Digital Commons Network^™

The Mental Health Literacy Of Ncaa College Coaches: Knowledge, Beliefs, And Resources, Lauren Beasley, Steven Hoffman, Jackson Sears

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college athletes in the United States (U.S.) are at risk for diminished mental health, and stigma may be a barrier to these athletes seeking professional mental health care. Coaches can create a team environment that prioritizes athlete mental health and destigmatizes help-seeking; however, this requires coaches to have appropriate mental health knowledge, operationalized as mental health literacy (MHL). Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to explore three different constructs of MHL of NCAA coaches across Divisions I, II, and III. The Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy Scale (MMHLS), which measures MHL within three domains—knowledge, …

An Exploration Of Factors Impacting First-Generation College Athlete Retention At Small Colleges And Universities, Adam R. Cocco, Alan Grosbach

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Retention is an increasing area of concern for higher education institutions as enrollments continue to decrease. This is especially germane for small colleges and universities given their lower enrollments and limited resources. First-generation students and college athletes are populations with enhanced susceptibility to attrition due to additional challenges and burdens placed upon them as they navigate the college environment. Therefore, there is a need to understand the factors influencing retention among those at the intersection of these student demographics. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of individual (gender, race, and academic performance) and athletic (financial aid, …

Investigating Ticket Price Determination Of Collegiate Athletics: Insights From Pricing Professionals In Non-Football Bowl Subdivision Schools, Jason D. Reese, Yang Xu

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

This study aims to investigate how ticket prices are set in Division I (DI) college athletics, how the individuals making pricing decisions perceive the purpose of athletics, what objectives pricing managers are trying to achieve with both revenue and non-revenue sports, and the factors that influence how the final price is set. Structured interviews were conducted with 12 athletic department external operations staff from 12 non-FBS DI institutions, representing seven different conferences. Results showed that price is determined through either a bottom-up hierarchical model or a committee-based model. Patronage-Oriented objectives were shown to dominate the pricing strategy in non-FBS programs, …

Evaluation And Lessons Learned From The Dissemination And Implementation Science Scholars Program In The National Cancer Prevention And Control Research Network, Daniela B. Friedman, Cam Escoffery, Elaine H. Morrato, Cynthia A. Thomson, Courtney N. Petagna, Freda Allyson Hucek, Mary Wangen, Aubrey Villalobos, James R. Hébert Scd, Samuel Noblet, Mayank Sakhuja, David O. Garcia, Jennifer L. Cruz, Stephanie B. Wheeler

Faculty Publications

Background:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) has been a leader in cancer-related dissemination & implementation (D&I) science. Given increased demand for D&I research, the CPCRN Scholars Program launched in 2021 to expand the number of practitioners, researchers, and trainees proficient in cancer D&I science methods. Methods:

The evaluation was informed by a logic model and data collected through electronic surveys. Through an application process (baseline survey), we assessed scholars’ competencies in D&I science domains/subdomains, collected demographic data, and asked scholars to share proposed project ideas. We distributed an exit survey …

Delirium In The United States: Results From The 2023 Cross-Sectional World Delirium Awareness Day Prevalence Study, Heidi Lindroth, Tru Byrnes, Mikita Fuchita, Breanna Hetland, Keibun Liu, Kerri Maya, Natalie S. Mcandrew, Malissa A. Mulkey Phd, Aprn, Ccns, Ccrn, Cnrn, Peter Nydahl, Jessica Palakshappa, Rebecca Von Haken, Kevin J. Psoter, Esther S. Oh, U.S. Wdad Team, Elizabeth Anderson, Lillian Banchero, Dianne Bettic, Lane Branch, Katie Brown, Et. Al

Publications

Background: Delirium is an acute brain dysfunction associated with an increased risk of mortality and future dementia. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of clinically documented delirium in the United States on World Delirium Awareness Day 2023. Methods: This is a sub-analysis of a prospective, crosssectional, online, international survey. All health care settings were eligible, with the exception of operating rooms and outpatient clinics. Health care clinicians, administrators, and researchers completed the survey. The primary outcome was the prevalence of clinically documented delirium at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on March 15, 2023. Secondary outcomes were related to health care delivery. …

Exploring The Association Between Parenting Stress And A Child’S Exposure To Positive Childhood Experiences (Pces), Elizabeth Crouch Ph.D., Elizabeth Radcliff, Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Peiyin Hung Ph.D

