Digital Commons Network^™

The Need To Incorporate Polysubstance Use In Neuropsychopharmacology Research: Biological Lessons And New Opportunities, Max E. Joffe, Susan M. Ferguson, Nick W. Gilpin, Melissa A. Herman, Lori A. Knackstedt, Patrick A. Randall, Abigail G. Schindler, Mary M. Torregrossa, Jennifer A. Rinker

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Critical evaluation and refinement of animal models is essential for neuroscientists to understand complex physiological and pathological processes related to psychiatric diseases. In general, preclinical studies modeling drug dependence and problematic substance use have been limited to the administration of a single substance; however, there is a growing appreciation that this approach has failed to capture the complexities of humans and has stifled translational efforts. Polysubstance use represents the overwhelmingly common patterns of alcohol and drug use in humans. For example, epidemiological studies generally determine that between 70–95 % of individuals with alcohol use disorder use tobacco daily, and upwards …

Evaluating The Impact Of Educational Materials On Mental Health Using Smartphones, Christine L. Hober

Biennial Convention (CONV)

The purpose of this quality improvement project is to explore the impact of smartphone use on mental health issues and evaluate the effectiveness of educational emails with infographics designed to manage smartphone-related issues.

Specifically, the study aims to determine how different levels of smartphone engagement influence the mental health outcomes of sleep disturbances, anxiety, headaches, depression and overall well-being in adult women.

The background for this study is rooted in existing research that links excessive smartphone use to negative mental health outcomes, such as increased anxiety and depression (Twenge & Campbell, 2018). Despite growing concerns about these impacts, there is …

Nurses' Perceptions On Cyber Risk Disclosure To Cied Patients: Right To Know, Safety, And Well-Being, Leanne Torgersen, Stefan M. Schulz

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Subject Population: Nurses will be invited to participate in an online questionnaire to understand their perceptions of 1) whether cyber risk language should be included in informed consents, 2) what perceived barriers exist when communicating cyber risks to patients (people, process and/or policy); 3) how can nursing facilitate solutions in supporting patient advocacy, improving nursing practice standards, and influencing policy change.

Research Design: This cross-sectional convergent parallel mixed-methods research design incorporates a hermeneutical approach for the qualitative assessment. The objective is to understand how nurses view the relationship between advocating for patients’ right to know, ethical adherence in patient care, …

Military Ai And The Specter Of The Limitless War, Yuval Shany, Yahli Shereshevsky

International Law Studies

Legal and extra-legal factors related to the development of international humanitarian law (IHL) support the exercise of strategic restraint during armed conflicts. We claim, however, that technological developments in the area of military artificial intelligence (AI) fundamentally do away with many of the technological constraints that limited the capacity of militaries to fully utilize the “license to kill” afforded to them by IHL. Such a violence-enhancing effect can become even more dramatic in cases where other restraining factors are less effective. The upshot of our analysis is that the implicit assumption that IHL would be applied in a context of …

Assessing Health Literacy In Somali Women Living In The United States With Hypertension, Tawanna Morris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health literacy (HL) remains a critical public health concern, particularly among immigrant populations. This qualitative study explored how low health literacy relates to hypertension (HTN) management among Somali immigrant women. Low HL and chronic conditions such as HTN continue to affect this group disproportionately, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Guided by the Health Belief Model, this research examined Somali immigrant women’s perceptions of HL, how literacy levels influence hypertension management, and the barriers they encounter when managing their condition. Five Somali immigrant women who met the criteria participated in semi-structured interviews. All spoke English, were at least 18 years …

Strategies Top Airline Managers Use To Reduce Occupational Stress Among Cabin Crewmembers For Improved Flight Safety, Yograj Sewdat Raghunauth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Airline cabin crew members face significant occupational stress, which adversely affects their psychological well-being and flight safety performance. Airline managers are concerned with identifying stress reduction strategies to support crew effectiveness and mitigate safety risks. Grounded in the job demands-resources theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies that top airline managers in the United States use to reduce occupational stress among cabin crew members for improved flight safety. The participants were six top airline managers in the United States with at least 5 years of experience in senior management and had implemented successful strategies …

