Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Assessing Occupational Access And Enhancing Occupational Engagement At Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities, Cristina Ruelas, Susan Macdermott, Ingrid Leu

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Many individuals at inpatient psychiatric facilities experience limited participation in activities of daily living, minimal opportunities for purposeful occupations, very few productive roles, and almost no occupational choice and autonomy (Murphy & Shiel, 2019). Many people report experiencing boredom throughout their stay (Marshall, et. al., 2020). This boredom can lead to poor patient satisfaction, frustration, aggression, or incidents of self-harm (Foye, et al., 2020). Individuals at psychiatric facilities are deprived of participation in daily occupations (Murphy & Shiel, 2019) and they experience an injustice of occupational deprivation.

Peer-Led Building Resilience And Enhancing Social-Emotional Skills Program, Danielle K. Enrico

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of the Capstone experience was to develop and implement a five-week peer-led building resilience and social-emotional skills training program at a public high school. This program addressed high school students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding resources, social-emotional skills, and resilience. A questionnaire was administered pre and post-program to measure effectiveness. The results indicated an increase in scores, demonstrating a clearer understanding in all three areas.

Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Well-Being, Jenna Pilkington, Dara Musher-Eizenman, Cindi Baum, Elizabeth Emley

Honors Projects

There is a lack of research in the professions of physical therapy and occupational therapy. To be more specific, the areas of stress and burnout have been topics of research within the healthcare field for medical physicians and nurses, but currently there is little research looking at stress and burnout for physical therapists and occupational therapists. (Anderson 2015; Berry 2019). The current study aims to look at the emotional connections between patients and professions, along with the related emotional stress experienced by these professionals. A survey was administered to 59 physical therapists and occupational therapists for the purpose to give …

Enhancing Eating Routines To Support Occupational Functioning, Annamarie Sughair, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

As the prevalence of serious mental illness becomes more widespread annually, eating habits have become more recognized as a modifiable risk factor on worsening mental health symptoms (Godos et al., 2020). Eating routines are food-based activities that occur daily, weekly, monthly, and across the lifespan (Green et al., 2021). Food-based activities include obtaining food, preparing food, eating food, and more. Challenges with eating routines are prevalent in individuals in the earlier stages of mental illness (Teasdale et al., 2020). Evidence shows gaps in graduating occupational therapy students and comfortability with addressing eating routines (Wingo et al., 2018).

The purpose of …

Sensory Processing, Chronic Pain, And Recovery From Substance Use, Claire Ruth, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Those with chronic pain have worse drug and alcohol treatment outcomes and higher rates of relapse compared to those without pain or with reduced pain (Ilgen et al., 2020).

Methods: A descriptive study was employed with the aim of determining what are the sensory processing pattens of those with co-morbid chronic pain and in recovery for substance use. All participants completed the Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Personal Recovery Outcome Measure (PROM).

Results: From the preliminary findings, individuals with co-morbid chronic pain and substance use may have atypical sensory processing in areas of …

Occupational Therapy In Youth Violence: An Occupation-Based Program For At-Risk Youth, Jasmine Shahin, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Throughout the years, youth participating in violence has become an increased concern around the nation as there is an increase in media outlets displaying tragedies, such as mass school shootings caused by students. The at-risk youth population is a specific population disadvantaged in engaging in safe and health-promoting activities due to limited resources or opportunities. As a result, at-risk youth make decisions based on their disadvantaged environment (Farajzadegan et al., 2018; Gallagher et al., 2015a). Factors including socioeconomic status, social support from family or friends, and mental health impact an individual’s opinions, attitudes, and interests as well as their occupational …