Digital Commons Network^™

Feasibility Of Assessing Dietary Patterns And Anxiety In College Students: A Pilot Study Using Nutrition Questionnaires, Gad-7, And Asq, Kylie Ford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is highly prevalent among college students representing a significant public health concern. Research indicates that dietary patterns may influence mental health outcomes; however, the practicality of collecting comprehensive dietary and psychological data in college populations remains unclear. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of evaluating dietary patterns and anxiety using self-report instruments. Participants completed the Nutrition and Eating Habit questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Anxiety Sensitivity Questionnaire (ASQ). Although twenty-one students were recruited, survey completion rates were low, with only seven participants completing the nutrition questionnaire necessary to calculate the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Descriptive analyses …

Children’S Resilience After A Wildfire: Clinical Themes Of An Art Therapy-Based Curriculum, Rebecca Cuellar, Colter Engber, Gina Robinson, Chloe Seeger, Jenna Siteman, Charliemagne Tapia, Ethel Zafranco

LMU Theses and Dissertations

The present study explored the efficacy of an art therapy-based resilience curriculum for elementary school students in educational settings, whose communities have been impacted by the 2025 Eaton Canyon Wildfires. This art therapy-based curriculum aims to promote post-disaster recovery for early elementary students affected by wildfire-related stress by using a particular focus on traits of resilience. To measure the efficacy of this study, a mixed methods research approach was conducted to evaluate the curriculum’s impact in building resilience. The study uses early elementary student surveys using a Pre/post Emoji Survey, a modified Emoji Current Mood and Experience Scale (ECMES), teacher …

Big Feelings, Fast Decisions: Emotion Regulation As A Moderator Of Impulsivity In Binge And Emotional Eating, Emma G. Folk

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Emotion-driven impulsivity and difficulties with emotion regulation are both associated with maladaptive eating behaviors, including binge eating and emotional eating. However, it remains unclear whether broader emotion regulation difficulties intensify the influence of impulsive responses to emotional states on these behaviors. This study examined whether emotion dysregulation moderates the relationship between emotion-driven impulsivity and maladaptive eating behaviors. Participants were 266 adults (ages 18–65) who completed measures of impulsivity, emotion regulation difficulties, binge eating, and emotional eating. Moderation analyses were conducted using PROCESS in SPSS, controlling for body mass index (BMI) and gender. Negative and positive urgency were significantly associated with …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, And Adaptive Functioning Among Student Veterans With Disabilities. A Resilience Portfolio Model Perspective, Donyeill Mozer

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with long-term psychological, physical, and behavioral outcomes; however, limited research has examined their relationship with multidimensional college adjustment among student veterans with disabilities, particularly those attending Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Guided by the Resilience Portfolio Model, this study examined associations among ACEs, perceived resilience, and multidimensional college adjustment within an understudied population of student veterans with disabilities enrolled at an HSI. Using a cross-sectional secondary analysis of survey data, the analytic sample consisted of 129 student veterans. ACEs were measured using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, perceived resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale, …

The Mysteries Of Postpartum Ocd: A Systematic Review, Taryn Shaffer

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Background: The research on postpartum mental health is growing, with most focusing on physical and sexual wellness, or well-known mental health symptoms such as psychosis, depression, and stress. However, as the research grows, so does the interest in lesser-known or under-considered postpartum mental health symptoms, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The focus of this research can be the exacerbation of already-present OCD symptoms, or the onset of them during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze research on OCD in pregnant and postpartum women. Specifically, the review included an analysis of measures used to …

Social Correlates Of Trauma And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Importance Of Context, Lukoye Atwoli, Linnet Ongeri

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Understanding trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requires a contextual perspective that considers historical legacies, social environments, and cultural realities. This paper draws on empirical evidence from Kenya and Uganda to demonstrate the limitations of applying trauma frameworks developed in high-income countries to African contexts. Findings from the Orphaned and Separated Children’s Assessment Related to Their Health and Well-Being (OSCAR) study challenge assumptions about care environments. The study reveals higher PTSD rates among orphans in family-based settings compared to institutional care, and highlights the protective roles of religion and social support. The Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations-Psychosis (NeuroGAP-Psychosis) study provides …

