Digital Commons Network^™

Mental Health In College Students: Efficacy Of A Telehealth-Delivered Occupational Therapy Program, Amy Marie Nelson

Dissertations and Theses

The number of college students in the United States struggling with mental health issues has increased tremendously over the past decade. Specifically, undergraduate students report stress and anxiety as significant inhibitors to academic performance. Colleges are investing resources to combat this problem, but increased counseling services are insufficient. Novel approaches beyond traditional college counseling services are recommended. Occupational therapy, not traditionally offered on most college campuses, may be one solution. A few occupational therapy programs exist on college campuses, but there is limited evidence of their efficacy, and most lack solid theoretical underpinnings. More evidence is needed on the effectiveness …

Developing An Occupation-Based Complex Intervention For Living Well With Anxiety In Parkinson's (Obtain-Pd), Christopher Lovegrove

School of Health Professions Theses

Background: Parkinson’s is the UK's second most common neurodegenerative condition, affecting approximately 175,000 people. Current anxiolytic medications are ineffective in treating anxiety in Parkinson’s. The most promising behavioural interventions have inconclusive and mixed results. Occupational therapy is effective at promoting participation in activities of daily living and is recommended in national guidelines. An evidence-based occupational therapy intervention for living well with anxiety in Parkinson’s does not exist.Aim: To design a new occupation-based complex intervention for living well with anxiety in Parkinson’s (OBtAIN-PD) in co-production with people with Parkinson’s (PWPs), care partners, and occupational therapists.Methods: A scoping review, conducted in line …

The Associations Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior With Self-Rated Health In Chinese Children And Adolescents, Yahan Liang, Youzhi Ke, Yang Liu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Objective

The study aimed to analyze the independent and joint associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with self-rated health (SRH) among Chinese children and adolescents.

Methods

Cross-sectional data on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), school-based PA, extracurricular physical activity (EPA), screen time (ST), homework time, and SRH were assessed through a self-report questionnaire in the sample of 4227 Chinese children and adolescents aged 13.04 ± 2.62 years. Binary logistic regression was used to compare gender differences in PA, SB, and SRH among children and adolescents, and analyses were adjusted for age and ethnicity.

Results

In independent associations, boys …

A Systematic Review Of Infant Mental Health Prevention And Treatment Programs, Megan M Hare, Taylor D Landis, Melissa L Hernandez, Paulo A Graziano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Although many prevention and treatment programs exist for children and families, there have been no reviews specifically examining their impact on infant mental health at the program level. Therefore, the purpose of the current review was to a) systematically examine prevention and treatment programs targeting infant mental health outcomes (i.e., internalizing problems, externalizing problems, social-emotional development, trauma) or the parent-infant relationship/ attachment in children from pregnancy to 2 years; b) classify each program by level of empirical support; and c) highlight strengths and identify gaps in the existing literature to inform future mental health intervention science. From over 121,341 publications …

Mental Health Prevention And Treatment Programs For Infants Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review, Megan M Hare, Taylor D Landis, Melissa Hernandez, Paulo A Graziano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Experiencing homelessness in infancy has been linked to negative physical and mental health outcomes. Parental well-being and the parent-infant relationship can also be negatively impacted by experiencing homelessness. While numerous parent-based infant mental health programs have been identified by a recent review, the goal of this study was to further determine the extent to which these existing programs were developed and/or examined with at-risk populations such as families experiencing homelessness. Out of 60 programs identified by Hare et al., in press, only three had been implemented specifically in shelter settings with infants 0-12 months (Parent-Infant Psychotherapy, New Beginnings, and My …

Predictors On Mental Health Of Owning Cats And Dogs, Çağri Çağlar Si̇nmez, Ahmet Meti̇n, Emre Tüfekçi̇, Ali̇ İlteri̇ş Aykun, Vehbi̇ Güneş

