Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Integration And Impact Of Stress Management And Resiliency Training (Smart) In A Nurse Residency Program: A Feasibility Study, Sherry Chesak

Theses and Dissertations

Nursing is recognized widely as a highly stressful profession, and the time of orientation is identified as the most stressful time in a nurse's career. Innovative strategies are needed to assist new registered nurses in the management and prevention of stress as a result of transitioning into the complex and challenging healthcare environment. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and impact of integrating a Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program within a nurse residency program for new nurses at an academic medical center. Additional aims were to assess the effects of the program on participants' …

Beta 2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Contributions To Anxiety-Like Behavior, Shawn Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Nicotine is a major psychoactive ingredient in tobacco that is thought to promote smoking behavior via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain. Given reports that people smoke to relieve anxiety and that anxiety precipitates relapse, the overarching goal of this dissertation research is to assess beta 2 subunit containing nAChR (beta2*nAChR) contributions to anxiety-like behavior. Nicotine’s activity at beta2*nAChRs is concentration-dependent, with high concentrations facilitating activation followed by rapid desensitization and low concentrations preferentially desensitizing beta2*nAChRs; hence, activation or inhibition of beta2*nAChRs may support smoking behavior. Rodent studies reveal that nicotine affects anxiety-like behavior dose-dependently: low doses promote anxiolysis- …

The Effects Of Pre- And Postnatal Administration Of Propionic Acid And Lipopolysaccharide On The Behaviour Of Adolescent Male And Female Rats, Kelly A. Foley

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The gut microbiome plays an important role in immune functioning and neurodevelopment. Altered microbiome composition, leading to short chain fatty acid, and/or immune system dysfunction has been observed in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This thesis describes the developmental influence of prenatal exposure to propionic acid (PPA), a metabolic fermentation product of enteric bacteria, or prenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial mimetic and product of enteric bacteria, on a range of behaviours in male and female neonatal, adolescent and adult rats. Study one evaluated the effects of prenatal PPA and LPS, and postnatal PPA, on developmental milestones in …

Multiple Dimensions Of The Symptom Experience In Patients With Advanced Cancer And Their Impact On Quality Of Life, Stephanie Gilbertson-White

Stephanie Gilbertson-White

Many people with advanced cancer experience multiple severe symptoms as their disease progresses such as pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and depression. These symptoms can be a result of the cancer itself, cancer treatment or an interaction of the two. The studies reported in this dissertation uses the patients' own responses to survey questions to describe the multiple dimensions of the symptom experience; the factors that predict the total number of symptoms; as well as the optimal cutpoint between a low and a high number of symptoms and the between group differences in patient outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, quality-of-life).

Determination Of Cutpoints For Low And High Number Of Symptoms In Patients With Advanced Cancer, Stephanie Gilbertson-White, B. Aouizerat, T. Jahan, S. Paul, C. West, K. Schumacher, M. Dodd, M. Rabow, A. Abu Raddaha, C. Miaskowski

Stephanie Gilbertson-White

While patients with advanced cancer experience a wide range of symptoms, no work has been done to determine an optimal cutpoint for a low versus a high number of symptoms. Analytic approaches that established clinically meaningful cutpoints for the severity of cancer pain and fatigue provided the foundation for this study. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal cutpoint for low and high numbers of symptoms using a range of potential cutpoints and to determine if those cutpoints distinguished between the two symptom groups on demographic and clinical characteristics and depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL). …

Generalizing Anxiety, Center For Public Service

SURGE

As she began reading the list of symptoms, I was making mental check marks next to the ones that applied to me.