Faculty Publications

High levels of parenting stress, defined as a caregiver or parent feeling stress or aggravation from parenting, has been previously shown to be associated with an increased likelihood of neglect, child maltreatment, and household dysfunction: adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Despite the potential mitigation of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) on ACEs, prior studies on the increased likelihood of a child experiencing ACEs due to parenting stress have left a critical question unanswered: whether high parenting stress may decrease a child’s likelihood of experiencing PCEs. We analyzed the 2019–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health to examine whether higher levels of parenting stress …

Social Isolation And Loneliness Prevention Among Rural Older Adults Aging-In-Place: A Needs Assessment, Jodi L. Southerland, Shimin Zheng, Kayla Dodson, Erin Mauck, Juanita-Dawne R. Bacsu, Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Jeremy Holloway, Steffi M. Kim, Ayse Malatyali, Matthew Lee Smith

Faculty Publications

Introduction: The adverse effects of social isolation and loneliness (SI/L) have been documented among older adults in rural communities and contribute to poor health outcomes, premature disability and mortality, and increased burden on the healthcare system. The identification of factors contributing to SI/L among older adults can build the foundation for rural policymakers and leaders to allocate resources and develop tailored strategies more efficiently. The purpose of this article is to describe findings from a needs assessment designed to understand local factors that contribute to SI/L among rural older adults in a county in Northeast Tennessee. Findings from the needs …

How Has Health Literacy And Digital Health Literacy Scholarship Evolved? A Global, Qualitative Study, Brooks Yelton Ma, Lmsw, Mayank Sakhuja, Simone Kavarana, Lauren Schaurer, Michelle Angelique Arent, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Mark M. Macauda, Samuel Noblet, Daniela B. Friedman

Publications

Health literacy (HL) is a key social determinant of health (SDoH) and is of increasing importance in public health research and intervention for improved health outcomes. Definitions of HL and digital health literacy (DHL) have evolved over time as the field has expanded conceptualization from an individual focus to the broader community and organizational levels. Careful consideration of HL and DHL for a variety of contexts and audiences is critical given increased global adoption of digital technologies and responses to emerging public health challenges. This study aimed to capture researchers' conceptualizations of HL/DHL and their motivations to engage in this …

Development Of Prediction Models Of Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Lebanese And Syrians In A District Of Beirut, Lebanon: A Population-Based Study, Marie-Elizabeth Ragi, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Hazar Shamas, Jocelyn Dejong, Nada M. Melhem, Stephen J. Mccall, The Caep Study Group

Faculty Publications

Introduction Vaccines are essential to prevent infection and reduce the morbidity of infectious diseases. Previous evidence has shown that migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable to exclusion and discrimination, and low COVID-19 vaccine intention and uptake were observed among refugees globally. This study aimed to develop and internally validate prediction models of COVID-19 vaccine uptake by nationality.

Methods This is a nested prognostic population-based cross-sectional analysis. Data were collected between June and October 2022 in Sin-El-Fil, a district of Beirut, Lebanon. The study population included a random sample of Lebanese adults and all Syrian adults residing in areas of low …

Sc Teacher Exit Survey: Summary Of Results For 2023–24, Brian Cartiff, Svetlana Dmitrieva, Angela Starrett

Reports

Each year, SC TEACHER administers the SC Teacher Exit Survey to public K–12 classroom teachers who are not renewing their teaching contracts. The survey is designed to offer insights into how working conditions and other factors relate to teachers’ decisions to either teach in another school district or leave the classroom. This report highlights the SC Teacher Exit Survey results for the 2023–24 academic year.

A Comparison Of Gaussian Processes And Polynomial Chaos Emulators In The Context Of Haemodynamic Pulse–Wave Propagation Modelling, L. Mihaela Paun, Mitchel J. Colebank, Dirk Husmeier

Faculty Publications

Computational modelling of the cardiovascular system is a promising future direction for patient-specific healthcare. However, the computational cost of these simulators is a bottleneck for their practical use in clinic for real-time digital twins. Emulation can overcome this, yet an extensive investigation into cardiovascular emulators is warranted. In this study, we emulate two one-dimensional haemodynamics models of the pulmonary circulation and compare two common emulation strategies: Gaussian processes (GPs) and polynomial chaos expansions (PCEs). We start by reducing the parameter space of the models through global sensitivity analysis, and then compare both emulation strategies using a multivariate, time-series output …

