Digital Commons Network^™

The Association Between Cognitive Dysfunctions And Cardiovascular Disease Of Minority And Lgbtq+ Communities In The United States, Nathan G. De Shields

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dementia, the loss of cognitive acuity is an umbrella term of neuro-degenerative symptoms that impact an estimated 6.5 million Americans, and amid heart disease, cancers, and emerging viruses, such as COVID-19, has reportedly increased in prevalence. A cross-sectional study of secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was conducted to analyze minority and non-heterosexual experiences of health risks found higher in prior studies of distress rates in LGBTQ+ adults. The socio-ecological framework was used to interpret the competing ecologies of social health determinants in natural and social settings. Literature reviews on cognitive dysfunction and other vascular …

Patient Satisfaction With A Coach-Guided, Technology-Based Mental Health Treatment: Qualitative Interview Study And Theme Analysis, Ashley Helm Smith, Hilary Touchett, Patricia Chen, Terri Fletcher, Jennifer Arney, Julianna Hogan, Miryam Wassef, Marylene Cloitre, Jan A Lindsay

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Technology-based mental health interventions address barriers rural veterans face in accessing care, including provider scarcity and distance from the hospital or clinic. webSTAIR is a 10-module, web-based treatment based on Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation, designed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in individuals exposed to trauma. Previous work has demonstrated that webSTAIR is acceptable to participants and effective at reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression when delivered synchronously or asynchronously (over 5 or 10 sessions).

Objective: This study explored factors that lead to greater patient satisfaction with webSTAIR, a web-based, coach-guided intervention.

Methods: …

Making Cities Mental Health Friendly For Adolescents And Young Adults, Pamela Y. Collins, Moitreyee Sinha, Tessa Concepcion, George Patton, Thaisa Way, Layla Mccay, Augustina Mensa-Kwao, Helen Herrman, Evelyne De Leeuw, Lukoye Atwoli

Brain and Mind Institute

Urban life shapes the mental health of city dwellers, and although cities provide access to health, education and economic gain, urban environments are often detrimental to mental health1,2. Increasing urbanization over the next three decades will be accompanied by a growing population of children and adolescents living in cities3. Shaping the aspects of urban life that influence youth mental health could have an enormous impact on adolescent well-being and adult trajectories4. We invited a multidisciplinary, global group of researchers, practitioners, advocates and young people to complete sequential surveys to identify and prioritize the characteristics of a mental health-friendly city for …

A01: A Pilot Study Of Student Cadres Mental Health At A Sport University During Covid-19, Yuan Yuan, Haijun Han, Hongwei Guan

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Purpose: Over 90% of college students have experienced negative mental health symptoms due to the pandemic, according to a survey from BestColleges.com. More than half (54%) of college students believe COVID-19 circumstances have impacted their mental health. Although the pandemic's influence on mental health expanded, not all students have felt its effects to the same degree. Physical activity has been reported to have many physical and mental health benefits. Students at sport universities tend to participate in more sport and physical activity. During the pandemic, student cadres are expected to take more responsibilities such as coordinating COVID-19 tests and interacting …

J Mich Dent Assoc February 2024

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

• The February issue previews the 2024 Annual Session in Lansing, highlighting 61 courses, 48 speakers, and Michigan’s largest dental exhibit hall
• A Feature article on The MDA Member Assistance Program: Real Help When You Need It
• News You Need, including The MDA announcement of John Tramontana as the new CEO/executive director
• The MDA Student Debt Resource Center
• Updates on the MDA website refresh
• Celebrating National Children’s …

Film Review: Beyond Men And Masculinity–Exploring The Detrimental Effects Of Masculinity And Envisioning A New Paradigm, Raheleh Akhavizadegan

Journal of International Women's Studies

The documentary Beyond Men and Masculinity explores the negative impact of traditional masculinity on men’s mental and emotional health, as well as its broader societal implications. It advocates for a redefined version of masculinity based on vulnerability, compassion, and equality. The experts in the documentary emphasize the need for men to express their emotions, challenge traditional gender norms, and create a more just and equitable society. By redefining masculinity, the documentary envisions a future where men can thrive beyond rigid expectations and embrace their authentic selves, leading to improved mental health, reduced violence, and stronger communities.

