Digital Commons Network^™

An Evolutionary Preamble Towards A Multilevel Framework To Understand Adolescent Mental Health: An International Delphi Study, Federica Sancassiani, Vanessa Barrui, Fabrizio Bert, Sara Carucci, Fatma Charfi, Giulia Cossu, Arne Holte, Jutta Lindert, Simone Marchini, Alessandra Perra, Samantha Pinna, Antonio Egidio Nardi, Alessandra Scano, Cesar A Soutullo, Massimo Tusconi, Diego Primavera

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Adolescence is a sensitive developmental window shaped by both vulnerabilities and adaptive potential. From an evolutionary standpoint, mental health difficulties in this period may represent functional responses to environmental stressors rather than mere dysfunctions. Despite increasing interest, integrative models capturing the dynamic interplay of risk and protective factors in adolescent mental health remain limited. This study presents a holistic, multi-level framework grounded in ecological and evolutionary theories to improve understanding and intervention strategies.

Methods: A two-round Delphi method was used to develop and validate the framework. Twelve experts in adolescent mental health evaluated a preliminary draft derived from the …

Use Of Eagala Model–Based Psychotherapy For Youth Psychological Disorders, Kimberley D. Ryan, Tammy L.B. Mckenzie

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Global youth psychological disorder prevalence has increased exponentially. Therefore, a drastic increase in mental health care utilization is expected. Since traditional approaches to the treatment of adult psychological disorders are ineffective with youth, alternative approaches to treatment of youth psychological disorders must be considered. One such approach is equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a person-centered, experiential approach using horses during the treatment of psychological disorders and the basis of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala) model–based programming. This article presents the quantitative research findings of a study investigating the effectiveness of the Eagala model–based EAP programming in the treatment …

Opioid Withdrawal Treatment: Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone), Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Stand For Support, Shatter The Silence: Administrative Approaches To Eradicate Bullying In Higher Education, Elaine M. Mora, Shawn P. Saladin

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Bullying in higher education has become a widespread and complex issue that affects staff, faculty, and students worldwide, causing a detrimental impact on both psychological health and academic achievement. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon, encompassing all its manifestations, underlying causes, and significant consequences. The study, which draws on academic literature, outlines the various forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, mobbing, microaggressions, and social exclusion, and highlights the adverse effects these behaviors have on both individuals and academic communities. The research emphasizes how critical it is to comprehend the power relationships that exist in higher education settings and …

"I Probably Wouldn't Be As Happy": Childhood Parental Separation And Posttraumatic Growth Narratives From Eight College Students, Meagan C. Arrastia-Chisholm, Hoa Nguyen, Africa Pippin, Heather M. Kelley Ph.D.

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

Parental separation during childhood leads to long-lasting psychological and socioemotional impact on the lives of emerging adults as they transition into higher education. The long-term effects of childhood parental separation on college students' academic performance, physical health, and overall mental wellbeing are well-documented. However, students can develop resilience to cope with challenging family and life experiences and even demonstrate post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth refers to the positive changes and experiences college students discover after enduring life disruptions, such as being separated from their parents at an early age. To better understand the connection between parental separation and posttraumatic growth, a …

Launching! To Adulthood, A Culturally Adapted Treatment Program For Military-Dependent Autistic Young Adults And Their Military Parents: A Pilot Study, Antonio F Pagán, Jordan Kenemore, Maj Mark Ahlenius, Linda Hernandez, Stephen Armstrong, Katherine A Loveland, Ron Acierno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Military-dependent young adults (17-25 years old) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant barriers to accessing services during their transition to adulthood. Frequent relocations, disrupted care, and limited ASD-tailored interventions exacerbate the challenges for these families, with many young adults experiencing a "service cliff" as they age out of pediatric care and school-based services. Addressing these gaps is critical, particularly given the rising mental health challenges and executive dysfunction in this population. This study evaluates the preliminary efficacy of an adapted telehealth intervention, the Military-Launching! program, designed to support young adults with ASD and their military families.

