Digital Commons Network^™

Home Visitors Perceived Barriers To Practicing Self-Care In Personal And Professional Settings, Lexie Yancey

Masters Theses

Home visiting has the potential to support families in increasing their parenting skills, reducing incidents of child maltreatment, increasing school readiness, and improving financial sustainability (HRSA, 2023; Peacock et al., 2013). Retention of home visitors in programming is crucial to retaining families in home visiting (Damashek et al., 2020; Fifolt et al., 2017; Holm-Hansen et al., 2017; Ramakrishnan et al., 2022). While many home visitors struggle with burnout, research has found that self-care strategies are effective for social work students and are even used widely by home visitors (Begic et al., 2019; Siebert, 2008). This nested mixed-methods study examines answers …

The Effect Of Shared Decisions On Intertemporal Choice, Rosemarie M. Davidson

Masters Theses

Substance use disorders are a significant public health concern, and improving treatment outcomes requires a better understanding of the behavioral processes that influence drug consumption. Delay discounting, or the tendency to overvalue immediate reinforcers, is reliably more severe among individuals with substance use disorders. Recent work suggests that shared decision-making may increase tolerance for delayed rewards; however, prior studies used procedures that confounded delay to token delivery with delay to token exchange, limiting conclusions. The present study evaluates delay discounting across individual and social decision-making contexts using a traditional delay discounting paradigm.

Ten undergraduate participants completed sessions involving choices between …

Evaluating Psychosocial Stressors And Mental Well-Being Of Construction Professionals From The Management Standpoint: An Exploratory Study, Md Tauhidul Karim

Masters Theses

Construction professionals face persistent workplace stressors that undermine their mental well-being outcomes. Despite progress in general job-related stressors, social and interpersonal aspects of psychosocial stressors traditionally remain underexplored in the construction management research. The present study examines how social and interpersonal factors influence construction workers’ mental well-being and how management’s awareness, responsiveness, and strategic roles evolved in the transition of the COVID-19 pandemic at the organizational level. An integrative mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review, a bibliometric analysis, and an exploratory case study to capture the current landscape of mental well-being and management standpoints in the US …

An Investigation Of Collateral Activity Effects On Behavior Maintained By A Drl 72‑Second Schedule, Cassidy M. Graham

Masters Theses

Impulsivity is a key behavioral trait with broad implications for clinical disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD, and substance use disorders SUD, where impaired inhibitory control contributes to maladaptive outcomes. In preclinical research, animal models provide valuable tools for examining behavioral processes associated with impulsivity. The Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates (DRL) schedule, offers a precise measure of response inhibition and timing by requiring subjects to withhold responses for reinforcement. This study employed DRL72s schedule to investigate impulsive action in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, with an emphasis on sex-based differences and the potential influence of environmental factors. …

"Gross Normality" And "Marked Deviation": A Qualitative Study Of Disability Theory In Three Periods Of Sociological Literature, Kelsey Sullivan

Masters Theses

In the 20th century, three theoretical perspectives concurrently dominated sociological discussions of disability. Functionalism and Talcott Parsons argued for a pathologized framework in the form of a “sick role” occupied by disabled people. Interactionism and Erving Goffman emphasized the stigmas faced by individual disabled people, and the ripple-effects of those stigmas. Finally, disabled activists, inspired by social constructionism, championed the social model of disability. This model purported that disability is a social condition, resulting from systemic barriers imposed upon people who do not fit the mental or physiological norm. This project, through a content analysis of 30 historical journal articles, …

How Life Enrichment Farms Promote Independence, Health, And Well-Being Through Vocational Skills And Sensory Processing Skills, Olivia Stanek

Honors Theses

There is limited knowledge about life enrichment farms and their role in supporting individuals with disabilities. This project aimed to highlight how occupational therapy can collaborate with these farm-based programs to promote independence, health, and well-being among younger adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. An evidence-informed approach and qualitative research methods were used to explore this question, including a literature review and an interview with AACORN Farms, a life enrichment farm located in Michigan. Findings were further examined through occupational therapy activity analysis to identify the vocational, sensory, and meaningful engagement opportunities embedded within the various areas …

Postmortem Vitreous Humor As An Alternative Matrix To Peripheral Blood For Benzodiazepine Detection, Sara Bussey

Honors Theses

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed secondary drugs of abuse that cause Central Nervous System depression through the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid. While not commonly fatal on their own, benzodiazepines have a minor risk for physical dependence and abuse. They also can have cumulative effects with other medications that can lead to overdose situations; thus, they are considered secondary drugs of abuse. While peripheral blood is considered the standard for xenobiotic detection in postmortem forensic toxicology, it is important to consider the validity of alternative matrices that could be analyzed in the event that blood was not available due to circumstances like …

