Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Review Of The Association Between Vitamin D And Postpartum Depression, Christa Fernando

Other Undergraduate Research

Vitamin D (specifically vitamin D3) is a lipid soluble essential nutrient. It is found in few foods naturally but can be synthesized upon skin exposure to sunlight. Its intermediate structure in the blood is serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, also called calcidiol, and is formed in the liver. Vitamin D receptors have been found in numerous areas of the brain that are involved in mood-related hormone production. It has also been found to be protective against the brain degradation of Alzheimer’s. Numerous studies have found a significant relationship between vitamin D and major depressive disorder. This review summarizes research on the connection …

A Well-Being Vision: Transcending Care., Judith A Boerger, Pamela Bland, Carolyn Meyer, Kristen Ruble, Sue Ehinger Pnd

Nursing Publications

Well-being is a competitive strategy to attract the best and brightest talents and keep them from burning out or leaving.

Socioemotional Selectivity And Psychological Health In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients And Caregivers: A Longitudinal, Dyadic Analysis, Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Edward J. Kasarskis, David W. Fardo, Philip M. Westgate

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: Socioemotional selectivity theory predicts that as the end of life approaches, goals and resources that provide immediate, hedonic reward become more important than those that provide delayed rewards. This study tested whether these goal domains differentially affected psychological health in the context of marital dyads in which one partner had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a life-limiting disease.

Design: ALS patients (N = 102) being treated in three multidisciplinary clinics and their spouses (N = 100) reported their loneliness, financial worry and psychological health every 3 months for up to 18 months.

Main …

The Effects Of Participation In A Grief Choir On Perceived Grief, Coping, Energy, Social Support, And Health Among Bereaved Adults: A Mixed Methods Randomized Control Study, Lauren Dimaio

Crossroads of Music and Wellness

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of participation in a grief choir vs. verbal grief group on bereaved persons’ perceived grief, coping, energy, social support and health and to examine the experiences of those participating in both groups. In this mixed-methods study, the results from qualitative phenomenological focus groups were used to explain and interpret the findings of the Randomized Control Trial (RCT). Findings demonstrated that the grief choir may have been as effective as the verbal grief group when impacting the participants’ experience of grief.

Social Media's Affect On Self Image And Daily Life, Sarah Falkowski

Senior Honors Projects

In the US alone over 244 million people use social media daily. Social media has become a huge part of the world today, helping people stay connected, share, influence, and interact. Though social media has many constructive aspects, it can affect its users in many negative ways. This research looks deeper into the way people use social media, how it’s content can be damaging, and the emphasis people place on their social media image. The study conducted looks further into how social media’s effects vary between age groups and genders. Results show that females between 16-20 are most negatively affected …

Reducing Length Of Stay For Mental Health Patients, Faye Collins, Nancijean Goudey

Maine Medical Center

Background:

Our facility sees an average of over 200 mental health patients every month, with limited community resources. The length of stay (LOS) for these patients had slowly risen to unacceptable levels; the number of patients whose LOS was greater than 24 hours increased in fiscal year (FY) 2017, from 633 patients to 1145. Patients in crisis require expedited transfer to appropriate care locations. Our goal was to decrease the overall length of stay for mental health patients in the Emergency Department.

Mental Health Stigma In College Students By Academic Major, Kristen Miller

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Stigma is best defined as the disapproval and shame felt by people who display characteristics not widely accepted in society. Although mental illness has become more prevalent in society through advocacy and awareness campaigns, it fails to be accepted and often individuals may feel shame that prevents them from seeking help (Dyrbye, Eacker, Durning, Brazeau, Moutier, Massie, S., et al, 2015; Givens & Tjia, 2002). Physicians in particular have been shown to have decreased help-seeking behaviors for psychological issues due to fear of professional repercussions (Dyrbye et al., 2015). Physicians also show increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and elevated …

Sanism And Mad Pride: Critical Perspectives On Mental Health, Karen Mccarthy, Bianca Doherty

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Conference Presentations

The issue of stigma surrounding mental health has received increasing attention within occupational therapy, however, the focus has been primarily limited to the individual(s) being stigmatized, rather than on the underlying processes that create and maintain stigma. This presentation will explore the concept of ‘sanism’ as a system of thought that provides a foundation upon which stigma is maintained against persons labelled with a mental health diagnosis. The Mad Pride movement will also be discussed as an alternative perspective of mental health and a way to combat the sanism and the negative impacts of stigma.

