Digital Commons Network^™

Bridging Ipv And Sud For Pregnant And Postpartum Women: A Case Report Of Interdisciplinary Programming In Mississippi, Catherine Poehling, Masoumeh Karimi, Chinedu Chukwu, Jerome R. Kolbo, Xiaoshan Gordy, Saijun Zhang, Matthew Morris, Andrew Voluse, Erin Dehon, Michelle Brassfield, Danielle Lahn, Lisa Slade, Deanna Howington, Kathleen Rhodes, Tearsanee Davis, Sonja Fuqua, Mary M. Wesley, Lei Zhang

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents in the U.S. South experience disproportionately high rates of bullying, discrimination, depression, and suicidality. Supportive and inclusive school climates are identified as key protective factors that can mitigate these risks and function as primary prevention against violence. This systematic narrative review synthesizes peer-reviewed research and high-quality survey reports published between 2015 and 2024 that assess school climate, mental health, and violence-related outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth with representation from Southern states, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 1,167 records …

Association Between Children’S Secondhand Co-Exposure To Tobacco And Cannabis Smoke And Elevated Urinary Cotinine Levels: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Bradley N. Collins, Stephen J. Lepore, Vincent Berardi, Renee D. Goodwin, Karen Wilson, Mona Baishya

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background Cannabis use is far more common among adults who smoke tobacco than adults who do not, and its use is increasing among people who smoke tobacco with children living in the home. Given the well-established evidence that caregiver smoking is the primary source of children’s secondhand exposures to these products, the increasing trend in caregiver co-use is raising public health concerns about children’s co-exposure. Emerging data indicates that adult co-use is linked to additive health consequences, such as elevated nicotine and other tobacco-related toxicant blood levels, relative to use of only tobacco. It is unknown whether children’s co-exposure leads …

Roles And Strengths Of Therapeutic Recreation Professionals In Service Provision: A Strengths-Based Approach, M. Rebecca Genoe, Linda Ostryzniuk, Kathy Park, Sherri Nelson, Douglas G. Cripps, Donna Boser

The Qualitative Report

Therapeutic Recreation professionals work in healthcare and community-based settings where they utilize recreation and leisure to improve quality of life. Despite their contributions, Therapeutic Recreation often goes unrecognized as an important component of the healthcare team. The purpose of this study was to explore the strengths and successes of Therapeutic Recreation professionals. We aimed to explore how Therapeutic Recreation professionals identify and perceive their roles, and what strengths they use within their roles. Data was collected through 19 individual interviews and eight focus groups with Therapeutic Recreation professionals and analyzed thematically. The theme of “nurturing well-being through leisure” was generated …

Assessment Perception: Delivery Matters, Nicole Marie Arcuri Sanders, Chelsey Simmons

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Perception shapes how individuals experience the world and guides their actions toward personal goals. In counseling, clients’ accurate understanding of assessment results is essential for informed decision-making and effective treatment engagement. Mental health clinicians have an ethical responsibility to communicate findings in ways that safeguard client welfare and empower both clients and stakeholders to collaborate in care. This conceptual manuscript introduces the BRIEF (Brief, Relevant, Interpretive, Empathetic, and Factual) Feedback Integration Framework, a structured model for delivering assessment feedback ethically and accessibly. Integrating cognitive, developmental, and cultural considerations. BRIEF provides counselors, supervisors, and educators with a practical strategy for improving …

Addressing Saintly Corrections: An Integrative, Developmental Approach To Counselor Bias Management, Travis Walker, Jennifer M. Cook

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

No person is without biases, even the most culturally adept among us. Managing biases is critical to counselors’ continued journey of understanding clients contextually and holistically. In this article, we describe two novel bias management concepts: A specific type of bias called saintly corrections and the more clinically fruitful approach of realistic corrections. We define and illustrate saintly and realistic corrections, outline a multifold approach (i.e., cognitive complexity, cultural identity development, and the multicultural orientation model) for remediating saintly corrections, and offer recommendations counselor educators can use during planned and contextual learning opportunities, including an example of a contextual …

Teaching Multicultural Counseling: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Counselor Educators’ Voices, Cameka Hazel, Paul Leheste, Raymond Blanchard

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study explored the perceptions of counselor educators who taught the graduate level multicultural counseling course. Six participants shared experiences, leading to four themes: personal and professional rewards, who is fit to teach? dealing with resistance and difficult conversations and limited time and class size. Implications for counselor education are discussed.

