Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Home And Community Reintegration In Chronic Phase Guillain Barre Recovery, Avani Johnson, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

To improve the transition of individuals with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) to their homes and communities following the onset of their condition, Avani Johnson, OTS, CPT, in partnership with Able Faith, Inc. and key stakeholders will present a poster presentation on the development of a home and community reintegration program. The overarching goal of this project was to identify the efficacy of community reintegration programs in yielding effective transitions to home and community roles for individuals with (GBS). This was completed through the development and implementation of a home and community reintegration program at a community center located within the …

Ot's Role With Survivors Of Sexual Assault, Myracle N. Carter, Cassandra M. Nelson

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Sexual assault can lead to a multitude of symptoms that can negatively impact an individual’s occupational participation and quality of life. However, the literature and programming surrounding the use of occupational therapy (OT) with survivors of sexual assault is limited or outdated. Therefore, this program was created to be a resource and guide to increase the use of OT with survivors. This program included a total of five modules, which provided education and occupation-based activities to the participants to increase their occupational participation, specifically in work and education, and their overall quality of life. Following the conclusion of the implementation …

Wellness Research & Programming For Bodybuilders, Victoria Castillo, Karen Park, Kersten Laughlin

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the occupational impact on bodybuilders and wellness & program development for competitive bodybuilders. Phase one focuses on research to understand the occupational impact on bodybuilders during competition. Phase two, which focuses on program development, highlights the alignment to the objectives as they allow for the development of an educational program intended for bodybuilder coaches to help with health prevention and wellness with their bodybuilder clients.

An Ot Needs Assessment For Children And Families Residing In Shelters, Jessie Siono, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This study created a needs assessment is to determine the unique occupational deficits of children and their families in California experiencing homelessness within a shelter setting via recording their lived experiences. A local family shelter was analyzed via observation and interviews with staff and residents of the shelter. The results were compiled into a facility assessment to identify supports and barriers to occupation. Results were also utilized to complete an occupational needs assessment for families and children living in homeless shelters. The study determined the occupational needs and occurrences of occupational deficits that were experienced by residents of the family …

Occupational Therapy For People With Dementia Who Have Occupational Performance Challenges Due To Depression, Ally Frazier, Steven M. Gerardi

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Individuals with dementia experience a multitude of barriers and challenges that impact their daily engagement throughout the environment. In addition, although the pandemic has concluded, noxious effects are still influencing people's lives. Residential care facilities have noticed continual acts of isolation that are presenting as barriers in mental health. Depression has known to be a common comorbidity in the ailment of dementia. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners have the unique and valuable role in working with this population to target beyond the biomechanical aspects of a resident. Identifying barriers for mastery in leisure pursuits throughout someone’s day is crucial. When residents …

Community Reintegration Of Formerly Incarcerated Persons: An Occupational Therapy Guidebook, Shauntrice Woodberry, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr, Steven Gerardi Phd, Otr

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The recidivism rates in the US are the highest, as the current research suggests the majority of offenders (two-thirds) released from prison in any given year will be reincarcerated within three years (Eggers et al., 2006). The high rates of recidivism suggest that the criminal justice system has not been able to successfully identify the needs of incarcerated individuals necessary to support the success of their community integration process.

Since there are no published guidelines available to OT practitioners to guide their provision of community reintegration services to formerly incarcerated persons, the product of this capstone was a guidebook.

Leisure Exploration For Individuals Recovering From Substance Use Disorder, Laura Head, Susan Macdermott Otd, Otr/L

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder often report feeling the desire to fill their time with meaning and that time they spent misusing substances was unfulfilling. This poster provides background on what a substance use disorder is and the effects it may have on a person's life. It also dives into the methods used to create, propose, and implement a creative expression group for homeless transitional-aged youth, 18-25, and an exercise group for individuals in recovery from SUD. Finally, this poster discusses the implications of implementing and maintaining programs occupational therapist lead programs in community mental health settings.

Examining The Utility Of The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Copm) Vs. Cognitive Mapping And Motivational Interviewing (Cm/Mi) To Provide Person-Centered Care (Pcc) For People With Parkinson’S Disease (Pwpd), Mary Lagasca, Karen Aranha

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) limits occupational engagement and quality of life. Clinicians need tools to help understand the lived experiences of people with PD to provide more person-centered care (PCC). The Canadian Occupational Performance Model (COPM) is one tool used with this population, but its predetermined categories may be limiting. In contrast, Cognitive Mapping and Motivational Interviewing (CM/MI) is a non-standardized method that may provide more insight. Objective: To identify the benefits of the COPM to CM/MI in delivering more person-centered care (PCC). Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological self-study was used. Data collection compared the assessments and reflected on determining if …

Analysis Of Firefighters’ Psychological Trauma And Interrupted Domains, Alyssa Garcia, Pamela Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Kristian Llaca

