Digital Commons Network^™

Anxiety, Depression, And Quality Of Life In Patients With The Diagnosis Of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, Regine Nshimiyimana, Cathie E. Guzzetta, Mary-Michael Brown, Quiping (Pearl) Zhou, Jennifer M. Johnson, Takami Sato, Scott W. Keith

Leadership Connection

Psychosocial needs of patients with metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) have not been routinely assessed and addressed in clinical practice. Yet, awareness of patients' anxiety, depression, and perceived quality of life in those with MUM can influence care that meets patients' bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs.

Behavioral Health Integration In Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project, Sarah Claussen

Group: Northern Arizona University School of Nursing, DNP Doctoral Papers

This quality improvement project aimed to identify and treat patients at risk for depression and anxiety, facilitating earlier entry into treatment through increased screenings during routine primary care visits. Utilizing screening tools such as PHQ-9, GAD-7, and C-SSRS ensured comprehensive mental health assessments. Implementation of the Collaborative Care Model at Priority Family Medical Clinic improved patient outcomes, satisfaction, and reduced healthcare costs, addressing disparities in access to behavioral health services. The project enhanced identification and management of depression and anxiety, leading to increased referrals to CoCM, psychiatric services, and medication initiation, highlighting the effectiveness of integrating mental health screenings for …

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Mindfulness-Based Intervention For Patients Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization, Susan Marfoglio, Elizabeth Collins

Group: National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH)

One in every four couples worldwide will experience infertility and almost 60% of those will report psychological distress related to diagnosis or treatment. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to evaluate feasibility of incorporating a brief mindfulness-based intervention into usual care at an infertility practice. Effectiveness of the intervention in reducing anxiety and depression in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization was evaluated.

Summary: Participants (n = 15) were recruited from a university-affiliated infertility practice. Mindfulness training was provided in two-hour group sessions once weekly for four weeks. The meetings were conducted via Microsoft Teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. …

The Perceived Levels Of Stress And Anxiety In Student Nurse Anesthetists During A Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study, Bryant A. Gaudreau

Group: Bryan College of Health Sciences Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Collection

Background and Significance: Limited research exists regarding Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists' (SRNAs') perceptions of stress and anxiety during a pandemic such as the COVID-19 outbreak. Clinical effects of stress and anxiety have been shown to be detrimental to the active learning process in students.

Purpose: To explore the differences in stress and anxiety among three different cohorts of SRNAs in a nurse anesthesia program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Purposive sampling was utilized to select SRNAs who were full-time second or third-year nurse anesthesia students from a Midwestern nurse anesthesia program actively enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys were sent …

Iron Deficiency And Internalizing Symptoms Among Adolescents In The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Dimitri Fiani, Solangia Engler, Yang Ni, Sherecce Fields, Chadi Calarge

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Iron Deficiency (ID) affects two billion people worldwide, predominantly adolescent girls, and may be associated with increased psychopathology. The associations between ID and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents were examined using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized Americans.

Methods: The current analysis included survey cycles where both iron-related markers and mental health-related outcomes were collected in adolescents 12 to 17 years old. Acute and serious medical conditions, acute inflammation, and abnormal birth weight led to exclusion. Linear multivariable regression analyses examined the association …

Embracing Spiritual Growth: Laying The Groundwork To Address Spiritual Growth Anxiety Through A Covenant Union With Christ, Will M. Hunsaker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project addresses spiritual growth anxiety within BrandofMan Ministries by helping members better understand their covenant union with Christ. The goal was to use this understanding to promote grace-based spiritual growth through positional righteousness. The project involved analyzing existing literature and integrating theological and theoretical concepts to develop a teaching method that effectively addresses anxiety linked to spiritual development. The project measured the participants’ prior knowledge and application of spiritual growth through a covenant union with Christ and how a systematic curriculum on the topic could be used to enhance their knowledge, improve application, and reduce anxiety. Sixteen …

