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Existential Interventions For Adolescent Suicidality: Practical Interventions To Target The Root Causes Of Adolescent Distress, Ragan Lybbert, Samuel Ryland, Roy A. Bean

Faculty Publications

In this work we discuss common forms of treatment for suicidality and suicidality among adolescents. Vastly pervasive, crisis intervention-based treatment is found throughout nearly all suicidality treatments regardless of client age or intervention site. Crisis intervention-based approaches often overlook many crucial elements of suicidality in adolescents. We therefore explore elements of existential therapy and their potential merit in treatment for suicide among adolescents. These include existential angst and despair, meaninglessness and isolation. These elements are strong predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents. While the common crisis-based treatment appropriately addresses immediate safety needs, it can neglect and even exacerbate …

Assessment Of Various Critical Incident Management And Support Protocols For Railway Employees After A Serious Incident, Cécile Bardon, Brian L. Mishara, Angelo Soares

Rapports de recherche scientifique

L’industrie ferroviaire canadienne fait régulièrement face à des incidents critiques (IC) associés à des collisions avec des personnes ou des véhicules. Ces incidents peuvent occasionner des blessures graves, ou des décès, parmi les victimes, mais aussi des problèmes de santé mentale chez les ingénieurs et conducteurs opérant les locomotives. Chaque année, environ 20 personnes décèdent lors de collisions avec un train au Québec et une centaine au Canada. À ces incidents mortels s’ajoute un nombre inconnu d’incidents lors desquels des personnes ont été blessées ou des dégâts matériels ont été constatés. La plupart des ingénieurs et conducteurs de train …

Access To Mental Health Facilities And Homicidal Circumstances, Shalini Hathurusinghe

Theses and Dissertations

This paper considers the possible links between access to mental health facilities, victim-perpetrator relationships, and crimes that occur in conjunction to homicide.

Strategies Employed By Community-Based Service Providers To Address Hiv-Associated Neurocognitive Challenges: A Qualitative Study, Renato M. Liboro, Sean B. Rourke, Francisco Ibanez-Carrasco, Andrew Easton, Daniel Pugh, Claudia Medina, Allan Rae, Paul A. Shuper, Lori E. Ross

Psychology Faculty Research

Background: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and other causes of neurocognitive challenges experienced by people living with HIV (PLWH) persist as public health concerns in developed countries. Consequently, PLWH who experience neurocognitive challenges increasingly require social support and mental health services from community-based providers in the HIV sector. Methods: Thirty-three providers from 22 AIDS service organizations across Ontario, Canada, were interviewed to determine the strategies they used to support PLWH experiencing neurocognitive difficulties. Thematic analysis was conducted to determine key themes from the interview data. Results: Three types of strategies were identified: (a) intrapersonal, (b) interpersonal, and (c) organizational. Intrapersonal strategies involved …

A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Evaluation Of A Universal Healthy Relationships Promotion Program For Youth, Deinera Exner-Cortens, David Wolfe, Claire Crooks, Debbie Chiodo

Education Publications

Bullying and mental health problems are pressing concerns for adolescents. Given their burden, we need to find efficacious ways to prevent these experiences. However, existing prevention programs tend to be single-issue and may not focus on the universal capacities required to reduce these problems among youth. To this end, we evaluated the universal, small groups Healthy Relationships Plus (HRP) program, which focuses on the promotion of positive mental health and the reduction of bullying and substance misuse. A sample of 212 youth from Southwestern Ontario were randomly assigned to the HRP or an attention-control condition over an 8-day period during …

A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Evaluation Of A Universal Healthy Relationships Promotion Program For Youth, Deinera Exner-Cortens, David Wolfe, Claire Crooks, Debbie G. Chiodo Ms.

Journal Articles

Bullying and mental health problems are pressing concerns for adolescents. Given their burden, we need to find efficacious ways to prevent these experiences. However, existing prevention programs tend to be single-issue and may not focus on the universal capacities required to reduce these problems among youth. To this end, we evaluated the universal, small groups Healthy Relationships Plus (HRP) program, which focuses on the promotion of positive mental health and the reduction of bullying and substance misuse. A sample of 212 youth from Southwestern Ontario were randomly assigned to the HRP or an attention-control condition over an 8-day period during …

Mental Health Intervention Within The Education System And The Importance Of Developing A Quality Model Of Services, Jaclyn Mumaugh

