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High-Frequency Functional Trajectories Predict Depressive Worsening In Singapore's Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Kaung Htet Tun Salai, Yi Wen Tan, Grace Cheong, Paulin T. Straughan

ROSA Journal Articles and Publications

Background/Objectives: Functional difficulty and depression often coexist in older adults, yet local Singapore-based research often lacks detailed temporal resolution due to heterogeneity in ageing. This study employs non-parametric, data-driven longitudinal clustering to analyse functional trajectories and their association with depression, using high-frequency data to pinpoint key intervention periods. Methods: Data were drawn from 4273 community-dwelling older adults from Singapore Life Panel^® (2020–2024). Participants completed quarterly self-reported assessments of ADL, IADL and depressive symptoms (8-item CES-D). We employed k-means longitudinal clustering (kml) to identify functional trajectory groups and Cox regression to evaluate the hazard of increased depression (≥5-point increase in …

Social Media And E-Cigarette Use In Youth: Does Depression Play A Mediating Role?, Soumya Upadhyay, Mohammad Karim, Shivank Chhaya

Healthcare Administration and Policy Faculty Research

About 28% of middle and high school students report the use of e-cigarettes per the 2019 NYTS survey. Social media can seclude a youth into limited set of beliefs, including affirmation for e-cigarette use. Internalizing problems like depression may be due to overuse of social media, and youth with depressive symptoms are more likely to use e-cigarettes to cope. National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) 2023 data was used (n = 18 143) in a cross-sectional design. Ever e-cigarette use was the binary (Y/N) dependent variable. Independent variable, social media use, was categorized as “never,” “nondaily,” “daily.” Mediator variable, presence of …

Supporting Evidence-Based Responses To Emotional Needs In Emphysema (Serene): Protocol For A Randomized, Open-Label Mechanistic Trial Comparing Coping Skills Training And Disease-Specific Education For Depressive Symptoms Conducted In United States Health Systems, Joanna L. Hart, Daniel Carter, Chloe Hinton, James Grilli, Lily A. Brown, Nora Brier, Yingying Lu, Casey Whitman, Michael O. Harhay, Michael Sims, Carmen Alvarez, Lisa R. Miller-Matero, C. Virginia O'Hayer

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms and anxiety are highly prevalent among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), strongly associated with poor outcomes, and rarely recognized or treated. Integrating families into interventions may amplify supportive care treatment effects and overcome common challenges, yet this strategy is understudied. The Supporting Evidence-based Responses to Emotional Needs in Emphysema (SERENE) trial's main objective is to identify the mechanisms through which a family-partnered Coping Skills Training (CST) reduces depressive symptoms among patients with COPD, testing five putative mechanisms: family relationship quality, patient and caregiver self-efficacy, patient loneliness, and caregiver psychological distress.

METHODS: SERENE will enroll 375 …

The Role Of Forgiveness: Spirituality, Loneliness, And Depression In A Christian University, Elda Botello-Ramirez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For university students, loneliness has harmful effects, like depression, but choosing to forgive and embracing spirituality can lead to better mental health. Yet, limited studies have examined these constructs among students enrolled in long-distance learning (LDL) courses. This is important because an increase in loneliness continues, and more students are taking LDL classes. Still, there is a paucity of work on mental health among students in Christian universities. Thus, this quantitative research study examined context-specific or transgression-specific forgiveness (state forgiveness) while considering the role of personality traits (i.e., trait forgiveness) related to forgiveness to investigate its impact on loneliness and …

From Military Service To Civilian Life: Nature Intervention In Vha Psychiatric Care, Austin T.B. Corbett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing nature- based interventions in locked psychiatric units of the Veterans Health Administration to support veterans during military- to- civilian transition who experience severe mental health crises. The transition from military service to civilian life represents one of the most significant psychological adjustments and individuals can experience, involving fundamental changes in identity, social structure, purpose, and daily routine. This transition creates vulnerability for developing mental health conditions including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Veterans experiencing severe health mental crises during transition often require intensive inpatient psychiatric care, yet current VHA …

Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout in dispatchers and paramedics of Western Canada. This study is meant to bridge a research gap in mental health among emergency health workers in British Columbia, Canada. The samples were collected through two self-reporting surveys, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Maslach Burnout Index (MBI), both of which are strongly validated and widely used in similar research. Of the 948 dispatchers and paramedics who participated, 771 (81.3%) responses qualified to be included. The data was entered into the Intellectus software where a variety of tools were utilized to …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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

Introduction to Public Health

No abstract provided.

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 …

The Effects Of Coping Motives On Alcohol Use Consequences, Madisyn E. Feliciano, Samantha Pelfrey

UROP Posters

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in alcohol use consequences between those who drink to cope with anxiety or depression symptoms and those who do not. Our research aimed to expand on earlier studies by placing emphasis on how coping with anxiety and depression influences alcohol consequences using constructs aligned with DSM-V symptom criteria. Research has consistently shown that those who drink to regulate distressing emotions experience more harmful consequences, making this an imperative area for prevention efforts. It was hypothesized that coping motivated drinking would be associated with an increased amount of alcohol related consequences. …

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 …