Digital Commons Network^™

Attitudes Of Postpartum Women Accessing Women, Hayley Logan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is an increase in substance use and mental health concerns among postpartum women. Although primary care, behavioral health, and integrative care services are available to postpartum women to increase wellness, these services are not being accessed. While there have been many barriers and challenges identified with postpartum women accessing services, stigma around services has been identified as the most common barrier. This led to looking at the attitudes that postpartum women have regarding accessing these services to improve wellness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore postpartum women’s attitudes toward accessing behavioral health services, primary care services, …

Effects Of A Student-Delivered Glycemic Load Education Program (Jeffgl) On Depression, Emily La, Cindy Cheng

Phase 1

Introduction/Purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated that diabetes is linked to mental health disorders, including depression. In our student-delivered education program, Jefferson Glycemic Load (JeffGL), we aim to investigate the effects of glycemic load patient education on depression in diabetic and prediabetic patients. We hypothesize that participants will demonstrate reduced depression scores compared to baseline, measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), after participation in JeffGL.

Methods: Over four weeks with long-term follow up, thirty overweight or obese patients with prediabetes or diabetes recruited from Jefferson’s Department of Family Medicine will participate in one-on-one and group Zoom sessions weekly concerning topics …

Anxiety Or Depression Trends By Disability Status And Demographic Intersections In Us Adults, 2019-2023, David Adzrago, Kayo Fujimoto, J Michael Wilkerson, Typhanye V Dyer, Faustine Williams

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Mental health problems, particularly anxiety and depression, remain among the leading causes of disease burden in the US. However, trends in anxiety and depression across disability status and demographics remain understudied.

Objective: To examine trends in anxiety and depression prevalence among US adults from 2019 to 2023 by disability status and demographic characteristics.

Design, setting, and participants: This cross-sectional study used national population-based data from the National Health Interview Surveys from 2019 to 2023. Data were collected from household probability samples of noninstitutionalized US civilian adults aged at least 18 years. Data analyses were performed from December 6, 2024, …

Neuroinflammation And Its Role In Depression– A Review Of Emerging Biomarkers And Therapeutic Targets, Sophia M. Valerino

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental illness that affects millions globally. Traditionally, the pathophysiology of MDD was thought to be due primarily neurotransmitter imbalances. However, emerging research highlights the role of neuroinflammation in MDD pathogenesis. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, microglial activation, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction have been implicated in the etiology of MDD. Additionally, biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and neuroimaging findings further support the neuroinflammatory hypothesis. This growing body of evidence has led to increased interest in novel treatment approaches, including anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle interventions, as potential therapeutic strategies. While selective serotonin reuptake …

Insomnia In Stimulant Use Disorders: Prevalence And Associations With Negative Affect, Isabella G Bourtin, Constanza De Dios, Jessica Vincent, Joy M Schmitz, Scott D Lane, Heather E Webber

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Research suggests that sleep disturbances are common among people who use psychostimulants, including cocaine use and methamphetamine use. These sleep disturbances hinder recovery, heighten relapse risk, and worsen physical and mental health outcomes. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and severity of insomnia among individuals who use cocaine and methamphetamine and to explore potential psychological factors that are associated with more severe insomnia. The sample included participants who completed in-person screening assessments for ongoing studies at an outpatient research clinic. As a part of this screening, participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and validated assessments of psychological domains …

Mindfulness Approach Used To Reduce The Impact Of Internalized Psychopathology: Anxiety And Depression, Taniyah Drayton

The Kean Review: Journal in Student Research

The emergence of mindfulness practices has increased in medical spaces throughout recent years. Mindfulness was once seen strictly for its spiritual origins, yet beginning in the late 20th century it began being assessed for its reliability in treating individuals who experienced extreme levels of pain and stress. Its origin “is often spoken of as ‘the heart of Buddhist meditation,’” as Kabat-Zinn discusses (Kabat-Zinn, 2011). Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, introduced a new translation for mindfulness in 1979 through highlighting the skills individuals can learn and apply throughout their daily life. Kabat-Zinn …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Habit Recording Tool To Improve Mental Health Of University (Auc) Students, Noran Nounou

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: According to previous research, the mental health of university students has become an alarming public health concern worldwide. Most of the mental disorders begin among young adults, attributed to the transition to university and increased financial and societal pressure. Despite the important effect of daily habits on mental health, there still remain research gaps in Egypt in exploring their effect among university students and exploring the potential opportunities to support their well-being. Objectives: To assess depression rates among AUC students and to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed habit recording board, Make an Impact (MAI) to improve depression …