Fear of interacting with strangers- check. Fear that others will notice that you look anxious- check. Avoiding doing things or talking to people out of fear of embarrassment- check. Fear of situations in which you may be judged- check. Anxiety that disrupts your daily routine, work or school activities- check, check, check. [excerpt]

The Relationship Between Memory Complaints, Perceived Quality Of Life And Mental Health In Apolipoprotein Eepsilon4 Carriers And Non-Carriers, Hamid Sohrabi, Kristyn Bates, Mark Rodrigues, Kevin Taddei, Georgia Martins, Simon Laws, Nicola Lautenschlager, Satvinder Dhaliwal, Jonathan Foster, Ralph Martins

Simon Laws

Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE-ε4) is a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we addressed the question of whether possession of the APOE-ε4 allele results in adverse effects on perceived health-related quality of life (HRQL) and on symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with subjective memory complaints (SMC). 138 healthy, community-dwelling elderly volunteers, aged 52 to 85, were assessed for HRQL, depression, and anxiety. The participants were classified as i) APOE-ε4 carriers or ii) non-carriers with a) SMC or b) without memory complaints. The possible interactions of APOE genotype, gender, and SMC on HRQL, depression, and …

Recommendations For High-Priority Research On Cancer-Related Fatigue In Children And Adults., Andrea M. Barsevick, Michael R. Irwin, Pamela Hinds, Andrew Miller, Ann Berger, Paul Jacobsen, Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Bryce B Reeve, Karen Mustian, Ann O'Mara, Jin-Shei Lai, Michael Fisch, David Cella

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Over the past decades, some scientific progress has been made in understanding and treating cancer-related fatigue (CRF). However, three major problems have limited further progress: lack of agreement about measurement, inadequate understanding of the underlying biology, and problems in the conduct of clinical trials for CRF. This commentary reports the recommendations of a National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Planning Meeting and an ongoing National Cancer Institute working group to address these problems so that high-priority research and clinical trials can be conducted to advance the science of CRF and its treatment. Recommendations to address measurement issues included revising the current …

Parent Need And Impact On Family For Parents Whose Children Have Special Healthcare Needs, Jennifer Emilie Mannino Ph.D., R.N.

Faculty Works: NUR (2010-2023)

Statement of the Problem: Parenting a child with special healthcare needs adds to the everyday parenting challenges as parents become caregivers. When providing care for a child with special healthcare needs often the increasing needs of parents are overlooked. Unmet parental needs may lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Purpose: To examine the relationship among a child’s special healthcare need, parent need, and family impact; and to identify attributes that mitigate parent risk and maladaptive behaviors.
Subjects: A convenience sample of 33 parents/guardians of children enrolled in a mid-Atlantic coordinated health service plan has been identified, invited and signed consents. …

Noise-Induced Tinnitus Using Individualized Gap Detection Analysis And Its Relationship With Hyperacusis, Anxiety, And Spatial Cognition, Edward Pace, Jinsheng Zhang

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Research Publications

Tinnitus has a complex etiology that involves auditory and non-auditory factors and may be accompanied by hyperacusis, anxiety and cognitive changes. Thus far, investigations of the interrelationship between tinnitus and auditory and non-auditory impairment have yielded conflicting results. To further address this issue, we noise exposed rats and assessed them for tinnitus using a gap detection behavioral paradigm combined with statistically-driven analysis to diagnose tinnitus in individual rats. We also tested rats for hearing detection, responsivity, and loss using prepulse inhibition and auditory brainstem response, and for spatial cognition and anxiety using Morris water maze and elevated plus maze. We …

Genetic Dissection Of Quantitative Trait Loci For Substances Of Abuse, Jo Lynne Harenza

Theses and Dissertations

It has been reported that an individual’s initial level of response to a drug might be predictive of his or her future risk of becoming dependent, thus basal gene expression profiles underlying those drug responses may be informative for both predicting addiction susceptibility and determining targets for intervention. This dissertation research aims to elucidate genetic risk factors underlying acute alcohol and nicotine dependence phenotypes using mouse genetic models of addiction. Phenotyping, brain region-specific mRNA expression profiling, and genetic mapping of a recombinant inbred panel of over 25 mouse strains were performed in order to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) harboring …

Intrinsic Religiosity And Adolescent Depression And Anxiety: The Mediating Role Of Components Of Self-Regulation, Brent Charles Black

