Digital Commons Network^™

Ethnic Discrimination, Sexism, And Depression Among Latinx Women: The Roles Of Anxiety Sensitivity And Expressive Suppression, Felicia Mata-Greve, Lucas Torres

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Latinx women are twice as likely to experience depression compared to Latinx men. Latinx women are also subjected to heightened stress in the form of ethnic and sexist discrimination. Limited research has sought to explore variables that may have explanatory roles between discrimination and mental health outcomes among women of color. The current study tested whether anxiety sensitivity and expressive suppression uniquely link discrimination and depression for Latinx women. This cross-sectional study included 246 Latinx women primarily of Mexican descent (n = 173) recruited from community events and Mechanical Turk. On average, participants were 36.29 years old (SD …

Depression And Perceived Stress As Mediators Between Racial Microaggressions And Somatic Symptoms In College Students Of Color, Susan Torres-Harding, Lucas Torres, Elaine Yeo

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

The current study examined the ability of mental health indicators, namely depression and perceived stress, to mediate the relationship between racial microaggressions and health among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of 467 college students of color. Consistent with what was hypothesized, the main findings revealed that depression and perceived stress mediated the relationships between types of racial microaggressions, specifically low-achieving, invisibility, and criminality, and somatic symptoms. The study results suggest that there may be multiple pathways by which specific racial microaggressions might be associated with psychological and somatic health indicators.

A Review Of Minority Stress As A Risk Factor For Cognitive Decline In Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender (Lgbt) Elders, Anthony N. Correro, Kristy A. Nielson

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults comprise a unique and growing subset of the aging population. The historical context in which they came of age was imbued with victimization and discrimination. These experiences are subjectively stressful and collectively known as minority stress. Older LGBT adults continue to face stressors related to their gender and sexual identities in their daily lives. Importantly, chronic minority stress (CMS), like other forms of chronic stress, is harmful to health and well-being. CMS contributes to LGBT health disparities, including cardiovascular disease and depression, conditions that in turn increase risk for premature cognitive decline. …

Cone Identification In Choroideremia: Repeatability, Reliability, And Automation Through Use Of A Convolutional Neural Network, Jessica I.W. Morgan, Min Chen, Andrew M. Huang, Yu You Jiang, Robert F. Cooper

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: Adaptive optics imaging has enabled the visualization of photoreceptors both in health and disease. However, there remains a need for automated accurate cone photoreceptor identification in images of disease. Here, we apply an open-source convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically identify cones in images of choroideremia (CHM). We further compare the results to the repeatability and reliability of manual cone identifications in CHM.

Methods: We used split-detection adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy to image the inner segment cone mosaic of 17 patients with CHM. Cones were manually identified twice by one experienced grader and once by two …

Therapeutic Use Of Self: Continuing Education For Occupational Therapy Practitioners And Students, Jessica Anderson, Hannah Halbakken

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Only half of occupational therapy students graduating from occupational therapy programs feel sufficiently trained in therapeutic use of self (Taylor, Lee, Kielhofner & Ketkar, 2009). There are also many healthcare trends that make forming the therapeutic relationship difficult (Moreno, Delgado, Leyva, Casanova & Montes, 2019). The purpose of this scholarly project was to enhance the knowledge and skills of occupational therapy practitioners and students regarding therapeutic use of self. A literature review was completed with information regarding therapeutic use of self, rapport, the Intentional Relationship Model (Taylor, 2008), empathy, cultural competence, healthcare barriers and trends, and current training available for …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy With The Foster Care System: Implementation Of Routine Screening Procedures, Sydney Gayton, Hannah Merges

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Children in foster care are considered an at-risk population for developmental delays, due to their life experiences (Fraser et al., 2017; Jacobsen et al., 2013; Mueller et al., 2010; Oral et al., 2016; Ryan et al., 2017; Wade et al., 2017). The purpose of this scholarly project was to identify the needs of these children specifically in the regions of the University of North Dakota’s Occupational Therapy Program’s campuses. The campuses are located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and Casper, Wyoming. Currently, there is an increase of children entering the foster care systems in ND and WY (Casey Family …

Fostering Needs First: An Otr’S Guide To Evaluation For Individuals Transitioning Out Of Foster Care, Paige Melby, Meagan Flom

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Fostering Needs First: An OTRs guide to evaluation

Background: Individuals transitioning out of foster care (ITF) are experiencing occupational, personal, and environmental barriers, affecting their ability to maintain independent living. Specific barriers to independence experienced by this population include high rates of homelessness, increased rates of poverty, and increased mental health disruptions (Gomez, Ryan, Norton, Jones, & Galan-Cisneros 2015; Lee & Morgan, 2017; O’Neal, 2015).