Materials and …

¡Iniciando! La Adultez (Launching! To Adulthood): A Cultural And Linguistic Adaptation Of A Group Therapy Program For Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning To Adulthood, Antonio F Pagán, Katherine A Loveland, Ron Acierno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: The transition to adulthood is a formative period of development for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as they work towards independence and managing adult responsibilities. While evidence-based interventions have been developed for young adults with ASD, they have rarely been culturally and linguistically adapted for the Latino, Spanish-speaking community. The present study provided initial feasibility and acceptability data for a therapy program for Latino young adults with ASD transitioning to adulthood and their Spanish-speaking parents.

Methods: The culturally adapted and translated intervention, called ¡Iniciando! la Adultez, is a 10-week therapy program based on an evidence-based treatment ( …

Old Frames On New Media: Health Misinformation In Black Digital Communities, Merriah Croston

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Growing evidence suggests that health misinformation has the potential to proliferate on social media. However, our understanding of the problem’s magnitude continues to evolve. Despite several studies on health misinformation and Black communities in the United States (U.S.), few of these studies characterize misinformation within digital settings. This dissertation seeks to address this gap by: 1) synthesizing the literature on health misinformation and Black communities to identify prevalent misinformation topics and claims, characteristics of exposure to and belief in these topics and claims, and successful intervention strategies; 2) quantifying and characterizing the volume of COVID-19 misinformation on Black Twitter during …

The Blacker The Berry: Food Environments And Intake Associated With Perinatal Depression And Secondary Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Black Americans In The St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Najjuwah S. Walden

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between the food environment, intake, and health is complex. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if food environments in proximity to Black pregnant women in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area were associated with prenatal eating habits and if these eating habits were associated with the risk of developing depressive symptoms in pregnancy and postpartum. The study also aimed to understand if there was a relationship between prenatal eating habits and the decision to breastfeed and if the onset of postpartum depressive symptoms has any effect on this relationship. Due to the importance of nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods …

Hurricane Katrina Archive: Faculty Publications Bibliography 2015-2019, Lsu Health Sciences Center - New Orleans Libraries, Sharon Duffy, Matthew Folse

LSUHSC Hurricane Katrina Archive: Bibliographies

This bibliography includes 19 articles about Hurricane Katrina written by authors affiliated with LSU Health – New Orleans between January 2015 and December 2019.

Passing The Torch: Evaluating Documentation Quality And Its Impact On Nurses’ Perceptions Of Communication Across Va Care Transitions, Shannon Collier Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Effective communication during transitions of care is crucial to ensuring patient safety and optimizing outcomes. However, current practices may fall short in supporting clear and comprehensive communication among healthcare providers, particularly during complex care transitions involving Veterans who have received targeted care coordination intervention outside of their primary Patient Aligned Care Team. The absence of standardized tools for handoff documentation exacerbates fragmented communication and ambiguity about the transfer of care management responsibilities, potentially leading to avoidable errors and care coordination failures. This project aimed to investigate nurses' perceptions of the adequacy of communication during the transition of moderate to complex …

Astrocytes Expressing Mutant Hnrnpa1 Induce Non-Cell-Autonomous Motor Neuron Death, Qinxue Wu, Xionghao Liu, Tingting Zhang, Shiquan Cui, Bo Huang, Cao Huang, Qilin Cao, Xu-Gang Xia, Hongxia Zhou

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Pathogenic mutation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) is causative to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Neuron death resulting from pathogenic hnRNPA1 may not require its presence across all pertinent cells types, including neurons, glia, and muscles. Rather, the exclusive presence of pathogenic hnRNPA1 in a specific cell type, such as astrocytes, may suffice to substantially alter cellular functions. Consequently, this alteration initiates abnormal interaction within intricate neuron-glia networks, culminating in non-cell-autonomous motor neuron death. To investigate the pivotal role of non-cell-autonomous neuron death in hnRNPA1-associated ALS, we developed transgenic rats overexpressing mutant hnRNPA1 in specifically astrocytes. The confined overexpression of …