Evaluating The Difference Between Anxiety And Depression For Adults In The United States Who Were Adopted Internationally Versus Domestically, And Seeking To Determine If Age At Adoption Is A Predictor Of Depression And Anxiety For The Internationally Adopted, Kaitlyn Nicole Whiteside Engle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a gap in research on if there is a difference in mental health in those internationally and domestically adopted into the United States. The purpose of this quantitative study is to evaluate if there is a difference in depression and anxiety levels in those adopted domestically versus those adopted internationally and to determine if age at adoption for those internationally adopted is associated with levels of anxiety and depression. The three research questions are is there a difference in anxiety and depression levels in those internationally versus domestically adopted, is there a difference in age at adoption between …

Exploring The Barriers Colleges Face Implementing Positive Psychology Interventions To Reduce Depression, Anxiety, Or Stress In College Students, Margaret U. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to understand the barriers that colleges face implementing positive psychology interventions (PPIs) to reduce depression, anxiety, or stress (DAS) in college students. The problem was the lack of utilizing PPIs to reduce DAS in college students, despite increased reports of symptoms among this population. Several research studies have supported the use of PPIs to reduce. DAS in college students. However, no prior research was identified regarding barriers to initiating these interventions. The three research questions that guided this study were fueled by previous empirical studies that revealed three barriers to implementing …

Post-Pandemic Predictors Of Anxiety In College Students, Lisa J. Hayes, R. Brooke Bays, Piper Lashley, Nia Kherani, Alex Swanson

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Rates of anxiety among college students have increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained high (Elharake et al., 2023), placing students at risk for diminished academic performance, depression, and academic burnout (Rassaby et al., 2022). The goal of this study was to examine possible predictors of anxiety in a diverse group of undergraduate students post-pandemic, with the goal of informing future preventive intervention efforts. Maladaptive perfectionism, passive procrastination, active procrastination, cognitive flexibility, and social well-being were assessed as potential predictors of state and trait anxiety in a sample of 297 currently enrolled college students. Results showed that perfectionism …

The Short Allele Of The Serotonin Transporter Gene (Slc6a4) Increases Predisposition To Anxiety And Negative Emotional States, Gabriella Hitti

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Mental disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, have long been a focus of psychological research, and increasing evidence points to a genetic basis for their occurrence. Polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene (SLC6A4) may predispose an individual to anxiety-related symptoms. SLC6A4 has two common alleles: the short (s) allele, which results in less 5-HTT protein production, and the long (l) allele, which results in more 5-HTT. Integrated findings from psychometric evaluations, behavioral animal models, and biological assessments establish a link between the s allele of SLC6A4 and heightened anxiety phenotypes. The allele’s influence on serotonin levels and brain …

Improving Math Anxiety Through Math Intervention, Nicole Wimmer

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Anger Outbursts In Youth With Asd And Anxiety: Phenomenology And Relationship With Family Accommodation, Allie N Townsend, Andrew G Guzick, Alyssa G Hertz, Connor M Kerns, Wayne K Goodman, Leandra N Berry, Philip C Kendall, Jeffrey J Wood, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Anger outbursts (AO) are associated with severe symptoms, impairment and poorer treatment outcomes for anxious children, though limited research has examined AO in youth with co-occurring autism and anxiety disorders. This study examined AO in children with autism and anxiety by evaluating clinical characteristics, family accommodation, and changes in AO following anxiety-focused treatment. The sample comprised 167 youth with autism and anxiety enrolled in a multi-site randomized clinical trial comparing standard care CBT for anxiety, CBT adapted for youth with autism, and usual care. Most participants (60%) had AO, which contributed to impairment above and beyond anxiety and autism. AO …

The Effect Of A Self-Guided Simulation Tool On Anxiety Related To Clincal Practice Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students During Their First Clinical Rotation, Karen M. Vargas

Dissertations

Research has demonstrated that anxiety can have a detrimental effect on learning and performance. Of great concern is the impact of anxiety on nursing students. By extension, additional research has shown that nursing students experience extremely high levels of anxiety, higher than many students in other programs. Specifically, nursing students have moderate to severe levels of anxiety due to many aspects of the educational program, but particularly when beginning clinical practice. Anxiety when beginning clinical practice among nursing students can cause negative outcomes in learning and performance. That is, when nursing students experience severe anxiety, they may experience the inability …

Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Trinidad: An Analysis Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Essential Workers, Bernadette Marson, Gerard A. Hutchinson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Research shows that some essential workers, such as healthcare workers, social workers, and first responders (including police officers, paramedics, and firefighters), are at greater risk for developing both short- and long-term mental health problems (Berger et al., 2012; Canady, 2022; Grey et al., 2020; Haugen et al., 2012; Mohamed et al., 2022; Petrie et al., 2018). The most prevalent of these include anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as other social and cognitive problems—with stress causing harmful effects on mental health and potentially resulting in anxiety and depression, which may then disrupt an individual’s social relationships, family life, and work. …

The Presence Of A Pet Dog Is Associated With A More Balanced Response To A Social Stressor, Jaci Gandenberger, Aurélie Ledreux, Ashley Taeckens, Kerry Murphy, Jenni Forkin, Anah Gilmore, Kevin N. Morris

Institute for Human-Animal Connection: Faculty Scholarship

Acute and chronic stress each have physical manifestations in the human body that can lead to many negative health impacts. Today, reported stress levels worldwide are at an all-time high, spurring the search for non-pharmaceutical interventions to maintain healthy stress levels. In this study, we examined whether a pet dog’s presence influences healthy adults’ acute stress responses as assessed through self-reports, heart rate, plasma cortisol, and salivary alpha-amylase. Participating pet dog owners were randomly assigned to undergo the Trier Social Stress Test either with their pet dog or alone. While there was no group difference in perceived anxiety levels, participants …

Perceived Anxiety Disorder Stigma: A Predictive Analysis, Shawn Nabors, Richard J. Cicchetti, Gary Michael Szirony, Craig R. Blum, Sri Banerjee

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Anxiety remains one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders. Systemic barriers to mental health treatment persist. Research on anxiety is robust, although research on perceived anxiety disorder stigma is limited. The purpose of this quantitative analysis was to determine whether factors including age, gender, level of education, and presence of a diagnosable anxiety disorder condition would predict perceived anxiety stigma in a population of adults from the Midwestern region of the United States who were in treatment for anxiety. Based on Goffman’s framework, we used the Generalized Anxiety Stigma Scale (GASS) to determine the presence and level of …

Communication And Posttraumatic Growth: The Power Of Positive Declarations, Jennifer L. Owen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has explored the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and communication trends. Yet, there is a gap in research regarding how positive declarations of desired outcomes can influence PTG and be applied in a therapeutic context. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine if positive declarations of psychological growth facilitate PTG after trauma and impact levels of hope, anxiety, or depression. A small pilot study was conducted through six counseling sessions with participants (N = 16) divided into either the control (n = 8) or experimental group (n = 8). A novel Positive Communication Approach (PCA), distinguished by …

The Effectiveness Of An Anxiety Intervention On Decreasing State And Trait Anxiety Among University Students, Lea D. Hart

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Anxiety is the most common rising public health concern for college students (Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2023; Haikalis et al., 2022). In 2022–2023, 65% of college students seeking counseling noted anxiety as their primary concern, rising 10% in the last 10 years (Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2023). As a result, higher education institutions are seeking proactive solutions that are efficacious, evidence-based, and proactive for non-clinical university populations to reduce rising rates of anxiety. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore if a population-based intervention could reduce state and trait anxiety immediately and over time. The results …

Animation As Therapy For Mental Health Treatment Across Diverse Populations And Contexts, A Literature Review, Daneile Tabana

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Scientific research has explored and identified the beneficial relationship between health and creative expression, recognizing art therapy as a source of healing. Animation has been newly recognized as an art therapy medium with potential for therapeutic healing and increased psychological well-being. This review of the literature on animation therapy explores the history of the modality’s interaction with the population observed and the effects of animation on the cognitive processes, discusses current theoretical orientations and treatment options for treating a range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior with animation therapy, and considers culturally informed and client-centered practices alongside traditional …

The Prevalence Of Depression And Anxiety In Patients With Metastatic Disease To The Spine, Caleb Yeung, Jeremy Heard, Yunsoo Lee, Michael Mccurdy, Rajkishen Narayanan, Samantha Kolowrat, Liam Gibbons, Tim Hagan, Jose A. Canseco, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Gregory D. Schroeder, Christopher K. Kepler

Rothman Institute Papers

Introduction:

The prevalence of depression and anxiety in cancer patients is approximately 15% and 20%. Unfortunately, depression has been demonstrated to negatively impact patients after spinal fusion surgeries and is associated with worse overall survival in cancer patients. The rates of depression and anxiety have yet to be reported in patients with metastatic spine disease. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of depression and anxiety in patients with metastatic spine disease.