Competencies And Preparation For Addressing Poverty In Counselor Education: A Q Methodological Study, Seneka Rachel Gainer

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study explored the competencies needed to prepare counselors to address the systemic and relational impacts of poverty within counselor education. Using Q methodology, expert participants identified critical knowledge, skills, and awareness factors required for effective practice. Two distinct factors emerged: (1) the centrality of relational competencies such as empathy, cultural humility, and trust-building, and (2) the necessity for curriculum-wide integration of poverty-specific training and systemic advocacy. Findings highlight the need for counselor education programs to embed poverty-related competencies across curricula, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and develop experiential and advocacy-based training models. Implications for counselor education, accreditation standards, and professional development …

Dismantling Racism In The Classroom: Recommendations For White Male Counselor Educators, Jason L. Vannest, Rebecca J. Vannest, Lorise D. Grey

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

In response to the historical tradition of Eurocentrism and Whiteness in counseling programs in the United States, the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) have challenged their members to confront implicit bias, become allies with Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), and commit to challenging racism and implicit bias. Despite these robust calls to disrupt racism and implicit bias, counselor educators - specifically White male counselor educators (WMCEs) - may wonder how to effectively take action due to their own racial identity. Several factors may contribute to WMCEs' reticence to deconstruct racism and …

The Feminist Impostor Phenomenon Approach (Fipa): A Feminist Approach To Addressing Impostor Phenomenon In Novice Counselors, Isabel Springer, Kelly Emelianchik-Key

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Impostor Phenomenon (IP) is known to affect new professionals in health professions, yet there is little to no academic literature available on how it affects early career counselors and how it can be addressed. Novice counselors (NC) frequently experience extreme anxiety and feelings of fraudulence around their professional performance. Feminist mentorship and interventions can help alleviate IP and foster self-efficacy and confidence in new counseling professionals. The Feminist Impostor Phenomenon Approach (FIPA) consists of a three-hour workshop educating participants through a feminist lens about IP and relevant coping strategies, and subsequent weekly consciousness-raising groups where coping strategies are reinforced, and …

Artificial Intelligence Literacy In Counselor Education: The Developmental Ai Literacy Framework, Leo Gonzalez Jr.

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming counselor education, yet frameworks for preparing counselors-in-training (CITs) to use AI remain limited. This article introduces the developmental AI literacy framework (DALF), a conceptual model integrating developmental theory, professional identity formation, and AI literacy. The DALF reframes AI literacy as a developmental competency comprising intentional AI use, critical evaluation, ethical engagement, and awareness of professional identity. The framework outlines three stages, including foundational awareness, reflective application, and integrated professionalization, that parallel CITs’ growth from dependence to autonomy. Pedagogical, developmental, and research implications are provided to guide ethical and reflective AI integration in counselor education.

Evaluating Website Resources Shared Online Amongst Women With Intimate Partner Violence Experiences: Analysis Of An Online Health Community, Vivian Hui, Lidan Tian, Malavika Eby, Bohan Zhang, Rose E. Constantino

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

INTRODUCTION: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects around one in four women globally, posing substantial health risks. IPV survivors often consult online health communities for anonymous assistance rather than formal services. Though online health community members frequently share websites to answer questions, no studies have investigated the characteristics and relevance of websites shared in IPV online health communities. This study aims to identify the categories of websites shared in IPV online health communities and evaluate associations between post characteristics and website relevance to survivors' help-seeking needs.