Is There An Association Between Food Literacy And Diet Quality In Young Adult College Men?, Morgan Claire Mayeux

Master's Theses

Food literacy skills can improve dietary intake in young adults as it provides them with the tools they need to make healthier food-related decisions. The benefits of improving food literacy includes the reduction in the risk of prevalent, preventable dietrelated diseases such as obesity, T2DM, heart disease, and other chronic diseases that plague the Unites States today. Previous literature reports primarily on college female samples. Because a large proportion of the samples in the available studies are female, the current literature may not reflect young adult men’s food literacy and its comparison to their overall diet quality. The purpose of …

“My Body Was Never Mine”: An Arts-Based Phenomenological Analysis Of Queer And Trans Adolescent Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization Experiences, Megan Doyle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization has life-saving and crisis-stabilizing intentions for queer and trans adolescents experiencing mental health crises; however, there are significant concerns about the adverse effects of this practice. This study employed two interwoven qualitative methods, interpretative phenomenological analysis and arts-based research, to gain a deeper understanding of queer and trans individuals’ adolescent experiences of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. The theory of abolition was applied to examine the carcerality and identity-based oppression embedded within this procedure. Participant narratives and artwork revealed how involuntary psychiatric hospitalization is non-affirming for queer and trans young people in crisis, and the impacts of experiencing coercion, …

Challenging Life Events Of Undergraduate Students, Kristi Lewis, Gayle Roux, Catherine Dingley

The Qualitative Report

College students often face many difficult or stressful personal life events such as academic pressure, financial worries, family stress, or a relationship breakup. These events can impact their mental health and academic performance. Amid the growing mental health crisis on college campuses, it is important to explore the strategies that college students employ to tackle challenging life events. The purpose of this study was to (1) explore the experience of college undergraduates as they navigate challenging life events; and (2) examine strategies and resources utilized by the students. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study informed by phenomenology (Giorgi, 2009) using …

Change For The Use Of Phenobarbital In Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Rylee J. Studiner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a critical condition commonly encountered in hospital settings. If not properly treated, AWS can progress to seizures, delirium tremens, and death. Traditionally, benzodiazepines guided by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar), have served as a mainstay of treatment. However, emerging evidence supports the use of phenobarbital as a pharmacologic alternative and the Severity of Ethanol Withdrawal Scale (SEWS) as a more objective and clinically practical assessment tool. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project aimed to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the use of phenobarbital in managing severe …

Enhancing Interprofessional Competence Among Speech Pathology, Nursing, Social Work, And Psychology Students Using Simulated Case Presentations, Elizabeth Oommen, Emily Helder, Kayla Johnson, Stacia L. Hoeksema, Laura Schipper

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Background: This study assesses the impact of an Interprofessional Education (IPE) program (which included simulated case presentations), on the perceived competence and quality of interprofessional (IP) work products of undergraduate social work, nursing, psychology students, and graduate students in speech-language pathology.

Methods: Participants included 123 students who participated in IP colloquiums through reviewing clinical cases, developing IP assessment and treatment goals, and presenting these to fellow students and faculty. Pre- and post-testing using IPEC Competency Self-Assessment Tool was used for assessment. For each colloquium, the students from all disciplines also submitted a single worksheet for their assigned case, …

Improving Student Success In 2nd Degree Bsn Students, Sharon Radzyminski, Eloisa G. Tamez, Jennifer Brewster, Leslie Kimberling Jones

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs are designed to leverage a student’s prior academic achievements and professional experience, integrating them into the curriculum for their nursing degree. This allows students to receive credit for previous core courses and move through the nursing program at an accelerated rate. This, however, brings special challenges for both students and faculty. At our university we noticed the attrition rate of students in the second-degree BSN program was significantly higher than the traditional BSN program. Investigation into this issue revealed students in the Second-Degree Program had significant issues with role conflict, poor …