Provision And Long-Term Assessment Of A Specialized Clinical Evidence-Based Practice Curriculum For Master Of Social Work Students, Susan Reay

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study investigated social workers’ knowledge of the common elements in evidence-based practice to treat youth mental health conditions following a specialized curriculum during their Master of Social Work (MSW) education. Participants’ knowledge was measured during their MSW education and in their first 5 years of social work practice after graduation. The quantitative study measured participants’ knowledge of common elements three times; 86 social workers participated in the study with 67 sets of scores at three data points. Study results showed that participants knew more after completing the curriculum but knew less one to five years after graduation. Overall, however, …

Do Professor Characteristics Influence College Students' Mental Health Disclosure?, Giselle Solorio, Kenneth Barideaux Jr.

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

Previous studies have provided some evidence that college students may hesitate to disclose their mental health status because of social stigma; however, more research is needed to identify and understand the factors that influence students’ willingness to disclose. For example, it is unclear how professor characteristics impact the likelihood of disclosure. In the current study we examined whether the gender of the professor (male vs. female) and the professor’s teaching discipline (STEM vs. humanities) affected students' likelihood to disclose a mental health problem. Participants read a fictitious syllabus where the professor was either male or female and taught a chemistry …

Psychological Distress In Low-Income And Economically Marginalized Populations In India: Protective And Risk Factors, Dipti Singh, Shagufta Nasir, Juhi Sharma, Lydia Giménez-Llort, Mohammad Ghazi Shahnawaz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Studies at the juncture of development economics and public health take on considerable responsibility in addressing inequality and related mental health distress. Mental healthcare in economically marginalized populations requires depicting the linkages between socioeconomic status and psychological distress. In the present work, a sequential mixed-methods design was used to study 190 people in such communities in India. Gender-dependent psychological distress was found according to the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) with moderate distress in women (M = 26.30, SD = 9.15) and mild distress in men (M = 21.04, SD = 8.35). Regression analysis indicated that gender significantly predicted psychological …

Editorial: The Impact Of Social Media, Gaming, And Smartphone Usage On Mental Health, Justin Thomas, Fahad Al-Beyahi, Carl Gaspar

All Works

No abstract provided.

Skills To Support Mental Health In Uncertain Times, Part 1: Being Open, Rachel Byers, Heather H. Kelley, Ty Aller, Timothy Keady

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the skill of being open, an important component of psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility, being able to respond to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings in a flexible and values-aligned way, can help protect and improve an individual's quality of life. Openness includes learning to accept uncomfortable thoughts and sensations rather than pushing them away. The fact sheet includes exercises that research has shown can help increase openness. Two other fact sheets are part of this Skills to Support Mental Health in Uncertain Times series, including "Part 2: Cultivating Awareness," and "Part 3: Being Engaged."

Cross-Sectional And Descriptive Study On The Challenges And Awareness Of Hispanic Parents Regarding Their Adolescents’ Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jihye Kim, Robin Scott

Faculty Articles

Research has shown that during the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 20% of children and adolescents in the United States experienced mental health issues that became a significant social concern. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the majority of adolescents maintain positive emotions despite the crisis. This cross-sectional and descriptive study delves into the emotional states of adolescents during the pandemic, considering the viewpoints of both adolescents and their parents, with a specific focus on Hispanic adolescents. Survey results revealed that most adolescents reported positive and happy moods. However, a percentage of adolescents experienced worry, significant changes in feelings, and loneliness as …

Participatory Research With Persons Who Experience Mental Illness In Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Review., Elham Javadizadeh, Abram Oudshoorn, Lori Letts, Skye Barbic, Chelsea Shanoff, Carrie Anne Marshall

Occupational Therapy Publications

Background. Persons who experience mental illness also face stigma and discrimination that frequently lead to a loss of ability to exercise autonomy and agency in their lives. Purpose. The range and breadth of literature exploring participatory research with persons living with mental illness are unknown in occupational therapy and occupation science. We initiated this study to fill this gap in the existing occupational therapy and occupational science literature. Method. Using the method of Arksey and O’Malley, we have conducted a scoping review to identify the range and breadth of literature. A qualitative content analysis was per- formed. Findings. A total …

Positive Effects Of Conservative Religion On The Mental Health Of Sexual Minorities, Jaxon Jessup

Student Works

Sexual minorities often struggle to navigate their sexuality and conservative religious beliefs. Conservative religion is often thought to be toxic for sexual minorities because of the emphasis on traditional marriage (Anderton et al., 2012), and often, the LGBT community will reject sexual minorities that choose to remain in religion (O'Brien, 2007). Conservative religion, however, provides many resources that could benefit sexual (and other) minorities. Religion can help create a sense of identity through teachings and community involvement that may strengthen positive self-perception; it may also create a sense of belonging within a supportive community, especially when individuals are raised among …

County-Level Trends And Potential Disparities In The Suicide Rates In Virginia, 2020 – 2022, Sharon A. Olowoyo, Oluwatosin M. Oduneye, Glodi B. Bokanya, Ayooluwa G. Olowoyo, Coralie E. Mugenga, Yuhan Yan, Robyn L. Anderson

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the influence of social determinants of health (SDH) on suicide patterns in the state of Virginia.