Exploring The Impact Of University-Recognized Spaces On Racial Battle Fatigue Among Black Faculty & Staff At Historically White Institutions, Tiffany M. Courseault

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Black Faculty and Staff (BFS) at Historically White Institutions (HWIs) navigate environments shaped by racial microaggressions, systemic inequities, and institutional marginalization. These conditions contribute to Racial Battle Fatigue (RBF), a psychological, behavioral, and physiological response to sustained exposure to racialized stress. While institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are often positioned as mechanisms for improving campus climate, existing research suggests they frequently fail to address the lived realities of BFS. This study examined how university-recognized communal spaces function as critical sites of support, resistance, and mitigation within these environments.

Using a narrative inquiry methodology, this study explored the lived …

A Qualitative Exploration Of How Spanish-Speaking Latino Parents Communicate With Their Adolescent Children About Substance Use, Diana Karina Diaz

Doctoral Dissertations

Substance use during adolescence remains a significant public health concern, particularly within Latino communities where cultural values, family dynamics, and communication patterns play a central role in youth development. This qualitative study explored how Latino parents communicate with their adolescent children about substance use, the strategies they use for prevention, and the cultural and contextual factors that shape these conversations. Using a focus group design, data was collected from four focus groups consisting of two groups of Latino mothers (n = 10) and two groups of Latino fathers (n = 9). A thematic analysis revealed six primary themes: (1) parent–child …

Predictors Of Elevated Borderline Personality Disorder And Pai-Bor Scores: The Role Of Psychological, Trauma, And Treatment Factors, Isabel Avendano Gil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition that significantly affects individuals' emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal functioning. BPD is characterized by impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, unstable relationships, and self-destructive behaviors, and often results in significant impairment across multiple life domains. Previous research has consistently identified Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), particularly sexual abuse (SA), as key contributors to the development of BPD. These early traumas are closely associated with core features of the disorder, including affective instability, identity disturbance, impulsivity, and maladaptive interpersonal patterns.

Psychotherapeutic interventions, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), have …

Lost In The Fine Print: A Phenomenological Inquiry Of Adhd, Student Loans, And Scarcity, Gaurav R. Sinha, Lakshya Kadiyan, Leon Banks, Kannappa V. Shetty

Journal of Student Financial Aid

The primary objective of this phenomenological study was to explore the cognitive and affective challenges faced by individuals experiencing ADHD and their student loans, particularly through the lens of “scarcity theory”. We analyzed 250 posts (~86 pages/67,000 words) from an online community on Reddit, where individuals experiencing ADHD shared experiences related to student debt. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes in these posts. Four key themes emerged: (1) ADHD and baseline mental bandwidth, highlighting preexisting executive functioning challenges that limit cognitive and affective capacity; (2) demands of student loan debt, which intensify stress through complex repayment systems and …

Family Perspectives: A Qualitative Examination Of College Athlete Suicide During The Spring 2022 Semester, Elaine M. Anton-Lotruglio, Sophia M. Burke, Kimberly H. Mcmanama O'Brien

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Objective: Suicide among college athletes remains largely underexplored despite rising rates. This qualitative study aimed to explore family members' perspectives on why their loved ones died by suicide. Participants: The study included family members (N=10) of three college athletes who died by suicide in the spring 2022 semester. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and July 2024. ATLAS.ti and Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis were employed to analyze the data and identify themes. Results: The data revealed three primary themes: factors contributing to the suicide crisis, presence of a suicide crisis, and university crisis response. The themes suggested a …

Heart Rate Variability In The Context Of Mental Health And Substance Use, Sage M. Lopez

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been linked to various areas of cardiovascular disease and mortality in previous research. Within this area, certain mental illnesses and use of psychoactive substances have been associated with low HRV and its health implications. Little research exists that examines the combined effects of mental illness and psychoactive substance use. The current research aims to understand if there is a compounding negative effect of these two factors when studied in tandem. Using a three-phase study design, HRV was analysed at baseline and at physiological relaxation, with participants being included under certain mental health, substance use, or …

