Digital Commons Network^™

Mental Health Services For Single Homeless Mothers With Children, Andrea Zermeno, Maria Alejandra Perez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Single mothers with young children living in poverty often experience various disadvantages, especially when they have mental health issues. They are a vulnerable population and face challenges such as poverty, homelessness, and low paying jobs. Homeless mothers and their children often have difficulty in finding means to survive and obtaining basic needs. The purpose of this study was to explore the quality and availability of mental health resources to homeless mother and their children. Ten participants were chosen outside of a homeless shelter in the City of Riverside. The study was a qualitative design conducted through face-to-face interviews.

This study …

Mental Health Services In An Exclusive Latino Community Versus A Diverse Community, Karina Amador, Natalie Salas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examined whether Latino immigrants’ community environment influenced perceptions about the meaning of mental health and accessing mental health services. The two environments analyzed in were an exclusively Latino community (primarily Latino members) and a diverse community (composed of different ethnicities including Latinos). The research method used in this study was a qualitative survey design. A semi-structured interview guideline with questions on the meaning of mental health, mental health services access, and community norms on mental health was utilized with 24 respondents. Responses were then analyzed to find themes. Findings from this study found similarities as well as differences …

The Impact Of Sexual Assault Disclosure Reactions On Interpersonal Factors And Mental Health, Lindsey Chesus

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Sexual victimization is experienced by about 20% of women and two percent of men (Black et al., 2011). Disclosure of these incidences is high, with about 90% of survivors speaking out at least once about their assault (Ullman & Peter-Hagene, 2014). Though disclosure rates appear high, common reactions given by formal (e.g. law enforcement) and informal (e.g. a friend) sources are negative and counterintuitive to survivor growth (Ullman & Brecklin, 2002). Often studied with military veterans and suicide, perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belonging are tied to social disconnect and perceived rejection from interpersonal support systems, and often follow stressful life …

Common Sources Of Anxiety For Students Who Experience Suicidal Ideation, Austin Nystrom, Fabian Ortiz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study was conducted to identify what sources of anxiety are most closely associated with experiencing SI among students in a school district in Southern California. Anxiety and suicide rates in youth continue to grow and a need for preventative services is a must. The research design consists of qualitative, biopsychosocial assessments, and qualitative, utilizing the collected data. MSW interns at the district site conducted the assessments and the writers analyzed and reviewed the data to draw out an answer to the research question. Implications for social work practice include gaining a better understanding on the common sources of anxiety …

Social Work Perspectives On The Constraints Of Managed Care And Mental Health Treatment, Lana Kaissi

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Approximately 46.6 million adults in the United States live with a mental illness as of 2017. Therefore, managed care being the system that facilitates access to mental health treatment needs to be addressed. Managed care (such as healthcare plans) seeks to facilitate healthcare service delivery by providing direction and guidance to utilization and prevention of services. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore social work perspectives on the constraints of managed care as it impacts access to mental health treatment. This study conducted qualitative interviews through a non-random sample of professional colleagues of social workers in the in …

Religion And Mental Health Service Utilization Among Hispanic Communities, Victor Ortega

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study aims to describe the relationship between religion and mental health utilization as perceived through Hispanic (Spanish speaking) individuals in religious communities. Previous studies have conducted research on the relationship between utilization of mental health services and religiosity, however there is limited research that describes the relationship between the two variables within the Hispanic population. This study seeks to find what the perception of mental health utilization is within the Hispanic community. Research has been conducted through a qualitative approach by interviews with individuals who have consented to be audio recorded. The data was then transcribed, for the purposes …

"We've Always Been Like Kind Of Kicked To The Curb." A Qualitative Analysis On Experiences Of Discrimination And Its Effect On Self-Esteem Among College Students, Cindy Mahoney

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Objective: The goal of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the relationship between mental health, discrimination, and self-esteem among college students. To further explore this concept, focus group interviews were conducted as a follow up.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a total of five existing literatures was systematically analyzed. Data analytic tables were used to collect information on population and study characteristics for the first part. The focus groups were transcribed verbatim and results were thematically analyzed to identify emergent constructs.

