Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Exercise On The Mental Health Of College Students In The United States, Maryam Eltomy

Kean Quest

Student mental health and well-being are a significant and growing concern on college campuses across the United States. As a result, to better meet students' mental health demands and decrease strain on existing services, the current quantitative research focused on exploring the impact of exercise on a college student’s mental health. An online survey involving Kean University students was conducted and information was primarily gathered through an online questionnaire. Approximately, 40 students were randomly selected to participate in this research study. The results of the study revealed that participants felt that consistent exercise was beneficial in helping reduce their mental …

Mental Health Stigma And Law Enforcement Officers, Moses Park

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological research was to describe the perception of law enforcement officers (LEOs) about the stigmatizing behavior they experienced from fellow officers in their organization, after they sought mental health services, following a traumatic event they were involved in.

Methodology: The methodology for this research study will be qualitative from a phenomenological perspective. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 active and retired LEOs who served in southern California.

Findings: After the analysis, seven major findings were yielded. The major findings of the study are: (a) Within the law enforcement …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Disabled Music Therapists: A Literature Review, Katherine Perakis

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Music therapy and the mental health field are publicly praised fields dedicated to helping those who are in need of services. Music therapy in particular is especially praised for the work that is done with people with disabilities. Although this work is extensive and important, there is an underlying tone of ableism that runs through the profession. This ableism points to the clients served, but also the therapists who are disabled themselves. This literature review examines the history of disability studies, disability statistics, disability competencies, as well as the lived experience of three different disabled therapists. Far more research is …

The Role Of Dance/Movement Therapy On Inmates After Restrictive Housing – A Literature Review, Savannah Melo

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The aim of this literature review is to highlight the impact dance/movement therapy has on individuals who have experienced segregated housing in a correctional facility and the mental health effects segregation may cause. The negative effects this housing may cause will be explored. This exploration will include related applications of dance/movement therapy (DMT), demonstrating how in past research it has been shown to improve different mental health symptoms. Though dance/movement therapy is not as readily available to the prison population, the intention of this thesis is to investigate expressive arts, specifically DMT, as a treatment modality for inmate mental health. …

How Art Therapy Promotes Resiliency In Individuals With Chronic Pain: A Literature Review, Margaret Lukas

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Chronic pain is one of the most prominent physical health challenges in the United States. It is a health condition where people have not only debilitating physical pain but also mental health distress. With this combination of physical and mental symptoms, people with chronic pain must get good quality care. To properly support those with chronic pain, healthcare practitioners must be educated in caring for patients to better treat and understand them. This thesis searched for literature on chronic pain and art therapy to determine the benefits of art therapy for people with chronic pain. This search was conducted online …

Engaging Adolescents With Art: Exploring Experiences Between Two- And Three- Dimensional Media Among Teen Boys With Mental Health Needs, Clare Miller

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper explores how adolescents engage with two- and three-dimensional art materials during the creative process, in addition to the role of the therapist, the artmaking and other contributing factors that influence their experience. Using a humanistic, client-centered approach, these factors were explored with a focus on client strengths, positive regard, and client-led discussion. The literature provided insight around how people react to materials and how diverse materials can provide diverse art experiences, as well as how artmaking is used with vulnerable populations. The literature informed the research in how it analyzed, interpreted, and discussed the art and artmaking process. …

A Systemic Approach To Understanding Burnout Through The Lens Of The United States’ Professional Art Therapy (And Mental Health) Community: A Literature Review, Mary Welch

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Burnout among mental health counseling and art therapy professionals has long been an issue (Meyerson 1998; Prins et al., 2015; Yang & Hayes, 2020; Zeira 2021). While previous research into the causes and reduction of burnout have focused primarily on individual burnout, both in terms of psychology and workplace habits (Rollins et al. 2021), very few studies have been done examining the systemic, institutional, and cultural contributions to burnout in these professions. This paper aims to explore the connection between community standards and the current systems that intersect professional art therapy practice in the United States and the areas in …

Gap Analysis Of 2slgbtqia+ Curriculum In Counseling Programs, Erika Graves

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The purpose of this paper is to propose additional curriculum specific to marginalized populations and communities for Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. There is a systemic lack of purposeful education on marginalized communities that student clinicians will be serving, with an emphasis on expectations of being a lifelong learner, asking the student/counselor to educate themselves. This expectation is unsustainable in the context and acknowledgment of burnout among human service providers, and does not reinforce the lens of trauma informed care that is stressed in its programming. To build strong clinicians, support must be executed systemically within its programming as an …

