Digital Commons Network^™

First-Year Experiences Of Lgbtq+ Students: Belongingness, Resilience, And Utilization Of Resources On Campus, Sarina Sauceda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Entering college brings independence; however, it also presents new challenges. Navigating young adulthood, with academic/social pressures, makes the first-year increasingly difficult (Alessi et al., 2017). LGBTQ+ students are at heightened risk of negative mental health outcomes (e.g., increased depression/anxiety levels; Alessi et al., 2017; Thacker Darrow et al., 2022). For LGBTQ+ students, the first-year of college poses additional issues, such as discrimination or lack of belonging (Thacker Darrow et al., 2022; Hood et al., 2018). Overall, there is little research of this population, and less is known about specifically the first-year. It is important to understand those experiences, so that …

Beliefs And Attitudes Regarding Schizophrenia Among Msw Students: An Exploratory Study, Nicole Dunlap

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Schizophrenia remains one of the most complex and stigmatized mental health conditions, impacting not only societal views but also the attitudes of healthcare professionals, including social workers. This study explores the beliefs and attitudes of Master of Social Work (MSW) students towards schizophrenia, identifying the factors that contribute to these perceptions and their potential impact on future professional practices. Using a mixed-method approach, the study surveyed MSW students from a California State University to assess their knowledge, stigma, and experiences related to schizophrenia. Quantitative data analysis revealed gaps in knowledge and persistent stigma among students, while qualitative responses highlighted the …

Mental Health Of Healthcare Workers In Kosovo During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Latif Hoxha

All Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study explored the mental health of healthcare practitioners in Kosovo during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the prevalence of stress, depression, and anxiety, and the associated individual, family, and work-related factors. The research employed a cross-sectional design with a sample of 449 healthcare workers from two hospitals in Kosovo. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess mental health symptoms, while socio-demographic and work-related information was collected through a questionnaire.

Based on the descriptive statistics of DASS-21 scores, the prevalence of mental health issues among the participants included high levels of depression (18%), anxiety (25%), …

Sleep Disturbance As A Precursor To Anxiety, Depression, And Ptsd Among Rural Kenyans: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis From A Rural Kenyan Interventional Cohort, Michael L Goodman, Miryoung Lee, Andrew Springer, Vanessa Schick, Elizabeth Vaughan, Christine Markham, Stanley Gitari, Fridah Mukiri

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Sleep quality is essential to biopsychosocial functioning, yet there remains limited longitudinal research on sleep and mental or social well-being within low- or middle-income countries. This study utilised longitudinal cohort data from a community-based empowerment programme in Meru County, Kenya to assess cross-lagged correlations between sleep disturbance, social support, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Participants (n = 373; 92% women; age range 18-86 years) who reported more sleep disturbance at T1 reported significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and significantly less social support at T2 (average 11 weeks later), controlling for all within-time correlations across measures, …

Service Dog Knowledge And Utilization In Occupational Therapy Practice, Lauren E. Garcia, Sierra P. Mcnicol

Graduate Student Scholarship

The assumed efficacy behind service dog intervention is based on the well-known potential for the development of a strong, emotional bond between humans and dogs. Occupational therapists can use knowledge of their specific scope of practice to aid in the referral process, and the assessment process, and to help assist clients with training and comfortability throughout the service dog placement process. Existing literature on service dog use and implementation within occupational therapy (OT) practice is limited and lacking in rigor, internal and external validity, and reliability. The aims of the current study include evaluating the level of education occupational therapy …

Effortless Mindfulness Toolkit: Easy Meditation Scripts To Begin Each Class., Brett Whysel

Open Educational Resources

The Effortless Mindfulness in the Classroom Toolkit is an open educational resource designed to create happier classrooms, boost student engagement, and foster a sense of community through brief, effective mindfulness exercises. This comprehensive toolkit provides educators with everything they need to seamlessly integrate mindfulness practices into their teaching routines, regardless of prior experience. The toolkit includes introductory slides, 15 ready-to-use meditation scripts, and accompanying audio recordings, covering a variety of mindfulness techniques such as focused breathing, body scans, and loving-kindness meditations. Each meditation is paired with a reflective prompt to deepen student engagement and reinforce the benefits of mindfulness. Additionally, …

Staff Matters: Assessing Health Benefits For Lgbtq+ Employees, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

To support LGBTQ+ employees, understand your health benefits by asking key questions about domestic partner coverage, mental health benefits, transgender healthcare, IVF, and surrogacy coverage, and identifying LGBTQ+-friendly providers. Regularly check in with staff to ensure benefits meet their needs and consider making changes if necessary. Proactively share benefit information throughout the year to enhance employee recruitment, retention, and engagement.