Results: There is a substantial relationship between mental …

Workplace Supports In The Infant Mental Health Field: A Mixed Methods Investigation, Tanika Eaves Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations

This mixed methods investigation explores work-related stress and employee well-being in infant mental health (IMH) practitioners and supervisors. The question of how reflective supervision can be integrated into infant-family serving systems to contain the emotional strains and secondary trauma of direct practice with vulnerable young children and families is gaining traction in the empirical literature (Barron & Paradis, 2010; O’Rourke, 2011; Osofsky, 2009; Shea, 2018; Watson, Gattis, & Neilssen, 2014). However, the relationship between organizational supports and self-care practices in managing work-related stress and promoting employee well-being has yet to be examined in the infant mental health literature.

Two studies …

Gratitude As An Antidote To Anxiety And Depression: All The Benefits, None Of The Side Effects, Mary Kate Schutt

Population Health Research Brief Series

Despite efforts among health care professionals, schools, and workplaces to address mental health issues, anxiety and depression remain pervasive public health concerns. This issue brief discusses how emerging research suggests practicing Gratitude may be an alternative antidote to battling anxiety and depression.

Physical Activity Health Communication For Adults With Mood Disorders In The United States, Abiola O. Keller, Angela Ortiz

Physician Assistant Studies Faculty Research and Publications

Using national representative data, this study sought to examine receipt of physical activity communication and counseling among adults with mood disorders in comparison to the general population in the United States. The sample consisted of adult primary-care visits in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care and National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between mental health status and receipt of physical activity communication and counseling. Overall, less than 20% of visits included physical activity communication and counseling. Controlling for covariates, visits for adults with a mood disorder diagnosis were associated with an increased …

Teachers' Stress And The Benefits Of Expressive Arts Therapy: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Annarose Squillante

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Although every job has its own set of obstacles, struggles and stressors that are unique to their profession, teachers face multidimensional stressors that can have negative impacts on them personally and professionally (Abel & Sewell, 1999). Research shows that teachers have multiple layers of stress that have the potential to lead to burnout, mental health problems, physical health problems and poor student relationships. This thesis outlines the existing research on the sources of stress for teachers, the impacts of the stress and the lack of consistent support and interventions for these teachers. While support for teachers does exist, it is …

From Dacamented To Undacamented: The Mental Health Implications Of Daca's Uncertain Future On Latino Immigrants, Isabel Cooper-Perales

Senior Theses

In response to political pressure, President Obama authorized the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012. The program gives qualified undocumented young people access to relief from deportation, renewable work permits, and temporary Social Security numbers. This policy opened up access to new jobs, higher earnings, driver’s licenses, health care, and banking. Now that DACA’ status is uncertain, Latino immigrants are faced with severe problems of mental health and wellbeing. Ending DACA without a more permanent program or solution in place has heightened the stress and fear that families with mixed citizenship status have increasingly faced. In this …

Breaking Pathological Stigmas: Art Therapy And Yoga With Mental Illnesses And Substance Abuse: Development Of A Method, Daniell Cohen

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis narrates a journey towards radical self-acceptance, recovery and growing awareness of substance abuse and mental illness through art therapy and yoga. Individuals who battle with a substance abuse and/or a mental illness are often faced with the predicament of sustaining consistent treatment. It is the opinion of this writer that the way our current mental health system is organized, fails to support the longevity of recovery and wellness for individuals who are unable to afford their treatment. This unfortunate situation sometimes leads to self-medicating behaviors resulting in addiction. As an intern at a short-term psychiatric and substance abuse …

Songwriting As Self-Care - A Burnout Prevention Tool For Mental Health Professionals: Development Of A Method, Brittany Leonard

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this capstone thesis, songwriting is examined through a critical, humanistic lens to determine whether or not it can be used as a legitimate method of self-care to prevent burnout and minimize perceived symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in mental health professionals. Therapeutic songwriting is an intervention grounded in analytical theory that aims to access the unconscious mind and uncover deep emotions, which is the foundation of this study. Rather than focusing on the effects songwriting has on clients, the researcher was interested in the benefits of songwriting for individuals working in the field of mental health. This project …

A Literature Review Of Art Therapy For Women With Breast Cancer, Soraya Hage Obeid

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Breast cancer among women causes many psychosocial symptoms in these patients which include depression, fatigue, and anxiety. Interventions such as art therapy have been successful in reducing the level of stress and enhancing mental well-being in women with breast cancer. This literature review highlights the saliency of art therapy to enhance the quality of life and mental health of women with breast cancer, and help women cope with their illness, and find meaning to it. Furthermore, in this literature review, art therapy is discussed to affect psychosocial factors that are related to levels of mortality and survivorship in breast cancer …