Purpose: The purpose of this product is to establish the role for occupational therapy in the foster care system, specifically in the transition out of services and into independent living. This product aims …

Occupational Therapy: Addressing Mental Health Needs In Permanent Supportive Housing, Jessica Drady, Drew Mapes

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Occupational Therapy: Addressing Mental Health Needs in Permanent Supportive Housing

Introduction: The availability and implementation of occupational therapy services in supportive housing are limited. According to Schultheis (2018), out of the 550,000 people in America who experienced homelessness on a given night in 2017, 1 in 5 had a mental illness. Choy-Brown, Padgett, Smith, and Tiderington (2016) found that 92% of individuals with mental illness stated that secure housing was the foundation of their recovery. When housing acts as a cornerstone to recovery, it is important, as occupational therapists, to capitalize on the opportunity and resources stable housing provides …

Culturally Responsive Care For American Indians And Alaskan Natives: An Online Training Module For Occupational Therapists, Dayton Bender, Penelope Yoosook

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The unique profession of occupational therapy (OT) values cultural aspects when working with clients, therefore it is crucial for practitioners to be aware of various cultural backgrounds to provide greater culturally sensitive and client-centered services. The objective of this scholarly project was to create an educational opportunity for occupational therapists (OTs) who work in communities with a notable population of American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) through the use of an e-learning module designed to increase culturally competent care. Currently, there is limited literature suggesting the existence of such educational materials regarding this population, including online learning modules. This project was the …

Occupational Gearing For Child Rearing: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Helping New Mothers Succeed After Giving Birth, Alana Grabarkewitz, Lydia Swanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide occupational therapists with access to an educational website that helps fill the current gaps in care for mothers and advocates for the occupational therapy profession to contribute to a mother’s care team.

A substantial literature review was completed to gather information about difficulties mothers encounter and how occupational therapy can assist mothers with the difficulties. To find reliable and trustworthy information on what issues and conditions a mother may experience and how occupational therapy can help mothers, various search engines were used. The findings from the literature review were used to …

An Allen's Cognitive Levels Training Program For More Comprehensive Interprofessional Care, Ashton Hudspeth, Colton Peltier

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this product was to create a quick reference guide with a corresponding in-service training to be used by the treatment team within the physical rehabilitative settings in order to address comorbid cognitive diagnoses in a consistent manner.

• 10-30% of all new hospital admissions have been estimated to experience delirium, or a disruption in the person's cognitive abilities (Ahmed, Leurent, & Sampson, 2014)
• Individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment had a 17-39% increase in the rate of hospitalizations (Callahan et al., 2015)
• 20-60% of clients who receive anesthesia for surgery experience delirium or some residual cognitive deficit …

Occupational Therapy Best Practice Addressing Anxiety-Related Behaviors: Extending Strategies Into The Classroom, Hannah Burks, Kristen Kilian-Weides

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to develop a product, created by occupational therapists, for teachers and support staff that offers behavioral management strategies for students demonstrating anxiety related behaviors in the classroom. Research conducted by Nash, Schlösser, and Scarr (2016) revealed that teachers reported feeling underprepared to not only identify anxiety presenting in the classroom, but also to manage these disruptive behaviors resulting from anxiety. Thus, the product, titled Tips for Teachers, was developed to address this need and to increase collaboration between occupational therapists, teachers, and support staff.

The hierarchical approach utilized in the current behavioral management system …

Exploring A Best-Practice Approach For Preventing Challenging Behavior In Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Mckenzie Ramsey Gehring, Kimberly Harmelink

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose This scholarly project was created to provide pediatric occupational therapists with a best-practice approach to address challenging behavior by focusing on its prevention while establishing consistency throughout the clinic.