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The common consensus is that owning pets affects human health positively. However, the effects of owning pets on mental health are still controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the possible associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and owning cats and dogs in Türkiye. Additionally, the potential impact of personality traits on this relationship was examined. This study included 636 participants, of whom 52% were female (Mage = 33.02, SD = 15.78). Data was obtained by using a DASS-21 and the Big Five Personality Inventory. The findings revealed that owning cats and dogs was a promotive factor against depression (DE) …

Experiences Of Counselors Working With Adolescents, Allison Bradford Chow

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study aimed to examine the lived experience of clinical mental health counselors working with adolescents. Participants included pre-licensed (associate) or licensed counselors who predominately work with and have a strong preference for working with adolescent clients. Data was collected through individual interviews and analyzed with a descriptive-interpretative approach. Ten domains were identified as part of data analysis: (a) Understanding Adolescent Culture and Building a Therapeutic Alliance, (b) The Intersection of Counselor and Adolescent Emotions, (c) Transference and Countertransference, (d) Clinical Challenges and Barriers, (e) The Multifaceted Role of Parents, (f) Nuances of Confidentiality, (g) Adolescent Development and Strengths, …

‘Heavy’ Life Satisfaction: Unveiling The Intricate Relationships Between Obesity And Well-Being In Abu Dhabi, Masood Badri, Mugheer Alkhaili, Hamad Aldhaheri, Saad Yaqeib, Guang Yang, Muna Albahar, Asma Alrashdi

All Works

The study investigates the intricate relationship between obesity and well-being among residents in Abu Dhabi. Obesity is recognized as a significant public health concern worldwide, with potential implications for individuals' overall well-being. Understanding the complex associations between obesity and various aspects of well-being is essential for developing effective interventions to promote healthier lifestyles and improve overall quality of life. The research employs path analysis to explore the direct associations between obesity and multiple well-being indicators. Data is collected from residents in Abu Dhabi, focusing on subjective health, subjective mental health, life satisfaction, physical exercise, and satisfaction with social relationships. Path …

A Delicate Matter: The Madhouses Of The South West Of England, 1770 – 1851, Emma Barrett

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This thesis examines the private madhouses of Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Wiltshire during a period of great transition within the existing lunacy care landscape. Many madhouses pre-dated county asylums in provision for the pauper mentally ill, including in the south west. Madhouses operated as an enterprise, unlike the parish overseen county asylums. This led to a lack of regulations in care. The Lunacy Commission was formed as part of the 1828 Madhouse Act. This led to a series of inspections of all asylums throughout England for the first time. At this time, Devon and Somerset had disproportionally high rates of …

The Impact Of Area-Level Socioeconomic Status In Childhood On Mental Health In Adolescence And Adulthood: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study In Aotearoa New Zealand, Bingyu Deng, Geraldine F.H. Mcleod, Joseph Boden, Clive E. Sabel, Malcolm Campbell, Phoebe Eggleton, Matthew Hobbs

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Mental health conditions pose a significant public health challenge, and low area-level socioeconomic status (SES) is a potentially important upstream determinant. Childhood exposure might have influences on later-life mental health. This study, utilises data from the Christchurch Health and Development Study birth cohort, examining the impact of area-level SES trajectories in childhood (from birth to age 16) on mental health at age 16 and from age 18–40 years. Findings revealed some associations between distinct SES trajectories and mental health. The study underscores the importance of using a spatial lifecourse epidemiology framework to understand long-term environmental impacts on later-life health.