METHODS: Data were extracted from posts and comments on the r/domesticviolence, a subreddit (topic-specific community) …

Facebook Interaction As A Potential Marker Of Cognitive Decline: Pilot Study, Esraa M. Qansuwa

Theses and Dissertations

One of the critical challenges in brain disorder research is the early identification of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who may later develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or other dementias. MCI in older adults is frequently associated with diminished social engagement and observable behavioral changes. With the rapid expansion of social media platforms and advances in Machine Learning (ML), digital traces from online activity present a novel and scalable avenue for mental health screening. In particular, predictive ML approaches have demonstrated strong potential in building reliable classifiers for early detection of neurocognitive decline. This study introduces an innovative framework that …

The State Of Mental Health In The Mountain West, 2025, Cason Noll, Anirudh Polagani, Taylor Volk, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet presents data on the mental health of youth and adults, as well as the availability of mental health care, across the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah in 2025. The data are derived from "The State of Mental Health in America 2025,” originally published by Mental Health America (MHA).

Adolescent Drug Use Prevention Programs Published 2013-2023: A Systematic Review Of Literature Reviews And Meta-Analyses, Marilyn A. Rhames, Jon Eckert, William L. Sterrett, Grant Morgan

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Background: This systematic review of reviews and meta-analyses provides education leaders with ten years of evidence-based strategies for effective adolescent substance use prevention. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol for systematic reviews, we searched the PubMed and PsychINFO databases on October 19, 2023, and identified 96 systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses involving adolescent drug use prevention from 2103-2023. Twenty-four papers met the criteria for final inclusion. Results: Educational leaders should know three areas to deliver effective evidence-based adolescent substance prevention: 1) foundational understanding of risk and protective factors, 2) components of effective prevention programs, and 3) drug-specific …

Integrating Music Therapy Into Dental Clinics For Whole Person Care, Dana Osterling Benoit Mba, Mt-Bc, Nisreen Al Jallad Dds, Ms2, Shasha Cui Ed.D. Mba, Mandy Fraser, Gaelen Mccormick Mm1, Rosemary Oliva Obi Ms, Lcat, Mtbc1, Adela Planerova Dds, Ms2, Madeline Vinolus Mt-Bc1, Angela Valeria Perez Pita Dds, Ms2

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This case study describes the integration of a board-certified music therapist into two specialty dental clinics at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health. Initiated in collaboration with the Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center, the effort reflects a humanistic and biopsychosocial approach to dentistry that leverages music therapy to reduce anxiety, improve patient experience, and support better clinical outcomes.

Before implementation, monthly interdisciplinary planning meetings were held, bringing together dental faculty, research and administrative staff, and the music therapy team. These meetings built a shared understanding of each clinic’s unique patient population, workflow, and clinical priorities, …

Experiences Of Stigma And Barriers To Care Among Transgender And Gender Expansive Populations Seeking Mental Healthcare, Amanda Veldorale-Griffin, Elizabeth Banks, Elizabeth Patrick, Judith Cannon, Caidan Thomas Smith

Marriage and Family Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Transgender and gender expansive (TGGE) people experience increased risk for mental health issues and suicidality, as well as significant barriers to mental healthcare, due to stigma and discrimination, including from mental healthcare providers. A sample of 945 TGGE participants completed self-report surveys, measuring experiences of stigma and barriers to care, and counselor competence. Data were divided into two groups by age and analyzed through linear regressions and one-way ANOVAs. Across groups, participants (approximately 58% of younger participants and 49% of older participants) reported experiencing stigma from a healthcare provider, and all reported some barriers to care, with more than half …

Mom Is Developing Too: Preliminary Evidence For The Reciprocal Effects Of Infant Sensory Reactivity And Maternal Behavior, Emily C. Sweiss, Vincent Berardi, Elysia Poggi Davis, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Caregiver sensitivity to infant cues is well-established as a predictor of child development. Infants also actively influence their social environment, especially their caregivers, even from their earliest days. Sensory reactivity, characterized as hypo- (under) and hyper- (over) responding to environmental stimuli, is one domain of development that is likely to influence caregiver-infant interaction, due to its role in regulating emotions and responses to both physical and social stimuli. Although sensory reactivity could be an important target for improving caregiver-child interaction, the longitudinal, reciprocal relations between infant sensory reactivity and caregiver behaviors are currently unknown. In the present proof-of-concept study, we …

