Digital Commons Network^™

Project Attain: Advancing Trauma-Informed Care For Youth With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities And/Or Gender Diverse Youth, Kady F. Sternberg, Charlotte E. Bausha, Charlotte Jones, Erin Knight, Crystal N. Steltenpohl, Rebecca R. Parton, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Erin R. Barnett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and/or gender diversity are at higher risk of experiencing trauma. Provider knowledge is lacking; trauma, disability, and LGBTQ+ resources are often siloed; and few providers screen for trauma in this population. This paper describes the design, delivery, and initial evaluation of Project ATTAIN (Access to Trauma-informed Treatment and Assessment for Neurodivergent and/or Gender-expansive Youth).

ATTAIN is an ongoing 5-year state-wide initiative aiming to assess readiness to engage in new roles and practices over time; provide state-wide training and consultation in trauma, disability, and LGBTQ+-informed practices; install screening and assessment of trauma exposure and …

The Link Center: A Federally Funded Technical Assistance And Resource Center Aimed At Improving Mental Health Treatment And Access For People With I/Dd, Brain Injury, And Other Cognitive And Communication Differences., Stacy L. Nonnemacher, Jeanne Farr, Wendy Morris

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Although we do not have robust prevalence studies in the U.S., a recent meta-analysis estimated that 33.6% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have a mental health (MH) condition. We know that this prevalence may be an underrepresentation because of factors like diagnostic overshadowing. We also know that people with I/DD experience inequitable access to quality MH and preventive care. This highlights the chronic lack of and access to holistic, integrated care for individuals with I/DD, especially those who also have MH conditions. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals with I/DD experience MH crises and suffer adverse consequences. …

Building Neuro-Inclusive Community, Strengthening Mental Health: The Autism After 21 Utah Project, Sumiko T. Martinez, Anna Smyth, Ann C. Carrick

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Over two decades of research shows strong positive relationships are a consistently powerful indicator of wellbeing and resilience. However, the U.S. Surgeon General notes that loneliness and isolation is an epidemic in the U.S., and that it is exacerbated for individuals with physical and mental disabilities as well as those with isolating economic or environmental situations. A recent review shows that many autistic adults in particular face challenges in finding the connections they want and need. They also often have compounding mental health conditions, such as depression and mental illness, lower incomes, isolating home environments due to a lack of …

Exploring Parent/Caregiver Perspectives Of Self-Determination And Its Impact On Mental Health In Adolescents With And Without Disabilities, Jessica Schuttler, Sydney Walls, Tyler Hicks, Karrie Shogren, Hannah Adams, Richard A Chapman

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Introduction. Parents and caregivers play key roles in supporting the development of self-determination and mental health needs in adolescents with and without disabilities. This study explored parent/caregiver perceptions of the relationships among mental health and self-determination constructs for youth with disabilities, across gender and disability status. Method. Parents/caregivers of adolescents with and without disabilities completed rating scales regarding adolescents’ self-determination status (Self Determination Inventory) and mental health symptoms (Behavior Assessment System for Children, 3^rd Edition). Bayesian analyses examined the relationships among self-determination and mental health status. Results. Results are mixed, indicating moderate to robust relationships for self-determination as a …

The Person Experiences Interview Survey: A Measure Addressing Ableism In Mental Healthcare For Patients With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Micah Peace Urquilla

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Many People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) also have mental health needs requiring the support of mental health service providers, yet they may experience barriers to full engagement in their care due to ableism. Ableism is a kind of prejudice that impacts People with IDD in many parts of life, even in mental health care. This article proposes how an adapted Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) can be a response to ableism, with an impact at three distinct yet interrelated levels that reflect the parties involved in the mental healthcare of People with IDD-MH: provider, caregiver, and patient.

At …

The Utah Statesman, April 15, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Predictors Of Adherence To A Publicly Available Self-Guided Digital Mental Health Intervention, Mercedes G. Woolley, Korena S. Klimczak, Carter H. Davis, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Low adherence to self-guided digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have raised concerns about their real-world effectiveness. Naturalistic data from self-guided DMHIs are often not available, hindering our ability to assess adherence among real-world users. This study aimed to analyze 3 years of user data from the public launch of an empirically supported 12-session self-guided DMHI, to assess overall program adherence rates and explore predictors of adherence. Data from 984 registered users were analyzed. Results showed that only 14.8% of users completed all 12 modules and 68.6% completed less than half of the modules. Users who were younger, had milder depression, …

Development Of Systems For Processing & Managing Donations For The W.A.B. Warming Center, Landon Corbett

Student Research Symposium

The purpose of this project was to identify the specific needs of the William A. Burnard (WAB) Warming Center related to processing and managing donations and inventory and then propose a needs-based, evidenced-informed solution.