The Effect Of Supportive Relationships And A Sense Of Community On The Success Of First-Year College Students, Stetson K. Akers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Colleges and universities across the United States actively seek to bring quality students to their institutions and retain them through their course of study while striving to support the successful completion of their degree. The problem is that students face many sources of adversity within their first year of college and leave the institution they have enrolled in before returning for their second year, including financial issues, mental health struggles, and academic success problems. The reasons students leave vary, but it remains important to help students feel connected to the community of their campus while supporting their mental health during …

Tomorrow Is A Mystery: Implementing Georgia’S Psychiatric Advance Directive Act, Suah Jang

Georgia Law Review

Mental health conditions exist in many adults today. One tool available to help them prepare for potential mental health crises is the psychiatric advance directive (PAD). Similar to medical advance directives, PADs allow individuals to create a plan in advance with specific directions regarding their mental health treatment to prepare for times of incompetence. Most states allow adults to create advance directives for general medical treatment, but creating advance directives for psychiatric treatment is a recent development.

This Note analyzes the implementation of Georgia’s Psychiatric Advance Directive Act (PAD Act), adopted in 2022. First, this Note provides an explanation and …

Effectiveness Of Peer Support Groups For Mothers At Risk For Postpartum Depression, Natalie Paige Gates

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Motherhood requires a role transition, new maternal responsibilities, and changes in everyday life, which can impact the mother’s mental health, possibly leading to postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can, in turn, create additional challenges for the mother in engaging in her daily routines and occupations. Therefore, a peer support group for mothers at risk for postpartum depression was developed in hopes of improving the mothers’ management of routines, ultimately improving maternal mental health. The effectiveness of the peer support group was measured through quantitative and qualitative online self-report surveys, where the mothers reported their current mental health status, self-efficacy, and occupational …

Exploring The Association Between Structural Racism And Mental Health: Geospatial And Machine Learning Analysis, Fahimeh Mohebbi, Amir Masoud Forati, Lucas Torres, Terri A. Deroon-Cassini, Jennifer Harris, Carissa W. Tomas, John R. Mantsch, Rina Ghose

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Structural racism produces mental health disparities. While studies have examined the impact of individual factors such as poverty and education, the collective contribution of these elements, as manifestations of structural racism, has been less explored. Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, with its racial and socioeconomic diversity, provides a unique context for this multifactorial investigation.

Objective:

This research aimed to delineate the association between structural racism and mental health disparities in Milwaukee County, using a combination of geospatial and deep learning techniques. We used secondary data sets where all data were aggregated and anonymized before being released by federal agencies.

Methods:

We …

Graduate Public Health Student Learning Experiences, Social Connectedness, And Mental Health During Covid-19: Pedagogical Implications For Public Health Academic Departments, Harit Agroia, Rachel Berkowitz, Andrew Carter, Vicky Gomez, Monica Allen

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted college student learning both globally and nationally. Current literature points to decreases in social connectedness, adverse mental health outcomes, and decreased overall learning outcomes; however, there are limited findings from higher education institutions within the Bay Area, California. There are also limited studies that examine the COVID-19 impact among public health graduate students, especially to understand how the pandemic renewed their interest in the field. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on graduate student learning experiences, social connectedness and mental health within the Master of Public Health program at …

Introducing Mental Health Resources To Nurse Practitioner Residents, Tiffanie Bailey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project identified the increased need for mental health resources after the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies showed the rate of anxiety, depression, and substance use has also been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate the country mentally and physically, it became quickly apparent that additional resources to provide support for those suffering from mental illness were essential. This project aimed to introduce a Mental Health First Aid course within the Residency Program at the Center for Family Guidance. Participants were asked to complete a pre-test indicating their …

Social Prescribing For Autistic Adults, Charlotte Featherstone

Peninsula Medical School Theses

Background Autistic adults are affected by health and social disparities that impact life expectancy and quality of life, frequently resulting in escalating wellbeing concerns requiring costly acute care. Evidence suggests barriers to healthcare and a lack of post-diagnostic support may contribute to these inequalities. Social prescribing, a low-intensity personalised care model receiving increasing attention from policymakers and commissioners, offers opportunities to address isolation, build skills and promote health through collaborations between services and communities. However, social prescribing research and provision has overlooked wellbeing and access needs of autistic adults. This PhD project aimed to investigate factors affecting accessibility of social …

