Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing Engagement And Awareness Of Wellness For People With Autism Specturm Disorder And Other Intellectual Disabilities With The Piece It Together Program, Alison Walsh

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

No abstract provided.

Interventions To Modify Negative Perceptions Of The Need For Behavioral Health Care For African American Patients, Tiffany Jones

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: African Americans underutilized mental health care services, compared to other population groups, in the past decades. While African Americans have the same mental health needs and rates of mental health diagnosis as other races, for some groups, there are additional cultural or environmental factors that create additional barriers to utilizing care (Alang, 2019). Methods: This project will be a cross-sectional study using an online survey of behavioral health practitioners. Results: Respondents were predominantly females (69%) and African Americans (69%). Their work medical specialties included: licensed counseling social workers and clinical social workers, mental health therapists, and psychiatrists. The average …

Stepping Into Mindfulness: Enhancing Mental Health For Nursing Student Athletes, Amanda A. Marek

MSN Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores the impact of mindfulness practice on nursing student athletes, aiming to understand how mindfulness techniques can enhance their psychological well-being. The project investigates the intersection of mindfulness and addresses the unique challenges and stressors face by nursing student athletes. The project proposals a research study that focuses on how mindfulness can impact nursing student athletes. There is literature that shows how mindfulness can improve stress and mental disorders for nursing students and student athletes separately, but there is a lack of knowledge on how this may affect nursing students who are also student athletes. Mindfulness based …

Assessing The Need For A Mental Health Task Force For Aviation Science Students At Bridgewater State University, Cooper Castellone

Honors Program Theses and Projects

In the current landscape of aviation, the issue of mental health is of great concern, particularly among flight training students who have shown to grapple with depression in silence. A report issued by the Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee in April 2024 underscored seven significant barriers impeding pilots from seeking necessary support for mental health concerns. Consequently, we completed a study aimed at understanding the prevailing mental health challenges among flight training students and identify strategies for institutions such as Bridgewater State University (BSU) to offer meaningful assistance. Our study consisted of a survey distributed to 14 institutions in …

Rebuilding Lives: Occupational Therapy's Crucial Role In Community Reintegration To Reduce Recidivism Rates, Julie Burgoon, Kari Joyce

MOT Student Capstones

The integration of occupational therapy (OT) in the criminal justice system provides a promising and unique approach for addressing community reintegration, thereby contributing to the reduction of recidivism rates in the United States. OT impacts recidivism rates by addressing three main areas; occupational deprivation, mental health, and community reintegration. OT addresses the negative consequences of incarceration by promoting engagement in meaningful activities, establishing routine, and assisting individuals in achieving a variety of skills necessary for successful reintegration. OTs can provide valuable interventions that support mental and occupational engagement to decrease recidivism rates. OT led community reintegration program not only improves …

When They Just Don’T Sleep: Differential Impacts Of Reduced Child Sleep On Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Caregivers Of Children With And Without Neurogenetic Syndromes, Kimberly Galvez-Ortega, Kristine Marceau, Dan Foti, Bridgette Kelleher

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Introduction: Children with neurogenetic syndromes commonly experience significant and pervasive sleep disturbances, however, associations with caregiver mental health remains unclear. Previous studies have linked sleep disturbances with increased caregiver depression in typically developing populations, and heightened caregiver stress among neurogenetic populations. The present study expands on findings by exploring the longitudinal association between child sleep duration and caregiver mental health (depression, anxiety, stress) throughout development (infancy to school-aged children) in dyads with and without a child affected by a neurogenetic syndrome.

Methods: Participants were drawn from the Purdue Early Phenotype Study, including 193 caregivers (Age: M = 34.40 years, SD …

Protocols For Postpartum Hemorrhage, Nicole A. Mitchell, Wilbur Greene, Samantha Claxton, Lydia Lester

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the protocols for postpartum hemorrhage and lack of implementation, how race may play a role in care, the different effect on maternal lives; physically and mentally, and more effective treatment options. Many women all over the world struggle with postpartum hemorrhaging as it is a life-threatening complication that can follow giving birth. There are standard protocols set in place for different facilities that relay how the healthcare professionals should act in that situation. The PICOT question, “In child-bearing women, how do protocols for postpartum hemorrhage compared with a lack …

Ot's Role With Survivors Of Sexual Assault, Myracle N. Carter, Cassandra M. Nelson