Cocoa Polyphenols Modulate The Gut Microbiome In A Site-Specific Manner In Mice, Marcus Hayden

Student Research Symposium

Gut Health and the Microbiome

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States; early-onset CRC is also on the rise [1].
• Colitis-associated CRC is defined as CRC that arises from inflammation of the colon.
• A Western-type diet has been shown to exacerbate colitis.
• Metabolites of the gut microbiome contain anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties [2].
• Diet is a key factor in the gut microbiome composition.
• Polyphenols in cocoa may restore the gut microbiome composition from pre-existing dysbiosis.
• More research is needed to study how dietary cocoa supplementation modulates the microbiome across several sites of the …

The Effects Of Including Sprouted Barley In The Diets Of Feeder Lambs, Zachary Crump

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

• Why do we care about sustainable agriculture?
• Increased population, and decreased available resources make production difficult to keep up with demand (Alexandratos and Bruinsma 2012).
• Lamb demand has increased 38% from 2012-2022 in the United States (Agriculture 2024)
• New technology can increase crop intensification to help production meet demand.

Patterns Of Fruit And Vegetable Incentive Use By Consumers With Low-Incomes, Sarah Moore Smith

Student Research Symposium

Situation:

• 9.5% or 316,980 Utahns are food insecure. That’s 1 in every 11 people who are experiencing hunger.¹
• Hunger is often accompanied by poor diet quality as a result of inadequate access or resources to purchase nutrient dense foods² (i.e. fruits and vegetables, F&V).

Public Health Response:

• Utah Double-Up Food Bucks (Double-Up) addresses this situation by providing a monetary incentive to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers to purchase fresh F&V. Double Up matches the amount of SNAP EBT withdrawn (up to $30) to be spent on F&V.
• Double Up has resulted in:
• New farmers market customers
• Increased …

Analyzing Latinx Outdoor Participation In The U.S., Alyssa Taylor, Bailey Sturges

Student Research Symposium

Outdoor recreation is an emerging part of mental health research and has become vital to many individual's discovery of self and belonging. Research finds improvements in mood, cognition, and behavior associated with nature based recreation.

Latinx individuals make up more than 18% of the current U.S. population but are expected to grow to more than 28% by 2050. Only 11% of Latinx individuals participate in outdoor recreation activities.

Latinx people have experienced barriers to accessing outdoor recreation. These barriers take the form of distance, finances, discrimination, free time, and knowledge. Some experience fear of outdoor recreation areas due to fear …

Motor/Movement Planning Study, Brooke Vankampen, Landen Winder

Student Research Symposium

What is Motor Planning? Motor planning is the process by which humans organize and create movement sequences for tasks to be performed and goals achieved.

Impact Of Snac On Physical And Mental Health, Halle Larson, Kaylee West

Student Research Symposium

Food insecurity is a common occurrence among college students and may have profound impacts on a student’s physical and mental well-being. It is vital that college campuses create not only access to food, but a culture of food security among students and student service organizations. Many institutions are striving to provide food assistance to their students and create this culture through a variety of methods. Ninety seven percent of institutions involved in programs to fight food insecurity implement a food pantry to combat this issue, but only 54% track the impact of their food pantries. Through this study, the impact …

Social And Economic Impacts Of Snac, Sara Marshall, Carson Johnson

Student Research Symposium

Food security is a common concern among college students.¹ Compared to 10% of U.S. households experiencing food insecurity², many college campuses report food insecurity prevalence about four times the national average.³ Approximately 39% of Utah's higher education student's face food insecurity.⁴ The stability of food for an individual can greatly impact different aspects of life including social and economic factors, such as social relationships.⁵

Impact Of Snac On Academic Success, Maeci Armstrong, Alivia Fonnesbeck

Student Research Symposium

This study aimed to address the impact of the intervention of SNAC. Based on the results, the USU SNAC pantry has made a substantial positive impact on students’ academic performance.