Disclosure Patterns Of Opioid Use Disorders In Perinatal Care During The Opioid Epidemic On X From 2019 To 2021: Thematic Analysis, Dezhi Wu, Minnie Ng, Saborny Sen Gupta, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Youyou Tao, Yang Ren, Peiyin Hung, Shan Qiao, Jiajia Zhang, Jennifer Fillo, Xiaoming Li, Constance Guille, Kacey Eichelberger, Bankole Olatosi

Publications

BACKGROUND: In 2021, the United States experienced a 14% rise in fatal drug overdoses totaling 106,699 deaths, driven by harmful opioid use, particularly among individuals in the perinatal period who face increased risks associated with opioid use disorders (OUDs). Increased concerns about the impacts of escalating harmful opioid use among pregnant and postpartum persons are rising. Most of the current limited perinatal OUD studies were conducted using traditional methods, such as interviews and randomized controlled trials to understand OUD treatment, risk factors, and associated adverse effects. However, little is known about how social media data, such as X, formerly known …

Examination Of Photoinduced Radicals In Two Crystal Forms Of Triphenylamine Bis-Urea Macrocycles, Md Faizul Islam, Gamage Isuri P. Wijesekera, Anmon J. Sindt, Mark D. Smith, Linda S. Shimizu

Faculty Publications

This study probes two solvates of triphenylamine (TPA) bis-urea macrocycle 1 and their activated structures to evaluate their maximum photoinduced radicals (PIRs), the subsequent decay of the radicals, and their regeneration. The hierarchical assembly of TPAs shows promise in stabilizing less substituted derivatives, potentially expanding the utility of TPAs that lack stabilizing para-substituents. Single crystal structure analysis reveals that host 1 adopts a planar conformation with the two ureas pointing in opposite directions when dimethoxyethane (DME) is encapsulated within the channel. Whereas previously, 1 adopted a bowl-shaped conformation with the two ureas pointing in the same direction (syn …

Examination Of Photoinduced Radicals In Two Crystal Forms Of Triphenylamine Bis-Urea Macrocycles, Md Faizul Islam, Gamage Isuri P. Wijesekera, Ammon J. Sindt, Mark D. Smith, Linda S. Shimizu

Faculty Publications

This study probes two solvates of triphenylamine (TPA) bis-urea macrocycle 1 and their activated structures to evaluate their maximum photoinduced radicals (PIRs), the subsequent decay of the radicals, and their regeneration. The hierarchical assembly of TPAs shows promise in stabilizing less substituted derivatives, potentially expanding the utility of TPAs that lack stabilizing para-substituents. Single crystal structure analysis reveals that host 1 adopts a planar conformation with the two ureas pointing in opposite directions when dimethoxyethane (DME) is encapsulated within the channel. Whereas previously, 1 adopted a bowl-shaped conformation with the two ureas pointing in the same direction (syn …

The Role Of Nutrition In Modulating Neurodevelopmental And Mental Health Outcomes In Pediatric Populations: A Review, Athul M. Vikas

Senior Theses

Introduction: Neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression, have risen sharply in prevalence among children and adolescents, creating substantial public health concerns. Traditional interventions, primarily pharmacological and behavioral, offer critical but limited support, underscoring the need for integrated approaches. Recent findings suggest that nutrition may play a significant role in supporting brain development and mitigating mental health risks, offering preventive benefits that complement conventional therapies. This review aims to evaluate the influence of specific nutrients—such as folate, iron, DHA, zinc, and vitamin B12—on neurodevelopmental outcomes, emphasizing the importance of these nutrients during critical growth …

Devices And Dining: A Cross-Cultural Analysis Of Mobile Device Use In Italian And American Restaurants, O'Malley Jenkins

Senior Theses

The field of technology ethics has seen increasing growth and interest over the years. Many have begun to consider the impacts of technology’s use and whether it is being employed in a healthy manner by users. However, there has been limited investigation into whether the ways in which technology use varies across cultures. This study begins to address this gap by researching Italian and American device usage in fast food settings. Non-participant naturalistic observations were used to record data for 89 Italian and 88 American customers of fast food restaurants. Analysis of the collected data indicates that Americans use their …

Efficacy Of, And Barriers To, Treatment Options For Pans/Pandas, Kayla E. Pray

Senior Theses

Background: PANS/PANDAS are pediatric autoimmune disorders that cause an acute-onset of OCD-like symptoms and/or severe restricted eating, as well as anxiety, irritation, deterioration of fine motor skills, hyperactivity, and other psychiatric symptoms. An estimated 1-2% of the pediatric population is affected. Currently, there is little research published on the treatment options for PANS/PANDAS and there is no evidence-based consensus on the best treatment option.