An Education Implementation Project In An Emergency Department To Increase Awareness And Referral For Trafficked Person Encounters, Stacey Lynn Alderman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Human trafficking impacts sufferers on a global scale with serious and lifelong health issues associated with the illegal practice. Interventions for these victims’ extensive health issues must ignite healthcare staff education and expert clinical interventions. Due to these health problems, healthcare staff function on the front lines to identify and help trafficked persons. This study focused on the scope of trafficking and health staff awareness, identification strategies to help recognize trafficked persons, techniques for interviewing, best practice strategies for intervention and referral, and new coding guidelines. During the intervention, health staff received a human trafficking pre-education questionnaire, a research supported …

Situation Analysis Of Reproductive Health Of Adolescents And Youth In Pakistan, Iram Kamran, Rehan M. Niazi, Kiren Khan, Faisal Abbas

Reproductive Health

This report presents a situation analysis of the reproductive health of adolescents and youth in Pakistan. It is intended to contribute to evidence-based policies and programs for realizing reproductive rights and choices for young people through health information and services, education programs, and strategic partnerships. The study included a literature review, secondary analysis of data from the Pakistan Demographic Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, and a qualitative study of perspectives of unmarried adolescent boys and girls (aged 15–19), including both school-going and out-of-school individuals, as well as boys and girls with disabilities, in peri-urban areas of Islamabad, Lahore, …

The People Living With Hiv Stigma Index: Dominican Republic, Red Dominicana De Personas Que Viven Con Vih/Sida, Alianza Solidaria Para La Lucha Contra El Vih Y Sida, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

The People Living with HIV Stigma Index, developed in 2008, is a survey instrument used to highlight stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV. Developed and administered by and for PLHIV, the Stigma Index is not merely a measurement tool, its implementation is intended to be an empowering experience for PLHIV. In 2016–17, the Population Council–led research consortium Project SOAR updated the Stigma Index to reflect changes in the global HIV response in the past decade. The new version (Stigma Index 2.0) now has an increased focus on PLHIV’s experiences accessing HIV services; using and adhering to antiretroviral services; mental health …

Meeting The Needs Of Orphans And Other Vulnerable Children: Learnings From Project Soar, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

Orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC), including those living with HIV, often have a range of unmet needs, such as education, food security, psychosocial support, and access to health care. Project SOAR is documenting the unique vulnerabilities of OVC and their caregivers, and examining strategies to mitigate the impacts of HIV on them. This brief presents a summary of the SOAR portfolio, including a prospective cohort study of young people living with HIV in Zambia, an evaluation of an HIV risk screening tool among OVC in Tanzania, and a systematic review of promising interventions to support engagement and treatment adherence …

Índice De Estigma En Personas Que Viven Con Vih: República Dominicana, Red Dominicana De Personas Que Viven Con Vih/Sida, Alianza Solidaria Para La Lucha Contra El Vih Y Sida, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

El Índice de Estigma de las personas que viven con el VIH, desarrollado en 2008, es una encuesta utilizada para identificar el estigma y la discriminación que enfrentan las PVVIH. Desarrollado y administrado por y para las PVVIH, el Índice de Estigma es más que un simple instrumento de medición, e espera que su ejecución empodere a PVVIH. En 2016-17, el consorcio de investigación liderado por el Population Council, el Proyecto SOAR, actualizó el Índice de Estigma a modo de reflejar los cambios en la respuesta mundial ante el VIH durante la última década. La nueva versión (Stigma Index 2.0) …