Methodology An extensive literature review was performed using eight search databases and combinations of six primary search terms as well as original works by key scholars and researchers. The results of this literature review suggested the need for a best-practice approach to both protect occupational therapists and their clients during interventions related to challenging behavior and to provide guidance as to how to format a consistent approach toward challenging behavior …

Filling The Gap: A Caregiver Guide For Children Transitioning Out Of Early Intervention, Parker Hoey, Marissa Rahlf

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Achievement of developmental milestones are a key part of a child’s continuous development throughout childhood. There is a gap in developmental intervention during the transition period that takes place as a child is exiting early intervention. This gap may be extended if the child is exiting into no further services. Currently there are minimal resources for caregivers of children exiting early intervention to implement at home with their child in order to keep them on track developmentally. Based on an in-depth literature review, it has been found that caregivers would benefit from a resource to address the gap between services …

Operationalizing Leisure As A Therapeutic Modality In Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Web-Based Resource, Elizabeth Hauck, Summer Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose

Residents in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are experiencing depression and occupational deprivation and have limited opportunities to engage in meaningful activities (Causey-Upton, 2015). The purpose of this scholarly project is to address the health, well-being, and quality of life of residents in SNFs by creating an evidence-based, model-driven, accessible resource for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners to promote the use of occupation-based interventions using leisure as a therapeutic modality.

Methodology

The results of a thorough literature review supported the need for a resource for OT practitioners. Literature supporting engagement in occupation-based interventions, especially leisure, to enhance physical, mental, and emotional …

Hand Therapy Outcomes: Therapists’ Perceptions Of Occupation-Based Interventions In Practice, Cheyenne Hanson, Molly Maudal

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: It is well known that hand therapists frequently use biomechanical-based interventions in their treatment of upper extremity injuries and pathologies. There is a push to return to the occupational therapy profession’s roots of occupation-based practice, which has recently been further reinforced with the introduction of the American Occupational Therapy’s (AOTA) Choosing WiselyⓇ Initiative (Gillen et al., 2019). Hand therapy is one area in which occupation-based practice could become more prevalent. This study will enhance the existing research on occupation-based hand therapy through the use of focus group interviews with occupational therapists who have a majority of their caseload classified …

Occupational Therapy Based Resource Designed For Caregivers Of Children In The Foster Care System, Courtney Haugen, Brianna Mcnelly

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Abstract: In 2018, 687,345 foster care children were placed into the foster care system (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019). The foster care system is a complex, diverse system that continues to witness an increasing need for foster parents to support and provide for children placed in foster care. Foster parents present as an underserved population that requires education to navigate the child welfare system and develop and utilize skills to appropriately address the barriers and stressors encountered daily in their role as a foster parent. A literature review was conducted and found multiple resources for assisting foster …

Creating Inclusive And Culturally Competent Healthcare For The Lgbtq+ Community: A Curriculum, Caelin Hansen, Jordyn Himley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc. (LGBTQ+) population is growing in America and in recent years has shown an increase in equal rights and societal acceptance (Newport, 2018). However, despite the positive changes that have been made, the LGBTQ population is still underserved in healthcare and faces health disparities (Dean, Victor, & Grimes, 2016; Institute of Medicine, 2011). This may be due to the fact that medical professionals receive little to no education regarding LGBTQ care, which can result in misconceptions, discomfort, and use of microaggressions towards the population. (Beagan, Chiasson, Fiske, Forseth, Hosein, Myers, & Stang, 2013; Utamsingh, …

A Holistic And Proactive Approach For Preparing Occupational Therapy Practitioners To Combat Compassion Fatigue, Olivia Kack, Mimi Yunker

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose

Occupational therapy is a unique profession working with individuals across the lifespan to overcome adversity and increase overall quality of life. Of the many settings where occupational therapists can work, 93% work in direct-patient care (AOTA, "Work Setting Trends for Occupational Therapy: How to Choose a Setting"). These settings are high demand in nature and require large quantities of time, energy, empathy, and compassion. Continuous use of empathy and compassion daily creates a risk for developing compassion fatigue among healthcare providers. Unfortunately, there currently appears to be a disjunction in occupational therapy literature related to compassion fatigue in occupational …

