationship between goal generating tactics and different shooting positions. The primary result reveals that the closer a player …

The Influence Of Fatiguing Exercise On Power Output, Lena Kate Perry

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Physical fatigue impairs performance during high power, short duration activities. As technological developments permit new methods of measuring this effect, it is important to validate existing paradigms. The purpose was to determine if kinetic measurements from vertical jump (VJ) tests are influenced by fatigue based on explosive power outputs. A sample of athletes (9 men, 26 women) from a Division I NCAA sports program completed testing. To establish baseline VJ kinetics, athletes performed a controlled warm-up and then completed six jumps using Sparta Science technology, each separated by 15s rest. Sparta software computed three force outputs: Load, Explode and Drive. …