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine what schools are currently doing with the rise of mental health issues in youth. As schools continue to enroll more and more children suffering from possible mental health issues, districts must be equipped to provide appropriate care. Many factors need to be taken into account before support can be provided within the school, such as training, programming, staffing, and much more. Without proper services, adolescents can encounter many issues that will affect them the rest of their lives. This thesis will provide further information on how schools are currently providing care and …

Empathy Levels In Canadian Paramedic Students: A Longitudinal Study, Alberto Pagano, Kate Robinson, Chris Ricketts, Jenalyn Cundy Jones, Lisa Henderson, Wes Cartwright, Alan M. Batt

Faculty & Staff Publications - Public Safety

Background: Empathy in healthcare delivery in an essential component to providing high-quality patient care. Empathy in paramedics and paramedic students has been subject to limited study to date. This study aimed to determine the empathy levels demonstrated by first year paramedic students over the course of their first year of study.

Methods: This study employed a longitudinal design of a convenience sample of first year paramedic students in community college programs in Ontario, Canada. The Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS) was used to measure empathy levels across four medical conditions: intellectual disability, suicide attempt, substance abuse, and mental health emergency. …

Drowsy And Dangerous? Fatigue In Paramedics: An Overview, Scott Ramey, Alexander Macquarrie, Alyson Cochrane, Ivan Mccann, C William Johnston, Alan M. Batt

Faculty & Staff Publications - Public Safety

Background
Fatigue is a complex phenomenon that has effects on physical characteristics, cognition, behaviours, and physical and mental health. Paramedicine crosses the boundaries of many high-risk industries, namely medicine, transport and aviation. The effects of fatigue on paramedics thus need to be explored and considered in order to begin to identify appropriate interventions and management strategies.

Aim
The aim of this article was to provide an overview of fatigue in paramedics and its potential effects on various areas of practice and provider health, and to outline potential solutions to assess and manage the risk of fatigue in paramedics as suggested …

A Clinical Documentation Practice Improvement To Increase Insurance Reimbursement, Allison R. Hamilton

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The National Institute Mental Health (2015) estimated there were about 44.7 million people diagnosed with a serious mental illness and 62.9% of those diagnosed were without mental health services. The loss of services was due to unemployment, reoccurring hospitalization, inabilities to care for themselves, and lack of participation in societal norms (World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). According to Insel (2011/2015), the U.S. cost of mental healthcare was an estimated $57.5 billion in 2006. This cost was not due to actual care but associated with the economic burden of job loss and the excessive use of community resources. The Affordable …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Attachment, And Ptsd Symptoms Among Male Offenders In Court-Ordered Diversion, Michael A. Quinones

Theses and Dissertations

There are millions of adult male offenders currently involved with U.S. corrections system, many of which report a wide range of mental health difficulties and a history of traumatic experiences. Mental health and trauma-related difficulties are important considerations in the treatment and rehabilitation of adult male offenders. The relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment style, and PTSD symptoms were studied in a sample of adult male participants in a court-ordered diversion program. The sample consisted of 59 men, ranging in age from 19 to 68-years-old, who endorsed a history of at least one prior arrest. Data were collected during …

Mental Health Disorders In Dpt Students: Identifying Needs, Support Systems, & Challenges, Jennifer M. Bogardus

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: There is an increase in the incidence and severity of mental health disorders in university students. Doctor of Physical Therapy students are at increased risk due to physiological, environmental, and generational factors. Design: Mixed-Methods, multi-site, descriptive study Participants: Current DPT students (N= 1228 ) completed a survey and DASS-42; 20 students demonstrating moderate severity on the DASS participated in telephone interviews. Methods: Surveys were emailed to 238 DPT program directors with a request to forward to students. Following the survey, a total of 20 interviews were completed. Results: DPT students were found to have higher DASS scores than their …

Changes In Quality Of Life After Surgery Or Radiotherapy In Early-Stage Lung Cancer, R. M. Schwartz, N. Alpert, K. Rosenzweig, R. Flores, E. Taioli

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Change In Quality Of Life After A Cancer Diagnosis Among A Nationally Representative Cohort Of Older Adults In The Us, R. M. Schwartz, K. A. Ornstein, B. Liu, N. Alpert, K. G. Bevilacqua, E. Taioli

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Life History Of Margo B. Holm, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Abda, Emma Chafin, Jessica Lambert

Oral History Posters

This life history is one of 30 life history interviews which are part of a larger project, Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) at the National Level and Beyond. The purpose of study is to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond. It is anticipated that the life history process will be a powerful way to …

