Public Health Commons^™

Optimism And Compliance: An Examination Of Disempowering Processes Within Online Patient Communities, Wendi F. Coleman

Technical Communication Capstone Course

Patients diagnosed with long-term conditions (LTCs) are now being asked of medical practitioners to take an active role in their own health care as “expert patients.” This trend has accelerated the increase in people with LTCs who are using the internet for both information and social support. A valuable resource to these patients, and of interest to researchers, is a new type of online space: online patient communities (OPCs) created for patients suffering from specific illnesses. In order to better understand potential disempowering processes within OLPs, I follow the research and examine the illness narratives, focusing on their various external …

The Social Isolation Epidemic: A Public Health Concern, Jolynne Bockman, Allison Frandrup, Hannah Miner

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Social isolation kills. Loneliness and social isolation raise the likelihood of coronary heart disease and stroke, result in poor cardiovascular and mental health outcomes, and drastically increase the likelihood of death. Resulting health implications that stem from real or perceived physical or emotional remoteness include a spectrum of harsh realities ranging from feelings of low self-worth to reduced work capacity to attempts to harm oneself. Social isolation does not have to become the defining reality of modern life. Attention to the vast loneliness spreading through diverse populations across the state is desperately needed as a means to combat this modern …

Perinatal Depression: Investing In Our Mothers Before It's Too Late, Katelin Dietel, Anna Garbers, Kailee Hrubetz

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Currently, there is no consistent, universal screening process within the United States healthcare system that considers the mental health of a new mother. Mandatory screening for perinatal depressive symptoms would improve the lives of new mothers, children, and their families nationwide. Home-visiting programs, such as the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program supported by Healthy Families America, should be universal and available in every locale in the U.S. Individual state policies within these programs should be tailored to meet the needs of each unique mother, child, and family. Early, nurturing relationships are critical to a child's development. …

Work-Related Values, Preferences, And Expectations Of Millennials: Implications For Long-Term Care Administrators, Cheryl K. Derynck

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research is to examine millennials’ work-related values, preferences, and expectations and to understand the impact for administrators in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Supervisors at LTC facilities must understand millennials’ work behavior, and strive to meet their needs, so as to effectively recruit, train, and retain these millennial employees. Allowing for management understanding of millennials work-related values, preferences, and expectations and how these support or detract from employment within LTC settings may pinpoint how facilities may retain these workers. This study will also provide information about work satisfaction of millennial employees and how employers can improve to …

Using The Health Belief Model To Assess Undergraduate College Students Knowledge And Perceptions Of Human Papillomavirus In Order To Better Understand Vaccine Intentions, Kelly Mcmahon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

According to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC)(2016b), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV is so prevalent that nearly all sexually active people will obtain a strain of HPV at some point in their lives (CDC, 2016d). Approximately one in four Americans are currently infected in the United States with HPV, and approximately 14 million new infections of HPV spread each year in the United States (CDC, 2016b).

Ultimately the HPV vaccination is a form of cancer prevention. With the vaccination uptake, the burden of HPV related health problems …

The Role Of Exercise For Postpartum Depression And Well-Being, Maria Gaz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Postpartum depression is a prevalent condition (American Psychological Association, 2018). Untreated postpartum depression can have serious consequences for the mother and baby (McCurdy, Boule, Sivak, & Davenport, 2017). Traditional treatment options may not be feasible. Exercise is an effective treatment for adults with depression (McCurdy et al., 2017). Less is known about treating postpartum depression with exercise. This review of the literature sought to understand in postpartum mothers, how a regimen of regular exercise, compared to no regular exercise, impacted the perception of wellbeing and/or postpartum depression scores. The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus with …

Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Literature Review, Shailynn Shipley

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence have devastating effects on the health and well-being of people exposed to abuse. It is known that up to 75% of IPV episodes occur after a woman leaves her abuser, and women who seek help are most likely to suffer aggravated assaults or murder when trying to leave an abusive relationship (Cook & Nash, 2017). IPV screening has been well-studied as evidenced by the prolific research literature, however a synthesis of primary care actions that support the safety and well-being of women experiencing IPV is lacking. This systematic review compares traditional primary care …