Understanding Values, Beliefs, And Spirituality Within A Diverse Country: Implications For Health Care Professionals, Miranda Ivers, Paige Rieger

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Over the years, the U.S. has been a resettlement destination for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. This process can be disrupting to the natural functioning of the re-settling individuals and may require healthcare to enable individuals to cope with lifestyle problems, develop new meaningful roles, and minimize future occupational deprivation with reviewing current health needs (Caplan, Paris, Whittemore, Desai, Dixon & Alvidrez, 2011; Yau, 1997). There are reports of high levels of the lack of confidence across multiple healthcare disciplines in providing culturally competent and inclusive care to individuals with diverse experiences and cultures (Abrishami, 2018). As occupational practitioners aim …

Home: Home Occupations For Mainstay Elders, Marissa Jahnke, Alyana Marie Louisse Simpron

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: According to the National Resource Center on Native American Aging (NRCNAA), at least one-fourth of Native American Elders experienced a fall at least once in the past year (Adamsen, 2018). Based on a consult review of the NRCNAA’s fall prevention program, the participants demonstrated limited follow through with the physical exercises because the recommendations were not culturally meaningful. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a safe mobility program for Elders.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using the PEOP model and the Native American medicine wheel to identify fall risk factors, outline current fall risk assessments …

The Utility Of Smart Home Technology Within Occupational Therapy Practice, Kylie Walthers, Jessie Zimmer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore occupational therapist practitioners’ (OTPs) utility of smart home technology (SHT) in their practice, as well as to inquire into the facilitators and barriers of utilization of smart home technology within the practice of occupational therapy.

Methodology: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, ND. A quantitative, descriptive research design utilizing survey methodology was used. Recruitment was conducted through purposive and convenience sampling. A 30-question Qualtrics survey was distributed to participants via social media and internet pages (OT4OT; AT4OT; CommunOT; …

Understanding Us: An Interactive Training Program For Members Of Law Enforcement And Individuals With Disabilities, Alisha Roberts, Myah Satterelli

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: It has been found that individuals who have disabilities such as developmental disabilities (DD), intellectual disabilities (ID), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more likely to have interactions with members of law enforcement and the criminal justice system (Gendle & Woodhams, 2005; Henshaw & Thomas, 2012; Rava, Shattuck, Rast, & Roux, 2017; Spaan, & Kaal, 2019). It has also been suggested that symptoms of such disabilities can influence the ways in which law enforcement engage and interact with these individuals (Gardner, Campbell, & Westdal, 2018). Lack of knowledge, insufficient training, personal experiences, and barriers to communication have been identified …

Farmer And Rancher Suicide: Raising Awareness, Noelle Rivard, Krista Steinbeisser

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Suicide is death caused by self-directed, injurious behavior with the intent to die (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2019). This is a concerning public health issue, as it is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.) (Hedegaard, Curtin, & Warner, 2018). Suicide rates vary between different populations, with the occupational group of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry having a disproportionately higher suicide rate than the national average (Jared, 2019; Peterson et al., 2018). Farmers and ranchers in rural regions of the U.S. are not receiving appropriate mental health services due to a shortage of health …

Occupational Therapy Program For Women Residing In Domestic Violence Shelters, Paige Mccullough, Kelsey Wehe

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background Domestic violence is a public health concern that affects 43.6 million women, or greater than one in three women, each year in the United States (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence [NCADV], n.d.). Following experiences with domestic violence, victims endure various long-term physical and mental health challenges. These challenges negatively affect women’s abilities to carry out many daily occupations, as well as live independently. When a victim flees domestic violence, they often find themselves seeking support and safety from domestic violence shelters. These shelters are designed to focus on the victim’s immediate physical needs and less on their mental health …

A Review Of Problem Structuring Methods For Consideration In Prognostics And Smart Manufacturing, Patrick T. Hester, Andrew J. Collins, Barry Ezell, John Horst