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the possible mediating role of the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive components of self-regulation as they relate to adolescent intrinsic religiosity and the internalizing problems of teen depression and anxiety. The sample included 459 adolescent respondents from one wave of the Flourishing Families Project, an ongoing longitudinal study. Through the use of Structural Equation Modeling, results showed that cognitive self-regulation partially mediated the relationship between intrinsic religiosity and adolescent depression. Additionally, emotional self-regulation, but not behavioral self-regulation was found to be negatively linked with both depression and anxiety. These findings provide clinicians with greater direction when working with …

Spirituality, Religiosity, Depression, Anxiety, And Drug-Use Consequences During Methadone Maintenance Therapy, Linda B. Piacentine

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Substance addiction is damaging to the health of persons, families, and society. Often the person with addiction has decreased spirituality and religiosity and suffers from anxiety, depression, or both, increasing the risk for continued substance use and its concomitant negative consequences. The study purpose was to describe spirituality and religiosity, among persons enrolled in methadone maintenance therapy and to examine associations between spirituality, religiosity, anxiety, depression, and drug-use consequences. Using a descriptive and cross-sectional correlational design, 108 participants completed questionnaires assessing the study variables. Spiritual well-being was similar to other addiction samples and lower than healthy person samples. Most participants …

Male Reproductive Health And Yoga, Pallav Sengupta

Pallav Sengupta, PhD

Now-a-days reproductive health problems along with infertility in male is very often observed. Various Assisted Reproductive Technologies have been introduced to solve the problem, but common people cannot afford the cost of such procedures. Various ayurvedic and other alternative medicines, along with regular yoga practice are proven to be not only effective to enhance the reproductive health in men to produce a successful pregnancy, but also to regulate sexual desire in men who practice celibacy. Yoga is reported to reduce stress and anxiety, improve autonomic functions by triggering neurohormonal mechanisms by the suppression of sympathetic activity, and even, today, several …

Test Anxiety And Nursing Students., Brad Moore

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Test anxiety has been a problem for many individuals not only in the workforce, but also in many schools and colleges (Driscoll, Evans, Ramsey & Wheeler 2009). According to Driscoll et al., when compared to high school students and the general public (17%), nursing students are shown to have over double (55-60%) the rate of moderately high to high test anxiety. Cognitive test anxiety can account for a 7 to 8% drop in test grades, which can drop test score’s an entire letter grade (Cassady & Johnson, 2001). The purpose of this research is to explore the level of test …

Anxiety Symptoms In Individuals With High Functioning Autism, Jane C. Kelleher

Honors Scholar Theses

Research indicates a complicated relationship between anxiety disorders and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The current study examined the relationship between anxiety symptoms and ASD in 30 Optimal Outcome (OO) individuals, 33 High Functioning Autism (HFA) individuals, and 34 Typically Developing (TD) individuals. The groups were compared on the K-SADS measure of anxiety symptoms. The HFA group presented greater anxiety than both the OO and TD groups, and the OO and TD groups only differed on one anxiety symptom. Across all three groups, there was a significant association between greater anxiety symptoms and a higher level of social and communicative impairment. …

Sleep Disturbance, Cytokines, And Fatigue In Women With Ovarian Cancer., Lauren Clevenger, Andrew Schrepf, Desire Christensen, Koen De Geest, David Bender, Amina Ahmed, Michael Goodheart, Frank Penedo, David Lubaroff, Anil Sood, Susan Lutgendorf

Koen De Geest

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been implicated in the underlying processes contributing to sleep regulation and fatigue. Despite evidence for sleep difficulties, fatigue, and elevations in IL-6 among women with ovarian cancer, the association between these symptoms and IL-6 has not been investigated. To address this knowledge gap, we examined relationships between sleep disturbance, fatigue, and plasma IL-6 in 136 women with ovarian cancer prior to surgery. These relationships were also examined in 63 of these women who were disease-free and not receiving chemotherapy one year post-diagnosis. At both time-points, higher levels of IL-6 were significantly associated with …