The main themes of participants’ comments indicate that SNAC helped them have more energy, increased focus, and increased time spent at school. These results are consistent with other studies that discuss the impact food pantries have on students’ academic success [1].

Participants expressed gratitude for the alleviation of food insecurity stressors, allowing them to better concentrate on their studies. These findings resonate with prior research highlighting the crucial role food …

Housing Strategies For Human Trafficking Survivors, Brynne Rindlisbacher

Student Research Symposium

This study addresses the critical importance of providing comprehensive aftercare services to survivors of human trafficking, highlighting the significance of supporting their healing journey and empowering them to rebuild their lives. The lack of dedicated aftercare facilities tailored to the needs of human trafficking survivors exacerbates their vulnerability to ongoing exploitation and psychological distress. The approach involves collaboration with experts in trauma-informed care, rehabilitation, and social services to design and establish the aftercare center, incorporating best practices and evidence-based interventions to address the diverse needs of survivors. Upon implementation, the human trafficking aftercare center demonstrates tangible outcomes in terms of …

Human Interpreters Help Break Down Language Barriers In The Medical Field, Jadon Chism

Student Research Symposium

Differing languages can create barriers in many aspects of society. None are as impactful as the language barriers built in the medical field. These barrier can prevent patients from getting the proper care they need. Medical interpreters are specifically trained to bridge these barriers.

• Online translation services are readily available in today’s world; however, they are unable to confront the issues faced by non-English speakers in the medical field.
• Human interpreters can directly confront each language barrier faced within the medical system.

An Indigenous Kitchen: Using Design To Preserve Indigenous North American Food Cultures And Edible Plants, Alida Cummings

Student Research Symposium

Examine the causes and the detriment of reduced rood access, loss of knowledge, nutritional deficit, and reliance on imported foods on Indigenous American populations, with emphasis on the Pueblo, Diné, Apache, Hopi, and Zuni peoples of the American Southwest. Examine attempts to restore cultural food knowledge and Indigenous plant cultivation. Examine traditional foodways of the American Southwest. Propose and demonstrate possible solutions brought about by use of architecture and interior design.

Human Centered Design, Alexis Freeman

Student Research Symposium

This research project explores the impact of design on mental and physical health, emphasizing its role within healthcare and therapy settings. Delving into the specific connections between environmental design and human well-being, this study investigates how thoughtful design principles influence quality of life. It also explores the physical health benefits gained from well-designed spaces, access to natural light, ergonomic considerations, and good air quality. Recognizing the holistic approach in Eastern medicine, Haven explores how traditional healing philosophies can connect with modern design principles.

Unique challenges are presented in patient-centered settings. where the impact of design extends beyond aesthetics. Design elements …

Unveiling Mental Health Disparities: An Analysis Of Latino Immigrant Communities In The United States, Ben Higbee, Alex Garces

Student Research Symposium

The problem of mental health in the Anglo-American community is different from the problem of mental health in the Latino immigrant community. In the book The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, Villavicencio humanizes illegal immigrants through her portrayal of their lives and individual stories and struggles that other inhabitants of the United States don't normally notice. Numerous illegal immigrants come to the United States alone and one of the effects of being alone and far away from their culture is depression or other mental health conditions. Many other immigrants feel this depression and try to deal with its symptoms …

Improving Behavioral Health Outcomes Through The Built Environment, Lucinda White

Student Research Symposium

Primary Care Clinic cares for patients from 0-18 years old and specializes in youth needing behavioral health care. The safety and comfort of patients and staff are the most important priority and inform all design decisions. Typical Behavioral Health clinics feel more like a prison than a place of help and healing. The goal of Primary Care Clinic is a safe, comforting, and typical environment for all.