Instrument Not Ornament: Exploring Women’S Experiences Of Body Objectification And Belonging To An All-Women’S Mountain Biking Group In The Ozarks, Katherine Ketchum

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Description: Despite the attention given to body positivity, body neutrality, and body appreciation, women are consistently and overwhelmingly experiencing body objectification and its harmful effects being normalized by society and internalized individually (Shorter et al., 2008). At the same time, the popularity of mountain biking for women and all-women's mountain biking groups in the Ozarks has grown exponentially in recent years, yet gender stereotypes and disparities for women remain (Irvin et al., 2021). The purpose of this study was to make meaning of (1) women’s experiences of body objectification and (2) women’s experiences belonging to an all-women's mountain biking group …

The Importance Of Indonesian Workers’ Psychosocial Health In Demographic Bonus, Dewi S. Soemarko

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

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A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Young Women's Agency And Mental Health During Covid-19 In Low-Income Communities In Mumbai, India, Marie A Brault, Melissa F Peskin, Anastasia N Jones, Amrita Saikia, Rinchen O Bhutia, Sai Sammitha Cheruvu, Vaishali M Jagtap, Rajendra Singh, Poornima Nair, Rajesh Vedanthan, Sten H Vermund, Shubhada Maitra

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in India face additional health inequities compared to their male peers, as gender norms constrain agency for prevention and self-care. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns deepened health inequities and often worsened mental health, but the impacts on agency are unclear. This exploratory sequential mixed methods paper examined mental health and COVID-19 elements that exacerbated or mitigated adverse consequences for AGYW in low-income communities in Mumbai.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with AGYW (aged 15-25 years; N = 60) and adults (parents, healthcare providers, community-based organization representative; N = 30). …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Dental Students’ Mental Health Status And Perception Of Sars-Cov-2 Vaccine, Man Hung, Nicole Hablitzel, Sharon Su, Samantha Melnitsky, Amir Mohajeri

Pacific Faculty Work

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted dental education significantly, forcing adaptations in both didactic and clinical curricula. This study evaluates the impact of COVID-19 on dental students’ mental health and perceptions of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. An anonymous online survey was administered to dental students at Roseman University of Health Sciences, focusing on health experiences and vaccination perceptions. Results showed 56.8% of students were concerned about their emotional health, 82.1% felt stressed, and 60.6% felt depressed. About 81.9% received the vaccine, with 75.5% believing it effective, though only 55.3% supported mandatory vaccination. The pandemic negatively impacted students’ emotional health, indicating a need for …

An Occupational Perspective On Collegiate Athlete Mental Health, Katelyn D. Cardwell

Graduate Student Scholarship

College can impact mental health for all students, especially those involved in a college sport. Sports require significant time dedication that decreases time available for students to be involved in other activities such as academics or leisure which can lead to increased stress. This study focuses on investigating the impact level of competition and location of school may have on student athletes’ mental health in the state of West Virginia. A mixed methods self-report survey with a total of 75 questions was administered online via Qualtrics software. Quantitative data was analyzed using Stats IQ feature on Qualtrics and qualitative data …

The College Campus, A Place Of Learning, And A Place Of Healing, Huma Bashir, Joshua Francis

Human Services Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have precipitated a marked increase in mental health needs among college students. Lockdowns, the sudden shift to remote learning, and social distancing mandates have compounded existing challenges, highlighting a trend that has evolved over the past two decades. Despite heightened demand for mental health support, colleges struggle to meet these needs amid the emotional aftermath of COVID-19 effectively. Recognizing the pivotal role of higher education institutions in shaping future leaders and addressing and enhancing the mental well-being of the college community is imperative to foster an environment conducive to learning and healing. This paper …

Graduate Healthcare Students' Mental Health: A Pilot Study, Soriya S. Ung-Koy, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

This pilot study investigates the mental health of healthcare professional doctoral students, focusing on stress, anxiety, and depression, which can lead to burnout. These students are responsible for intense academic demands, personal lives, and professional careers.

This study explored student mental health in the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)/ Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) programs at the University of the Pacific's School of Health Sciences. The study contributes to existing literature, exploring how educational experiences impact healthcare students' mental health, behaviors, and symptoms.