Purpose: This study aimed to discover the efficacy of, and barriers to, available treatment options for PANS/PANDAS.

Methods: A convenience sample of individuals diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS or their parent/caregiver was recruited anonymously through Facebook support groups. …

Understanding Patterns Of Hope And Sense Of Belonging From Mentoring Through Latent Class Analysis, Bailey Dow

Theses and Dissertations

Youth who have safe, stable, nurturing relationships (SSNRs) are more resilient to adverse childhood experiences and have better mental health. Compared to prior generations, today’s youth feel lonelier and more socially isolated than ever, and they crave the sense of belonging and hope that comes from meaningful social connections. Mentors can play a crucial role in bolstering these attributes. Mentors help youth in different ways, depending on the mentee's characteristics, preferences, or circumstances. Despite the well-known significance of natural mentoring relationships as a SSNR, researchers have paid little attention to how and why natural mentoring benefits vary among mentees. The …

You're Not The Only One Who Can Teach Us: Teacher Facilitation In Three Secondary School Music Contexts, David Dwight Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last half-century, school music reforms have focused more on content than process, and the directive teaching that serves as the dominant method used by secondary school music teachers is not adequately meeting the needs of the students who currently occupy American high schools. To improve teaching practice in one such high school, an action research study was conducted to investigate the use of facilitative teaching strategies, how those teaching strategies impact students’ learning experience, and what the perceived impacts of those strategies are. A qualitative case study methodology was employed to determine how an intervention period of facilitative …

The Role Of The Basolateral Nuclear Complex & Central Nucleus Of The Amygdala In Fear-Conditioned Responses To External Stimuli And Anxiety Responses, Oluwaseyi A. Adelakun

Senior Theses

This thesis reviews the role of the amygdala, particularly the basolateral nuclear complex (BLA) and central nucleus (CeA), in fear-conditioned responses and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). By investigating the neurological and physiological mechanisms that influence the amygdala’s fear and anxiety responses, further connections can be made between this region and other notable brain regions, like the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We review both human and rodent models to explore the overlap between the two and explore various therapeutic interventions that regulate amygdalar activity and therefore mitigate anxiety symptoms. Key research into the patient SM, who lacks fear responses due to bilateral …

Enhancing Inclusivity In Primary Care On A College Campus, Amanda Finkle Plyler

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) face higher health disparities and are less likely to seek healthcare due to fear of being misgendered or judged by staff. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to implement an intervention for college students seeking care at Student Health Services (SHS) that includes a question addressing preferred pronouns during establishment of care, creating the opportunity for staff to address patients appropriately and to provide gender-affirming care. Method(s): A pre and post intervention patient satisfaction survey related to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), …

Assessing The Impact Of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Mbsr) On Emergency Nurses' Absenteeism And Receptive Awareness Of And Attention To What Is Taking Place In The Present, Rachael Moore Drake

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem: The changing terrain of modern healthcare has made emergency nurses' well-being a top priority. Within the small community hospital where this project was conducted, the issue of employee work-related stress was identified through managers' feedback and employee surveys. Purpose: Leaders employ a comprehensive mindfulness program based on assessed employee needs to understand the practical interventions to address work-related stress. This project implemented mindfulness-based stress reduction (MSBR) interventions and assessed emergency nurses' absenteeism and receptive awareness of and attention to what is taking place in the present. Method: The project utilized the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) to assess emergency …

Identifying Adolescent Depression In The Public School System, Laura Lee Griffith

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Twenty percent of United States adolescents experience major depression at some point. Elevated school dropout rates, substance abuse, chronic disease, mortality and morbidity rates, and impaired growth remain because 60 % of adolescents with unidentified depression do not receive treatment. Purpose: This evidence-based project identified adolescents aged 16-19 in a South Carolina high school who had symptoms of depression. Counseling and resource information were provided for students with scores of 10 or greater, or thoughts of self-harm on the PHQ-9. Method: Students were screened using the PHQ-9. Data was organized in Excel and analyzed using the T-tests and …

The Impact Of A Visual Remote Patient Monitoring Device (Leaf) On Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (Hapi), Tyler Andrew Gunther