Beyond Symptoms: A Narrative Counseling Interpretation Of First-Year Student Anxiety In Indonesian Higher Education, Azizah Abdullah, Rizky Andana Pohan, Ramtia Darma Putri, Triyono Triyono, Marimbun Marimbun, Rahmi Dwi Febriani

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The transition to higher education is a critical period in which first-year students face new academic demands, financial pressures, social adjustment challenges, and uncertainty about the future. However, limited research has examined how freshmen make sense of and narrate their anxiety, particularly in the Indonesian context. This study aimed to explore the main domains of anxiety among first-semester students in Indonesian public universities and to interpret these experiences through a narrative counseling lens. The study employed a qualitative online survey design with an interpretivist orientation. Data were collected from 199 first-semester students through open-ended questions addressing anxiety-provoking situations, sources of …

Handgrip Strength, Handgrip Endurance And Bmi: A Comprehensive Approach To Health Assessment Among The General Population Of Madikeri, Dr Asha S. Das, Dr Ravikiran Kisan, Dr Suhas Y. Shirur, Dr Narasimha Rai K, Dr Sanjay Bhagoji

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction: Being physically fit is essential for lowering the risk of illness and enhancing longevity. While Body Mass Index (BMI) is frequently used to evaluate body composition, Hand Grip Strength (HGS) and Hand Grip Endurance (HGE) are important indicators of general well-being. Goal: To assess BMI, HGS, and HGE and ascertain how they correlate in a selected group of subjects. Methods: Fifty participants between the ages of 20 and 40 years participated in a comparative cross-sectional study at the Department of Physiology, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Madikeri. Participants were divided into three BMI groups after anthropometric measurements were taken. …

Peace Counseling For Grief Recovery: A Study Of Its Effectiveness In Families Of Coal Mine Drowning Victims In East Kalimantan, Siti Nurul Hajirotul Qudsiyah, Wahyu Nanda Eka Saputra, Hardi Santosa

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study examines the psychological impact of prolonged grief among families of coal mining pit drowning victims and evaluates the effectiveness of peace counseling as an intervention strategy. The study aims to assess whether structured counseling can reduce grief loss and support adaptive psychological adjustment. A quantitative quasi-experimental approach was employed using a Single Subject Research (SSR) A–B–A design involving two participants who were mothers of the victims. Data were collected using the Grief Losing Scale administered repeatedly across baseline (A1), intervention (B), and post-intervention (A2) phases. The intervention consisted of six structured peace counseling sessions focusing on emotional processing, …

Literature Review: Trauma Care For Psychological Strengthening Of Adolescent Survivors Of Sexual Violence, Ahmad Tubagus Darodjat, Otto Fajarianto, Awalya Siska Pratiwi

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Sexual violence, both physically and psychologically, can be a traumatic stressor that triggers trauma in an individual's life. Trauma is a common condition that has a complex impact on an individual's life. This study aims to collect and analyze articles related to trauma care for psychological strengthening of adolescent survivors of sexual violence. The method used is a literature review. The author summarizes, makes a critical and in-depth analysis of previous literature. Based on the articles collected, it was found that sexual violence can leave a severe traumatic impact on victims. Victims may experience stress due to traumatic events, both …

Questionnaire For Eudaimonic Well-Being: Psychometric Validation Among Malaysian Youth, Mohd Ahsani A. Malek, Nurulwahida Saad, Suzana Mohd. Hoesni, Muhamad Ariff Ibrahim, Nurul Shafira Adi, Mohd Nazir Mohd Nazori

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The rising prevalence of mental illness underscores the need to understand how individuals can live and flourish under such conditions. In Malaysia, research has largely emphasized diagnosis and treatment, with limited focus on positive psychology and few validated instruments. This study aimed to translate and validate the questionnaire for eudaimonic well-being (QEWB) among Malaysian youth.