Proceedings Of The 4th Research In High Performance Sports Colloquium (Hpsc 2025), Sultan Qaboos University

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Culturally Responsive Assessment And Mtss Toolkit For Multilingual Learners, Morgan Kaltz

Masters Projects

English Learners (ELs) are often assessed using tools that fail to account for their linguistic and cultural backgrounds, leading to inaccurate conclusions about their academic abilities. This project addresses the problem of non–culturally responsive assessment by developing a framework and resources to help teachers design and implement assessments that more accurately reflect what multilingual learners know and can do. Rooted in the principles of Culturally Responsive Assessment (CRA) and aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards, this project supports educators in integrating language development with equitable instructional practices.

The project includes creating teacher-friendly tools, such as culturally responsive assessment …

Liahona Project Data Set 2 Up To 2018, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This document is a collection of highlights extracted from more than 500 articles from the Japanese online Liahona magazines, up to the end of 2018. Each article was individually checked to extract inspirational principles and highlights from personal experiences, serving as a resource to develop Spiritual Proficiency and build the foundation for Wits Psychology. The document is 112 pages long.

Reward-Based Prioritization In Working Memory Is Distinct From Recency And Due To A Resource Trade-Off, Timothy J. Ricker, Christopher J. Cagna, Tien T. Tong, Ekaterina Dobryakova, Joshua Sandry

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Prioritized items within working memory often show higher accuracy or faster response times at test. This prioritization benefit is thought to reflect the memory representation being within the focus of attention. The literature on prioritization effects lacks consistency in whether prioritization benefits manifest as a benefit to speed, accuracy, or both, implying that some findings may reflect a speed-accuracy tradeoff rather than improved memory representation. In the present work, we use drift-diffusion modeling to test two theoretical questions regarding prioritization effects without the possibility of a confounding speed-accuracy tradeoff. First, we test whether prioritization effects rely on shifting limited working …

Disease Burden Attributable To Intimate Partner Violence Against Females And Sexual Violence Against Children In 204 Countries And Territories, 1990–2023: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2023, Gbd 2023 Intimate Partner Violence And Sexual Violence Against Children Collaborators, Sarvenaz Taridashti

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Violence against women and against children are human rights violations with lasting harms to survivors and societies at large. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence against children (SVAC) are two major forms of such abuse. Despite their wide-reaching effects on individual and community health, these risk factors have not been adequately prioritised as key drivers of global health burden. Comprehensive x§and reliable estimates of the comparative health burden of IPV and SVAC are urgently needed to inform investments in prevention and support for survivors at both national and global levels.

Methods

We estimated the prevalence and attributable burden …

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Predictors Of Sexual Violence Prevalence At U.S. Colleges And Universities, Theodore Daniel Hostikka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research explored the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault among students at U.S. colleges and universities, aiming to quantify incident rates and assess their impact on academic and psychological well-being. Grounded in socioecological and intersectional theories, the research examined how environmental interactions and interconnected social identities shape individual experiences. Specifically, this research explored (a) the link between the percentage of female students and the prevalence of sexual violence on campuses; (b) how the proportion of first-generation students relates to sexual violence prevalence; (c) the connection between campus size and rates of sexual violence; and (d) whether gender makeup, first-year …

Reducing Moral Distress Through Improved Interprofessional Collaboration In End-Of-Life Care, Marissa Teresa Perino

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Inadequate interdisciplinary collaboration in end-of-life care can result in moral distress among nurses, reflecting conflicts between core nursing values and physician expectations. This quality improvement project seeks to reduce moral distress by enhancing collaboration between physicians and nurses in providing end-of-life care in a defined microsystem on the Transitional Care Unit (TCU). A pre-survey of registered nurses (RNs) revealed that moral distress occurs when caring for actively dying patients, regardless of their code status. Nurses identified a need for improved communication with physicians to facilitate timely implementation of comfort medication order sets and better address the palliative needs of these …