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Sexual assault can lead to a multitude of symptoms that can negatively impact an individual’s occupational participation and quality of life. However, the literature and programming surrounding the use of occupational therapy (OT) with survivors of sexual assault is limited or outdated. Therefore, this program was created to be a resource and guide to increase the use of OT with survivors. This program included a total of five modules, which provided education and occupation-based activities to the participants to increase their occupational participation, specifically in work and education, and their overall quality of life. Following the conclusion of the implementation …

Relating Preoperative Mcs-12 To Microdiscectomy Outcomes, Jeremy C. Heard, Yunsoo Lee, Teeto Ezeonu, Mark J. Lambrechts, Rajkishen Narayanan, Caleb Yeung, Justin Wright, John Paulik, Caroline Purtill, John J. Mangan, Mark F. Kurd, Ian D. Kaye, Jose A. Canseco, Alan S. Hilibrand, Alex R. Vaccaro, Gregory D. Schroeder, Christopher K. Kepler

Rothman Institute Papers

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of poor mental health on patient-reported and surgical outcomes after microdiscectomy.

METHODS: Patients ≥ 18 years who underwent a single-level lumbar microdiscectomy from 2014 to 2021 at a single academic institution were retrospectively identified. Patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) were collected at preoperative, three-month, and one-year postoperative time points. PROMs included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale Back and Leg (VAS Back and VAS Leg, respectively), and the mental and physical component of the short form-12 survey (MCS and PCS). The minimum clinically important differences (MCID) were employed to compare scores for each PROM. Patients …

An Ot Program To Support Women With High-Risk Pregnancy, Mackenzie M. Morgan, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster is an overview of an occupational therapy program developed at a Women's Health OBGYN Clinic in Texas. The program was designed to address the needs of women with high-risk pregnancy and focused on mental health, physical health, energy conservation, emotional regulation, and social participation. The findings indicate the needs for further research to understand how occupational therapy can support women's health and an expansion of program offerings to increase support for high-risk pregnancy.

Exploring Healthy Occupations For Adolescents At Risk For The Juvenile Justice System, Megan Vo, Dana Madalon, Mary Jan Greer

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Many youth who are at risk for the juvenile justice system are likely to have spent some time in the foster care system or child welfare system. This population is often found lacking in social skills and/or life skills that contribute to the difficulties with independent living. Occupational therapy practitioners can provide independent life skills training, such as cooking/meal prepping, budgeting, and job exploration as well as providing healthy leisure outlets to promote a successful transition into adulthood. This program aims to promote the development of skills this population requires for successful independent living as an adult such as basic …

A Phenomenology Study- Vicarious Trauma Among School Counselors And Teachers Working With Students From The Northern Triangle In Elementary Title I Schools, Janeth B. Santiesteban

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of school counselors and teachers working at elementary Title I schools in Maryland with students from the Northern Triangle (a region of Central America comprising El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras). The assumption was that these education professionals may undergo struggles and demands that may put them at risk of vicarious trauma due to the trauma those students and their families have endured. The theory guiding this study was the transactional theory of stress and coping (Lazarus,1966; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) and the stress theory (Cohen et al., 1997), which converge …

The World Of Dungeons And Dragons As A Therapeutic Approach To Complex Trauma, Dava R. Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative dissertation delves into the therapeutic potential of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) as an intervention for individuals coping with trauma and related mental health challenges. Drawing from a diverse sample of participants with varying gender identities, age groups, and D&D experience levels, this study employs a grounded theory approach to unravel the intricate interplay between D&D engagement and mental health outcomes. The study identifies several key implications, including the importance of creating inclusive therapeutic spaces, the lifespan relevance of D&D interventions, the potential for tailored interventions addressing relationship dynamics, and the accessibility of D&D as a therapeutic tool. Delimitations …

Forgiving Childhood Hurt Biblically, Latisha Shearer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The profound impact of childhood experiences on an individual's mindset, emotional well-being, and transition into adulthood is a compelling problem addressed in this thesis paper titled “Forgiving Childhood Hurt Biblically.” This DMIN action research project is to implement biblical forgiveness as a transformative tool to address the physical, mental, and emotional wounds inflicted by childhood trauma. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), marked by early-life toxic stress, establish a foundation for the intergenerational transmission of trauma, significantly affecting the health and lives of adults. Given the vulnerability of childhood, addressing and forgiving the sources of trauma is crucial for effectively reprogramming and …

The Effects Of Cervical Cancer Diagnosis On Occupational Performance, Wynnet Sinclair, Christine Mcconnell, Emily Clark, Katie B. Mcentire, Caitlin Lewis, Lyndsi Pound, Katherine Wuertz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: In the United States, it was predicted that approximately 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer would be diagnosed in 2023 (American Cancer Society, 2023). The research question focused on identifying changes in occupational performance for patients with cervical cancer. The areas of occupational performance considered were activities of daily living, leisure, work, education, social participation, and mental health.