Methods: The QEWB was translated into Malay using back-to-back translation and administered to undergraduates from four public universities through a cross-sectional survey design. Convenience quota sampling was used, resulting in 229 respondents completing the online form to measure sociodemographic characteristics, eudaimonic well-being, …

Ai-Based Facial Expression Detection As A Support Feature For Cybercounseling: A Systematic Literature Review, Zahid Zufar At Thaariq, Hengki Tri Hidayatullah

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The rapid expansion of digital mental health services has increased the use of cybercounseling, while simultaneously introducing challenges in interpreting nonverbal cues, particularly facial expressions, within technology-mediated interactions. This study aims to systematically examine the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in facial expression detection as a support feature in cybercounseling. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, drawing from multiple indexed academic databases. The included studies covered AI-based facial expression recognition, micro-expression analysis, depression detection, and relevant multimodal approaches. The findings indicate that deep learning–based models are capable of identifying facial patterns associated with emotional and psychological …

Smartphone Use, Social Media, And Academic Procrastination In Secondary Education: A Multi Method Approach Investigation With Implications For School-Based Interventions, Haslee Sharil Lim Abdullah, Riza Amalia, Henny Indreswari, Im Hambali, Ronal Surya Aditya, Rusnila Rusnila

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Academic procrastination has become a significant challenge in digital learning environments, particularly among adolescents with high smartphone and social media usage. This study examines the relationship between mobile phone use and academic procrastination among 262 high school students in Indonesia using a cross-sectional survey, narrative review, and network analysis. Results show 75.6% of students exhibit medium and 20.2% high procrastination levels, with "alternative activities" like digital distractions as the main form (M = 15.87, SD = 2.92). No significant differences were found by gender (p = .067) or age (p = .412), but strong positive correlations emerged between gadget use …

The Role Of Group Guidance With Psychodrama In Promoting Self-Adjustment: Does It Really Work For Adolescents?, Hanifa Salsa Bila, Dian Ari Widyastuti, Sri Tutur Martaningsih, Agungbudiprabowo Agungbudiprabowo, Taquddin Abd Mukti

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group guidance using psychodrama techniques in improving self-adjustment among students. The study employed a quantitative approach with an experimental research design, specifically a pretest–posttest control group design. The participants consisted of ten students, divided into an experimental group of five students and a control group of five students. The experimental group received group guidance with psychodrama techniques, while the control group received treatment as usual. The research participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-adjustment scale, which had been analyzed for validity and reliability using …

Occupational Therapy For Maternal Pelvic Floor And Mental Health: A Holistic Approach To Recovery, Diana S. Theodore

Student Capstone Papers

Maternal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is highly prevalent yet often underrecognized in occupational therapy practice, despite its significant impact on mental health, daily function, and quality of life. Many postpartum women experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pain with intimacy, and pelvic organ prolapse, which are frequently normalized or left untreated. Occupational therapy practitioners often have limited training in addressing the complex relationship between pelvic floor function and maternal mental health, contributing to gaps in care. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a comprehensive handbook for occupational therapy students and practitioners integrating pelvic floor function and maternal …

Development Of A Mental Health Program For Work Rehabilitation, Vannida M. Nguyen, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Work-related injuries often result in decreased work performance and extended recovery time. This can lead to mental health challenges and a risk of re-injury. Typical work rehabilitation focuses on physical recovery while overlooking psychosocial factors. This capstone project developed a wellness program to support emotional wellness and improve return-to-work (RTW) outcomes. The program incorporated educational content, coping strategies, and interventions targeting emotional wellness for injured workers receiving physical therapy. Occupational therapy has the ability to address both physical and psychosocial factors and increase interdisciplinary efforts during work rehabilitation. Improved confidence reflected in the self-reported RTW-SE scores suggests that occupational therapy …

Silent Struggles: A Qualitative Study On Mental Health Stigma And Help- Seeking Among African Individuals In The U.S, Ololade Ekwere

Dissertations

Approximately one-third of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks who require mental health services seek and utilize them (Evans & Sheu, 2019). Research has shown that stigma surrounding mental health treatment contributes to lower rates of professional help-seeking among Black Americans (Pederson, 2023). Despite the growing diversity within the Black community, limited research exists on how stigma influences professional mental health help-seeking among Africans living in the United States.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the effect of public stigma on the mental health help-seeking behaviors of Africans living in the United States. Demographic data were collected, …