Materials and Methods:

Patients >18 years of age at our institution who presented with metastatic spinal disease between 2017 and 2022 were identified through query …

Adapting Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Autistic Adults: Lessons From Plymouth's Nhs Talking Therapies And Autism Spectrum Service, Hope Trimmer, Sonja Heintz, Sarah Williams

School of Psychology

The prevalence of mental health conditions is high for autistic adults. Yet, the IAPT manual states that referral rates into NHS Talking Therapies Services (NHS-TTS) do not reflect this nationally. Non-adapted treatment has been identified as a key barrier to accessing these services. It is therefore imperative that clinicians adapt to the needs of autistic individuals to make treatment accessible and effective. However, there is limited research in the field, especially for low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (LICBT). This service evaluation explores adapted LICBT for autistic adults within Plymouth's NHS-TTS and Autism Service. It investigated clinical outcomes of adapted group and …

“Quacking For Noggin”: Farm Animal–Assisted Therapy For Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors, Alex Sargsyan, Lora Beebe, Zenithson Ng, Patricia Roberson, Sandra Thomas

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of animal-assisted therapies with farm animals (AATF), in this case domesticated ducks, on depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Furthermore, the following hypothesis was tested:

Engaging in AATF with domesticated ducks will be associated with decreased depression, decreased anxiety, and increased self-efficacy.

The study examined the effects of AATF on anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy among nine patients with TBI. A time series quasi-experimental design was utilized. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Survey (HADS) and General Self-Efficacy (GSE) questionnaires at baseline, followed by the …

Characterization Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Subtype In Iraqi Patients, Ola Amer Jasim, Khalid Mahdi Salih

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Medical Sciences

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional disease of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) that affects 10-20% of the population worldwide and is distinguished by abdominal pain/discomfort and changes in bowel habits that is accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or both. Cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 Iraqi patients with IBS who were presented at private clinics for gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs). The study lasted from November 2021 to May 2022 and aimed to determine the frequency of IBS subtypes among Iraqi patients, as well as the influence of several factors on disease’s initiation, type and severity such as age, gender, and anxiety. The …

The Relationship Between The Physical Activity Environment, Nature Relatedness, Anxiety, And The Psychological Well-Being Benefits Of Regular Exercisers

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

Research from a variety of scientific fields suggests that physical activity in nature and feelings of connection to nature enhance psychological health and well-being. This study investigated the psychological health and well-being impact of the physical activity environment for those already undertaking the recommended weekly amount of physical activity. This topic is important for the design of health and well-being environments and interventions involving physical activity. Participants (N = 262) aged 18–71 years (M = 34.5, SD = 13.1) who met the UK physical activity guidelines completed the Nature Relatedness Scale, the trait section of the State Trait Inventory for …

The Performance Relationship Between The Eq-5d-5l Composite "Anxiety/Depression" Dimension And Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In A Large, General Population Sample, Emily Stella Scott, Erica I. Lubetkin, Mathieu F. Janssen, John N. Yfantopolous, Gouke J. Bonsel, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Purpose

This cross-sectional study aims to understand the relationship between responses on the Anxiety/Depression (A/D) dimension of the EQ-5D-5L and symptoms of anxiety and depression on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 instruments. In doing so, we investigate the comparative performance of the dimension between diagnostic groups (i.e. anxiety (GAD-7); depression (PHQ-9); anxiety & depression versus none). We additionally investigate the discriminatory performance between sub-populations based on gender, age, education and self-reported chronic conditions.