Methods

A secondary statistical analysis was conducted using publicly accessible data from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps database for Virginia. Data from 2020 to 2022 were analyzed, focusing on age-adjusted suicide rates and SDH factors, including % rural, mental health provider rate, median household income, high school completion, and unemployment rates. Multiple regression analysis and visualizations were employed for data interpretation.

Results

The analysis revealed that SDH factors significantly predicted suicide rates across the study period. …

Lived Experiences: Growing Up With A Seriously Mentally Ill Parent, Deborah Lindell, Elliane Irani

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Individuals with serious mental illness often have persistent and disruptive symptoms. These can profoundly affect their children's lives, exposing them to adverse social and psychological conditions. Such conditions can result in traumatic lived experiences during childhood, which can carry over into adulthood, influencing their self-perceptions and shaping their attitudes toward themselves and society. To gain insights into this phenomenon, this study explored the lived experiences of adults who grew up with a parent with serious mental illness and their perceptions of their lives in adulthood. Design: This study used an interpretive phenomenological design. Methods: Participants were invited to voluntarily …

Empathy, Ethics, And Empowerment: Supervising The Transpersonal Therapist, John Elfers, Patty Hlava

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This grounded theory study addressed the question What model explains the essential qualities, skills, and competencies of an effective supervisory relationship for transpersonal therapists in training? It emerged out of a recognition that current training models for supervisors were not inclusive of competencies to address the needs of therapist trainees who are oriented toward a transpersonal approach to psychotherapy. The results of 22 interviews with trainees and supervisors surfaced a fundamental tension within the supervisory relationship in the distinction among the primary responsibility of the supervisor for ensuring client welfare, and encouraging supervisees to develop their personal therapeutic orientation and …

The Impact Of Loneliness Post-Pandemic And Immersed In The Upcoming Political Election, Regina M. Luttrell Ph.D., Gwen Pratt, Abigail Kludt, Amy Barone, Kwadwo Osei-Poku, Lihan Wang

Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab

The Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab emerged with a partnership between Real Chemistry and the Public Relations department at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and serves as a multidisciplinary research center focusing on analytics, artificial intelligence, digital and emerging media for a number of organizations regarding communications.

Healthcare professionals and organizations are interested in identifying how mental health impacts different U.S. generational groups after the COVID-19 pandemic and the intersectionality of U.S. Politics. Our team focused on two generational cohorts – Generation X (1965-1980) and Generation Z (1997-2012) – as an entry point into navigating the impact of …

Find Me, Ramsceair Jacques Flemmings

Writing Beyond the Prison Living Archive

Poem on Mental health

Children’S Access To Free Play In Nature In Relation To Mental Health And Overall Well-Being, Paige Olivia Wildenauer

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children of the current generation are spending less time outdoors than ever before. Facing issues like excessive screen time, safety concerns, overscheduling, poor urban planning and inaccessible parks, children today are losing their ability and desire to play - a fundamental part to human development. Compared to children of past generations, they are less resilient, less imaginative, and more prone to serious mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, behavioral and attention disorders. This thesis analyzes current literature on the topic of children’s mental health and time spent outdoors. Children that participate in outdoor play have a more positive affect …

Factors That Inhibit And Support The Work Of School-Based Mental Health Providers, David B. Naff, Jennifer Murphy, Alexandra Javna, Wyatt Aldrich, Erin Standish, Jeen Joy, Ciana Cross, Sandra Saji

MERC Publications

This research brief comes from the MERC Supporting Mental Health in Schools study. Launched in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores research-based strategies for supporting mental health in PK-12 school settings, as well as the emotional and professional capacity of PK-12 faculty and staff in the MERC region to support the social and emotional wellness of their students. This brief shares takeaways from a systematic literature review that highlight the factors that inhibit and support the work of school-based mental health providers, including school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists. It outlines the roles …

Emma Fry, Senior Art Exhibition Portfolio, Swarm, Emma Fry

Senior Art Portfolios

This work is created for the Senior Art Exhibition 2024. This work explores the feeling of being alienated by communities.