Mental Health And The Black Church: Decreasing The Division In Divinity, Latonya Gray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Racial disparities in mental health care persist for Black Americans, with only one in three who need treatment receiving it. The care they do receive is often of a poorer quality than that of other groups. Faith communities serving Black members could help address this gap by partnering with mental health professionals to meet congregants' needs. With mental health now at the forefront of public discourse, considering the specific needs of the Black community is critical. Black Americans face disproportionate mental health burdens but are more likely to seek counsel from clergy due to cultural stigma. Educating clergy on mental …

"The In-Betweeners": The Lived Experience Of Adult Cochlear Implant Users, Aylah Sroloff

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of adult cochlear implant (CI) users, implanted prior to the age of 10-years-old. Seven adult CI users were recruited. In-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences and identities as CI users. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, through which six group experimental themes were generated: (a) CIs and identity,” (b) social isolation, (c) advocacy, (d), costs and benefits of integration into the hearing world, and (e) “the future of CIs.” This study’s findings highlighted participants’ perspectives on living with CIs, the challenges they face, their process of identity exploration, …

Exploring Viability In Help-Seeking Attitudes And Preferences Among Black Christian Churchgoers: A Case For Interprofessional Collaboration Between Black Churches And Mental Health Professionals, Samanda Bryant Hagan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Support for collaborative partnerships between Black churches and mental health professionals is on the rise. Yet, little attention has been given to if and how the numerous barriers that Black people face in both domains, among others, affects mental health help-seeking attitudes and preferences on a sociocultural level. When there are negative consequences to mental health treatment utilization, either perceived or real, within every context of one’s lived experience, self-concealment may be a more favorable option. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, the current study explores the relationship between self-concealment and religious and professional mental health help-seeking attitudes and preferences …

The Lived Experience Of The Covid-19 Pandemic Among Mandate-Resistant Adults In Washington State, Amber N. Peterson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examined the lived experience of self-identified, mandate-resistant adults in Washington state. This study explored participants’ experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, from a retrospective framework by uncovering challenges, silver linings, decision-making, and self-reported mental health. Remote interviews were conducted with nine participants. Participants were between 23–31 years old, mostly male, and over half identified as Black. Through semi structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Participants described their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted significant changes in the way they lived their lives. Most notably, participants described ways in which they defied COVID-19 …

Male Collegiate Student-Athletes Masculinity And Attitudes Toward Mental Health Seeking, Jennifer L. Mayette

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The mental health and well-being of college student-athletes has recently come to the attention of the general public with the increase in current and past athletes speaking out about the stressors they faced during their collegiate careers. With this increase in attention, higher education institutions and larger athletic associations have turned towards research to identify factors that are contributing to the struggles of student-athletes. One factor that has consistently been identified as a barrier for athletes seeking help for mental health concerns is stigma. For male student-athletes in particular, perception of the stigma associated with receiving psychological help due to …

Racial Trauma: The Silent Killer Among High School Students Of Color, Shedana Hayes-Agent

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Racial trauma is deeply institutionalized within our educational system because of the primary focus on the dominant Western society ideology of culture, language, literacy, and academic standards. Due to minimum recognition in the mental health field or the education arena, the effects of such trauma are profound. They can account for social and behavioral dysfunctions seen in high school adolescent students of color as well as low academic achievement. The phenomenon of racial trauma in society is deeply tragic, with historical roots that pervade public high school campuses and classrooms. The premise of this research was founded on White dominance …

Black And African American Young Adult Male Experiences: Implications For Building Resilience And Survival Skills Within Educational Settings And Public Spaces, Akimma Wright-D'Abreau

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of this study is to better understand, from the perspective of Critical Race Theory, the experiences of adolescent males who are Black and living in the United States and to examine how they build resilience and survival skills. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 26 and asked to recall adolescent experiences as part of a semi-structured interview with a Black Storytelling approach. There were six participants and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. According to the results, there were seven themes: (1) Policing In the United States of America Comes in Many Forms, (2) Recognizing Racism …

