Digital Commons Network^™

Icu Nurse Mental Health: Telehealth Vs In-Person Therapy, Ariel Mach

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background Nurses working within high-stress specialties, such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), often face a lack of resources aimed at supporting their mental health. The expectation for the nurses is to independently manage their psychological well-being based on their knowledge and educational background. However, many times it is difficult to manage persistent stress, anxiety, or depression and this could adversely affect the quality of patient care and eventually lead to burnout. Telehealth therapy has become more readily available and used since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two forms of treatment delivery. Currently, there is limited research on the effectiveness of …

Specialized Support For Queer Women With Postpartum Depression, Dan-Tam Pham

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Queer women face disproportionately high rates of postpartum depression compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals. Studies showed that queer women face heightened mental health challenges, including higher rates of depression and anxiety due to factors like discrimination, limited support systems, and negative healthcare experiences. There is a need for culturally competent, LGBTQ+ affirming interventions to improve maternal mental health outcomes; despite the health disparities faced by this population, research on specialized postpartum interventions is limited, revealing gaps in effective mental health care for queer mothers. The key search terms for the articles used in the study included: postpartum depression, queer …

The Critical Role Of External Involvement In Supporting Adolescent Mothers Facing Postpartum Depression, Samantha Campopiano

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Postpartum depression (PPD) can occur in mothers after birth. PPD affects one in seven women during their first year of postpartum. PPD does not have a definitive cause, but underlying contributions include hormonal changes, metabolic pathway changes, and a new onset of stressors. After birth, the drop in estrogen and progesterone levels can trigger or worsen the depressive episodes seen in PPD. PPD risk factors encompass the following determinants: psychological, obstetric, social, lifestyle, and family history (Carlson et al., 2024). Postpartum depression is more common in adolescents than adult mothers (Phipps et al., 2013). Research shows adolescents who don’t have …

Evidence Synthesis Methodology: Promoting Reproducible Methodology Through Modified Assignments, Laura Lipke, Neyda Gilman

Library Created Resources

Initially, systematic reviews in healthcare served to synthesize findings from clinical studies, aiding comprehensive access to the most effective treatments within evidence-based practice. Over time, their scope has broadened beyond treatment effectiveness, leading to a surge in publication. Consequently, many health science faculty now assign systematic reviews in classrooms without a full grasp of the standardized process, leaving students ill-equipped due to insufficient guidance and resources.

While mastering systematic review techniques is crucial for evidence-based practice, faculty can opt for modified assignments to foster a deeper understanding of the review process. These modified tasks, can be completed within a semester, …

Coping With Eco-Emotions, Cassandra O. Berg, Sylvia Wood, Sylvia Luceno, Kaitlyn M. Blume, Siena Cysewski, Jack Person, Alis Auch

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

"Coping with Eco-Emotions” was an initiative aimed at tackling the growing challenges of emotional distress brought about by the impacts of climate change, specifically eco-grief and eco-anxiety. Despite the complex and widespread nature of the issue and the limited training of the group in the field of mental health, the goal was to raise awareness about eco-emotions and provide a supportive space for individuals to process their feelings related to the climate crisis. Through hosting a week-long series of events, each tailored to a different strategy for addressing eco-emotions, the project aimed to create a platform for individuals at the …

An Integrative Somatic Art Therapy Approach: Emdr & Body-Based Practices For Traumatic Stress, Alexis Sorbara

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

This research project used a mixed method, within subject design to explore how trauma-informed somatic art therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy impacts symptoms of trauma and burnout. There is limited qualitative research on integrating art therapy with EMDR in a group setting. Art therapy can act as a container, or safe holding environment (Winnicott, 1971) for the limitations of EMDR therapy. This research addressed the implications of integrating art therapy and EMDR therapy as a trauma treatment for healthcare professionals. This research study followed the eight phases of EMDR treatment, using a combination of resourcing, a series …

Unveiling The Therapeutic Garden Experience For People With Schizophrenia At A Rehabilitation In North Texas, Jeevita Sai Paspuneti