Methods: The respondents completed a cross-sectional, mixed methods Qualtrics survey. Likert scale questions captured the degree of functional impact of cervical cancer on the predetermined areas of occupational performance.

Results: Twenty-seven subjects (ages 18 to 70) fully …

Professional Development Strategies For Treating People With Idd And Mental Health Needs, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Elizabeth Grosso, Karen L. Weigle

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant health and mental health inequities and difficulties accessing care. There are few initiatives that train mental health professionals to care and advocate for the health and mental health care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

We developed a Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Professional Learning Community (PLC) with Clinical Education Teams (CET) training components through The National Center for START (Systemic-Therapeutic-Assessment-Resources-Treatment) Services^® to further educate providers in the United States. The National Center for START Services^® utilizes multiple training and collaboration forums to build the …

The Link Center: A Federally Funded Technical Assistance And Resource Center Aimed At Improving Mental Health Treatment And Access For People With I/Dd, Brain Injury, And Other Cognitive And Communication Differences., Stacy L. Nonnemacher, Jeanne Farr, Wendy Morris

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Although we do not have robust prevalence studies in the U.S., a recent meta-analysis estimated that 33.6% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have a mental health (MH) condition. We know that this prevalence may be an underrepresentation because of factors like diagnostic overshadowing. We also know that people with I/DD experience inequitable access to quality MH and preventive care. This highlights the chronic lack of and access to holistic, integrated care for individuals with I/DD, especially those who also have MH conditions. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals with I/DD experience MH crises and suffer adverse consequences. …

Building Neuro-Inclusive Community, Strengthening Mental Health: The Autism After 21 Utah Project, Sumiko T. Martinez, Anna Smyth, Ann C. Carrick

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Over two decades of research shows strong positive relationships are a consistently powerful indicator of wellbeing and resilience. However, the U.S. Surgeon General notes that loneliness and isolation is an epidemic in the U.S., and that it is exacerbated for individuals with physical and mental disabilities as well as those with isolating economic or environmental situations. A recent review shows that many autistic adults in particular face challenges in finding the connections they want and need. They also often have compounding mental health conditions, such as depression and mental illness, lower incomes, isolating home environments due to a lack of …

Exploring Parent/Caregiver Perspectives Of Self-Determination And Its Impact On Mental Health In Adolescents With And Without Disabilities, Jessica Schuttler, Sydney Walls, Tyler Hicks, Karrie Shogren, Hannah Adams, Richard A Chapman

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Introduction. Parents and caregivers play key roles in supporting the development of self-determination and mental health needs in adolescents with and without disabilities. This study explored parent/caregiver perceptions of the relationships among mental health and self-determination constructs for youth with disabilities, across gender and disability status. Method. Parents/caregivers of adolescents with and without disabilities completed rating scales regarding adolescents’ self-determination status (Self Determination Inventory) and mental health symptoms (Behavior Assessment System for Children, 3^rd Edition). Bayesian analyses examined the relationships among self-determination and mental health status. Results. Results are mixed, indicating moderate to robust relationships for self-determination as a …

Exploring The Occupation Of Education Of Children With Undocumented Immigrant Parents, Denise Perez, Susan Macdermott, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This research study highlights the detrimental effects of family separations on children's well-being, academic performance, and long-term outcomes. It emphasizes the urgent need for research on the mental health effects of immigration policies on children at risk of parental deportation. A qualitative research study was used to understand the experiences and challenges of adults with undocumented immigrant parents during various stages of schooling. The research utilizes the Kawa model to explore emotional factors and barriers affecting students' occupational engagement in an educational setting. The study aims to identify supports and barriers to school engagement for students with undocumented immigrant parents, …

The Effects Of Occupation-Based Programming On Occupational Deprivation For Civilly Committed Mental Health Patients, Joshua Clapper

MOT Student Capstones

Patients who are involuntarily committed to the mental health hospital are likely to be exposed to occupational deprivation. Through the induction of occupation-based programming, it is believed that occupational engagement can catalyze recovery and support meaningful participation in daily life, decreasing the prevalence of occupational deprivation. This paper investigates the latest evidence-based practices related to mental health and occupational performance in the inpatient hospital setting. To explore the need to educate clinical staff, who are responsible for programming, a pre-survey was distributed, preceding a presentation. A post-survey was then used to examine the effect the brief educational presentation. They survey …

La Unión Hace La Fuerza: The Power Of Parental Involvement In The Emotional Well-Being Of Hispanic/Latinx Youth, Ana Mccarl

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The present study seeks to answer how parental involvement impacts the emotional health of Hispanic/Latinx youth, a population known for disproportionately experiencing high rates of mental health disorders in the US.

