Digital Commons Network^™

Human-Animal Interaction, Social Networks, And Health Status, Leslie Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Using online survey data and applying a series of multiple linear regression analyses, this thesis unraveled a set of intriguing and unexpected results on the impacts of human-animal interaction (HAI) on human mental and physical health status, while leaving some aspects to be further explored and explained by way of future studies. The results of this study also provided insights on how human-human interaction (HHI) in the form of social networks impact college students in a U.S. southern border city. Results of this study indicated that while HAI positively impacted mental health (i.e., lowered depression score), it also was a …

Transgender Resiliency: A Comparison Of Transgender And Cisgender Therapy Clients’ Family Functioning And Psychological Symptomology, Deborah Coolhart , Ph.D., Lmft, Anibal Torres Bernal , Ph.D., Kimdy Le , Ph.D.

Counseling and Family Therapy Scholarship Review

Existing literature often suggests transgender people face increased vulnerabilities in comparison to cisgender people and poorer mental and physical health outcomes. However, studies are increasingly exploring resilience of transgender people and factors contributing to positive coping. The current study compared transgender to cisgender clients at a University-based couple and family therapy center on self-reported psychological symptomology and family functioning. Transgender individuals did not differ significantly from cisgender individuals on family functioning, however transgender individuals reported significantly fewer symptoms on all twelve subscales of psychological symptomology, despite lower income and lower levels of education. Results suggest transgender individuals may develop unique …

Self-Reported Academic Performance In Relation To Health Behaviours Among Bahria University Students, Rehana Rehman, Amara Zafar, Aleena Mohib, Mehwish Hussain, Rabiya Ali

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To find an association between self-reported academic performance with different socio-demographic factors, health behaviours and mental health amongst university students.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahria University, Karachi, from January 2012 to December 2013, and comprised university students of different disciplines. An anonymous, self-reported questionnaire was distributed among the subjects. Convenient sampling technique was used. Demographic information, including age, gender and field of study, were obtained. Depresion was evaluated via Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. SPSS 22 was used to analyse data.
Results: Of the 813 respondents, 334(41.1%) were males and 479(58.9%) females. The mean age …

Psychometric Properties Of The Positive Thinking Skills Scale Among College Students, Denise M. Matel-Anderson, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Suicide continues to be in the top leading causes of death among college students. Positive thinking has been linked to increasing health outcomes and decreasing the effects of stress. The psychometric properties of the 8-item Positive Thinking Skills Scale (PTSS) has not been tested in American college students. The study used resilience as the theoretical framework. In 131 students, internal consistency and construct validity was supported. The Cronbach's alpha of 0.86 and significant correlation with measures of suicide resilience, perceived social support, and self-esteem demonstrated good reliability and validity. The findings of the study provide directions for future suicide prevention …

Évaluation De Différents Protocoles De Gestion D’Incident Et De Soutien Aux Employés Après Un Incident Grave, 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 …

Parks As Places Of Public Solace: The Perception Of Parks After 9/11, Ryan Hammond

The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper investigates the utilization and public perception of parks in New York City following the 9/11 attacks, using a quantitative content analysis of local newspapers published within a year of the attack, specifically looking for themes indicating how parks were perceived and used. My preliminary findings indicate that parks were frequently used for large gatherings and memorials, that people found solace in the parks themselves, and that communities either formed or strengthened through use of parks following the attacks. In conclusion, the creation and promotion of large common green areas in urban spaces may serve as a means of …

The Implementation Of Mental Health Concept By Imam Al-Ghazali In Islamic Counseling Guidance, Aliah B. Purwakania Hasan, Abas Mansur Tamam

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

Nowadays, mental health issues are growing problems in the society. Many people experience a disruption in achieving ideal conditions in which they can live physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially healthy, but can also appreciate the potential that makes them productive. This study aims to discuss the mental health in Islamic perspective based on the thoughts of Imam Al-Ghazali. This study is a literature study using content analysis techniques. Mental health can be seen as a model consisting of the aqidah solidity, the liberation from the heart disease, the development of noble character, good morality built in social relations, and the …

An Examination Of Factors That Affect The Utilization Of Mental Health Services By Adolescents, Nichole A. Murray