In The Wings: Actors & Mental Health A Critical Review Of The Literature, Gabrielle L. Arias

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Studies show that professional actors and performers are more likely than their civilian counterparts to suffer from depression, anxiety, and various other mental health struggles (Burgoyne, Poulin, Rearden, 1999; Geer, 1993; Maxwell, Seton, & Szabo, 2015; Robb & Due, 2018; Rob, Due & Venning, 2016; Seton, 2010). This review synthesizes some of the literature published regarding actors and the negative mental health issues they may suffer, with attention paid to two specific acting techniques that are commonly taught in the United States, Stanislavski’s ‘system’ and Strasberg’s ‘method.’ Using a mental-health lens, a critique of these techniques is offered to the …

College Students’ Mental Health: Exploring The Relationship With Resilience And Academic Performance, Bailey Hart

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Negative mental health outcomes are becoming increasingly prevalent in college students. Depression, anxiety, and stress have been previously shown to negatively impact academic motivation and performance. Resilience and social support can serve as preventative factors to protect students from this adversity. Resilience is a dynamic process that changes based on environmental factors. An individual’s perceptions of social support can be influenced by friends, family, and significant others. Another possible influence in the perception of social support and resilience is race/ethnicity. Social support especially has been viewed differently based on culture. The purpose of this study was to examine the links …

Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy For Adults At A Short-Term Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Megan Kenyon

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Research has shown that trauma has serious effects on a person throughout their lifespan and can often be linked with mental illness. This is significant because individuals with mental illness who have experienced trauma may be hospitalized at an inpatient psychiatric facility at some point in their lifetime. Because patients in an inpatient level of care are in crisis, it would be inappropriate to provide trauma treatment. Instead, the focus of an inpatient stay is on safety and stabilization. However providing trauma-informed care at an inpatient facility is vital for all levels of acuity. This means providing care that is …

Images Of The Self: A Literature Review Exploring The Use Of Altered Book Making With Adolescent Girls With Anxiety And Depression, Erica Mccracken

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The aim of this capstone thesis is to explore the use of altered books with adolescent girls as a form of treatment for anxiety and depression. It first looks at existing literature to ascertain reasons for the higher prevalence of mental health challenges in girls than boys. Various case examples are presented as evidence for the efficacy of altered books in art therapy. The use of art therapy is explored with girls with low self-esteem and body image issues, the beneficial qualities of group art therapy, and altered book making as a means for treatment. The review of literature and …

Quality Of Life For Alaskan Individuals With Fasd And Their Families, Brenda S. Dow

Arctic and Northern Studies

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. The effects of FASD include a range of physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities. These disabilities impact quality of life, not only for the affected individual, but for family members. The effects from FASD ripple into schools, the correctional system, and throughout rural and urban communities. Although there are no reliable statistics available on FASD in Alaska, many professionals in the field believe Alaska to have the highest rate of FASD in the United States. This research has explored the ways in which prenatal exposure …

Ten Questions Concerning The Built Environment And Mental Health, Andrew J. Hoisington, Kelly A. Stearns-Yoder, Steven J. Schuldt, Cody J. Beemer, Juan P. Maestre, Kerry A. Kinney, Teodor T. Postolache, Christopher A. Lowry, Lisa A. Brenner

Faculty Publications

Most people spend the majority of their lives indoors. Research over the last thirty years has focused on investigating the mechanisms through which specific elements of the built environment, such as indoor air quality, influence the physical health of occupants. However, similar effort has not been expended in regard to mental health, a significant public health concern. One in five Americans has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder in the past year, and, in the United States, the number of suicide deaths are similar to the number of deaths due to breast cancer. Increases in mental health disorders in …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Mindfulness-Based Interventions To Improve Mental Health And Overall Wellbeing Of College Student-Athletes, Haley Katherine Brock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Athletes have several challenges and demands that increase psychological distress

and disturbances to overall wellbeing. Currently, more research is being done to identify issues that college athletes face by not receiving mental health services. College athletes are now being identified in the literature as a vulnerable population. This pilot study looked at a possible mindfulness-based intervention by incorporating yoga sessions. The research hypothesis proposed that the participants who partake in the yoga sessions have a decrease in depression and anxiety, and overall wellbeing. This increase was measured using the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), PHQ-9, and the Behavioral Health Measure …

Outcomes Of Mental Health Crises When Mental Health Professionals Partner With Mental Health Deputies, Melissa Kay Murray