Introductory Pages, Diana Camilo, Moya Malcolm, Laura Owen, Christopher W. Tremblay, Patrick J. O'Connor Phd

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

Complete Issue, Christopher W. Tremblay, Diana Camilo, Moya Malcolm, Laura Owen, Patrick J. O'Connor Phd

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

College Freshmen’S Perceptions Of Their High School College And Career Readiness Counseling, Alexandra Novakovic, Eva N. Patrikakou

Journal of College Access

School counselors provide college and career readiness (CCR) counseling and socioemotional support to assist students in planning and pursuing postsecondary education. However, little is known about students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of meetings with school counselors during their preparation for postsecondary education and career planning. The present study surveyed first-year college students who have successfully navigated the college-planning process to explore their perceptions regarding the frequency and degree of helpfulness of meetings with their high school counselor. Results indicate that the frequency of meetings with the school counselor for CCR counseling predicted degree of perceived helpfulness overall, accounting for 60% …

Graduate School Accessibility For Undocumented And Dacamented Scholars Across The United States, Casandra P. Sandoval Hurtado, Ronnie Rios, Kasandra Negrete, Stephany Mendez Ortega, Richard Nunn

Journal of College Access

Literature on higher education accessibility for undocumented and DACAmented (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students has mostly focused on undergraduate students. This paper discusses a comprehensive study of the undocumented graduate student policies of 50 universities across the United States. Using systematic web searches and follow-up interviews with institutional liaisons, we evaluated admissions, tuition classification, funding, and social support practices through an institutional theory lens. This theory posits that institutions prioritize alignment with other institutions, which can lead to a lack of action in providing systemic services. Our findings fit within institutional theory, as many webpages were often confusing or …

Evaluating The Use Of Statewide Summative Assessments In College Admissions: Insights From A Case Study, Yen Vo, Stephen Dunbar, Catherine Welch, Jeongmin Ji, Xiaoting Zhong

Journal of College Access

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing discussions around social inequality have significantly reshaped traditional college admission practices. This study explores the potential of using statewide assessments that are accessible to all students and aligned with curriculum standards as an alternative to college admission tests. Hierarchical linear modeling further revealed that statewide assessment scores contributed an additional 9% of the variance in admission scores above and beyond high school GPA and core coursework. Logistic regression and random forest analyses indicated that high school GPA and statewide assessment scores were the most contributing factors to admissions decisions, followed by core coursework. …

The Practice Of Perfect Mistakes, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Cheryl VanderMolen Neway, a fashion designer and textile artist residing in Fairfax, Virginia, provided the cover art for the Fall 2025 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The photograph features a flowing, floor-length duster jacket entitled, The Free Spirit, 2024, made from an upcycled denim jacket with lace and hand-dyed linen, using shibori and indigo-dyeing techniques, modeled by Shamola Crosbie. Cheryl’s designs serve to express emotion, meet her need for creative exploration, and empower her community through fashion. Using resist-dyeing techniques paired with upcycled textiles and salvaged materials, she creates vibrantly unique clothing and mixed-media artwork …

An Authentic Leader Never Dies: Lessons Learned From The Seminal Work Of Elizabeth Yerxa, Daniel Cezar Da Cruz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This Opinion in the Profession is based on the enduring legacy of Elizabeth June Yerxa, a pioneering leader in occupational therapy and occupational science, following her passing in December 2024. Rather than a traditional "in memoriam," the author uses the present tense to emphasize Yerxa's ongoing influence. The paper highlights four key themes from Yerxa’s work: the commitment of occupational therapy to social change, the importance of an occupation-centered education, the term “engaging in occupation”, and the establishment of occupational science as a foundational discipline. Yerxa’s advocacy for critical thinking, holistic perspectives, and the integration of diverse fields …

Implicit Bias Training Standards In Health Care: Did Michigan Get It Right? A Policy And Ethical Framework Analysis, Megan Gailliard, Kieran Fogarty, Mary Lagerwey

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In 2022, Michigan joined a handful of states requiring implicit bias training for its health care professionals. In its ideal application, implicit bias training of health care professionals will result in a reduction of the implicit biases held by health care providers. This bias reduction will, in theory, contribute to improved equity in the delivery of health care services. Ultimately, the less biased health professional, now delivering health care services with a more equitable hand, will help reduce health disparities in the State of Michigan.