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mental disorders among adolescents are on the rise and are among the most common chronic conditions, constituting a national epidemic. Prevalence rates indicate that 20–40% of the adolescent population in the U.S. suffers from emotional or behavioral difficulties significant enough to lead to functional impairment. Further, estimates suggest that more than 20% of the adolescent population has a diagnosable mental disorder, which significantly impacts their functioning substantially at school, at home and in their communities. Despite national agendas to address the mental health needs of adolescents, studies suggest that approximately 50 percent of adolescents with mental health needs do not …

Les Blessures Professionnelles Et Leurs Déterminants : Mieux Comprendre Le Rôle Du Secteur Industriel Et De La Profession, Pierre Durand, Nancy Beauregard, Alain Marchand, Andrée Demers

Rapports de recherche scientifique

L'ampleur actuelle de la morbidité et de la mortalité liées aux blessures professionnelles (c.-à-d. accidents du travail, troubles liés aux mouvements répétitifs) pèse lourd sur la productivité des travailleurs, des entreprises et de la société canadienne. Annuellement, les données révèlent qu'un Canadien sur quinze est blessé dans l'exercice de son travail, alors que les coûts économiques générés par les blessures professionnelles mortelles et non mortelles figurent parmi les principales causes contributives au fardeau économique de la maladie au Canada. Ainsi, malgré la présence de disparités importantes dans la distribution sociale des facteurs de risque liés aux blessures professionnelles, les connaissances …

Disordered: Conversations About Mental Health And Society, Rachel Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Disordered is a collaborative, participatory street art project designed to destigmatize mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, and reframe health as a societal issue. Through social practice and guerrilla strategies, Disordered intervenes in public spaces, creating conversations, stickers and metal signs to inspire personal, social and political transformations.

Autism Spectrum Disorder And Family Impact, Angela J. Goodwin

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face various specific challenges no matter the severity of their child’s ASD. Children with autism experience difficulty with social interaction and communication and experience restricted or repetitive thoughts or patterns of behavior. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face challenges directly related to their child’s diagnosis. Parenting a child with autism exhibits high amounts of stress, and affects mothers and fathers differently. Parents who are able to successfully find coping mechanisms such as increased social support, participation in their child’s therapy, and increased optimism can assist them in parenting …

Relationship Between Diet And Mental Health In A Young Adult Appalachian College Population, Rachel A. Wattick, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Melissa D. Olfert

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Young adults in Appalachia may face poor nutritional status due to low access to healthy food and high mental health symptoms attributed to high stress and the college environment. A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the relationship between diet intake and mental health status of this population via surveys. Participant responses (n = 1956) showed students’ mean number of depressed days over the past 30 days was 9.67 ± 8.80, and of anxious days, 14.1 ± 10.03. The mean fruit and vegetable intake was 1.80 ± 1.27 times per day and the mean added sugars intake was 1.79 ± …

Masculine Traits And Depressive Symptoms In Older And Younger Men And Women, Elizabeth C. Price, Jeffrey J. Gregg, Merideth D. Smith, Amy Fiske

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Evidence suggests that men who strongly endorse masculine traits display an atypical presentation of depression, including more externalizing symptoms (e.g., anger or substance use), but fewer typical, internalizing symptoms (e.g., depressed mood or crying). This phenomenon has not been adequately explored in older adults or women. The current study used the externalizing subscale of the Masculine Depression Scale in older and younger men and women to detect atypical symptoms. It was predicted that individuals who more strongly endorsed masculine traits would have higher scores on the measure of externalizing symptoms relative to a measure of typical depressive symptoms Center for …

Mental Illness Among Refugees In The Middle East, Alyssa Clark, Will Hayden, Chloe Jensen

Ballard Brief

Refugees are particularly susceptible to mental illness because of the situations they are forced to flee and the uncertainty they face in new countries. Mental illnesses can keep refugees from living high-quality lives. Refugees, particularly in the Middle East, face many barriers to receiving treatment for mental illness. Destigmatizing mental illness and providing access to high-quality, culturally appropriate mental health care are key practices in treating mental illness among refugees.