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Law enforcement has historically been on the frontlines of the mental health crisis. This expected role is difficult as police officers are not trained as mental health professionals. Collaboration between police officers, mental health professionals, and mental health authorities have produced integral models to assist with the mental health crisis. Crisis intervention teams (CIT), mobile crisis units, and street triage models are highlighted to gain understanding of the components of these models. This study desires to examine a collaborative, recently implemented mental health deputy grant program aimed at diverting mentally ill individuals in crisis from contact with the criminal justice …

Culture In Mind: Fostering A Sense Of Belonging For Students Of Color In Wellness-Affiliated Spaces, Mandy Mekhail

M.A. in Higher Education Leadership: Action Research Projects

The purpose of this study was to bridge the gap between students of color and mental health resources at a predominantly white institution. Previous research demonstrates that negative mental health outcomes are positively correlated with students who feel a lack of belonging while on campus. These negative outcomes are felt more pronouncedly by students of color. Furthermore, students of color are shown to underutilize mental health resources relative to their white-identifying peers. Utilizing my positionality as a person of color working within a wellness office, I worked with students of color, wellness professionals, and multicultural professionals to ask what more …

Mental Health Of Children With Chronic Illness, Courtney B. Hoster

Honors Capstones

The purpose of this literature review is to examine the current trends in research surrounding pediatric physical chronic illness and mental health outcomes. The rate of children in the United States living with a chronic illness continues to increase and oftentimes, healthcare providers may not recognize the mental health implications associated with living with a chronic physical condition. All articles utilized in this literature review were found using CINAHL Complete. Each article was published within the last five years and has been peer reviewed. The review of literature showed that children living with a chronic physical condition are more likely …

Bgsu Student Perceptions Of Mental Health Care And Associated Barriers, Adriana Italiano

Honors Projects

It has been estimated that half of adults within the United States with mental disorders do not seek any treatment (Eisenberg et al., 2011). Of the remaining individuals that do seek the necessary services for treatment, there is a “median delay of 11 years between onset of mental disorders and accessing services” (Eisenberg et al., 2007). In the midst of university life, college students carry a heavy burden; the stress of academics, involvement, GPA, as well as their social and family life can allow these students to develop a disorder or fall deeper into their diagnosis. Today’s campus communities, especially …

Social Work’S Contribution To Research Regarding Suicide Among African Americans, Darius Reed

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Suicide among African Americans has increased significantly in the past 15 years, yet it remains a neglected topic in social work research. Social workers are the largest direct provider of mental health services in the United States. However their valuable person-in-environment perspective has not been incorporated into research to provide insight on ways to decrease incidents of suicide among African Americans. This systematic review examines social work’s contribution to suicide research while focusing on the social context in which African Americans live. The systematic review also examines protective factors specific to African Americans that can be used to mitigate suicide …

Food Insecurity And Mental Health Correlations And Barriers On A College Campus, Alexandria M. Bisson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Food insecurity is defined by the U.S Department of Agriculture as “the uncertain or limited ability to get adequate food due to lack of financial resources” (Watson, Malan, Glik, & Martinez, 2017, p. 130). It tends to go unnoticed, and the size of the vulnerable population cannot be fully depicted because of stigma in seeking help. One study could only estimate from findings that 14% to 59% of students will be food insecure at some point throughout their college years (Henry, 2017). Food insecurity is affecting students’ social and mental health, diet choices, and physical well-being. Food insecurity is only …

Arkansas Principal Preparedness To Identify And Assist Students With Mental Health Needs, Candra Leigh Brasel

Theses and Dissertations from 2019

There is a growing need for children’s mental health services. With the majority of their time spent at school, educators are often the first adults in a child’s life to identify and assist students with mental health needs. However, oftentimes educators do not have the education and training needed to assist students with accessing quality mental health services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the preparedness of Arkansas public school principals to assist students with mental health needs in this rapidly changing era of education. The participant sample of the study consisted of 133 Arkansas public school …

Into My Mind, Tyler Greene

Student Projects

You ever woke up from a fucked-up dream that has you thinking about it for hours, days even? In my current body of work, I would say those type of dreams are the inspiration for my studio practice. I intent to capture a moment from my dreams which portrays the emotions of how I felt in a specific moment. In making a piece I utilize illustrative figurative images described with symbolic colors. I utilize watercolors and inks in order to employ the sometimes-accidental quantities of the fluid nature of the material. When I use graphite, I am looking to reassert …