This analysis of Mich. Admin. Code R.338.7004 - Implicit bias training standards for licensed and …

Promoting Sense Of Belonging Among First-Generation Students In Occupational Therapy, Pola Ham

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

First-generation students in occupational therapy programs face unique challenges that can impact their sense of belonging and academic success, potentially hindering efforts to diversify the profession. There is limited data on occupational therapy students who identify as first-generation students. However, the literature has noted improved efforts toward a sense of belonging in higher education among students leads to feeling a sense of connectedness with their peers and faculty, aiding in overall well-being, academic performance and retention. In contrast, a lack of these efforts can lead students to experience a diminished sense of belonging to the institution. This article examines the …

Mentoring Matters: Enhancing Occupational Therapy Capstone Experiences Through Effective Mentorship, Sara J. Stephenson, Gretchen L. Bachman, Michelle L. Bollom, Alexandria N. Calca

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Mentoring plays a crucial role in occupational therapy education, particularly in doctoral capstone experiences. Yet, specific assessment tools tailored to the profession are lacking. This study aimed to gather insights from occupational therapy stakeholders on mentor qualities and skills essential for capstone success. The authors employed a descriptive, cross-sectional study design using an interactive poster featuring the Mentor Competency Assessment (MCA) domains and the ACOTE-defined capstone focus areas. Data were collected at two occupational therapy events using ordinal ranking methodology.Fifty-three participants identified their occupational therapy roles and ranked mentor skills and capstone focus areas. Effective communication was consistently identified as …

Diversity Gaps In Ot Education: Addressing The Challenges And Support Needs Of Underrepresented Faculty, Divya Desai, Natalie A. Perkins

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Understanding the status of diversity in OT academia is crucial for promoting equitable representation and addressing the needs of underrepresented faculty. This exploratory mixed-methods study sought to assess the diversity landscape in OT academic programs and explore the support needed by diverse faculty to enter and remain in academic positions. The researchers used an online survey distributed to faculty members of accredited OT programs across the United States. In-depth interviews were conducted with select respondents to gain deeper insights into their experiences. The interview participants were selected based on survey responses through purposive sampling. The study focused on capturing perspectives …

Occupational Balance Of Occupational Therapy Students Before And After Occupational Disruption Caused By Covid-19, Juan Pablo Saa, Georgia King, Kylee Lockwood, Tamara Tse

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions have caused occupational disruption, yet little is known about their relationship with occupational balance, student satisfaction, and stress. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the occupational balance of occupational therapy students in the state of Victoria, Australia, and its association with measures of life satisfaction and distress.

Method: Participants completed the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ-11) twice (once rating their occupational balance before COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and again during the time these restrictions were in place); the Global Life Satisfaction Questionnaire; and the Depression, Anxiety and …

The Perception Of Occupational Therapists And Their Use Of Therapeutic Use Of Self When Interacting With Clients And Fieldwork Students, Maria T. Zock, Barbara Nadeau

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The therapeutic use of self is an essential instrument in every occupational therapists' toolbox. Fieldwork is vital to a student’s transition to clinician and the student and fieldwork educator relationship is a critical component of the fieldwork experience. The researchers employed a phenomenological design to explore perceptions of 12 fieldwork educators regarding the similarities and differences in the way they use the therapeutic use of self with clients and students. How one develops their therapeutic use of self begins and evolves throughout fieldwork, impacting a clinician’s practice long-term. Results indicated that while the therapeutic use of self is readily used …

The Need For ‘Soft Skills’ In Occupational Therapy Curricula: A Descriptive Analysis Of French Students’ Internship Comments, Cynthia Engels, Nadia Oubaya, Aliki Thomas

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

A competent occupational therapist needs soft skills. Although the French national occupational therapy (OT) curriculum lists 10 competences to be acquired, they do not include soft skills. The objectives of this study were to (a) Identify the proportion of soft skills in OT students’ internship comments written by internship tutors and (b) characterize the mentioned soft skills to help determine whether and which soft skills should be included in the new OT curriculum nationwide in France. This was a qualitative descriptive analysis of tutors’ comments on internship evaluations based on the framework method. Of the 1060 internship reports, 1035 (98%) …

Occupational Therapy Guidelines For Rehabilitating People With Spinal Metastasis: Pathophysiology And Biomechanics, Julie H. Hunley, Ying Guo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are increasingly treating people living with metastatic spinal cancer because of advancements in cancer treatment. Specific occupational therapy guidance for serving this growing and vulnerable population is limited. This paper provides evidence for occupational therapists to expand their understanding of the pathophysiological and biomechanical reasons for spinal precautions and the importance of individualizing interventions for people with metastatic spinal cancer. Metastatic lesions can compromise bone integrity, increasing the risk of pain, fractures, and spinal cord compression, leading to irreversible neurological damage. Daily life activities create large forces in the spine, putting people with spinal metastasis at high risk …

Improving Relationship-Based Feeding Of Infants And Young Children With Disabilities: Developing A Guideline For Practice, Patricia Henton, Tsu-Hsin Howe