From East To West: Exploring The Mental Health Of Punjabi Immigrants Residing In British Columbia, Jasleen Kaur

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Mental health has been a topic that is slowly gaining more acknowledgement and awareness over time. However, despite the elevation in awareness, there are many cultures where mental health issues remain subject to stigma, which discourages an individual from seeking, or even acknowledging, mental health treatment and services. This study focuses upon varying perceptions of mental health by exploring in-depth the perception of mental health within the Punjabi community and how Punjabi culture affects such perceptions. Specifically, this research study examines how young adults who immigrated from Punjab, India to British Columbia (B.C.) perceive and respond to mental health concerns. …

Improving The Postpartum Depression Discharge Education To Increase Quality And Safety Of Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Amanda Lucia

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most prevalent psychological condition to affect mothers following childbirth which can have detrimental consequences on the physical and mental health of the mother, child, and spouse (Wang et al., 2021). Globally, postpartum depression affects 17.2% of the world population, and in the United States 1 in 8 women who recently gave birth reported symptoms of PPD, and 1 in 10 women reported experiencing a major depressive episode within a year following delivery (CDC, 2023). Patients’ spouses and family members are in a unique position to identify early manifestations of PPD which can lead to …

Hidden And Unacknowledged: The Mental Health And Psychosocial Interventions Delivered By School Nurses In Western Australia, Anita Moyes, Shirley Mcgough, Dianne Wynaden

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Schools are an important setting for the early identification, assessment and intervention of mental health problems in children and young people. Internationally, many nurses work in schools, but the role of this group with young people experiencing mental health problems has had only limited investigation. This study explored the activities school nurses undertook with young people experiencing mental health problems in Australia. Reporting was guided by the COREQ checklist. Thirty-one nurses participated in a semi-structured interview. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method of analysis as developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967). The findings identified that nurses working in …

Social-Emotional Outcomes In Emerging Adults With Adhd: The Influence Of Self-Compassion On Peer Rejection, Rejection Sensitivity, And Psychological Distress, Alia Hussain

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Emerging adulthood, the developmental period ranging from 18 to 29 years, is a critical stage of development in which individuals grow their social skills, set and achieve life goals, learn to live independently, and further develop brain regions involved in higher-level cognition, shaped by their environment and experiences throughout emerging adulthood. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with adverse interpersonal outcomes. Approximately 5 to 8% of emerging adults are reported to have an ADHD diagnosis and may be at higher risk than typically developing emerging adults for unfavourable developmental outcomes. This heightened risk may be attributed to their …

Llamatalk: Empowering Conversations With Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Aravind Rokkam

Master's Projects

This research report talks about the implementation and a comparative study of Llama 7B model’s fine-tuning technique and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities in the context of creating a reliable AI therapist. This study focuses on training these models using diverse datasets consisting of doctor-patient conversations predominantly addressing general health issues. Using a technique like fine-tuning within the Llama 7B model, the project focuses on training the model with a diverse dataset comprising doctor-patient interactions primarily addressing general health concerns. Additionally, carefully organized mental health dataset from HOPE dataset, ensuring the bot's responsiveness to mental health inquiries. Through integration with …

Visualizing The Risks: The Significance Of Graphic Design In Educating Women About The Risks Of Prescription Opioids & Pre-Existing Mental Health Conditions, Natascha Foret Truong

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the critical issue of educating women about the increased risks of prescription opioid use and misuse relating to a co-occurring mental health illness. The research-based graphic design solutions proposed in the thesis aim to create awareness and provide knowledge to women on this matter. It is imperative to address this issue as it has severe consequences for women, their families, and society. This thesis utilizes research and best practices from scholarly articles, case studies, visual analysis, personas, and mind mapping to present graphic design solutions based on evidence. These solutions aim to educate women about the gender-specific …