Invasion, Ramsceair Jacques Flemmings

Writing Beyond the Prison Living Archive

Poem on mental health

Canadian Armed Forces Veterans’ Perspectives On The Effects Of Exposure To Children In Armed Conflict During Military Service: Protocol For A Qualitative Study, Catherine Baillie, San Patten, Stephanie A. Houle, Ken Hoffer, Kathryn Reeves, Stéphanie Bélanger, Anthony Nazarov, Samantha Wells

MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre

Background: The mental health of military personnel has garnered increased attention over the last few decades; however, the impacts of perpetuating, observing, or failing to prevent acts that transgress deeply held moral standards, referred to as moral injuries, are less understood, particularly in relation to encounters with children during deployment. This paper describes a multiphased research protocol that centers around the lived experiences of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans to understand how encounters with children during military deployments impact the well-being and mental health of military personnel. Objective: This study has four objectives: (1) highlight the lived experiences of CAF …

Sanctuary Spaces: Designing Bedrooms For Mental, Physical, And Emotional Wellbeing, Kristi Conner

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson focuses on helping students understand the profound impact that their personal living spaces have on their mental well-being. Geared toward individuals, especially those living in apartments or dorms, the lesson encourages students to view their rooms as personalized sanctuaries that can promote relaxation, focus, and mental health. By applying organizational techniques, color theory, and psychological principles, students will learn how to make their space more functional and conducive to well-being. The lesson includes activities such as reflecting on emotional responses to their current bedroom setup, sketching room layouts, engaging in group discussions on bedroom decor psychology, and identifying …

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

Undergraduate Review

In the current landscape of aviation, the issue of mental health is of great concern, particularly among flight training students who 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 identifying strategies for institutions, such as Bridgewater State University (BSU), to offer meaningful assistance. Our study consisted of a survey distributed to 14 institutions in the United States. …

Potential For Trauma In Public Libraries Experiencing Book Banning And Material Challenges, Jieun Yeon, Leah T. Dudak

School of Information Studies - Post-doc and Student Scholarship

Material challenges in public libraries are at an all time high while also possessing a huge political and emotional weight. As such, library workers are defending against book banning in larger numbers, and their very work is coming into public scrutiny and questioning. In such stressful times, the potential for trauma from the library workplace is higher and more charged. This paper lays the groundwork for how trauma and materials challenges have the potential to interact in the library workplace, especially for those from marginalized communities. It also proposes a trauma cycle for deeper understanding of trauma during material challenges, …

Social-Emotional Learning In High School: How High Schools Engage, Educate, And Empower Youth, Jessica L. Atkins

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

In recent decades, the mental health needs of youth have increased, as has interest in social-emotional learning (SEL) in K-12 schools. SEL instruction has been proposed as a way to meet these growing needs while schools struggle with shortages of school-based mental health professionals. While extensive research has been conducted regarding SEL, the majority of these studies have focused on structured programs in preschool and elementary-level populations. As a result, students at the secondary level, particularly those in high school, have received limited attention. In this dissertation, I present my research that explores SEL at the high school level.

This …

Interaction Of Sexual Orientation, Racial, And Gender Discrimination On Mental Health Outcomes, Rebekah Kanefsky

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Experiencing discrimination is associated with greater risk of developing mental health symptoms. Important theories on the mental well-being of people who identify with underrepresented groups suggest that poorer outcomes are not simply associated with identifying with an underrepresented group. Rather, “minority stressors” (e.g., discrimination) drive poor mental health outcomes. Despite the connection between mental health and discrimination, there has been less research focused on the combined impact of multiple forms of discrimination and how they interact for individuals who possess multiple, underrepresented identities. Further, significantly less research has been conducted utilizing quantitative methodology. To investigate the relationship between different forms …

Disconnected In A Connected World: Gender Differences In Loneliness And The Impact Of Technology, Charlotte Andrea Svendsen

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

The purpose of the present study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of Problematic Instagram use (PIU) on different psychopathological outcomes including loneliness, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. Additionally, moderating role of gender on the relationships among variables was investigated. A total of 191 adolescents (Mage= 21.45 years, SD=2.07; range=18 to 24 years) were recruited for the study to complete a questionnaire that included the relevant assessment tools for the variables. Mediation and moderation analyses showed that among male adolescents, PIU was directly associated with loneliness, depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety. Among females, PIU was directly associated …