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Feeding is a significant co-occupation of young children and their caregivers, unfolding in a social context. While addressing feeding challenges comprehensively because multiple contributing factors, the social-emotional dimension is often overlooked. This paper proposes a relationship-based feeding guideline to help occupational therapists incorporate this critical component. Centered on the child-caregiver dyad, the guideline prioritizes supporting the developmental, social-emotional, and environmental needs of the child. The guideline employs a biopsycho-ecological framework and family-centered approach, emphasizing caregiver training for promoting positive interaction. Actively involving caregivers and employing caregiver-child coaching facilitates the learning of developmentally appropriate feeding strategies that are then applied at …

Integrative Neural Networks Frame Of Reference: Application In Practice, Glenda E. Hux, Sarah Schoen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The INN Frame of Reference supports occupational engagement in caregivers of children and youth with complex health care needs. It guides the occupational therapist from evaluation to intervention providing a structure to identify challenges in occupational engagement. It describes the process of selecting evidence-based interventions to mitigate the impact of prolonged stress on the “whole” parent across contexts. The theoretical base outlines the mechanisms of action that support physiological, affective/cognitive, and social/spiritual health, and the concepts related to intervention. The completion of an occupational profile and the INN Evaluation Checklist sets the stage for data-driven decision making. The occupational therapist …

Integrative Neural Networks: A Novel Frame Of Reference To Support Occupational Engagement In Caregivers, Glenda E. Hux, Sarah A. Schoen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Integrative Neural Networks (INN) frame of reference is an integrated approach to support occupational engagement in parents and primary caregivers of children and youth with complex health care needs (CYSHCN) guided by principles of family-centered care. Given the potential influence of prolonged, cumulative, and or repeated stress on physiological, affective/cognitive, and social/spiritual health, it is imperative that occupational therapists partner with parents and primary caregivers to positively impact occupational engagement across contexts. Further, this frame of reference provides an avenue to identify potential health and occupational disparities historically under-recognized as independent from the needs of the child. Based on …

Effects Of Yoga On The Mental Health Of Women With Gynecological Cancers: A Systematic Literature Review, Sabina Khan, Christianah Edema

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers have substantial psychological impacts. Occupational therapists use relaxation and mindfulness techniques to manage pain, distress, and other mental health symptoms associated with cancer. This review aimed to evaluate the impact of yoga on the mental health and quality of life of women diagnosed with gynecological cancers.

Methods: A systematic search of five databases was conducted from their inception to the present. Grey literature was searched via Google Scholar and relevant conference proceedings. Eligible studies reported on the effect of yoga on mental health symptoms in women with gynecological cancers. A …

Uncovering Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing Postpartum Anxiety: A Scoping Review, Felicia Markfield, Carlin D. Reaume

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapists are qualified to provide needed support for individuals experiencing postpartum anxiety. Postpartum depression is a more well known and researched disorder; however, postpartum anxiety is theorized to be more prevalent and less discussed (Nakić et al., 2018; Zappas et al., 2021). The objective of this scoping review is to find the themes in the literature highlighting the unique settings, assessments, and interventions used to support individuals with postpartum anxiety.

Methods: A literature search was conducted from Scopus, Sage Journals, OTSeeker, Science Direct, and EBSCO databases. Twenty articles were found and selected for review.

Results: …

Evaluation Of Receptiveness And Barriers To Including Occupational Therapists On Primary Care Teams, Jacquelyn P. Nash, Sue Dahl-Popolizio, Dayna Maureen Maniccia, Debra Collette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Although primary care providers (PCP) and occupational therapists recognize occupational therapists can be on the primary care (PC) team to address lifestyle management related to chronic conditions, health literacy, and behavioral health, few occupational therapists work in this setting; PC remains an emerging practice area.

Method: We sought to determine if receptiveness to adding occupational therapists to PC teams has changed. We modified surveys from a 2017 study and added interviews to answer the following questions regarding occupational therapists in PC: (1) What are PCPs' and occupational therapists’ perceptions? (2) What are PCPs' comfort levels in delegating patient appointments …

An Interdisciplinary Functional Exercise Program For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease: A Case Series, Lauren Turbeville, Caroline Adams, Amy Wedge, Kailey Smitherman, Kathrin Rothermich

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Traditional exercise programs are beneficial in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD). Little research exists on interdisciplinary, functional exercise programs designed and implemented by licensed therapists.

Method: Our case series presents the development, implementation, and results of an interdisciplinary functional exercise program for individuals with PD and the effects this program had on daily functioning and quality of life. Participants were recruited via flyers, email, and phone communication, and consented to data collection for our objectives. Participants attended two sessions per week for 8 weeks. Sessions addressed fine and gross motor skills, dexterity, cognition, functional strength, gait, balance, and …

Guidelines For Analyzing Health Care Policies, Kieran Fogarty, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.