Partial Hospitalization Programs And Adolescents: The Impact Of Brief Art Therapy Treatment, Andrea Sepe

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper evaluates partial hospitalization programming and art therapy practices with the adolescent population. The adolescent experience is a time of complex biopsychosocial development marking personal identity exploration and independence. Adolescent mental health challenges range from depressive, anxiety, conduct and mood disorders. Partial hospitalization programming is a means of acute integrative care founded in milieu therapy that caters to the unique mental wellness needs of the adolescent population. Among the most impactful psychotherapeutic interventions for adolescent mental health is art therapy, an evidence-based practice incorporating creativity and theory. This paper explores the adolescent developmental experience, current treatment methods of partial …

Using Machine Learning To Analyze Children’S Drawings As Indicators Of Mental Well-Being, Nicholas R. Lawrie

Master's Theses

Human figure drawings are a well-studied diagnostic tool for emotional distress in children. Cleft lip/palate is one of the most common birth defects in the world, and has been shown to negatively impact emotional well-being in childhood which can have negative economic consequences in adulthood. Utilizing a dataset of human figure drawings from children in India and survey data on mental health, this paper will assess the impact of corrective surgery on mental health outcomes, as well as assess the validity of the drawing emotional indicators themselves. The results indicate that while the emotional indicators may not be valid in …

Addressing The Phenomena Of Nursing Burnout: Seeking The Need For Mental Health Interventions To Support The Nursing Workforce, Cialina L. Moy

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: Nursing burnout has been an existing phenomenon, which the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated. Burnout has contributed to escalated mental health concerns, increased staff turnover rates, and the nationwide nursing shortage.

Context: Studies indicate that depression, anxiety, and stress significantly correlate to burnout; studies also reveal that burnout consequently contributes to job dissatisfaction and organizational turnover. To reduce perceived burnout and increase nurse retention at the ambulatory COVID-19 clinics, nurses completed a pilot program that integrated two mental health tools.

Intervention: Nurses responded to a pre-survey to identify burnout factors and measure perceived burnout, using a modification of the …

Deconstructing Tiktok Videos On Mental Health: Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Content Analysis, Corey H. Basch, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Joseph Fera, Christie Jaime

Publications

BACKGROUND: Social media platforms that are based on the creation of visual media, such as TikTok, are increasingly popular with adolescents. Online social media networks provide valuable opportunities to connect with each other to share experiences and strategies for health and wellness. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the content of the hashtag #mentalhealth on TikTok. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive content analysis study included 100 videos with the hashtag #mentalhealth on TikTok. All videos that included the hashtag #mentalhealth were analyzed and coded for the presence of content categories. Additionally, the comments to each video were viewed …

Borderline Personality Disorder Stigmatization: Bias, Discrimination, And Prejudice In The Healthcare Field, Briana L. Kunstman

Psychology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterized by patterns of unstable moods, impulsive behaviors, and insecure relationships. Often misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder, BPD is difficult to diagnose due to its symptoms overlapping with many other conditions. There has been a reluctance to work with individuals who have BPD due to the surrounding stigma. In fact, healthcare workers tend to misunderstand BPD, and assume that those who have it are manipulative, aggressive, violent, and unable to be helped. This stigmatization has a profound impact on how BPD clients are seen in the healthcare field and furthermore how they receive …

Impacts On Elementary School Students Related To Covid-19 And The Role Of Social-Emotional Learning In Children’S Mental Health, Amanda Davis

Education | Master's Theses

Research has shown that schools provide an ideal universal location for preventing behavioral issues and supporting students’ mental health (Ball et al., 2016; Daunic, et al., 2021; Maras et al., 2015). A large body of research has also connected students’ social-emotional skills and their attainment of academic success (Cook et al., 2018; Durlak et al., 2011). With this research and the gaining popularity of SEL, more SEL programs are being created, implemented, and evaluated. The purpose of this study was to understand some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young students' mental health and how teachers have responded …

An Analysis On The Usability Of A Mental Health Assessment Chatbot For Teenagers, Amanda Maria R. Sablay, Fiona Amaia M. Tano, Jazmin Abigail R. Zulueta

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Globally, people are faced with barriers to mental intervention due to a lack of resources, especially in low-income countries. Mental health chatbots have gained popularity due to their accessibility. However, the usability of a mental health chatbot designed to assess the mental well-being of Filipino teenagers is yet to be quantified. This paper aims to determine the acceptance of Filipino teenagers towards a chatbot as a medium to assess their mental well-being. This study presents a design for a conversation flow based on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist to create a text-based chatbot application verified by end-users and a psychologist. From …