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Firefighters are at a high risk of experiencing posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression (Teoh et al., 2019), suicidality, substance abuse (Bing-Canar et al., 2019), and burnout (Teoh et al., 2019). Firefighters are regularly exposed to traumatic events on calls which results in their decreased mental health; and associated decreased participation in meaningful occupations, routines, and roles (Edgelow & Cramm, 2020; Edgelow et al., 2021; Wittwer et al., 2021). This project contains both research and a program. The purpose of this research was to understand how firefighter demographics interact with interrupted occupations, routines, and roles and at what frequency when faced with …

Transition Ready: Improving Transition Planning For Students With Asd In Rural Georgia Using An Occupational Therapy Based Program, Christen Flowers, Keisa Boykin, Thais Petrocelli

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

PURPOSE To develop an occupational therapy based program to educate school staff and personnel about the transition planning process

Enhancing Leisure Participation In An Inpatient Mental Health Setting, Jawad Aqil, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project, Enhancing Leisure Participation in an Inpatient Mental Health Setting, was completed by a Doctor of Occupational Therapy candidate at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Project objectives aimed to identify and address internal and external barriers related to leisure participation in inpatient mental health settings from an occupational therapy perspective. A literature review of leisure engagement demonstrates beneficial mental health outcomes in correlation with increased leisure engagement during inpatient mental health treatment. However, leisure is often an underutilized facet of mental health treatment. Additionally, individuals with mental health challenges present with individualistic barriers decreasing leisure …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Unplanned Motherhood, Cierra Stewart, Karen Park

Summer 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

For women experiencing unplanned pregnancy, the thought of becoming a mother can increase stress and affect the mother’s mental health. Maternal adjustment can include depression, anxiety, worry, stress, and happiness (Mihelic et al., 2016). The impact that this new role has effects daily demands, leading to a disruption in occupational engagement, environmental changes, and overall less time for the mother (Horne et al., 2005). There is currently not a well-defined role for occupational therapy within pregnancy medical clinics to support women experiencing unplanned pregnancy and their transition to motherhood. The purpose of this project is to provide care to new …

The Role Of Occupation Therapy In Homeless Transition-Aged Youth Programs, Cortney Kirby Yap, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to evaluate current programming with staff at Urban Street Angels (USA) and explore the role of occupational therapy (OT) with youth experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness in San Diego, California. The project informed the development of proposals aimed to enhance programming and OT services already in place at the USA La Mesa site for the staff and the youth enrolled in services through the USA organization and the Housing Our Youth (HOY) collaborative program.

Translating Neurobiological Knowledge Into Trauma-Informed Occupational Therapy, Kimberley Pierce, Jessica De Brun, Karen Park

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

There is a growing need for an expanded understanding of the experience of trauma in light of many socio-political and cultural events of the previous years. Occupational therapy literature mentions a growing understanding of neuroscience that is leading to trauma-informed protocol reform, however, consistently concludes with the acknowledgment that more information is needed. The purpose of this project was to advocate for occupation as a significant tool in addressing traumatic stress. This project included a scoping review of non-peer-reviewed and peer-reviewed literature and manuscripts as well as a phenomenological qualitative research study interviewing occupational therapy practitioners who work with individuals …

Qualitative Evaluation Of Occupational Therapy Assessments In Treating Veterans With Ptsd Who Are Transitioning Into Civilian Life, Natalia Marquez-Sterling

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Presentation on the capstone paper Qualitative Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Assessments in Treating Veterans with PTSD Who are Transitioning into Civilian Life. Explores the strengths and limitations of an OT assessment toolkit as well as the role of OTs in treating veterans with PTSD transitioning into civilian life.

Habituation In Occupational Therapy For People With Alcohol Use Disorder, Sarah Garces, Steven M. Gerardi

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is an ongoing chronic health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Habituation is a construct used by the occupational therapy (OT) practice model, the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). Habituation relates to a persons’ roles, habits, and routines, and how these interact to shape occupational participation and performance. Since the habitual use of alcohol is a key component of AUD, an understanding of how habituation is addressed in OT intervention is essential. The OT literature has not been systematically reviewed to determine how habituation is addressed in OT practice in clients with AUD, leaving it difficult …

Improving Occupational Engagement: An Occupation-Based Virtual Program For Caregivers Of Individuals With Dementia, Betsabel Garcia, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects many people worldwide including informal caregivers of individuals with dementia (Harrison et al., 2019). Every year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias (CDC, 2019). As a result, many informal caregivers experience higher levels of caregiver burden, depression, and anxiety (Amato et al., 2021; Raj et al., 2021; Walter & Pinquart, 2020). This causes an occupational imbalance in caregivers' ability to meet their needs and those of their loved one. Leisure is within occupational therapy's …