Effect Of Medium On Epigenetics In Fertilized And Cloned Embryos, Ethan Loertscher

Student Research Symposium

• The metabolic pathways that oocytes and embryos take during early development have an important effect on epigenetic events. This leads to the question of whether different cultures affect epigenetics.
• There are some concerns that serum-containing mediums may be correlated with poor health outcomes.
• Acetylation of lysine 9 on histone 3 is associated with chromatin configurations. The intensity of H₃K₉ac is much lower in cloned embryos (somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)) than what is seen in normal embryos
• This study was aiming to compare IVF and SCNT embryos cultured in a medium containing serum and a medium …

Searching For Commonalities In Secondary Structure Of Prmt Targets With Python Programming, Emeline Haroldsen

Student Research Symposium

PRMT is an enzyme that:

• Methylates protein targets without use of a consensus sequence
• Has implications in embryonic development, carcinogenesis, cardiac health and many other diseases^1,2,3
• Has 9 isoforms. Native PRMT1 is tetrameric (figure 1)

The mechanisms underlying PRMT target recognition and binding are unknown, limiting the study of PRMT related diseases. However: •

• Proteomics have identified thousands of PRMT targets⁴
• Commonalities in secondary structure may indicate a recognition element²
• Prior research predicted (with JPred5) a surprising proportion (20.35%) of target methylation sites within alpha helices of proteins (figure 2).

A Scalable Approach To Minimize Charging Costs For Electric Bus Fleets, Daniel Mortensen, Jacob Gunther

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Incorporating battery electric buses into bus fleets faces three primary challenges: a BEB’s extended refuel time, the cost of charging, both by the consumer and the power provider, and large compute demands for planning methods. When BEBs charge, the additional demands on the grid may exceed hardware limitations, so power providers divide a consumer’s energy needs into separate meters even though doing so is expensive for both power providers and consumers. Prior work has developed a number of strategies for computing charge schedules for bus fleets; however, prior work has not worked to reduce costs by aggregating meters. Additionally, because …

Revitalizing Soil Health For Climate Resilience In Africa: The Need For High Rates Of Carbon Inputs, Idowu A. Atoloye

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Enhancing soil health is critical to improve crop productivity, fertilizer use efficiency, and resilience to climate change impacts for smallholder farmers in Africa. Increasing the use of mineral fertilizers is critical for achieving higher crop yield and residue return. However, it is crucial to consider the simultaneous use of carbon (C)-rich organic materials alongside mineral fertilizers to support soil health and enhance fertilizer use efficiency. It is proposed that increasing mineral fertilizer use without a concurrent increase in C-rich organic materials may not enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil health in the long term. When the labile pool of …

Designing For Mental Health, Kate Page

Student Research Symposium

More than 1 in 5 adults in America struggle with mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health). As someone who has personally struggled with mental health challenges, I can relate to the struggles of so many other people in the world. I wanted to do something about it with the tools I have.

Visuality Of Sound, Janelle Clark

Student Research Symposium

Graphic design is simply a visual representation of abstract concepts and communication to help people understand a message. Humans have created language and used sound to represent visuals, yet it goes much deeper than that. While sound and language can represent human defined objects based on cultural experience, there is an actual visual language behind sound itself. This field is called Cymatics, termed by Dr. Hans Jenny, a pioneer in the study of the visuality of sound. His research, along with more to follow have laid the groundwork of a previous unseen language. In this research, elements of the natural …

Microbial Diversity Analysis Of Utah Native Plant Curl-Leaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus Iedifolius), Satwinder Pal Gill

Student Research Symposium

• Climate-induced Environmental stressors such as drought and salinity are the main threat to crop production and food security.
• Continuous use of chemical fertilizers deteriorates soil health. 
• New strategies to mitigate the effect of stress in plants and alternatives for chemical fertilizers are needed.
• The Intermountain West region of the US is rich in native plants adapted to arid and semi-arid climates, which are recommended for low-water-use landscaping.
• Curl-leaf Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifoius Nutt.) is a native plants of IW and abundant in Utah. It is widely distributed nutrient-deficient soils, drought, and pathogen resistance actinorhizal plants that can fix atmospheric …

Variability In Indoor Free Play Physical Activity Over One Week In Preschool-Aged Children, Benjamin B. Johnson

Student Research Symposium

• Indoor free play during preschool or childcare provides children with an opportunity to engage in total (light-to-vigorous) physical activity (TPA).
• Researchers may collect indoor free play TPA during a single indoor free play period, multiple indoor free play periods over a single day, or over multiple days.
• Little is known about the variability in TPA over indoor free play periods or if a single indoor free play period is representative of weekly indoor free play TPA.

Purpose: To assess within- and between-day variability in indoor free play TPA in young children.