Reporting On Athletes And Mental Health: An Evolution In Language And Lexicon From 1970 To 2019, Vivian Ferris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the spring and summer of 2021, several athletes made headlines for seemingly prioritizing mental health over the status quo of sports society. For example, in May 2021, during the French Open, professional U.S. tennis player Naomi Osaka announced she would not appear at press conferences, despite threats of fines, citing on social media it was for her mental health. The controversy surrounding Osaka and others led to further questions. Looking through the lens of agenda setting and framing theories, the purpose of this study is to better understand the frequency, variety, and evolution of language in journalistic coverage of …

The Effects Of Animal Companionship On Mental Health During Covid-19, Hailey Burton

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of animal companionship on mental health during COVID-19 for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Through the use of qualitative methodology, specifically that of phenomenology, the lived experiences of participants who adopted animals during the pandemic and the effect of this decision on their mental health and quality of life is examined to better understand the relationship between animal companionship and mental health states such as anxiety, loneliness, and depression. An autoethnographic framework is utilized wherein I reflexively analyzed my own choices for adopting an animal companion during the pandemic …

High School Social Emotional Curriculum, Misty Galvin

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

High School Social Emotional Learning is a topic that is difficult to implement without being patronizing to the audience. This project seeks to determine best practices for school counselors, including a literature review on barriers to adolescents receiving adequate mental health care. Since the biggest barrier for high schoolers to seek mental health care is the fear of stigma, these lessons are intended to be fun and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. Guided by the ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets and Behaviors, lessons that can be utilized in stand-alone group guidance classes have been curated.

Influencing Well-Being: A Study Of Childhood Risk Factors As Predictive Indicators For Future Mental Health Difficulties, Jennifer Sahr

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Previous literature demonstrates common childhood characteristics of adults with mental health problems and children with internalizing and externalizing behavior challenges (Fatori et al., 2013; Jaffee et al., 2002; Koegel et al., 1995; Morrissey et al., 2014). Still, little research exists having associated school-based internalizing and externalizing behavior screening scores with the risk factors described in the literature (i.e., low socioeconomic status, office discipline referrals, homelessness, low academic achievement, low attendance rates, and ethnicity- and gender-based issues). This quantitative correlational study aimed to estimate the predictive value the childhood risk factors had on the results of the Student Risk Screening Scale …

Adolescents' Voice On Help-Seeking Behavior For Mental Health Problems: A Qual Inquiry Of Kagayanon Senior High School, Ezekiel Timothy L. Go, Kriselle Franz B. Lauro, Misaki O. Nakamura, Russell Boyd M. Paclar, Melin D. Saculingan, Brett Arman P. Tagalongan

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Mental health problems have been rising over the years. Even adolescents are not exempt due to physical, social, and emotional changes that adolescents experience during the unique and formative period. Unfortunately, suicide cases in Cagayan de Oro are increasing drastically, especially during the onset of the pandemic, leading the city Mayor to direct some government officials in addressing the problems of suicide. However, studies and literature discussed that many individuals, including adolescents, show reluctance to seek professional help for their mental health problems despite the need to improve their well-being. This study aims to understand the students' help-seeking behavior and …

Minimalist Space: The Influence Of Interior Design On The Mental Health Of Teenagers, Zhyrine Ann Nicole K. Datinguinoo

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Because mental health is one of the most prevalent health concerns among teens, one of the most influential variables contributing is their personal surroundings. According to research, an interior space design and its design components have the capacity to impact an individual's mental health either favorably or adversely depending on how they are communicated. This research seeks to produce an interior design of a bedroom that embraces a Minimalist idea suitable for improving one's mental health and well-being. A literature study was undertaken to get a better knowledge of the impact of interior design. The review identifies the aspects and …

A Note To Myself, We’Re Alright: A Poetry Collection As Therapy In The Pandemic Times, Cris Heila M. Ordoñez

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

A Note To Myself, We’re Alright is a poetry collection inspired by the author’s mood and state of mind. The artwork is composed of different types of poetry that best fits the author’s aesthetic. The poetry collection is intended to help those who are troubled in mind be at ease. The artwork aims to be an aid to people, especially to the youth in this era. The unfamiliar lifestyle that came from the COVID-19 pandemic caused some mental difficulties to us all. The research paper is based on a phenomenological theory which aims to question personal experiences to one self …

Participation In Higher Intensity Physical Activity Predicts Lower Depressive Symptom Incidence In College Students, Lucas D. Elliott, Oliver Wilson, Michele Duffey, Melissa Bopp