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

Therapeutic gardens have numerous benefits, including pain reduction, improved attention, stress reduction, and medical reduction (Urban et al.,2018). Green spaces have been shown to improve the physical, mental, social, and emotional health and well-being of those staying in healthcare facilities (Urban et al.; Greening,2022). Since the 1980s, research studies have discussed the therapeutic benefits of landscape design at healthcare facilities and the importance of sustainable practices in high-performance landscape design. Many successful and expensive landscape projects have been designed and constructed on hospital sites using healing gardens or sustainable strategies (Kaplan et al. S., 1989). However, researchers suggest additional empirical …

Clinical Practice Guideline For The Management Of Depression In Primary Care, Estrella Catherine Villarreal

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: The prevalence of depression poses a significant challenge in primary care, emphasizing the urgent need to address this issue during patient visits. Primary care providers are at the forefront of managing depression, yet they encounter difficulties in screening, diagnosing, assessing, and treating this complex condition. Clinical guidelines serve as valuable tools for primary care providers and practices, offering support in identifying and addressing depression effectively. An evidence-based approach to treating depression in primary care, with a focus on collaborative interventions with behavioral health to enhance depression management for American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) communities.

Methods: The descriptive analysis was conducted …

Guideline For Creating A Support Group For Adults With Down Syndrome Who Suffer With Prolonged Grief, Brandon Chace Warman

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Adults with Down syndrome process and express their grief differently from the general population. There are a multitude of support groups and organizations for individuals grieving a loss and experiencing prolonged grief but there are none that exist for people with Down syndrome. This project develops a guideline for creating support groups aimed at adults with Down syndrome who experience prolonged grief. Fifty-one pieces of literature from all over the world were reviewed to formulate recommendations that were graded by seven stakeholders. These recommendations were then used to develop a guideline for creating support groups for this population. Analysis of …

Glutamate Optimization As A Treatment For Depression: A Clinical Guideline, Luisa Angeles Collins Villares

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Based on the use of drugs to treat hypertension and tuberculosis for depression, the monoamine hypothesis led to the development of antidepressants in 1952. Serotonin was recognized as a deficiency associated with depression in 1967. As a fine-tuning orchestration of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, the glutamate system became known using Spravato in 2019 and Auvelity in 2022. In this pilot study, mental health experts rated the importance of 24 science-based recommendations to optimize glutamatergic therapy in depression for a proposed guideline on a Likert scale from zero to four. The results were analyzed using a non-parametric predictive modeling method called Chi-Square …

Acting On Routine Outcome Monitoring, Virginia Courtney

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

This thesis explores the application of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) informed approach in achieving clients’ therapeutic objectives via systematically tracking client progress over the therapy process. The study utilized the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (MFT-PRN), a specific tool that aids the tracking of therapy progress, to gather relevant client data. The data consisted of therapy progress for 27 individuals the author worked with, 1,001 individuals from the Individual Relational and Finance Therapy Clinic, and 4,424 individuals from the MFT-PRN-Network. Upon collecting this data, progress trajectories were generated using Microsoft Excel to compare the author’s clients’ …

Division Of Labor And Relationship Satisfaction: Examining The Mediating Role Of Self Esteem, Ellen Keith

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

As a result of feminist movements, rejections of gender roles, and changing economic conditions, profound changes have occurred within the structure of American families. This study delves into the intricate dynamics of divisions of household labor (DoL), self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction within the context of contemporary relationships. Drawing on data from the Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (Pairfam), this study tested five hypotheses, and investigates how perceptions of fairness in DoL tasks influence self-esteem and relationship satisfaction. Significant associations were found between reported share of DoL and indicated fairness of DoL, indicated fairness of DoL and relationship …

Examining Anxious Attachment And Its Effects On Sexual Behaviors In Adulthood, Justin Graham