Stimulated Cytokine Production, Attachment, And Emotional Well-Being In Dementia Spousal Caregivers, Daniel L Argueta, Sarah Roberts, Kelly N Brice, E Lydia Wu-Chung, Vincent D Lai, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, Bryan T Denny, Charles Green, Samantha Henry, Luis D Medina, Paul E Schulz, Jennifer Stinson, Cobi Heijnen, Christopher P Fagundes

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Proinflammatory cytokine production may be related to poor emotional adjustment in dementia spousal caregivers. People who display attachment insecurity may be at increased risk for adverse caregiving experiences and poor psychosocial outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to understand whether proinflammatory cytokine production was associated with anticipatory grief, caregiver burden, and depressive symptoms and whether those relationships were stronger for caregivers higher on attachment anxiety or avoidance.

Method: A sample of 103 dementia spousal caregivers provided self-report data on demographics, health information, and psychosocial outcomes. We also determined lipopolysaccharide-induced whole-blood interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-10 production and combined …

Back-On-Track: Protocol For Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial Of Behavioural Activation In Farmers With Mood Problems, Alison Kennedy, Richard Gray, Martin Jones, Anna Greene, Lauren Mitchell, Meera Senthuren, Suzy Malseed, Feby Savira, Kelly Barnes, Kate Gunn, Susan Brumby

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The mental health of people living in farming communities has been identified as an important public health issue. Cumulative exposure to a range of situational factors contributes to heightened risk of poor mental health and suicide. Access to evidence-based psychological treatments is limited by the availability of skilled mental health professionals. The aim of this trial—co-designed by members of the farming community—is to establish the feasibility of conducting randomised controlled, trial-testing, peer-worker-delivered Behavioural Activation in the farming community. We will undertake a single-blind, parallel group, randomised controlled feasibility trial in rural Australia. People living in farming communities aged over 15 …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Trapped And Traumatised: A Scoping Review Of The Psychological Sequelae Of Entrapment Following Motor Vehicle Collision, Thomas A.M. Dixon, Kara Hole, Louise Johnson, Tim Nutbeam

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a significant public health challenge, resulting in substantial mortality and morbidity. Entrapment occurs in 12–33% of all MVCs and is associated with greater injury severity, longer on-scene time, and increased mortality. However, the psychological consequences of entrapment remain poorly characterised. Objectives: This scoping review seeks to establish the current understanding of the psychological sequelae of entrapment following MVCs and draws on insights from related fields of study in order to inform future research and clinical practice. Methods: A scoping review was undertaken following established methodological guidance. Searches were completed on NHS Knowledge and Library …

Psychological Impacts Of Caring For Individuals With Fluent Versus Nonfluent Aphasia, Allisyn Rae Converse

Student Theses and Dissertations

This investigation sought to explore the mental health differences between caregivers of individuals with fluent aphasia versus caregivers of individuals with nonfluent aphasia with a focus on their levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. This study had a quantitative, non-experimental between group research design, utilizing a Qualtrics survey including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress scale to collect all data. Both caregivers of individuals with nonfluent and fluent aphasia can experience psychological impacts of serving as a caregiver such as elevated stress, anxiety, and depression. However, this study reveals that caregivers of individuals with nonfluent aphasia …

Parasocial Relationships And Depression, Phoenix Disher

Quest

Critical Analysis

Research in progress for PSYC 2301: General Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Joshua Arduengo, PhD

It is with great pleasure that I introduce Phoenix Disher’s “Parasocial Relationships and Depression,” a critical analysis paper he wrote for my Psychology 2301 course in the Fall 2022 semester. The assignment was designed to ask students to deeply analyze a psychology-related topic of their choice. Having recently experienced COVID-19, the world was a new place, and the nature of human relationships had changed significantly. Coming out of the pandemic, we related to our families differently, not necessarily worse, just differently. We also relied on …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Aerobic Exercise As Therapy For Depression And Anxiety In Women With Pcos: A Systematic Review, Lorna Evelyn Mansell, Caitlin Fox-Harding, Robert U. Newton, Pedro Lopez Da Cruz, Sara Bayes, Favil Singh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Data sources PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, SportDiscus, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to July 2025. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Randomised controlled trials were eligible if they examined the effects of exercise lasting ≥4 weeks on validated measures of depression and/or anxiety in women aged 18–45 with PCOS diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria. Publications not written in English were excluded. Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently extracted data …

Reflection Paper: What We Make Together: Art, Adolescence, And Collaborative Research In Action, Natepy Vann

Introduction to Public Health

No abstract provided.

