Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of Association Between Early Menarche And Anxiety In Undergraduate Students, Poorva Bakshi, Sharanya B. Shetty, Abira Sharma, K. G. Vasudha

Open Access archive

Background: Anxiety has been reported to be one of the most common epidemics in recent years. The present study focused on understanding the association between early menarche and the prevalence of anxiety and anxiety symptoms among adult undergraduate students. Methods: This was an observational, case-control study. The sample included 146 young female adults aged more than or equal to 18 years pursuing the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Sciences (BDS). Using an online questionnaire, participants were asked to recall and enter the age at which they attained menarche. We used the Generalized Anxiety …

Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Urban And Rural Adolescents In Shivamogga, Karnataka, Ajay Mallya, Raghavendraswamy Koppad, Praveen Kumar

Open Access archive

Background: Currently there are 1.3 billion adolescents worldwide, which makes up 16% of the world population. Over 20% of adolescents around the world are thought to have behavioural or mental health issues. Addressing mental health issues is very important for the promotion of positive health in adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents in urban and rural areas of Shivamogga. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 adolescents aged 16 to 19 years each from urban and rural areas of Shivamogga. Results: Depression, anxiety and stress were found to be 23.1%, …

Relationship Between Spiritual Struggles And Health Outcomes In Adult Chronic Pain Patient Populations, Brianna Marie Todd

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain affects about one-fifth of the worlds population. Although a biopsychosocial model is often applied, religious and spiritual factors are frequently neglected in the conceptualization of pain and its impact. Prior research has identified how religious and spiritual (R/S) struggles are associated with depression, pain catastrophizing, and pain disability in pain patients. However, few investigations have assessed how struggles affect the relationship between pain and well-being. The present study explored how R/S struggles affect the relationship between pain and well-being when tested as mediators and moderators, while accounting for the effects of age, gender, race, income, education, and religious …

The Relationship Between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Anna Podrasky

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) was first described as a syndrome associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, SCT may be a unique construct, independent of the presence of ADHD. Archival data from a specialty outpatient adult ADHD clinic were analyzed to further evaluate the relationship between SCT and ADHD. It was hypothesized that there would not be significant differences between ADHD and SCT on measures of anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep disturbance. Second, it was hypothesized that after controlling for anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep disturbance at level 1 of a hierarchical regression analysis, there would be no additive predictive relationship …

Introducing Mental Health Resources To Nurse Practitioner Residents, Tiffanie Bailey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project identified the increased need for mental health resources after the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies showed the rate of anxiety, depression, and substance use has also been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate the country mentally and physically, it became quickly apparent that additional resources to provide support for those suffering from mental illness were essential. This project aimed to introduce a Mental Health First Aid course within the Residency Program at the Center for Family Guidance. Participants were asked to complete a pre-test indicating their …

Increased Concern Of Suicide Behaviors In The Adolescent Population, Jaime Shareen-Porter Earle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This quality improvement project focused on addressing the concern for the increase of depression, anxiety, and self-harm behaviors among adolescents, which can lead to suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicide behaviors have increased among adolescents, and research revealed that suicide is the second leading cause of death in this population. An educational PowerPoint was presented to members of the community on suicide behaviors, how to identify the behaviors, and where to get support and resources in the community. Pre- and post-surveys were used to assess the participants' knowledge and confidence levels before and after project implementation. The surveys contained the same …

Community Educational Session On Identifying The Signs Of Depression And Resources Available, Desiree Young

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The DNP Project was designed to educate the community on identifying the signs of depression and the community resources available to them. The intent of the project was to improve the community’s knowledge of depression symptoms and the community resources available that offer assistance to those dealing with these symptoms. There is a great need for education on depression signs, as many in various communities suffer from untreated depression, which often leads to negative outcomes. The impact of the project implementation was measured by using pre- and post-survey data evaluating the participants' overall knowledge of the signs of depression, stigma …

The Relationship Between Work Engagement, Depression, Anxiety, And Covid-19 Anxiety In Physician Assistant Students, Sydney N. Pepper, Emily T. Farrell, Robin M. Dawson Phd, Rn, Cpnp-Pc, Michael D. Wirth Msph, Phd, Face

Publications

Introduction: Physician assistants (PAs) are subject to high levels of burnout, depressive symptoms, and anxiety, which can negatively impact quality of care and patient outcomes. Learning how to handle stress in the classroom may increase success and engagement in PA programs. The goal of this study was to characterize burnout, depressive symptoms, and anxiety in current PA students and examine the relationship between these factors and work engagement. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed PA students (n = 42) via convenience sampling from eighteen different PA programs across North and South Carolina in October, 2021. Questionnaires included the Utrecht Work Engagement …