An Integrative Review Of Telehealth For Rural Veterans, Olivia Palczewski, Mary Clare K. Houlihan

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Telehealth may be a sustainable healthcare delivery option for rural veterans as it allows for increased access to services and can lead to improved healthcare outcomes; however, the use of telehealth in this population is understudied.¹ Accordingly, the purpose of this integrative review was to analyze the barriers, outcomes, and effectiveness of telehealth for rural veterans. Levesque’s Patient-Centered Access to Health Care Framework guided this review as it considers supply-side and demand-side dimensions that influence how individuals access healthcare.²

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed and Scopus databases. The framework outlined in Whittemore …

Behavioral Health Interventions For Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Scoping Review, Carolyn R. Bates, Sydney M. Gibson, Peter R. Johnson, Sarah L. Hunt, Patrick Dyjak, Courtney A. Gibson, Christina M. Sharkey, Kimberly L. Klages

Student Publications

Background: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, with significant advancements in treatment leading to over 90% five-year event-free survival rates in developed countries. However, disruptions in health behaviors during treatment, such as diet, activity, and sleep, can negatively impact treatment tolerance and increase risks of late effects. This scoping review aimed to assess the breadth of existing behavioral health interventions designed to improve immediate and long-term health outcomes for children and adolescents receiving treatment for ALL.

Method: The review focused on behavioral interventions for children (ages 2-18 years) undergoing active treatment for ALL. We followed the …

Mind Over Injury: Exploring Mental Imagery As A Game Changer In Athlete Rehabilitation, Maria Angelina Budelman, Jeff Cherubini

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

GNYACSM Original Research

Mind Over Injury: Mental Imagery for Recovery

MARIA ANGELINA BUDELMAN, JEFF CHERUBINI Alumni Hall; Kinesiology; Manhattan University; Bronx, New York

Category: Undergraduate

Advisor / Mentor: Cherubini, Jeff ([email protected])

ABSTRACT According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), approximately five million injuries occur annually among collegiate athletes, many of which are associated with increased risks of negative mental health outcomes. As participation in collegiate athletics continues to grow, likely, both physical and psychological demands on athletes will also increase. Mental imagery (MI), the intentional practice of visualizing movements through the mind’s cognitive, emotional, and sensory processes, has been …

Combining Home Exercise, Fitbit Tracking, And Virtual Reality Mindfulness To Reduce Stress And Improve Cardiometabolic Health: A Physical Therapy Student Research Experience, Sharon A. Martino, Kelly Warren, John Calisi, Anthony Dicrescento, Mehran Mohamad, Gabrielle Lewin, Stefanie Gera, Ashley Youseffi, Steven Gengo

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

GNYACSM Original Research Abstract

Combining Home Exercise, Fitbit Tracking, and Virtual Reality Mindfulness to

Reduce Stress and Improve Cardiometabolic Health: A Physical Therapy Student

Research Experience

SHARON A MARTINO, KELLY A WARREN, ANTHONY DICRESCENTO, JOHN CALISI, MEHRAN

MOHAMMAD, STEFANIE GERA, ASHLEY YOUSEFFI, GABRIELLE LEWIN, STEVEN GENGO

Rehabilitation Research and Movement Performance Laboratory; Stony Brook University; Stony

Brook, NEW YORK

Category: Graduate

Advisor / Mentor: Martino, Sharon ([email protected])

ABSTRACT

Student engagement in research is critical to developing evidence-based practice and critical thinking skills in PT education.