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between anxious attachment and adult sexual behaviors. The study utilized pairfam, a nationally representative German sample, as a secondary data set for its quantitative analysis. Participants responded to two anxious attachment scales and questions regarding sexual desire, sexual confidence, and age at first sexual experiences. Analyzing data from 5561 individuals, averaging 29.27 years old, a path analysis was conducted to assess variable effects. Findings indicate that higher anxious attachment correlates with reduced sexual confidence and earlier onset of sexual intercourse. Future studies should investigate additional attachment scales and include a more diverse …

Evaluating The Caring Cards Program And Its Effect On Mental Health Indicators Among A Self-Defined Agricultural Group In Rural Kentucky, Katrina Clontz

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

Suicide is currently the 11^th leading cause of death in the Unites States (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2024), and is especially high among the farming and agricultural population (Kennedy et al., 2021; Klingelschmidt et al., 2022; Monteith et al., 2020). Additionally, mental health access and outcomes are worse among this population, partially due to the inaccessibility of care in rural areas (Taylor, 2019). Communication among caring individuals is thought to be an effective suicide prevention strategy (Long, 2023; Ross & Bassilos, 2019). The Caring Cards program was developed as a way to facilitate mental health communications among a …

Routines And Attitudes Of Smartphone And Tablet Use For Social Connection Among Rural Older Adults, Amanda U. Davis, Chelsea Conrad, Maya Dupree, Deja Myers, Monica Le

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Loneliness is associated with negative health outcomes for older adults. Social connection may occur using information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as smartphones and tablets and interventions to increase ICT use have shown positive results. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the routines and attitudes of smartphone and tablet use for social connection and secondarily, determine if there is an association between the routines and attitudes and connection. Methods: Participants completed a survey with questions that included demographics, 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, Brief Sense of Community Scale, and open-ended questions. Results: Participants (N=21, median age of 76-80) report …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Of Professional School Counselors As Predictors Of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, And Secondary Traumatic Stress, Eric M. Brown, Melanie Burgess, Kristy L. Carlisle, Desmond Franklin Davenport, Michelle W. Brasfield

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

School counselors work closely with students and are often the first point of contact regarding traumatic experiences. It is generally understood that exposure to other individuals’ trauma may lead to a reduction in compassion satisfaction and an increase in secondary traumatic stress, while long-term exposure may result in professional burnout. This study examined the role of school counselors’ (N = 240) own adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as related to compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. Results indicated that 50% of the professional school counselors in this convenience sample had personal histories of four or more ACEs, which is significantly …

Behaviours And Psychological Symptoms Of Childhood Dementia: Two Cases Of Psychosocial Interventions, Mustafa Atee, Ineka Whiteman, Rebecca Lloyd, Thomas Morris

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Childhood dementias are a group of rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorders, characterised by global cognitive decline, loss of previously acquired developmental skills and behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Batten disease, or neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, and Sanfilippo syndrome, or mucopolysaccharidosis type III, are two of the more common forms of childhood dementia disorders worldwide. While psychosocial interventions are the best available therapeutic approach for BPSD management in adult-onset dementia, there is very limited literature or clinical experience in the context of childhood dementia. To address this gap, we conducted a descriptive case analysis of BPSD profiles, associated contributing factors and …

Physical And Psychological Factors Related To Injury, Illness And Tactical Performance In Law Enforcement Recruits: A Systematic Review, Myles Murphy, Nicole Merrick, Gill Cowen, Vanessa Sutton, Garth Allen, Nicolas H. Hart, Andrea B. Mosler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: There are inconsistent reports of factors relating to injury, illness and tactical performance in law enforcement recruits. Our objectives were to: (1) report physical and psychological risk factors and protective factors for injury and illness and (2) report physical and psychological risk factors and protective factors for tactical performance success. Design: Systematic epidemiological review.