Predictors Of Topical Anesthetic Effectiveness In Children, Charmaine Kleiber, D. Schutte, Ann Mccarthy, M. Floria-Santos, J. Murray, Kirsten Hanrahan

Kirsten M. Hanrahan

Some children report significant pain with peripheral intravenous catheter (IV) insertion, despite the appropriate use of topical lidocaine anesthetics. This analysis of data from an existing study identified factors related to variation in topical anesthetic effectiveness used for IV insertion. The children (n = 218) in this investigation were 4 to 10 years old and undergoing a scheduled IV insertion. Inclusion criteria were (1) topical anesthetic was used according to manufacturer's recommendations, (2) DNA material was available, and (3) child completed a self-report measure of pain intensity (Oucher scale). Low pain phenotype was defined as a pain intensity score of …

Sleep Disturbance, Cytokines, And Fatigue In Women With Ovarian Cancer., Lauren Clevenger, Andrew Schrepf, Desire Christensen, Koen De Geest, David Bender, Amina Ahmed, Michael Goodheart, Frank Penedo, David Lubaroff, Anil Sood, Susan Lutgendorf

David P Bender

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been implicated in the underlying processes contributing to sleep regulation and fatigue. Despite evidence for sleep difficulties, fatigue, and elevations in IL-6 among women with ovarian cancer, the association between these symptoms and IL-6 has not been investigated. To address this knowledge gap, we examined relationships between sleep disturbance, fatigue, and plasma IL-6 in 136 women with ovarian cancer prior to surgery. These relationships were also examined in 63 of these women who were disease-free and not receiving chemotherapy one year post-diagnosis. At both time-points, higher levels of IL-6 were significantly associated with …

Combatting Dental Anxiety In Patients, Gretchen Osdoba

Natural Science Student Work

Dental Anxiety is a highly debilitating condition that can keep people away from the dentist and from receiving critical care. This can lead to serious medical conditions that could have easily been prevented through proper dental care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the nature of dental fear and the different treatment options available. I will focus on helpful traits of dentists and the use of psychological treatments, nitrous oxide, anti-anxiety medications, and general anesthesia to reduce this fear. I will also discuss a comparison of a psychological treatment and an anti-anxiety medication as short-term and long-term treatment …

Nursing Simulation Experience: Self-Efficacy, State Anxiety, Locus Of Control, And Simulation Effectiveness, Ashley M. Gosselin

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Prevalence Of Depression, Anxiety, And Obsessive–Compulsive Disorders Among Secondary School Students In Menoufia Governorate, Egypt, Gaafar M. Abdel-Rasoul, Nabil R. Mohamed, Omaima A. Mohamed, Rabei A. Al Bahnasy, Reda A. Ibrahem

Menoufia Medical Journal

Objectives

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and obsessive–compulsive disorders among secondary school students and to assess the comorbidities of these disorders. Background

Any type of mental illness can have a negative impact on cognitive development and learning and involves a very high cost to both the individual and society. Anxiety and depression can be considered reliable indicators for the assessment of mental illness in a community. Participants and methods

From a total of 83 635 secondary school students in Menoufia Governorate during the academic year 2010–2011, using a multistage random sampling technique, …

Gene X Environment Effects Of Serotonin Transporter, Dopamine Receptor D4, And Monoamine Oxidase A Genes With Contextual And Parenting Risk Factors On Symptoms Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety, And Depression In A Community Sample Of 4-Year-Old Children, John V. Lavigne, Laura B.K. Herzing, Edwin H. Cook, Susan A. Lebailly, Karen R. Gouze, Joyce Hopkins, Fred B. Bryant

Psychology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Genetic factors can play a role in the multiple level of analyses approach to understanding the development of child psychology. The present study examined gene-environment correlations and Gene x Environment interactions for polymorphisms of three target genes, the serotonin transporter gene, the D4 dopamine reactor gene, and the monoamine oxidase A gene in relation to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and oppositional behavior. Saliva samples were collected from 175 non-Hispanic White, 4-year-old children. Psychosocial risk factors included socioeconomic status, life stress, caretaker depression, parental support, hostility, and scaffolding skills. In comparison with the short forms (s/s, s/l) of the serotonin transporter …