The DASS-21 survey tool was utilized to assess anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms during their graduate studies. …

Mental Health In South Georgia: Another Area Of Disadvantage For An Underserved Region, But Pandemic-Related Policy Changes Suggest Pathways Forward, Shelly Yankovskyy, Anne Price

Proceedings of the annual meeting of the Southern Anthropological Society

Mental health is a contemporary issue of key concern among academics and policymakers, especially due to the exacerbation of mental health issues with the COVID-19 pandemic. Increases in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, suicide, opioid overdose, and youth depression are the subject of research and governmental-allocated grant funding and new policies have been put in place at multiple institutional levels. We utilize a political economy framework to understand the incidence of mental health disorders and explore how new programs and policies have been implemented in Georgia to address and support mental health at various institutional levels, such as …

Gender-Specific Mental Health Outcomes In Central America: A Natural Experiment, Thea Nagasuru

Computer Science Summer Fellows

While COVID lockdown measures have had varying effects on the mental health of different demographics, several bodies of research have noted their disparate effect on women. Why is women's mental health more negatively impacted by lockdown measures, and how much more are they impacted than men? How can we predict and mitigate these negative effects on women? This paper aims to contribute to answering those questions by comparing COVID stringency measures and their effect on the gap in depression rates between men and women in two neighboring countries: Nicaragua and Honduras.

Abstracts From The 2024 Health Care Systems Research Network (Hcsrn) Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Health Care Systems Research Network

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) comprises 20 learning health systems with integrated care delivery and embedded research units. The network’s annual conference serves as a forum for research teams from member institutions to disseminate project findings, explore scientific collaborations, and share insights about population-based research practices that can measurably improve health and health care for all. The theme of this year’s conference was “Advancing high-quality, equitable research in the age of new health care technologies.” Abstracts presented at HCSRN 2024 are published in this issue supplement of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the journal of record …

An Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Multi-Stakeholder Hub (Arms-Hub) To Enhance Research Activity In Underserved Communities In The Uk, Ashwin Dhanda, Victoria Allgar, Neeraj Bhala, Lynne Callaghan, Joana Castro, Shilpa Chokshi, Amanda Clements, Wendy Clyne, Colin Drummond, Ewan Forrest, Lesley Manning, Richard Parker, Debbie Shawcross, Jennifer Towey

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Alcohol use is the third leading risk factor of death and disability in the UK and costs the NHS £3.5 billion per year. Despite the high prevalence and healthcare burden of Alcohol-related Liver Disease (ArLD), there has been minimal research addressing prevention, morbidity and mortality. Reasons for this include stigma and lack of interest from public, charitable and commercial funding bodies. The objectives of this project were to identify and develop interdisciplinary partnerships, to explore stigma in ArLD, to develop a representative Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group, to build research capacity, and to develop interdisciplinary research …

Psychological Profile Of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes, Leandro De Lorenco-Lima

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Martial arts and combat sports have been shown to influence several desirable psychological factors positively. This quantitative study aimed to explore the differences in mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, aggression, life satisfaction, and mental health between belt ranks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes. A sample of 410 BJJ participants (323 males and 87 females) from 18 to 60 years of age was included in this study. Data was collected anonymously via Google Form and included the Mental Strength Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Grit Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Brief Self-Control Scale, Brief Aggression Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Mental Health …

Depression Screening And Education For Immigrants To Increase Access To Care, Viktoriya Ivantsova

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Immigrants are at risk for developing mental health disorders due to multiple factors including social, cultural, or economic factors. This can result in a lower quality of life and an increased chance of further disabilities. Although immigrants are at increased risk for the development of mental health disorders, studies show that utilization of available services and resources are low. Additionally, organizations that provide services to immigrants may not be implementing screening and psychoeducation.

Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project followed a descriptive, observational design along with an educational intervention. Using convenience sampling for recruitment, Russian and/or Ukrainian adults …

Implementing A Brief Intervention For Smoking Cessation In An Inpatient Psychiatric Facility, Erika Gotway

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: Smoking is a leading cause of various preventable diseases, and those who experience mental illness smoke cigarettes at a higher rate than the general population. Brief intervention is a type counseling that has proven successful in encouraging smokers to quit. The “5 A’s” is a type of brief intervention which stands for: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange. Addressing the smoking epidemic among individuals with mental illness is not only essential for improving their overall well-being, but also for reducing health disparities and enhancing the effectiveness of existing mental health interventions.

Methods: The approach to this project was a …

Implementation Of Postnatal Depression Screening: A Pilot Study, Mollie Gulino

Dissertations

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent problem among women during their childbearing years, affecting approximately 1 in 7 women. Alarmingly, about 50% of PPD cases go undiagnosed and untreated, contributing to poor maternal outcomes, including suicide, which is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States.

Issue: Despite its prevalence and severe consequences, PPD often goes unrecognized due to inconsistent screening practices. Current guidelines vary by organization and lack consistent, evidence-based criteria.