Ethics Committees In Outpatient Medical Practice: A Scoping Review, Milan Arya, Tyler Cholankeril, Marlowe Bogino, Meghan Crnic, Niharika Sathe, Isha M. Di Bartolo

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Introduction: This scoping review consolidates existing research on outpatient ethics committees (OECs). While inpatient or hospital ethics committees are well-researched and established, OECs are scarce in number and have received less attention from scholars, ethicists, and physicians, despite the increase in outpatient care utilization over the past two decades.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Key information sources included MEDLINE PubMed, Embase, and Academic Search Complete. Gray literature searching was conducted through Web of Science Database, keyword searching in Google Scholar, and backward citation searching was utilized. Relevant articles were screened …

Examining Multi-Level Support-Related Factors Influencing School-Based Mental Health Services Across Various Types Of U.S. Public High Schools, Wendy L. Wilson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Youth mental health is a global and national public health issue, with notable disparities in access to school-based mental health services (SBMHS; Kieling et al., 2024). This highlights the urgent need to identify supportive factors that can enhance service availability within educational settings. This cross-sectional, exploratory-descriptive study aimed to identify multi-level support-related factors (SRFs) at the student, school, and community levels that best predict SBMHS availability across different types of U.S. public high schools. The researcher conducted a secondary data analysis of a sample of 855 respondents who completed the 2017-18 School Survey on Crime and Safety. Various univariate, bivariate, …

U.S News & World Report 2025 Graduate Program Rankings, Unlv & Unr, Dre Boyd-Weatherly, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Higher Education

This fact sheet presents 2025 graduate program rankings for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and for the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) based on the data published in spring 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. The graduate program categories reported include business, education, engineering, fine arts, law, medicine and health care, sciences and mathematics, and social sciences and humanities.

August 19, 2025 — Coalition Letter - Reauthorization Of The Health Resources And Services Administration (Hrsa) Title Vii Health Professions And Title Viii Nursing Workforce Development Programs, American Dental Association

Advocacy in Action letters

No abstract provided.

Promising Practices To Address Healthcare Needs Voiced By Local Native Americans, Noelle Taylor, Mykin R. Higbee, Raiden Gaul

Transforming Communities

Purpose

To examine barriers and facilitators to nursing education among Native Americans and identify evidence-based strategies to increase the number of Native American nurses working in their local communities to address health disparities.

Background

Native Americans experience significantly higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and lower life expectancies. Only 4% of registered nurses identify as Native American, with no growth despite increased funding for diversity in nursing education. This underrepresentation contributes to culturally insensitive care and persistent healthcare inequities stemming from historical marginalization and trauma.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, …

Counselor Educators’ Experiences Teaching About Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, Lauren B. Robins, Clarence K. Bumpas, Cearra Arnold, Deonna Stinson, Samantha Ewing, Bre Williams

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Counselor education gradually integrates training for practice in Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (IBH), where mental and physical health services collaborate to improve client outcomes. Despite its benefits, IBH education remains inconsistent, leaving many graduates underprepared for interdisciplinary settings. This qualitative study explores counselor educators’ experiences teaching IBH, identifying challenges, strategies, and best practices for improving student readiness. Findings highlight the need for structured training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and faculty development to advance IBH integration in counseling curricula.

Courtroom To Clinic: Where I Found The Work I Love, Christina Fay Bucarey

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reflects my journey through the Master of Social Work program, highlighting my growth in clinical practice, policy advocacy, and cultural responsiveness. Drawing from experiences in treatment court, addiction counseling, tribal and non-tribal community contracts, and my generalist- and specialist-year practicum, it demonstrates my application of trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions, including adapted DBT groups within Indigenous communities. Through the lens of the Five Elements of Advanced Integrated Practice, I connect coursework, practicum learning, and professional development, such as my involvement with the NASW board, to show how I’ve developed the competencies required for ethical, effective, and community-centered social work practice.