Prevalence Of Depression Among Doctors In General Hospitals Of Basrah City Center During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Riham Sabri Saleh, Amaleed Kadhum, Raya Habeeb Abdulimam

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Depression is the most common mental disorder in community settings and a major cause of disability worldwide. In 1999, it was the fourth most common cause of disability globally, and by 2020, it is projected to become the second most common cause. Doctors, as the primary workforce in hospitals, endure significant emotional and physical stress, which may have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression among doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic and its risk factors. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to June 1, 2021. The …

Psychiatric Disorders Among Divorced People In Basrah, Jamal Abdulzahra, Rafal W. Khalid, Aqeel Ibraheem Al-Sabbagh

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: Divorce has been linked to increased psychiatric morbidity; however, studies in regions such as Iraq remain sparse. Despite the known mental health challenges that often follow divorce, the impact within the Iraqi context—shaped by unique cultural changes—demands focused exploration. Aim: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among divorced individuals, identify psychiatric disorders post-divorce, and assess the impact of various sociodemographic variables on psychiatric morbidity in this population. Methods: Employing a case-control design, this study was conducted in collaboration with local courts and psychiatric clinics in Basrah. A total of 154 participants, divided equally between divorced …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Mental Health Needs Of High School Youth In A Rural Community Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Maritza Gonzalez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe former high school students’ experiences with mental health struggles while in high school during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural Texas Public Independent School District. Mental illness increased among youth during the prolonged pandemic period of time and many of the pervasive mental health concerns have not been addressed effectively in the aftermath. As a result, a growing number of concerns pertaining to the mental health wellbeing of K-12 children continues to be on the rise. Thus, it is of utmost importance to learn more about the experiences of our youth …

The Built Environment And Its Effects On Health Outcomes In Metropolitan Miami, Jared Sanchez Hoehing

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Obesity, depression and social isolation rates are an increasing worry in the United States. As planners, we help shape the built environment, which can influence a person’s health outcomes. To assess the effects the built environment has on health outcomes, this paper looks at the percentage of park space, the population density and the national walk index score, combined with several demographic and socioeconomic variables in the Metropolitan Miami region. The study uses the spatial autoregression results of the variables on each health measurement to determine the connection with each health outcome. Despite initial hypotheses that the built environment leads …

Examining The Impact Of Racial Microaggressions And Psychological Distress In Latine Individuals: A Focus On Ptsd, Anxiety, Depression, And Stress, Melanie Garcia, Yajairy Cabrales, Miguel A. Castano, Richard Chang, Gloria Wong-Padoongpatt

Spectra Undergraduate Research Journal

Latine individuals in the United States face distinct mental health challenges due to unique stressors, including systemic racism and discrimination. While research has established that racial microaggressions—such as daily slights, insults, and invalidations—negatively impact the psychological well-being of people of color, there remains limited scholarship specifically focused on Latine communities. This study examines different types of racial microaggressions—such as invisibility, criminality, and sexualization—as predictors of psychological distress among Latine individuals. A sample of 434 Latine participants completed measures assessing their experiences with racial microaggressions, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma. Four multiple linear regression models were …

Affect Regulation In The Context Of Sexual And Gender Minority Stress: A Scoping Review Protocol, Daphne Y. Liu, Benjamin A. Swerdlow, Shao Yuan Chong, Nadia Kako, Alex Rubin, Nicholas S. Perry

Psychology: Faculty Scholarship

Objective

To provide a broad, comprehensive picture of affect regulation in the context of sexual and gender minority stress, this scoping review aims to identify and synthesize methods, methodologies, and available evidence pertinent to emotion regulation and coping in the context of minority stress among sexual and gender minority (SGM) people.

Introduction

SGM people face disproportionately high rates of mental health problems due to experiences of minority stress and lack of social safety. Theories and growing evidence suggest that affect regulation plays a critical role in SGM people’s well-being in the face of minority stress. Researchers have largely studied emotion …

Modern Approaches To Mental Health: App-Based Cbt Versus Traditional Psychotherapy, Samira Shende

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Background: Digital mental health tools are becoming widely used as flexible alternatives to in-person therapy. A key question is how effective they are compared to traditional therapy for people with depression and anxiety.

Objective: To compare how effective digital interventions, like app-based CBT or telehealth, are compared to in-person psychotherapy in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults.

Methods: A structured PubMed search was conducted using specific search terms, limited to English-language randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between 2020 and 2025. After screening 116 articles, four high-quality studies were selected for review.

Results: Of the four …

Psilocybin Treatment For Refractory Depression: A Clinical Review, Hailey A. Jensen

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction:

Depression is a widespread mental illness that affects a large portion of the world population and many of those who suffer from depression are resistant to treatment currently available. The purpose of this review is to compare the efficacy of psilocybin to the current available methods for the treatment of refractory depression.