Data were taken from 373 parent-child dyads from every state in Mexico, and a linear regression model was run to assess if parental involvement predicts emotional well-being while controlling for age, marital status, education, and gender.

The results showed that parental involvement predicted child emotional well-being, with each unit increase in parental involvement representing a 7.98 increase in child emotional well-being.

Given the prevalence of negative mental health outcomes …

Professional Development Strategies For Treating People With Idd And Mental Health Needs, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Elizabeth Grosso, Karen L. Weigle

Faculty Publications

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant health and mental health inequities and difficulties accessing care. There are few initiatives that train mental health professionals to care and advocate for the health and mental health care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Wellness Research & Programming For Bodybuilders, Victoria Castillo, Karen Park, Kersten Laughlin

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the occupational impact on bodybuilders and wellness & program development for competitive bodybuilders. Phase one focuses on research to understand the occupational impact on bodybuilders during competition. Phase two, which focuses on program development, highlights the alignment to the objectives as they allow for the development of an educational program intended for bodybuilder coaches to help with health prevention and wellness with their bodybuilder clients.

The Mental Health And Wellness Of Young Adults With Down Syndrome, Annika Soderfelt, Susan Macdermott, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

A poster presentation regarding the mental health and wellness of young adults with Down syndrome. This poster discusses how the mental health and wellness needs of individuals with Down syndrome are or are not currently being met and how resources and programming could be created, particularly by OTs, to better meet their need.

Professional Development Strategies For Treating People With Idd And Mental Health Needs, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Elizabeth Grosso, Karen L. Weigle

Faculty Publications

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant health and mental health inequities and difficulties accessing care. There are few initiatives that train mental health professionals to care and advocate for the health and mental health care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“A Perfect Storm”: Autistic Experiences Of Menopause And Midlife, Miranda J. Brady, Christine A. Jenkins, Rachel L. Moseley, Margaret Janse Van Rensburg

Faculty and Staff Publications

Previous research indicates that menopause can be an extremely difficult transition for some autistic people. This study asks how autistic people experience menopause and how they can better access services, support and information; autistic Community Research Associates played an important role in each stage of the research. Online focus groups and interviews were conducted with 24 autistic participants who lived in Canada (n = 13) or the United Kingdom (n = 11) and had experience with the menopausal transition. Transcripts were coded and analysed by four team members using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes and eight subthemes were …

Implementation Of A Standardized Suicide Screening Process In A University Student Health Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Addie Grace Strong, Kathryn Dambrino, R. David Phillippi, Linda Wofford

DNP Projects

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among college age students, prompting the need for evidence-based screening tools like the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to enable early detection and timely intervention. Inconsistencies in suicide screening may pose a risk of missed intervention opportunities. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project specifically aimed to improve the quality and consistency of suicide screening in a university student health clinic by implementing the C-SSRS tool into the clinic workflow during mental health appointments. Methods: Employing a quality improvement framework, this scholarly project followed the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement …

Stroke-Related Mental Health Challenges And Interventions: Strategies For Holistic Recovery, Christopher Walsh, Sam Lee

MOT Student Capstones

This capstone project examines the relationship between post-stroke and mental health. It presents the necessity for a holistic and client-centered approach in the recovery process. Through a mixed-methods approach combining a literature review and empirical research, including surveys of stroke survivors, caregivers, and practitioners, the study shows the prevalence of depression and anxiety post-stroke and the potential benefit of comprehensive mental health support. The findings emphasize the importance of community, spirituality, and proactive education in enhancing mental well-being. The effectiveness of specific interventions for this population was found to be variable, which warrants the use of personalized assessments and intervention …

Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Navigating A New Normal In Middle Tennessee, Karli M. Beaumont

OTD Capstone Projects

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in partnership with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center offers REACH for Cancer Survivorship, a pediatric cancer survivorship clinic. REACH provides a full range of follow-up care designed to meet the physical, emotional, and practical needs of survivors and continuous surveillance of deleterious effects of cancer and its treatments. The purpose of this project was to meet population and agency needs through research of long- and late-term sequela while advocating for occupational therapy’s role in the oncology population through the proactive therapy and prospective surveillance models. The process of creating this project included synthesizing the literature, …