The Impact Of Paternal Involvement And United States Stay Length On Latino Youth's Depressive Symptoms, Christine Marie Bishop, Sara Makki Alamdari

Faculty Publications

Latino youth in the United States are more at-risk for depression than youth of other ethnic backgrounds. This manuscript assesses the impacts of sex, age, United States stay length, and whether or not Latino children of immigrants’ fathers live with them on the youth’s depressive symptoms. For this purpose, data of the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study was used. Using multiple regression analysis, the relationships among the aforementioned factors were examined among 1305 immigrant youth who were born in Latin America and Caribbean countries. The results of the study indicated that being male, living with one’s father and longer stay …

Mass Incarceration In The United States, Alex Resney

Ballard Brief

In both per capita and absolute terms, the United States criminal justice system is the largest in the world, housing almost 2.3 million people. Some of the challenges facing this system are policies regarding drug offenses that date back to the war on Drugs, a lack of rehabilitation of convicts, and the ·tough on crime· narrative that dominates American media. This mass incarceration impacts society at all levels, from the community to the individual. It places an economic burden on the American public, affects the health and wellbeing of the families of incarcerated individuals, leaves those in the criminal justice …

Examining Mother And Father (Dis)Agreement Of Youth Mental Health Among Ethnically Diverse Families, Areti Vassilopoulos

Theses and Dissertations

Many children and adolescents in the United States experience externalizing behavior problems identified as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder. These behavior problems cause disruptions in the youth’s socioemotional functioning and academic success. The assignment of a diagnosis from the DSM-5 is often the first step in treatment planning, because many clinics and third-party payers require a diagnosis for authorization of treatment payment. However, research has repeatedly revealed that informants differ in the information they provide regarding youth mental health. While studies have separately examined the association of youth characteristics, parent characteristics, and family characteristics and informant agreement, …

The Disparity In Mental Health Between Two Generations Of Internal Migrants (Ims) In China: Evidence From A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study, Wen Chen, Qi Zhang, Andre M.N. Renzaho, Li Ling

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Internal migrants (IMs) are a large, vulnerable population in China and are mostly driven by national economic reform. IMs who were born before and after 1980, when the general social and economic reform began to appear in China, are considered to be two separate generations. The generational differences in mental health across IMs remain undocumented. In this study, the intergenerational disparity in IMs’ mental health, using data from a national cross-sectional study, was assessed. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the “National Internal Migrant Dynamic Monitoring Survey 2014” were used. IMs were divided into the “old” or “new” generation, based on …

Cross-Cultural Adaptation Of An Instrument To Address The Mental Health Needs In Nepal, Dene S. Berman

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Nepal has had devastating earthquakes compounded by economic struggles, social and political crises. There is evidence of significant psychological distress but few mental health resources. The current project’s aim is to provide the people of Nepal who are experiencing emotional distress with information about improving their lives in a way that otherwise would not be available in rural health centers. For this purpose, a culturally sensitive and valid adaptation of Healthy Habits for Emotional Well-being into Nepali was created following World Health Organization guidelines. Implications for its use were discussed, along with possible future directions for continued outreach efforts.

The Relationship Between Cultural Background, Gender, Physical Activity, And The Resilience And Well-Being Levels Of Adolescents, Joshua G. Symes

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The incidence of mental health disorders continues to rise, and it is predicted that depression will be the second highest cause of disability, behind ischemic heart disease, for all ages and genders over the next decade (WHO, 2017). Mental health disorders in adults are quite clearly clearly understood; but mental health disorders in children and adolescents have not been as widely researched, particularly in relation to preventative and protective factors. This non-experimental quantitative study investigated the relationship between the dependent variables of well-being and resilience, and the independent variables of gender, racial, and cultural background, and physical activity levels of …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Margo B. Holm , Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Abda, Emma Chafin, Jessica Lambert

Oral History Student Papers

The purpose of this qualitative research study using a life history interview approach was to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how occupational therapy practice has evolved from its inception to current practice through the life history stories of occupational therapists who have held leadership roles at the national level and beyond. The methodology included one semi-structured interview with Dr. Margo B. Holm, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, ABDA that was conducted by two student researchers. Data was analyzed through coding of the transcribed interview. Three categories with corresponding themes emerged from this process: …

Resiliency And Proactive Coping Methods Targeting Perceived Stress Levels In Older Adults, Katie Holmes