The Effect Of Emotional Freedom Technique On Stress And Anxiety In Nursing Students, Susan L. Patterson

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Stress and anxiety have been identified as significant issues experienced by student nurses during their education. In fact, some studies have suggested that the stress experienced by nursing students is greater than that experienced by medical students, other non-nursing healthcare students, degreed nurses, and the female population in general. A recently introduced energy type therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), combines the tapping of meridian points with a focus on the feared object or negative emotion to provide desensitization to the fear. In addition, there is repetition of a statement of self-acceptance suggested to contribute to cognitive restructuring. The purpose of …

Teachers' Awareness And Skills In Addressing Students With Anxiety Symptoms, Looyee Figueroa

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study explored teachers' awareness toward students who may have mental-health needs, specifically with anxiety issues. This study also examined whether the teachers' training backgrounds, acquired degrees, stress levels, and years of teaching influenced their awareness and use of strategies in addressing students with attitudinal and behavioral issues and anxiety issues. In addition, this study examined teachers' perceptions on the importance of building relationships with students who have behavioral and attitudinal issues and anxiety issues. Results from the study found that teachers' awareness levels were inconsistent when teaching students who may have anxiety issues, and they were more consistent in …

Is The Use Of Animal Assisted Therapy/Activity Effective In Improving Quality Of Life Through Self-Efficacy, Self-Perceived Health, Sense Of Coherence And Mood?, Kendra B. Keene

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of Animal Assisted Therapy/Activity is effective in improving quality of life through self-efficacy, self-perceived health, sense of coherence and mood.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language randomized control trials, two published in 2008, and one published in 2009.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized, controlled trials comparing Animal Assisted Therapy/Activity to restricted or absent animal contact or alternative control therapy were found using PubMed Health and Cochrane Systematic Reviews.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Depression measured via BDI (Beck Depression Inventory), Anxiety measured via BAI (Beck Anxiety …

Mental Health Outcomes Of First Generation College Students: Is Generational Status Associated With Increased Risk For Depression And Anxiety?, James L. Pease

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were differences in mental health outcomes between first generation college students and non-first generation college students. The sample (n = 6,449) consisted of undergraduate students, aged 18-22, in bachelor's degree programs, and was drawn from 15 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Acculturative stress was used as a theoretical framework for why first generation college students (pioneers) may screen higher in prevalence and severity of mental health outcomes. The particular mental health outcomes examined in this study were the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety. The results …

Race/Ethnicity, Subjective And Objective Sleep Quality, Physical And Psychological Symptoms In Breast Cancer Survivors, Pinky H. Budhrani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer is a major health problem and comprises the largest population of cancer survivors in the United States, estimated at 2.9 million women, accounting for 22% of all cancer survivors (National Cancer Institute, 2013). The advances in breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment has increased the importance of survivorship needs. A major concern among breast cancer survivors (BCS) is sleep disturbances. This study used an innovative approach to examine ethnic and racial disparities in sleep disturbances present in BCS. In addition, this study also explored sleep disturbances across different races/ethnicities. This study was a secondary data analysis of baseline …

Predictors Of Quality Of Life In Patients With Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma, Darcie Marie Deaver

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare, incurable, chronic disease accounting for approximately 3% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnoses every year. Patients with CTCL have skin lesions that can vary in severity putting patients at risk for developing symptoms that may impair their quality of life (QOL). The disease burden can lead to increased depressive symptoms, fatigue distress, and anxiety that the disease may be worsening. Seventy-five participants agreed to take part in an exploratory, prospective study to evaluate depressive symptoms, anxiety, fatigue distress, and spirituality as predictors of QOL in CTCL patients. Demographic variables including stage of disease, …

Effects Of A Brief, Three-Day Mindfulness Meditation Protocol, Andrew James Kurz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.