Student-driven research fosters independence, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the scientific process,

preparing future …

Menstrual Phase Effects On Performance Readiness In Division I Women’S Basketball: A Longitudinal Multi-Modal Study, Hayley E. Whitney, Addie Micir, Rupa Ravi, Dhruv Seshadri

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle influence cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and recovery responses, potentially altering athletic readiness and injury risk. Despite this, cycle phases are rarely integrated into athlete monitoring. PURPOSE: To examine menstrual phase–related differences in physiological and psychological readiness in Division I women’s basketball players. METHODS: Thirteen NCAA Division I athletes (IRB #2113291-6) were tracked daily from October 2024 to April 2025. Subjective measures include energy, soreness, sleep quality, and stress. Workload metrics were collected with the Beyond Pulse platform, and biometric data (recovery score, sleep index, resting heart rate, heart rate variability) were obtained from the Ultrahuman Ring …

Differential Associations Between Physical Activity Subtypes And Psychological Health In Sedentary Urban College Students, Rosselyn A. Charris, Bray Ilori, Galila Werber-Zion

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

College students often report high levels of stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact academic performance and overall well-being. Physical activity (PA) is widely recognized for its mental health benefits; however, PA encompasses various domains. Subtypes such as Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA), Occupational Physical Activity (OPA), Transportation Physical Activity (TPA), and Domestic Physical Activity (DPA) may not yield the same psychological outcomes. Understanding how specific PA domains relate to mental health may offer insight into how daily routines influence psychological well-being in urban college students. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether distinct types of PA are differentially associated with …

Effectiveness Of Mindfulness For Psychological Distress And Sleep Disturbances In The Post-Covid Population., Anjum Padyal Dr.

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Effectiveness of Mindfulness for Psychological Distress and Sleep Disturbances in the Post-COVID Population.

DR. ANJUM PADYAL, DHRUMI PATEL

Laboratory Name; Kinesiology Department; California State University,Northridge; Northridge, CA

Category: Masters

Advisor / Mentor: Padyal, Anjum ([email protected])

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with heightened stress, anxiety, depression, and widespread sleep disturbances among adults. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are increasingly promoted as non-pharmacological strategies to improve psychological health.PURPOSE: This review aims to determine whether MBIs are effective in reducing psychological distress and improving sleep quality among adults in the post-COVID era compared to standard care or no intervention.. METHODS: …

Performance And Self-Kindness In Dynamic Balance: Mindfulness As The Bridge Between Mental Toughness And Self-Compassion, Gustavo F. Saldo, Tomas Chapman-Lopez, Leroy K. Bolden, Olivia Russell, Jeffrey Forsee, Andrew R. Gallucci, Andreas Stamatis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Balancing performance demands with self-care is essential for maintaining psychological health. Mental toughness (MT) and self-compassion (SC) are often framed as opposing constructs; however, athlete data suggest mindfulness (MF) may integrate them. Whether this extends to non-athlete adults is unclear. PURPOSE: To test whether MF mediates the MT–SC relationship in a non-athlete population. METHODS: Eighty-four adults (M_age = 44.4, SD = 14.9; 57.1% male) were recruited from a community outreach program. Missing data were addressed with 20 item-level imputations. Measures included the Mental Toughness Index (α = .89, ω = .90) and the Self-Compassion Scale excluding MF …

Engagement Of Senior Leaders In Health Care Increases With Program Participation, Spencer A. Cavan, Andreas Stamatis Dr.

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Engagement reflects cognitive, emotional, and behavioral investment at work. For senior health care leaders, it is pivotal in shaping culture, morale, and patient experiences, yet remains difficult to elevate amid competing demands. Evidence-based engagement interventions are rare in health care. As a psychological construct, mental toughness (MT) training builds resilience, focus, and confidence, offering leaders tools to persist under pressure and manage competing priorities. Such training may strengthen engagement helping leaders affirm purpose, voice concerns, and build resilience. PURPOSE: To test whether higher attendance (“dose”) in weekly sessions predicted greater engagement gains in senior health care leaders. METHODS: …

The Evolution And Impact Of The Token Black Friend Trope In American Media, Sophie E. Rice, Kurt Milberger

Symposium of Student Scholars

Abstract

This research explores the history of the token Black friend trope in American media and how these misrepresentations continue to influence popular culture and negatively impact Black Americans. Historically, the token Black friend stereotype singles out Black characters to fill gaps in the plot through comedy, intelligence, or self-sacrifice, all while being excluded from the white protagonist’s larger narrative. The prevalence of this trope is apparent through several contemporary and classic examples, which are used to evaluate the effects of the token Black friend trope on American culture. To deconstruct these misrepresentations, this essay supplements these examples with scholarship …