Objective: This pilot program aimed to implement universal PPD screening with a validated tool at the six-week postpartum follow-up visit. The goal was to …

Game Changer: Exploring The Role Of Board Games In The Lives Of Autistic People, Gray Atherton, Liam Cross, Francesca Belshaw, Andrea Piovesan

School of Psychology

This mixed methods paper reports findings from three studies examining the overlap between autism and hobbyist board gaming. The first was a quantitative survey of over 1600 board gamers, showing that autistic individuals are overrepresented in this hobby compared to the general population and that autistic traits measured by the AQ are significantly elevated amongst board gamers. Study 1 also assessed gamers’ motivations and preferences and reported key differences as well as similarities between autistic and non-autistic gamers. The second was a qualitative study that reported the results of 13 interviews with autistic individuals who are hobbyist board gamers. Using …

Reach, Rachel Immel

Theses

Reach is a 2D digitally animated short film that is dedicated to exploring the sacrifices that are made to achieve our dreams. The story of my graduate thesis film follows Moe, a subterrestrial bat-like creature that dreams of being able to see the sky for the first time. Feeling suffocated by his dark and cramped surroundings, he rushes toward the surface as soon as a busted rusty pipe provides what appears to be an opening to the surface. What he does not know is that he is venturing into danger that will change him forever. This project is inspired by …

Improving Treatment And Follow-Up Care For Patients Who Screen Positive For Depression In Family Practice: A Quality Improvement Project., Jennifer D. Hooper

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Background: Depression is a prevalent condition requiring systematic approaches for effective treatment and follow-up in primary care. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance care for patients screening positive for depression at an academic family practice with a diverse patient population and a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system.

Purpose: The primary objective was to assess whether a provider educational session and the implementation of an optional depression treatment and follow-up algorithm could improve timely and appropriate care for patients with positive PHQ-9 screenings.

Setting: The project was conducted at an academic family practice office.

Methods/Procedures: The intervention included a …

Reducing Stress And Improving Mindfulness Practices Among Mental Health Professionals Through Guided Meditation., Liara G. Patton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Abstract

Background: Chronic exposure to psychological stress places mental health providers in a vulnerable position when coping skills are not learned or available. Mental health providers are at risk for both mental and physical illness due to the empathetic demands of their client’s stressors. The deficit in adequate coping skills can cause provider-client relationships to suffer and create an undesirable work environment.

Setting: This project took place in Somerset, KY, at a mental health company called A New Beginnings Achievement Center (ANBAC). Twenty-six employees work at ANBAC, all of whom are involved in providing mental health services to developmentally delayed …

Mental Health In Park City: A Report On Community Perspectives, Kristen Koci, Jessica Ulrich-Schad

Publications

This report is from a research project conducted at the end 2022 that focuses on mental health in Park City. Dr. Kristen Koci conducted interviews in Park City to understand community members' perspectives on and factors affecting mental health in the area. Community leaders from government and local organizations were interviewed along with general community residents, for a total of 22 interviews. The report that follows summarizes themes and perspectives gathered during these interviews.

Instructional Video On Mental Health, Sarah Angelica Cruz Salum

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

My capstone project is an instructional video promoting mental health in educational and workplace settings. Sharing important information regarding mental health. What it looks like, techniques to help those struggling with their mental health, and programs that could be implemented.

Balancing Life After Spousal Loss: A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating The Mental Well-Being And Life Satisfaction Of Martyrs’ Wives, Mehreen Aslam, Ambreen Tharani, Yasmin Parpio, Rafat Jan

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: The wives who have lost their spouses in conflict zones are known as martyrs’ wives. After sacrificing the martyrs’ lives, their wives not only face the traumatic experience of losing their loved ones, but this loss may substantially affect their physical, socioeconomic, and emotional health. It may serve as a "vulnerability factor," raising the risk of depression.
Objective: To assess the levels of life satisfaction and mental well-being within the wives of martyrs residing in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the mental well-being and life satisfaction of martyrs’ wives living in Karachi Pakistan. …

Multi-Tiered System Of Supports: Positive Student Impacts, Taylor Panoch

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Research shows the plethora of benefits that a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) has on students of all ages when implemented with fidelity. Through MTSS, students receive leveled interventions appropriate to their needs, which has proven to be valuable. Studies have shown that a Multi-Tiered System of Supports has great impacts on academics, behavior, students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), English Language Learners (ELLs), students who have experienced trauma, mental health and professional development (PD) for staff. With these important research findings in mind, this school created a school improvement plan implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports within their middle …