Methods

19,902 general population participants completed a health survey in May/June 2020, from five European countries and the United States. Performance of A/D was calculated using the Area …

Nuanced Relationships Between Indices Of Smartphone Use And Psychological Distress: Distinguishing Problematic Smartphone Use, Phone Checking, And Screen Time, Yue Qi Germaine Tng, Hwajin Yang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Recent theoretical and empirical accounts maintain that different indices of smartphone use—including problematic smartphone use, phone-checking, and screen time—tap distinct facets of smartphone use. This highlights the importance of disentangling potentially unique associations between facets of smartphone use and psychological distress outcomes. The present study examined fine-grained relationships between several smartphone-use indices and facets of psychological distress. Further, we probed whether sex modulated the relationships between smartphone-mediated behaviours and distress outcomes. Using structural equation modelling, we analysed data from young adults (N = 364) and evaluated the associations of smartphone-related behaviours—problematic use, phone checking, and overall screen time—with depression, anxiety, …

Exploring College-Aged Student Anxiety: Aggravating Factors And Coping Strategies, Julie E. Volkman Phd, Bianca M. Wolf, Chris Morse, Ella Browning, Andrew High, Heather P. Lacey, Joseph J. Trunzo, Wendy Samter

Communications and Language Studies Faculty Journal Articles

Undergraduate college-aged students are increasingly experiencing anxiety. Yet, many struggle to cope effectively, resulting in poor school performance and compromised health and well-being. Our goal was to identify common anxiety-inducing and aggravating stressors, as well as preferred adaptive coping strategies, in this exploratory study to inform anxiety intervention development. A total of 19 undergraduate students (17 female and 2 male) were recruited. Students previously diagnosed or treated for anxiety by a clinician participated in a two-week, daily diary entry study. A total of 219 diary entries were transcribed and thematically analyzed for student reports of awareness variables and associated coping …

“Education Would Be Step Number One”: Community Mental Health Clinicians’ Training And Support Needs To Treat Anxiety In Autistic Youth, Shannon C Lapoint, Grace Lee Simmons, Julia Heinly, Daylin Delgado, Whitney S Shepherd, Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Eric A Storch, Brenna B Maddox

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Autistic youth experience high rates of anxiety, which has been treated with modified cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), often integrating exposure therapy. Such anxiety treatments are effective for this population; however, there remains a gap between these evidence-based mental health interventions and their implementation in community mental health (CMH) services where autistic youth receive care.

Method: This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with four types of community members in the United States: 15 autistic youth with anxiety, 15 caregivers of autistic youth with anxiety, 11 CMH clinicians, and 8 CMH clinic leaders. Participants identified the training needs of CMH clinicians to …

Neural Correlates Of Novelty-Evoked Distress In 4-Month-Old Infants: A Synthetic Cohort Study, Courtney A. Filippi, Anderson M. Winkler, Dana Kanel, Jed T. Elison, Hannah Hardiman, Chad Sylvester, Daniel Samuel Pine, Nathan A. Fox

School of Medicine Publications

Background

Observational assessments of infant temperament have provided unparalleled insight into prediction of risk for social anxiety. However, it is challenging to administer and score these assessments alongside high-quality infant neuroimaging data. In the current study, we aimed to identify infant resting-state functional connectivityassociated with both parent report and observed behavioral estimates of infant novelty-evoked distress.

Methods

Using data from the OIT (Origins of Infant Temperament) study, which includes deep phenotyping of infant temperament, we identified parent-report measures that were associated with observed novelty-evoked distress. These parent-report measures were then summarized into a composite score used for imaging analysis. …

Examining Mental Health Differences Between Traditional And Nontraditional College Students From 2017-2022, Terrence A. Calistro Jr.

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic and societal changes in response to the pandemic have contributed to increasing the prevalence of mental health issues among college students globally. Because of their additional responsibilities, the prevalence of mental issues among the subpopulation of Nontraditional College Students (NTCS) is even more concerning. NTCS possess at least one of the following characteristics (e.g., working full-time, part-time employment, having financial dependents, etc.) that differentiates them from typical college students who enter higher education right after high school. Prior research has shown that NTCS generally experience more life stressors and challenges associated with mental health issues (e.g., depression, …