OT Student Capstones

Stress, or perceived stress, has the potential to be life-threatening to those that experience it on a regular basis. Community-dwelling older adults may be particularly vulnerable to perceived stress and its effects due to stressors such as negative life events, chronic disease or declining health, loss of loved ones experienced with the aging process, and social isolation. Stress and mental health and well-being are not being adequately addressed in independent and assisted living communities for older adults. An eight-week stress management program focusing on the concepts of resiliency and proactive coping was implemented at a local retirement community. An overall …

The Impact Of Participation In Athletics On Neurological And Psychological Health And The Ability To Compete, Sean Burke

Writing Across the Curriculum

Through the analysis of data pooled from multiple studies, we identify the relationship between participation in athletics and the likelihood of developing a mental illness or brain injury and how this may impact the longevity of an athlete’s career. Using data from various studies, we find that the prolonged exposure to athletics results in a higher likelihood of developing a psychological or neurological illness both in the short and long term. Additionally, we find that this is often the result of accumulated injuries, both neurological, such as concussions, and physiological, such as tearing muscles or breaking bones. The results, however, …

Contemporary Mental Health Care In Rural Areas: Challenges And Strategies, Whitney Cassity-Caywood

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Mental health care and illness prevention present distinct challenges in rural areas with limited resources. This paper examines rural-specific mental health care concerns and uses a public health prevention model to discuss the most current and prolific strategies to address these issues. The unique role of the social work profession in implementing these strategies is highlighted.

Detecting Fine-Grained Population Codes In Human Prefrontal Cortex, Brainscan, Western University, Marieke Mur, Julio Martinez-Trujillo, Ravi Menon, Joe Gati

Project Summaries

In this project, we will develop techniques for improving our measurement resolution so that we can gain access to prefrontal population codes. We will combine high-field fMRI with pattern analysis techniques to unlock population coding in the prefrontal cortex. This is essential for understanding how the brain supports higher-order cognition, and ultimately, for treating dysfunctions of cognitive flexibility in the clinic.

Stories Of Children, Youth, And Families’ Adaptation To Community Living In The First Year After Involvement With Children’S Residential Mental Health Programs, Karen M. Frensch, Gary Cameron

Partnerships for Children and Families Project

Twenty-two youth between the ages of 14 and 18 years old who were involved with residential programs from participating children’s mental health organizations in Southern Ontario, Canada during 2015 to 2017 participated in a study of adaptation to community living in the first year following program exit. Youth, parents, child welfare workers, and mental health workers took part in qualitative interviews up to three times during the study period. Interview comments were used to construct a narrative or “story” of the year following program exit that integrated multiple informants’ perspectives of how each youth was functioning within that timeframe. Stories …

"I'M A Strong Independent Black Woman": The Cost Of Strong Black Woman Schema Endorsement, Stephanie Castelin

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The Strong Black Woman Schema (SBWS) is a cultural expectation placed on black women to unfailingly display signs of strength and caretaker qualities, while suppressing their emotions. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between the SBWS and psychological distress, suicidal behaviors, and resilience. Researchers expected to find a positive relationship between the SBWS and psychological distress, a positive relationship between the SBWS and resilience, and an undefined relationship between the SBWS and suicidal behaviors. The study also examined the potential moderating effects of the SBWS and resilience on the existing psychological distress-suicidal behaviors relationship. Lastly, the study examined …

Social And Emotional Health In The Schools, Brittany J. Meuser

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the role of social and emotional learning skills in the schools. Teachers and schools are able to use a variety of interventions to address students’ social and emotional health needs within the school building. This would include using strategies, collaborations between school support staff, and integrating community resources such as clinical professionals into the school buildings. There are factors that the need to be addressed when supporting students’ social and emotional needs such as their culture, disability, and demographics to best support the needs of students. Teachers are also able to influence their students social and emotional …

Measuring Effects Of Childhood Adversity On Resilience Level Of Army Veterans, Stephanie Rausch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Veteran suicide is a public health issue that requires more research to understand the multidimensional factors, such as resilience, that lead someone to suicide. Adverse childhood events (ACEs), such as poverty and abuse, have affected how resilience is developed. This study examined the association between childhood factors of socioeconomic status, parental discipline, and being a military child, and adult resiliency level. Dienstbier's theory of mental toughness framed the study, which posits that a child who experiences mild ACEs and has time to recover between events, will be more resilient than children who experience serious ACEs, and children who experience little …