Methods:

PubMed was searched with the key search terms: resistant depression, psilocybin therapy, and adults. Operators and filters narrowed down the search to 43 results. Four articles were then chosen based on quality and specificity with this review.

Results:

The articles included in this review compare the …

The Relationships Among Maternal Stress, Disordered Eating, Depressive Symptoms, And Infertility In Women Throughout The Postpartum Period, Christina Shoshilos

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The perinatal period is a critical time of psychological, physiological, and social transition that can increase vulnerability to mental health challenges, particularly during the first year postpartum. This study examined the relationships among maternal stress, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating behaviors in postpartum women, with additional focus on differences by postpartum stage (0 to 6 months vs. 6 to 12 months) and infertility history. Participants (N = 248) were cisgender women who had given birth within the past 12 months and completed validated self-report measures of maternal stress, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating behaviors. A multiple regression analysis revealed …

Reward Deficits In Co-Occurring Social Anxiety And Depression: The Roles Of Anhedonia, Boredom, Loneliness, And Covid-19 Social Restriction, Nathan M. Hager, Alicia L. Milam, Hannah C. Hamrick, Benjamin Swanson, Matt R. Judah

Psychology Faculty Publications

Prior research points toward reward deficits as crucial to the link between social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. However, studies have not explored specific types of reward deficits or how social-environmental factors may impact them. The current study examined whether the indirect effects of three reward deficits (anhedonia, boredom, and loneliness) accounted for the connection between social anxiety and depression. Questionnaires were collected in a sample of college students (N = 523) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing examination of environmental stressors (i.e., remote learning and current friend network size) on reward deficits. Indirect effect models …

Backward, Benjamin W. Abbott

Playwriting (MFA) Theses

Backward is a solo show about a man who, when he turns forty-five, starts living backward in time. Every day he wakes up, he has traveled back to the day before the one he just lived and there's nothing he can do to stop it. As he relives his life in reverse, he must confront his failures as a husband and father. Even as he learns the lessons necessary to repair them, those relationships get left behind in the future. He continues moving backward and eventually must confront the most difficult relationship of them all: his relationship with his own …

Decreasing Prevalence In Youth Depressive Episodes: Evidence From The 2021-2024 National Survey On Drug Use And Health, R. Andrew Yockey, Aminul Apu, Timothy Grigsby, Jacob Bleasdale, Delvon T. Mattingly, Rachel Hoopsick

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease and commonly develops during adolescence. The COVID-19 pandemic was linked to significant increases in depressive symptoms among youth, but less is known about whether these increases have continued in recent years.

Objective: Using the first four consecutive years of methodologically comparable national data since the pandemic, we examined changes in past-year major depressive episode (MDE) among U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 years from 2021 to 2024 and evaluated demographic and substance use factors.

Methods: We analyzed pooled, cross-sectional data from the 2021–2024 National Survey on Drug …

The Impact Of Long Covid On Mental Health, Marzena Podkalicka

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, a significant portion of the global population has transitioned from acute infection to Long COVID, a multisystemic condition characterized by persistent symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer. This study investigated the psychological impact of Long COVID, to explore rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and quality of life in people with Long COVID compared to those without it. A quantitative survey-based design was employed with a sample of 310 adults (Aged 18 to 90; M = 48.2). Participants completed validated instruments, including the Long COVID Questionnaire, Short Form Health Survey, General …

Silent Struggles: The Hidden Burden Of Depression Among Black Single Mothers In Ghana, Sonja Brown

Doctor of Ministry

Reflections Through the Single Mothers of the Bible examines depression among Black single mothers in Ghana as an overlooked yet urgent mental, physical, economic, social, and Spiritual concern, highlighting the need for integrated Faith-based and community-centered responses. While global attention to maternal mental health has increased, the lived experiences of Black single mothers, particularly within faith-shaped, patriarchal, and economically constrained Ghanaian contexts, remain underrepresented in scholarly research, theological discourse, and public policy. This gap presents a problem and an opportunity to develop holistic, culturally responsive, and faith-informed approaches to care and advocacy.

This dissertation argues that depression among Black single …

Predicting The Effectiveness Of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Using Personality Assessmente, Seth Sizemore

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Depression, a pervasive and historically stigmatized disorder, has been treated through various paradigms over centuries, from spiritual to medical frameworks. Despite advances, Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) remains a significant clinical challenge, affecting a substantial proportion of patients. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a promising approach for those unresponsive to conventional treatments. This study aims to assess the efficacy of TMS in treating TRD and its broader psychological effects using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3). Participants undergoing TMS at Lexington Forensic Psychiatry were invited to partake in the study. The treatment regimen consisted of 36 TMS sessions over nine weeks. Psychological …