Student-Athlete Mental Health: University Of Montana Case Study, Abigail M. Sherwood

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Research suggests that Division I college-student athletes experience higher levels of stress and other behavioral health issues than their non-athlete counterparts, with up to 20% of them suffering from depression (Sudano et al., 2017). Two studies on student athletes’ well-being conducted in 2020, reported that athletes continue to report higher levels of mental health concerns (Johnson, 2022). Since the fall of 2020, rates of mental exhaustion, depression, and anxiety have improved minimally with rates remaining 1.5 to two times higher than reported before the COVID-19 pandemic (Johnson, 2022). Naomi Osaka withdrawing from the French Open in 2021 and Simone Biles …

Examining Anxiety And Online Learning Experiences, Charlotte A. Jones-Roberts

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Anxiety is a growing concern across university campuses. University students with anxiety are more likely to experience poor academic performance, disengagement, and attrition in their courses. Anxiety levels among online students can be significant and often more pronounced in online learning environments compared to traditional classroom settings. This dissertation aimed to examine the correlation between anxiety and online courses. Grounded in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework and its subscales, Teaching Presence, Social Presence, and Cognitive Presence, the aim was to understand how these elements correlate with state and trait anxiety in online courses. This mixed-methods study took quantitative data …

Flora And The Cloud Maker: Exploring Burnout Through Animation, Tiffany Marin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Flora and The Cloud Maker is a two-dimensional (2D) animated short film inspired by my personal experiences as a graduate student learning to balance work-life demands. Pursuing higher education has generated many unanticipated challenges. One of these challenges includes experiencing the state of psychological exhaustion, or “burnout”. Flora and The Cloud Maker’s purpose is to show that burnout is common, and recovery is possible. Many graduate students struggle with work-life balance, burnout, and anxiety in their daily lives. Through strong use of color theory and charming visuals, Flora and The Cloud Maker demonstrates that though the road to higher education …

Emotion Regulation Moderates The Prospective Association Between Ern And Anxiety In Early Adolescence: An Age-Specific Moderation Of Cognitive Reappraisal But Not Expressive Suppression, Jaron Xe Yung Tan

Biological Sciences

The increasing prevalence of anxiety problems during adolescence underscores the importance of a better understanding of the development of anxiety. While past research has highlighted a link between error responsivity, indexed by error-related negativity (ERN), and youth anxiety, the role of emotion regulation in the ERN-anxiety relationship remains unclear. We conducted a two-wave study with 115 healthy nine-12-year-olds, and found that expressive suppression (ES), an important emotion regulatory strategy, moderates the ERN-anxiety association. A larger T1 ERN predicted heightened T2 anxiety symptoms in those with higher ES. Interestingly, the moderating effect of cognitive reappraisal (CR), another important emotion regulatory strategy, …

Mental Health Impacts Of Covid-19 On U.S. Young Adults: A Thematic Analysis Of Depression, Anxiety, And Ptsd Experiences, Carol Meza, Viridiana Ortiz, Pedro Hernandez

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

This study explores the yet-to-be-fully-realized effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, particularly focusing on young adults between the ages of 18-39 years of age living in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a thematic content analysis, the study seeks to deepen our understanding of the impact of this novel virus on mental well-being, filling a gap in limited existing research. The theoretical framework in this study is the Disaster Response Cycle or the Disaster Response and Recovery Cycle, and it outlines the different phases that individuals and communities may experience during and after a disaster. The …

Associations Among Psychosocial Factors, Health-Related Quality Of Life, And Adherence In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cecelia I. Nelson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a prevalent disorder among youth in the United States. IBD is one of the leading causes of chronic pain in adolescence and symptoms can lead to reduced quality of life, social embarrassment, and lower self-esteem. Adherence to medical regimens for IBD is incredibly important to prevent morbidity, mortality, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, adolescents struggle generally with adherence and the regimen for IBD can be complicated and include aversive side effects. Psychological factors, such as depressive symptoms, are key factors associated with non-adherence. Nevertheless, gut-specific anxiety (GSA) is a psychological factor that …

From Measurement To Performance: Psychometric Validity And Psychological Predictors Of Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets’ Performance On The Army Combat Fitness Test, Ari Joseph Sapinsley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding the psychological and physical readiness of future military leaders is crucial for improving recruitment and retention. The U.S. Army faces increasing obesity rates and declining physical fitness among recruits, reducing the pool of eligible candidates and raising costs. The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), which commissions 59% of officers, has higher attrition rates than other sources, underscoring the need to identify psychological predictors of performance. This dissertation examines the psychometric properties of psychological instruments used to assess ROTC cadets and their relationship with Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) performance. Two research questions were explored: (1) What are the psychometric …