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: The Critical Care Department at a large academic hospital in the Southeast has experienced a significant increase in healthcare-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs), contributing to elevated mortality rates. Factors such as insufficient adherence to turning protocols and resource limitations impact patient safety, thus increasing the potential for adverse outcomes and increased costs. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP scholarly project was to evaluate the impact of a turn monitoring device, specifically the LEAF system by Smith and Nephew, on HAPI incidence in the critical care setting. The project aimed to address the identified barriers to compliance, enhance patient safety, …

Implementation Of Eat Sleep Console For Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Quality Improvement Project, Harley Addison Kennington

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: A level III NICU and mother-baby unit within an inpatient hospital in the Southeast United States transitioned from the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scale (FNASS) to the Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) for treating Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Prior to ESC implementation, there was limited nursing education of ESC practice guidelines or consideration for proper implementation protocol. Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to reintroduce nursing staff to the ESC NAS Care Tool and ESC charting guidelines within the NICU and mother-baby units. Methods: This project followed the PDSA process – Plan, Do, Study, Act, underscored …

Increasing Pre-Procedure Communications To Decrease Colonoscopy Cancellations, Natalie Brooke Midkiff

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Colonoscopies play a vital role in early colorectal disease detection and prevention. Yet, the field of gastroenterology faces a persistent challenge - frequent procedure cancellations and incomplete examinations due to suboptimal bowel preparation. This not only compromises the effectiveness of colonoscopies but also poses potential health risks.

Purpose: This project aimed to reduce procedure cancellations and incomplete examinations by regularly communicating pre-procedure instructions and reminders through text messages and phone calls.

Inclusion Criteria: The criteria were clearly defined, targeting patients aged 18 and older who needed colonoscopies. This focus ensured the project's relevance to specialized gastrointestinal intervention. Establishing …

Identification Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms Among Veterans In The Primary Care Setting, John Dominic Rosella Iv

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health implications, impacting quality of life and increasing health expenditures. Veterans have a higher prevalence rate of OSA attributed to an aging population and higher rates of comorbid conditions. The problem of under recognition of OSA symptoms partly relates to clinicians needing to elicit relevant symptoms routinely. At the same time, the lack of primary-care-based screening protocols contributes to the percentage of undiagnosed OSA. The purpose of this evidence-based project was to implement routine screening to identify OSA risk among veterans in primary care settings in South Carolina. The method …

Depression In Individuals With Chronic Liver Disease: Improving Screening In The Outpatient Setting, Kayla Corine Wright

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Individuals with chronic conditions such as chronic liver disease experience higher rates of depression, often underdiagnosed and placing high risk demographics in jeopardy of adverse outcomes, including worsening prognosis, decreased quality of life, and increased symptomatology.

Purpose: Evidence advocates for routine depression screening within high-risk patient populations. This paper outlines the implementation of a quality improvement initiative aimed at enhancing depression screening at a selected outpatient liver clinic within an extensive hospital system by implementing the PHQ-9 questionnaire during patient clinic visits, where no standardized screening protocol was previously in place.

Methods: The Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle guided the implementation …

Systemic Inflammation And Neurocognitive Deficits In School-Age Children With Sickle Cell Disease., Elizabeth A. Gillooly

Theses and Dissertations

Sickle cell disease (SCD) causes inflammation that contributes to poor clinical outcomes, including cerebrovascular disease (CVD). CVD can take several forms in SCD, including neurocognitive deficits without visible cerebral infarction. The role of chronic inflammation in cognitive development in SCD has received little attention to-date. We aimed to study novel markers of systemic inflammation: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic inflammation index (SII) to describe developmental trends and relationships to cognitive outcomes in SCD at early elementary school-age. Sixty-one children with SCD and no history of stroke were identified who completed an early elementary school age cognitive …

Exploring Culturally Relevant School Leadership Practices: An Autoethnographic Study, Kezia Myers

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this autoethnographic study was on the implementation and impact of Culturally Responsive School Leadership (CRSL) within an elementary school. The school is comprised of approximately 400 P-5 students, with a predominantly Black student body (77%), along with students who identify as Hispanic, multiracial, White, and other ethnic backgrounds.

Three research questions were posed: 1) In what ways have I, as a school principal, integrated culturally relevant leadership practices into the decision-making framework at the school? 2) How might what I learn about other principals’ implementation of CRP in their respective schools inform my understanding of its effectiveness …