Methods: Searches of six databases were conducted on 13 December 2022. We included cohorts that assessed physical and psychological factors for injury, illness and tactical performance success. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Quality Assessment Checklist for Prevalence Studies and certainty assessed …

Stroke Survivors’ Telemedicine Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Investigation, Barbara Kimmel, Annette Walder, Anette Ovalle, Chethan P Venkatasubba Rao, Sean I Savitz, Mark Goldberg, Steven Warach, Salvador Cruz-Flores, Daiwai M Olson, Jane A Anderson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe stroke survivors' experiences receiving telemedicine visits at the Lone Star Stroke Consortium during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was applied to gather patients' telemedicine experiences through in-depth interviews, using a study guide. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted via ZOOM and transcribed verbatim. Two independent reviewers used the Giorgi descriptive method to analyze the data and search for the essence of stroke survivors' follow-up telemedicine experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS: Fifteen underserved patients were recruited: mean age, 51.8 (15.7), and 9 (60%) females. Three themes emerged: (1) vivid memory …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Increasing The Likelihood Of Substance Use Disorder, Kelsey L. Cain

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Earlier Use Of Long-Acting Injectable Paliperidone Palmitate Once-Monthly Versus Oral Antipsychotics In Patients With Schizophrenia: An Integrated Patient-Level Meta Analysis Of The Prosipal And Pride Studies, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: A previous integrated patient-level analysis demonstrated a significant benefit of implementing once-monthly injectable paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) earlier in the treatment course for schizophrenia. Earlier therapeutic interventions during the first 3–5 years after disease onset can positively impact long-term outcomes in schizophrenia. This present analysis evaluated the risk of relapse both overall and by different durations of illness (0–3 years, >3–5 years, and >5 years from diagnosis) in adult patients with schizophrenia who received PP1M or oral antipsychotics (OAPs). Patients and Methods: This analysis included integrated patient-level data from the Paliperidone Palmitate Research in Demonstrating Effectiveness (PRIDE) and Prevention of …

Befriending Your Anxiety Through The Polyvagal Lens By Utilizing Embodied Imagery, Cassandra Lacroix

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

Many individuals experience anxiety disorders, which can significantly impact their well-being if not properly addressed. Recognizing the need for effective tools to support people with anxiety, this research aligns the key pillars of self-control and present focus awareness of physiological responses through art to harness emotional regulation. This research uses the lens of the polyvagal theory, and looking at embodied imagery, breathwork, and transitional objects to conceptualize ways to help decrease anxiety and enhance body perception and autonomic awareness will be witnessed in participants. The aim of this study was also to establish a strategy that individuals could turn to …

Addressing Healthcare Disparities Faced By Aging Down Syndrome Populations, Rhea Mistry

Pitzer Senior Theses

Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal genetic condition that impacts the development of the body and brain. The life expectancy of individuals with DS has drastically improved over the decades, increasing from 9 years in 1929 to 25 years in 1983 and further reaching 60 years by 2002. Individuals with DS face a variety of prominent co-occurring health conditions that are subject to change over time, including cognitive, visual, and hearing impairments, sleep apnea, cardiovascular defects, Down syndrome regression disorder, and dementia. Despite this increase in life span, DS is still most familiar to pediatric care providers, resulting in healthcare …

The Integrated Behavioral Model Of Mental Health Help Seeking (Ibm-Hs): A Health Services Utilization Theory Of Planned Behavior For Accessing Care, Joseph H. Hammer, David L. Vogel, Patrick R. Grzanka, Nayeon Kim, Brian T. Keum, Claire Adams, Sarah A. Wilson

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

This article introduces the integrated behavioral model of mental health help seeking (IBM-HS), a theoretical model for understanding the constructs (e.g., systemic, predisposing, and enabling factors; mental health literacy; illness perceptions; perceived need; stigma; shame; perceived benefits, motivation) that influence people’s decision making around seeking professional mental health care and their ultimate access to formal treatment. The IBM-HS is a help-seeking-specific adaptation of the empirically supported integrated behavioral model and integrative model, which are themselves evolutions of the theory of planned behavior and theory of reasoned action. The IBM-HS posits that help-seeking determinants (e.g., structural forces; cultural influences; past help-seeking …