Seizures In Camp Settings, Sandra Shapiro, Taylor Gilman, Tamar Sternfield, Jolie Skivington

CompassPoint

Managing seizures in the summer camp environment presents unique challenges, requiring not only medical attention but also empathy and understanding from both peers and caregivers. Approximately 0.5–5% of children and adolescents will experience at least one afebrile seizure by adolescence and there is a 3.6% risk of experiencing at least one seizure in an 80-year-lifespan (Murphy et al., 1995 as cited in Wilfong, 2025). Recognizing how to support a child with seizures during the camp season is essential to promoting their safety and well-being while also ensuring they have a positive and inclusive camp experience.

Camp Staff Self-Care: What Are We Encouraging, What Are We Observing?, Megan Owens, Alexandra Skrocki, Melissa Van Scoy

CompassPoint

Self-care is widely discussed within nursing literature, most often referencing a patient’s ability to care for themselves or address their own needs when dealing with chronic illnesses and diseases (Kickbusch, 1989; McCormack, 2003). Social movements related to women’s empowerment, health and wellness, and the COVID-19 pandemic expanded this research toward understanding how self-care practices combat stress and negative emotions among employees in helping professions (Martinez et al., 2021). Summer camp work may be considered a helping profession given the level of care and responsibility attributed to camp staff.

Nursing At Summer Camp: Piloting A Novel Clinical Rotation Experience For Undergraduates In Pediatrics, Vanessa Lugo

CompassPoint

Nursing schools have traditionally relied on inpatient settings as the primary venue for clinical placement for undergraduate courses. However, the availability of clinical placement sites has diminished in recent years for reasons that include faculty retirements, problems with administrative support and coordination in large hospital systems, and intensified competition among health-profession schools for a limited pool of rotation sites (Chesney et al., 2021; American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022). Clinical placement sites became especially sparse during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many facilities prohibited on-site student instruction (Kaveh et al., 2022; Ridgway et al., 2022). Nursing schools in rural areas …

Part I: Building Stronger Camp Communities Through Motivation As A Connected Process, Kelley Freridge

CompassPoint

Every summer, millions of children, youth, and young adult staff members gather in camp communities seeking adventures, community, and growth. They arrive carrying stories of who they are and who they might become. While some camp professionals have explored the existing research on motivation, many still struggle with this question: how do we move beyond temporary, programmatic reward-driven compliance or temporary entertainment-centered enthusiasm to spark genuine, sustained engagement that transforms both individuals and the community?

Talkin' 'Bout My Genderation: The Effect Of Gender Bias On Arbitral Representation, Amy E. Allen

Washington Journal of Social & Environmental Justice

Gender bias is rampant in all industries, and the world of arbitration is no exception. For decades, members of the field of arbitration have debated the suitability of women as arbitrators. This led to a broader discussion regarding different styles of arbitration, how or if these styles are related to the gender of the arbitrator, and whether one arbitration style is more effective than others. This paper begins with a brief assessment of the history of arbitration, as well as a more focused overview of the history of women in arbitration. Next, the paper questions the reasons for gender disparity …

De Facto Death Sentences For Misdemeanor Offenses: A Right To Medication For Opioid Use Disorder Induction Under The Washington Law Against Discrimination, Alena R. Sharp

Washington Journal of Social & Environmental Justice

The opioid crisis remains one of the deadliest public health emergencies in the United States, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, including people in the criminal legal system. Medication for opioid use disorder is the recognized standard of care for treating opioid use disorder. Despite the fact that medications have also been shown to reduce overdose deaths and relapse rates, many prisons and jails continue to impose blanket prohibitions on medications for opioid use disorder for nonpregnant individuals, placing them at an elevated risk for acute withdrawal, suicide, and fatal overdose.

This comment examines the systemic barriers to access medication for opioid …

Tax Trends, Harry Z. Garian

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.