Improving Awareness And Identifying Risks For Emergence Delirium In Military Veterans, Hannah E. Pino

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Emergence delirium (ED) is an acute state of confusion during the recovery phase from anesthesia that may be life-threatening, especially in the veteran population. Military veteran status may be explored by the Have You Ever Served questionnaire that was developed by the American Academy of Nursing to identify veterans upon admission to the hospital and thus be able to better care for them during their stay. This campaign has been in effect at the hospital site of this project for nearly 10 years. The questionnaire identifies military history risk factors such as combat history or a diagnosis of post-traumatic …

Secretor Status And Anxiety Are Risk Factors For Getting Irritable Bowel Syndrome, 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. Control-based study was conducted on 50 Iraqi patients with IBS who were presented at private clinics for gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs), along with 20 healthy individuals matched in their age and gender to act as control group. 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 …

The Effects Of Controlled Breathing And Physical Postures On Anxiety And Stress In Mental Health Patients, Kristen Killingsworth

DNP Research Projects

Objective: Anxiety and stress are debilitating disorders that have been on the rise in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Medication alone has not been shown to be successful in mitigating the disorders, necessitating research into other alternatives for anxiety and stress management. The purpose of this project was to assess if a single complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relaxation session had an impact on stress and anxiety levels. Method: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify strategies for reducing stress and anxiety. Guided by the Holistic Care Model of Self-Regulation, the nurse-led CAM relaxation session was developed. The …

The Effects Of Yoga On Anxiety And Sleep Quality Levels Among College Students, Larisa Lucas Mullins

DNP Projects

Background: College students have poor sleep quality due to a newfound sense of freedom, exposure to new influences, or poor sleep hygiene (Dinis & Barganca, 2018). Specifically, evidence supports a correlation between sleep latency in onset or lack of nighttime sleep and increased anxiety (Dinis & Barganca, 2018). Yoga has been shown to decrease anxiety, stress symptoms, and depression (Mullen et al., 2021). Teaching yoga techniques and encouraging routine yoga practice to college students may improve sleep quality and decrease anxiety.

Purpose: This project's purpose was to evaluate the effect of yoga education and videos on sleep quality and …

The Mental Health Of Southeast Asian American Lgbtqia+ Adults, Phetsamone P. Phoummavong

Dissertations and Theses

The current study examines the prevalence of and relationship between mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among a sample of Southeast Asian Americans (age: M = 26.6, SD = 4.0) who self-identified as sexual and gender minorities (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and plus [LGBTQIA+]) (n = 41). Our national online survey was co-developed with a partnering community-based organization (CBO), Mekong NYC, and was disseminated through Southeast Asian American and/or LGBTQIA+ serving CBOs, university-affiliated organizations, and relevant affinity groups.

Results indicate that participants in our sample who identified as female, …

Healing From Toxic Perfectionism, Debra Theobald Mcclendon

BYU Studies

Perfect is the enemy of good.” This phrase is derived from a French proverb, yet it is most often attributed to the famous French writer Voltaire. It observes that those striving for perfection are their own worst enemies.1 Indeed, perfectionism is overly demanding of those who struggle with it. With its irrational and impossible demands, perfectionism can cause anxiety, create high levels of distress that inhibit learning and performance, damage relationships, and diminish the quality of life for otherwise highly competent and dedicated individuals. Perfectionism can be the main problem that leads someone to seek therapeutic services from a mental …

Frozen By Worry And Fatigue? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Freezing Of Gait, Sarah M. Ghose

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a mixed methods emergent, phenomenological approach to (1) understanding the lived experience of freezing of gait for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and (2) determining the role of anxiety and sleep in freezing of gait outcomes. Participants included 13 adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (N=14 for qualitative data, N=13 for quantitative data; 23.1% female-identifying, 76.9% male-identifying) who were predominantly white (92.3%) with an average age of 69 years (SD = 6.73 years). Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews, self-report measures, actigraphic sleep data, and salivary alpha amylase biomarker collection. Results are organized into …

Feasibility Of Using Somatosensory Input On Pediatric Patients Receiving Dental Treatment, Liara D. Vinson

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The aim of this randomized, cross-over designed feasibility study is to evaluate patient anxiety, patient cooperation, and patient acceptance of a vibrating weighted vest used during the restorative treatment compared to when no device is used.