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(7): 667-675, 2022. The prevalence of depression and insufficient physical activity (PA) continue to rise in the United States, particularly among college students. PA is typically associated with decreased levels of depressive symptoms; however, the association between different intensities of PA and depressive symptoms is unclear among college students. The aim of this study was to examine how well weekly moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA) and strength training (ST) volumes predicted depressive symptoms in college students. Students self-reported weekly MPA, VPA, ST, depressive symptoms (CESD-7), restful nights of sleep, grade point average (GPA) and …

Not Groovy Man: Psilocybin's Long And Complicated History With The Law, And Its Potential To Treat The Growing Mental Health Crisis In America, Zachary Lecompte

University of Cincinnati Law Review

No abstract provided.

Improve Primary Care Advanced Practice Nurse's Knowledge Of Depression By Educational Interventions And Treatment Recommendations, Dorothy Adams

Doctoral Projects

Poor medication adherence is one of the significant barriers to treatment for depression, often due to fears about side effects and insufficient knowledge among nurses. Educating primary care advanced practice nurses can help to improve understanding about symptoms of depression and the treatment recommendations. Education can help engage the primary care advanced practice nurses to improve patient understanding and thereby support better adherence measured as improved refill rates and follow-up reports. The refill rates will show if the patients under the primary care advanced practice nurses ‘care have been following the medications prescribed in the right frequency and dosage. The …

The Effect Of Vmat2 Inhibitors On Tardive Dyskinesia Symptoms In Patients With Schizophrenia, Ada Kelly

Doctoral Projects

Prior to the FDA approval of VMAT2 inhibitors for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD), few concrete treatment options were available for TD. The most common management strategy would include switching a patient from an FGA to an SGA while discontinuing any anticholinergic medications the patient was currently taking. Other options included changing, decreasing, or discontinuing the antipsychotic. Augmenting stable antipsychotic regimens, however, may not be feasible in the management of schizophrenia as antipsychotics are foundational in the treatment of schizophrenia. A retrospective chart review was performed on 70 records that were chosen through a convenience sample of patients being …

Addressing Systemic Inequities: A Psychoeducational Group For Advocating For African Americans, Jaree' Barnwell

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This paper will discuss and describe the development of an open psychoeducational group that will empower people of the community through education to advocate for African American/Black people within institutions that may perpetuate barriers. Acknowledging that one in four people struggle with mental health issues, it is imperative to consider an appropriate treatment modality that destigmatizes mental health and equips participants with information. This group is especially relevant as one in three African Americans, who struggle with mental health concerns, will never receive the appropriate care comparatively afforded to white populations. This thesis will concisely discuss the education system, the …

Asian Immigrant Parents And Their Asian/Asian-American Children: Bridging The Emotional Gap, Natalie Vergara Realubit

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This manuscript explores and examines Asian/Asian-American identity and values. A brief discussion of Asian immigration history, intergenerational trauma, and the impacts of COVID-19 will be linked to Asian identity. Eastern values are explored in conjunction with Western values to highlight the differences and contradictions Asians/Asian-Americans navigate. Biculturalism is explained, as well as how the navigation of values results in individuals living in their ethnic and host cultures simultaneously. Acculturation and enculturation, the model minority myth, education and the American Dream, and bicultural stress experienced by Asian-Americans and Asian international students are explored to highlight the various ways in which biculturalism …

The Fetishization Of Asian American Women: Where We Are And Where To Go, Genevieve Askin

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Women of color in the United States suffer from hyper sexualization and fetishization, and Asian American (AA) women are no different. These racial microaggressions and normalized expressions of oppression based on both race/ethnicity and gender contribute to a distinct marginalization that women of color experience. This paper seeks to 1) explore the unique layers of oppression that AA women face, including combating the model minority myth, westernized beauty standards, and fetishization, as well as 2) address the difference in reception between the Stop Asian Hate movement and Black Lives Matter, while defining and critiquing the whitewashing of this field in …

Is Tai Chi A Beneficial Treatment For Anxiety In The Elderly Community?, Carolyn Kenney

Honors Projects in Applied Psychology

This study attempted to explore the relationship between tai chi practice and anxiety in the elderly population. The mental health disorder that I looked at was anxiety, as the elderly often experience anxiety related to contributing factors such as mental and physical decline. Anxiety among the elderly is a great concern as there is an increase in the world’s population of individuals aged 65 years or older. This will directly impact health care prices as more resources will have to be distributed to this age population. One solution to this problem is tai chi. Tai chi is a cost-effective way …