Neuroinflammation And Its Role In Depression– A Review Of Emerging Biomarkers And Therapeutic Targets, Sophia M. Valerino

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental illness that affects millions globally. Traditionally, the pathophysiology of MDD was thought to be due primarily neurotransmitter imbalances. However, emerging research highlights the role of neuroinflammation in MDD pathogenesis. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, microglial activation, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction have been implicated in the etiology of MDD. Additionally, biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and neuroimaging findings further support the neuroinflammatory hypothesis. This growing body of evidence has led to increased interest in novel treatment approaches, including anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle interventions, as potential therapeutic strategies. While selective serotonin reuptake …

Older Adults And Suicide: Protective Pathways To Apply Shores In Counseling, Anna A. Ellenson, Jenny L. Cureton

Adultspan Journal

Older adult suicide (OAS) is a growing concern as the U.S. population continues to age and access to counseling expands. Despite legal and ethical requirements, counselors are often underprepared to address suicide in later life, especially through the lens of suicide protective factors (SPFs). This conceptual article introduces SHORES, a research-informed mnemonic (Skills and strategies for coping, Hope, Objections to suicide, Reasons for living/Restriction of means, Engaged care, and Support), to help counselors assess, intervene, and plan treatment with older adults. We review literature on OAS, highlight gaps in counselor training, and provide an application guide for using SHORES with …

Supporting Latine Older Adults’ Nutrition And Physical Health Goals In Counseling, Zachary Mcniece, Jacqueline Bergman

Adultspan Journal

Latine older adults face disproportionate risk of chronic nutrition-related conditions and food insecurity, which can exacerbate or contribute to mental health-related concerns. Cultural stigma toward mental illness can result in Latine clients, especially older adults, somatizing symptoms and focusing on physical health goals in counseling. Despite these intersecting needs, counselors often overlook their clients' physical health goals due to limited training and the assumption that medical providers alone should address these needs. This article advocates for the integration of basic, culturally responsive nutrition information into counseling practice to support client well-being while remaining within the scope of practice. We offer …

Back-On-Track: Protocol For Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial Of Behavioural Activation In Farmers With Mood Problems, Alison Kennedy, Richard Gray, Martin Jones, Anna Greene, Lauren Mitchell, Meera Senthuren, Suzy Malseed, Feby Savira, Kelly Barnes, Kate Gunn, Susan Brumby

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The mental health of people living in farming communities has been identified as an important public health issue. Cumulative exposure to a range of situational factors contributes to heightened risk of poor mental health and suicide. Access to evidence-based psychological treatments is limited by the availability of skilled mental health professionals. The aim of this trial—co-designed by members of the farming community—is to establish the feasibility of conducting randomised controlled, trial-testing, peer-worker-delivered Behavioural Activation in the farming community. We will undertake a single-blind, parallel group, randomised controlled feasibility trial in rural Australia. People living in farming communities aged over 15 …

Feasibility, Acceptability And Initial Efficacy Of A Community-Based Mental Health Literacy Program Delivered By Civil Society Organizations Among Adults In Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Patrick Mwangala, Venoranda Rebecca Kuboka, Nimo Sharif, Ann Karendi, Gideon Mbithi, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Mental health literacy (MHL) strategies are crucial for mental health promotion and prevention. This study aimed to determine the acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness and initial efficacy of an adapted MHL program in a community sample of adults in Kenya. This was a quasi-experimental pre-post study conducted from July 2023 through July 2024. The MHL program contained nine modules delivered over 3 days. Participants were assessed at baseline and immediately after the program. The primary outcomes were mental health knowledge and participants’ attitudes on mental health/illness. Secondary outcomes included depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, self-perceived social support, self-perceived wellbeing, MHL program acceptability, feasibility …

Effectiveness Of Dialectical-Behavioral Intervention On Emotional Regulation Difficulties, Distress Tolerance, And Social Functioning Among Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial, Nashwa Ibrahim

Nursing

Aim

To determine the effect of implementing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills training groups on emotional regulation difficulties, distress tolerance, and social functioning among patients with bipolar disorder (BD).