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Successful use of prognostics involves the prediction of future system behaviors in an effort to maintain system availability and reduce the cost of maintenance and repairs. Recent work by the National Institute of Standards and Technology indicates that the field of prognostics and health management is vital for remaining competitive in today’s manufacturing environment. While prognostics-based maintenance involves many traditional operations research-centric challenges for successful deployment such as limited availability of information and concerns regarding computational efficiency, the authors argue in this paper that the field of prognostics and health management, still in its embryonic development stage, could benefit greatly …

Challenges In Design And Fabrication Of Flexible/Stretchable Carbon- And Textile-Based Wearable Sensors For Health Monitoring: A Critical Review, Jae Seng Heo, Md Faruk Hossain, Insoo Kim

Bioelectrics Publications

To demonstrate the wearable flexible/stretchable health-monitoring sensor, it is necessary to develop advanced functional materials and fabrication technologies. Among the various developed materials and fabrication processes for wearable sensors, carbon-based materials and textile-based configurations are considered as promising approaches due to their outstanding characteristics such as high conductivity, lightweight, high mechanical properties, wearability, and biocompatibility. Despite these advantages, in order to realize practical wearable applications, electrical and mechanical performances such as sensitivity, stability, and long-term use are still not satisfied. Accordingly, in this review, we describe recent advances in process technologies to fabricate advanced carbon-based materials and textile-based sensors, followed …

Electrochemical Detection Of Neurotransmitters, Saikat Banerjee, Stephanie Mccracken, Md Faruk Hossain, Gymama Slaughter

Bioelectrics Publications

Neurotransmitters are important chemical messengers in the nervous system that play a crucial role in physiological and physical health. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters have been correlated with physical, psychotic, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, dementia, addiction, depression, and schizophrenia. Although multiple neurotechnological approaches have been reported in the literature, the detection and monitoring of neurotransmitters in the brain remains a challenge and continues to garner significant attention. Neurotechnology that provides high-throughput, as well as fast and specific quantification of target analytes in the brain, without negatively impacting the implanted region is highly desired for the monitoring of the …

Electrotransfer Of Il-15/Il-15rα Complex For The Treatment Of Established Melanoma, Shawna A. Shirley, Cathryn G. Lundberg, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

Gene electrotransfer (GET) is a safe, reliable, and effective method of delivering plasmid DNA (pDNA) to solid tumors. GET has been previously used to deliver interleukin-15 (IL-15) to mouse melanoma, resulting in long-term tumor regression and the survival of a percentage of treated animals after challenge. To enhance this effect, we evaluated modulating the expression levels of IL-15 and co-expressing its receptor, IL-15Rα. GET was used to deliver plasmids encoding IL-15 and IL-15Rα to established B16.F10 tumors on days 0, 4, and 7. Two delivery protocols that yielded different expression profiles were utilized. Mice that were tumor-free for 50 days …

Malignant Insulinoma With Multiple Liver Metastases And Hypercalcitoninemia In A Patient With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Presenting As Recurrent Episodes Of Diaphoresis Due To Severe Hypoglycemia, Marco Ciacciarelli, Gianluca Caruso, Marco Rengo, Piero Maceroni, Carmen Misurale, Eleonora D'Armiento, Cristina Napoli, Alberto Lombardini, Umberto Ceratti, Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Leonardo Calvosa, Romina Milanese, Sonia Ferri, Teresa Massaro, Andrea Larusso, Veronica Sorrentino, Vincenzo Petrozza

Bioelectrics Publications

Insulinoma is an insulin-producing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that can be malignant in about 10% of cases. Locoregional invasion, lymph node metastases, or remote metastases are the main criteria of malignant insulinoma. Its incidence in patients with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) is exceptionally rare. In this report, we describe a 66-year-old man with long-standing type 2 DM who presented with recurrent episodes of diaphoresis due to severe hypoglycemia despite the withdrawal of insulin therapy, hypercalcitoninemia, and biochemical and radiological findings suggestive of metastatic malignant insulinoma. Unfortunately, after few days of diazoxide treatment, edema, hypotension, oliguria, and water retention were observed, patient’s …