Relationships Between Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders, Their Guardians, And Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Sarah K. Unkefer

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review collects the comprehensive, current research around effective treatment of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) and explores ways to provide psychoeducation for the adolescent and their guardians to foster healthy relationships and open communication. This author explores the ways that expressive arts therapy influences treatment and long-term recovery of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) by addressing familial communication and internalized stigma. Previous studies have shown that the current primary reaction from guardians is forcing abstinence, which often damages the adolescent-guardian relationship. Since this is one of the most important relationships in an adolescent’s projected recovery journey, …

Preliminary Evaluation Of A Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Based Skills Training Class For High School Students, Jared T. Izumi, Bethany Walczak, Jamie K. Elizalde, Matthew Hayes

Education Faculty Articles and Research

School mental health issues have become an increasingly important issue for our youth. Schools are a vital resource for providing prevention-based services to students. This study evaluated a pilot implementation of a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) based skills intervention in a single high school in the Midwest. The sample included a convenience sample of 39 students from three different teachers across three trimesters. Social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, DBT skill use, dysfunctional coping, fidelity, and intervention attendance information were collected. We used a hybrid fixed effects/multi-level model to evaluate the effects of the intervention (McNeish, 2023). Students increased their use …

Starting With Story, Not Symptom: Narrative Collapse And Cultural Repair In Appalachia, Wayne Coombs Ph.D.

Journal of Appalachian Health

Appalachia’s opioid crisis reflects uneven burdens, especially in distressed coalfield counties, and it cannot be solved by symptom tracking alone. This commentary argues for a narrative shift, starting with story and cultural repair alongside clinical care. Narrative collapse is defined here as the loss of shared, dependable public meaning across groups, not the absence of storytelling in families, churches, and recovery circles. Trauma science suggests that chronic threat reshapes nervous systems across generations, making safety a prerequisite for renewed trust. Drawing on narrative identity research, the piece proposes peer story work as infrastructure that can reduce shame, support treatment engagement, …

Clustering Of Internet Behaviors And Associated Mental Health Outcomes Among U.S. Adolescents, Aakansha Singh, Timothy Grigsby, Miguel Fudolig, Ying Guo, Clariana Ramos De Oliveira

School of Medicine Research Poster Showcase

Poster: Clustering of Internet behaviors and associated mental health outcomes among U.S. adolescents

Perceived Stigmatization Of Mental Health Problems And Utilization Of Academic Accommodations Among College Students, Sabrina Williams, Robert E. Davis Ph.D., Kristin Bogda Ph.D.

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: Higher education is seeing an increase in students utilizing mental health services. Studies on students with disabilities suggest students often have reservations about accessing these accommodations due to anticipated social stigmatization. Purpose: This study aimed to assess relationships among stigmatization and indicators of psychological distress among a sample of students who qualify for accommodations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of students at a large university in the central United States. Data collection measures included previously validated screening instruments for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and adapted versions of the validated scales to assess specific aspects of stigma related to …

Pages Of Despair: Economic Policy Uncertainty And Mental Health, Kori Massner

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Policy uncertainty threatens access to affordable medical care, yet few studies have examined how it shapes what people search for online. This study examines whether economic policy uncertainty predicts mental health information-seeking behavior by analyzing daily Wikipedia pageviews from July 2015 to April 2026 using a time series model. Results show that as economic policy uncertainty increases, there is an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. When there is an increase in those searching for information on pages about depression and pages about anxiety, there is also an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. …

Health Data And Policy Related To Methamphetamine-Use Suicide In Mississippi, Mary C. Drane

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to investigate how methamphetamine use in Mississippi, especially in its rural areas, intersects with public health, policy, and suicide outcomes in the state. Mississippi's methamphetamine crisis has evolved significantly, shifting from locally produced drugs to cartel-supplied crystal methamphetamine, while state and federal policies have struggled to keep pace with the scale and complexity of the problem. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, this research analyzed CDC Wonder multiple causes of death data and SAMHSA Treatment Episode Data Set Admissions (TEDS-A) data from 2018 to 2024 alongside four qualitative key informant interviews with stakeholders across …