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 patients diagnosed with BD who were attending follow-up at the outpatient clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which received 16 group psychoeducation sessions held twice weekly, or the control group, which received standard outpatient care. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was applied to compare normally distributed quantitative variables across more than two time points or stages, …

Sit, Stay, And Teach: Exploring Teachers' Perceptions Of Facility Dogs' Impact On Stress And Retention, Dennis Powers

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The teaching profession remains at a high level of workplace stress, a factor contributing to teacher burnout and turnover. The study examines how teachers in K-12 public education perceived that facility dogs might reduce stress, increase job satisfaction, and aid in teacher retention in public schools of a southeastern state. The study employed a qualitative, cross-sectional survey that was emailed to 112,546 educators from a LISTSERV request. A total of 1,242 individuals provided informed consent and completed the survey, which consisted of Likert-scale measurement items, open-ended questions, and an informational video inserted to achieve a common understanding of the facility …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Habit Recording Tool To Improve Mental Health Of University (Auc) Students, Noran Nounou

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: According to previous research, the mental health of university students has become an alarming public health concern worldwide. Most of the mental disorders begin among young adults, attributed to the transition to university and increased financial and societal pressure. Despite the important effect of daily habits on mental health, there still remain research gaps in Egypt in exploring their effect among university students and exploring the potential opportunities to support their well-being. Objectives: To assess depression rates among AUC students and to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed habit recording board, Make an Impact (MAI) to improve depression …

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Pilot Study: Role Of Social Support And Stress On Anxiety In First-Year College Students, Erin N. Smith, Deven L. Dancy, Lauren E. Nee, Kali Rebuck, Stephanie J. Shirk

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Research indicates worsening mental health, especially anxiety, in college populations; yet few studies have investigated anxiety and related factors in this population. This study examined the impacts and interrelations among anxiety, stress, and social support in first year, first semester college students. In a sample of 119 students, the following models of the impact of social support in the stress-anxiety relation were tested: 1) a direct impact of social support, 2) a moderating effect of social support, and 3) an indirect impact of social support. Results indicated that the indirect model of the influence of social support best fit the …

Comparative Analysis Of Mmpi-2-Rf Scale Differences Based On History Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Arielle Mousseau, Linda Baum, Nikolaus Greven, Anna S. Ord

Archives of Assessment Psychology

The present study investigated differences in MMPI-2-RF scale scores between individuals with and without a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The goal was to identify distinct psychosocial functioning patterns in individuals with mTBI. Archival outpatient sample of 147 adults aged 18 to 70 (M = 43.28, SD = 11.13) was utilized, comprising 65 participants with mTBI and 82 without TBI. Significant differences were observed across multiple MMPI-2-RF scales. The group with mTBI history exhibited higher levels of symptom overreporting, symptom validity concerns, emotional and internalizing dysfunction, somatic and cognitive complaints, and negative emotionality, as compared to the …

Digital Morality And National Values: Pancasila As An Ethical Compass For Technology-Enhanced Counseling In Indonesia, Dominikus David Biondi Situmorang, Hendrik Tuaputimain, Muqaffi Muqaffi, M. Solehuddin

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The very fast development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) in the last decade have changed the way of mental health practice internationally, including Indonesia. Although these technologies extend reach, deepen therapeutic engagement, and facilitate clinical analysis, they also present serious ethical challenges with respect to privacy, algorithmic bias, depersonalization, and disparity. This integrative review draws on literature from counseling, digital ethics, immersive technologies, and Indonesian philosophical studies to consider how Pancasila can serve as a culturally situated ethical guide for technology-mediated counseling. The results disclose four overarching themes: shifting role of …