Methods: Children aged 5 to 15 years, needing at least two appointments for restorative treatment requiring local anesthesia under basic behavior guidance techniques were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to wearing a vibrating weighted vest at one of the appointments. At both appointments, behavior was evaluated using Frankl scores and anxiety was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of …

Witnessing Bullying And Internalizing Symptoms: The Influence Of Peer Relationships, Matthew Geisler

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Bullying is a common problem in schools and has been associated with many different negative outcomes for students. While there has been considerable research examining students who are directly involved in bullying scenarios such as the bullies and victims themselves, less is known about the other students who witness bullying events at school. Bullying scenarios become more common at a similar time where peer relationships become more important in the daily lives of students as they begin to spend more time interacting with their peers. Positive peer relationships have been associated with positive outcomes for students and thus may serve …

Race-Based Stressors And Racial Trauma: The Moderating Role Of Parental Racial Socialization, Jessica S. Philip

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Experiences of race-based stressors are linked with worse psychological outcomes for racial/ethnic minority individuals (e.g., Ferdinand et al., 2015). The way in which parents talk to their children about race (i.e., racial/ethnic socialization; RES) may exacerbate or buffer against the strength of this link (e.g., Keum & Ahn, 2021). Therefore, the present study examined the links between race-based stressors, RES, and psychological outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, racial trauma) across multiple racial/ethnic minority groups. The present study also explored the different RES messages as potential moderators for the link between race-based stressors and outcomes, as well as differences in these …

An Exploration Of Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms Among Sexual And Gender Minority Young Adults Visiting A Drop-In Center For Youth Experiencing Homelessness, Lourence Misedah-Robinson, Laura Witte, Elizabeth Henneke, Madonna Land, Vanessa Schick

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Research suggests that marginalized young adults, particularly sexual and gender minorities (SGM), face distinctive healthcare transition challenges. SGM often navigate a complex intersection of identities, experiences, and stressors that can contribute to mental health disparities. However, they often lack access to appropriate support and resources tailored to their needs, which can result in increased psychological distress. Drop-in centers are effective mental health interventions for marginalized communities. Therefore, we conducted a study to explore the healthcare access experiences and mental health outcomes of young adult SGM compared to their non-SGM counterparts.

Methods: We surveyed 151 young adults aged 18-25 who …

Online Perceived Social Support And Its Association With Psychopathology In Rural And Urban Youth, Ellen Alexandra Knowles

Dissertations and Theses

Social support is a fundamental aspect of development throughout adolescence. It has been found to buffer against the negative impacts of stress and provide general benefits to one’s well-being. Youth today are exposed to a range of opportunities for socialization with peers, both in-person and online, including interacting with others through texting, social media, video games, and other digital means. These online interactions have begun to be investigated as accessible methods through which adolescents can connect with others and maintain healthy relationships. Furthermore, digital social networks may be most critical for youth from isolated communities, including those from rural areas. …

Health Sciences Students’ Career Commitment, Mental Health, And Physical Activity During The Covid-19 Pandemic, David Wrucke, Marie K. Hoeger Bement, April L. Harkins, Sandra K. Hunter, Stacy Stolzman, Astrida S. Kaugars

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: To understand the biopsychosocial dimensions of university health sciences students’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants: Health sciences students (n = 297) from two universities in July and August 2020.

Methods: Participants completed a Web-based survey asking about depression, anxiety, physical activity, coronavirus threat, and career commitment.

Results: Moderate or severe depression and anxiety were reported by 28.6% and 31.3% of respondents, respectively. Depression and anxiety were positively correlated with perceived coronavirus threat and negatively correlated with career commitment and strenuous physical activity. A change in career commitment interests during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by 11% of …

Determinants Of Medical Cannabis Use For The Treatment Of Anxiety: A Qualitative Study, Catherine Blasi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Anxiety is a disorder characterized by feelings of tension, excessive fear, and physiological changes. Specific classes of anxiety disorders have been recognized, including social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, panic disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Cannabis is the most commonly used federal substance in the U.S. In recent years, medical cannabis has been increasingly utilized as a treatment option following approval in many U.S. states. At present, no literature addresses explicitly why individuals with anxiety choose to utilize medical cannabis as a treatment option instead of other longstanding treatment options, including psychotherapy and medication. Therefore, the purpose …

The Effect Of Presenting Concerns On Providers’ Assessment Of Patients' Suicide Risk, Alexandria Brunkow

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Objective: Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the U.S. with nearly 50,000 people per year dying by suicide. Public health approaches to suicide prevention focus on screening people in primary and mental health care settings and offering treatment to those who screen positive. Research shows that mental health providers may not recognize risk factors for suicide and miss opportunities to screen patients who may be at risk. Providers’ mental representations of suicide risk may be influencing their perception of patient risk and contributing to low screening rates. This study used an experimental vignette case design to …