An Evidence-Based Intervention To Increase Trypanosoma Cruzi, A Neglected Parasitic Infection, Diagnosis In Rural And Moderate-Size-City Us Clinics, M K. Lynn, Hunter M. Boehme, Jeffrey Hall, Patrick Kent, Alain H. Litwin, Quang H. Pham, Melissa Nolan Ph.D., Mph, Prisma Chagas Team

Faculty Publications

Background

Chagas disease is a chronic, insidious parasitic infection (Trypanosoma cruzi) that slowly develops to irreversible organomegaly over several decades. The disease is traditionally acquired in endemic Latin American countries during childhood; < 1% of foreign-born adult residents in the United States have been diagnosed or treated with this potentially fatal disease. Low physician knowledge is a primary factor leading to misdiagnosis.

Methods

Starting in April 2022, a 4-part T cruzi clinical education intervention began, which included (i) 2 grand rounds presentations to >100 internal medicine providers; (ii) implementation of a “clinical Chagas champions program” incorporating 14 key clinical staff at varying departments and administrative levels educated on their specific role related to T cruzi screening, diagnosis confirmation, clinical management, and medical billing; ( …

Effect Of Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet On Ldl Cholesterol: A Scoping Literature Review, Joel Gregory Mueller

Nursing Capstones

Background: The whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet includes whole grains, whole plants, unrefined sugars, beans, and legumes. The diet excludes meat, dairy, and added fats. The diet has been popularized by documentaries .The diet claims to lower total and LDL cholesterol to a safe level as both a primary and secondary mode of prevention.

Purpose: Review existing studies to see whether the WFPB diet will lower LDL cholesterol in adult males over a 14 day or more duration.

Methods: A scoping literature review was completed of the University of North Dakota’s library system for keyword combinations. The returned 102 studies were …

Dnp Project: Research Study Using Mindfulness Meditation For Stress Reduction In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Jennifer Williams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Undergraduate nursing students often experience high stress from academic rigor, clinical demands, and personal challenges, contributing to mental health concerns and increased attrition. Unmanaged stress, when met with insufficient coping strategies, may contribute to students failing, leaving, or withdrawing from a nursing program. This research project addressed the need for a structured coping strategy within the curriculum at a State College to promote student resilience and reduce stress. As a quality improvement process change, the project’s purpose was to evaluate the impact of a four-week mindfulness meditation (MM) intervention on perceived stress levels of first-semester Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) …

Evidence-Based Intervention Proposal For Reducing Intimate Partner Violence Against Jamaican Women, Kimisha K. Campbell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) is a significant public health concern that negatively impacts women’s health, yet gaps in trauma-informed screening and referral processes persist within nursing practice. In Jamaica, DV remains underreported, highlighting the need for enhanced provider competency in identifying and supporting survivors. The doctoral project was used to examine how implementing the trauma-informed care (TIC) model and the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) program could improve healthcare staff’s ability to recognize, assess, and support DV survivors. Guided by the TIC framework and the IRIS program, a mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating pre- and posttraining assessments, staff surveys, …

Learning To Treat The Whole Person: Assessing Spiritual Care Curriculum Inclusion At Faith And Non-Faith-Based Doctor Of Physical Therapy And Master Of Athletic Training Programs In Texas, Tricia Blalock, Heather Hudson, Andrew R. Meyer, Ryan Hebdon

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Given the identified importance of assessing the spiritual domain of health as a component of cultural competence and holistic care in physical therapy and athletic training and the importance that their governing bodies have indicated that spiritual care should play in treating patients, this current study examined how faculty, at entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Master of Athletic Training (MAT) programs in Texas, perceive the importance and inclusion of spiritual dimensions of care in their programs. Methods: We disseminated an online, cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey to a total of 289 faculty members from a total of 27 programs …