Online Friendships And The Bird’S Nest Drawing In The Age Of The Internet, Ian Wong

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This study was a qualitative exploration of friendships facilitated through the internet and online video games. The goal was to investigate how online friendships compare to in-person friendships in terms of quality. Three English-speaking participants who played an online video game and had an online friendship provided unique case studies describing the differences between an online and in-person friendship. The Bird Nest Drawing art assessment by Kaiser (1996; 2016) revealed themes of attachment security which helped explain the variations in the friendships. The findings of this study opened the topic of online friendships for further exploration in the field of …

Fantasia On A Theme Of Purpose: Using A Music-Guided Scribble Technique To Support Meaning-Making In Older Adult Retiree Musicians, Sophia R. Smith

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

Within the population of older adults, overall well-being corresponds with the ability to self-actualize and seek meaning, but age-related changes combined with ageism and isolation can negatively impact this capacity to maintain a sense of purpose, especially following retirement. It may be that retired musicians are especially vulnerable to this experience later in life due to a loss of the primary method of creative engagement and community that is facilitated by musical performance in a group setting. Integrating phenomenological and ethnographic approaches, this study utilized a qualitative design to understand how music-guided art-making incorporating the scribble technique could support a …

Chosen Family In Lgbtq+ Community: Creating Feeling Of Safety Through Collage In Art Therapy, Zaina Berger

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This student research study investigates how collage demonstrates feelings of safety with chosen family within the LGBTQ+ community as a minority group who has undergone much discrimination and exclusion from their biological family and society at large. Currently, within the field of art therapy, there is minimal research on LGBTQ+ community, especially in regards to kinship and family. The only research about chosen family was conducted by anthropologist, Kath Weston, in the 1990’s.The student researcher defines chosen family and discusses different alternative kinship theories and practices in the last three decades. The review discusses how queer people have created meaningful …

Mindfulness And Self-Compassion: Attuning Skills In Self-Awareness To Promote Self-Care For Art Therapy Practitioners A Mixed-Methods Study Using A Mandala Art Directive And Acceptance Commitment Therapy (Act), Janeth Arcila Padilla

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This study attempts to examine people in the mental health field, specifically, Art Therapists and graduate trainees who undergo many stressors in and out of the therapy space. Stressors like emotionally demanding situations with clients, to the demands of keeping up with proper work-related procedures, and needed educational requirements for practicing in the field can lead to burnout for practitioners and students in the field. Stress, burnout, and professional impairment are prevalent among mental health professionals and can have a negative impact on their clinical work, while engagement in self-care can help promote therapist well-being (Posluns & Gall, 2020). Research …

Mental Health Stigma And Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Eastern Asian/Eastern Asian American College Students And Their Parents: A Mix-Method And Art Therapy Intervention Study, Carmen Tham

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This mixed-methods study examines perceptions of mental health within the Eastern Asian/Eastern Asian American community through quantitative analysis of the Asian American Value Scale (AAVS) and qualitative examination of Tree of Life artwork, alongside responses from a Mental Health Help-Seeking Interview Guide. Ten Chinese participants, comprising five students and five parents, participated, with varying generational statuses and educational backgrounds. Quantitative findings reveal significant differences in AAVS scores based on generational status and education level, with first/second-generation respondents scoring higher on family recognition through achievement and university-educated respondents scoring higher on conformity to norms. Qualitative analysis identifies common themes of rarity …

Art Therapy Assessment And Sense Of Safety, Sophie C. Restall

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This study aimed to understand how artmaking experiences during assessment may influence the formation of the therapeutic alliance at the start of therapy. Rather than measuring therapeutic alliance directly, this study identified psychological safety as a vital component of the therapeutic relationship and an important topic of study via literature on attachment theory. Using a mixed-methods, repeated-measures design, this study compared artmaking experiences and feelings of psychological safety in response to two interventions––a Human Figure Drawing (HFD) assessment and an Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) assessment. Overall, qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and quantitative data from the Art-Based Intervention (ABI) questionnaire …