Exposure To Gender-Based Violence And Depressive Symptoms Among Transgender Women In Cambodia: Findings From The National Integrated Biological And Behavioral Survey 2016, Siyan Yi, Sovannary Tuot, Srean Chhim, Pheak Chhoun, Phalkun Mun, Gitau Mburu

Background: Transgender women are at significant risk of HIV, and they face intersecting barriers to health, social, and legal services. However, data regarding the unique needs and experiences of transgender women are globally scant. This study examined the relationship between gender-based violence and depressive symptoms among transgender women in Cambodia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1375 sexually active transgender women recruited by using the respondent-driven sampling method in the capital city of Phnom Penh and 12 provinces between December 2015 and February 2016. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D). Multivariate regression analysis was …

Mental Health Problems And Onset Of Tobacco Use Among 12- To 24-Year-Olds In The Path Study, Victoria R. Green Mhs, Kevin P. Conway Phd, Ches, Marushka L. Silveira Bds, Mph, Phd, Karin A. Kasza Ma, Amy Cohn Phd, K. Michael Cummings Phd, Mph, Cassandra A. Stanton Phd, Priscilla Callahan-Lyon Md, Wendy Slavit Mph, Ches, James D. Sargent Md, Nahla Hilmi Mph, Raymond S. Niaura Phd, Chad J. Reissig Phd, Elizabeth Lambert Ma, Izabella Zandberg Phd, Mary F. Brunette Md, Susanne E. Tanski Md, Nicolette Borek Phd, Andrew J. Hyland Phd, Wilson M. Compton Md, Mpe

United States Food and Drug Administration: Publications

Objective: To examine whether mental health problems predict incident use of 12 different tobacco products in a nationally representative sample of youth and young adults.

Method: This study analyzed Wave (W) 1 and W2 data from 10,533 12- to 24-year-old W1 never tobacco users in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Self-reported lifetime internalizing and externalizing symptoms were assessed at W1. Past 12-month use of cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), traditional cigars, cigarillos, filtered cigars, pipe, hookah, snus pouches, other smokeless tobacco, bidis and kreteks (youth only), and dissolvable tobacco was assessed at W2.

Results:In multivariable …

Autoethnography Of A Whitegirl Marriage And Family Therapist's Experience Working On The Rez, Andrea L. Cuva

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Despite the abundance of literature regarding potentially effective treatment modalities for Native American clients, researchers have been unable to identify an empirically proven effective treatment modality for this population. Common recommendations/considerations for therapists working with Native clients have been identified throughout literature; however, such findings were gathered by insiders (i.e., Native researchers or trained Tribal staff), which has left questions regarding the efficacy of such recommendations when applied by non-Native therapists. Due to Native American history, elaborate IRB requirements were put in place to ensure ethical research with this population but impedes the research process. I conducted an analytic autoethnography …

Psychotropic Medications And Children: Perceptions Of Mental Health Professionals, Elinor Jane Brereton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project explores mental health professionals' perspectives on the prescription of psychotropic medications to children. It emphasizes the placement of biomedicine within its larger social, economic, and political context, and the influence these structures have on the way mental illness is conceptualized and treated in children. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted in Denver, Colorado with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and a pharmaceutical board member to capture multiple perspectives from different positionalities within the field. Participants discussed factors that they believe influence prescribing practices including: professional role changes, issues of access, limited evidence, cost, and institutional pressures to practice within a …

Co-Occurrence Of Tobacco Product Use, Substance Use, And Mental Health Problems Among Youth: Findings From Wave 1 (2013–2014) Of The Population Assessment Of Tobacco And Health (Path) Study, Kevin P. Conway, Victoria R. Green, Karin A. Kasza, Marushka L. Silveira, Nicolette Borek, Heather L. Kimmel, James D. Sargent, Cassandra A. Stanton, Elizabeth Lambert, Nahla Hilmi, Chad J. Reissig, Kia J. Jackson, Susanne E. Tanski, David Maklan, Andrew J. Hyland, Wilson M. Compton

United States Food and Drug Administration: Publications

Introduction: Cigarette use is associated with substance use and mental health problems among youth, but as- sociations are unknown for non-cigarette tobacco product use, as well as the increasingly common poly-tobacco use.

Methods: The current study examined co-occurrence of substance use and mental health problems across tobacco products among 13,617 youth aged 12–17 years from Wave 1 (2013–2014) of the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Participants self-reported ever cigarette, e-cigar- ette, smokeless tobacco, traditional cigar, cigarillo, filtered cigar, hookah, and other tobacco product use; al- cohol, marijuana, and other drugs; and lifetime substance use, internalizing …

Positive Legal Education: Flourishing Law Students And Thriving Law Schools, Debra S. Austin

Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship

The report begins with a call to leadership within each facet of the legal profession, urging a shift from ignoring well-being problems to taking action to create cultural change; argues that legal educators must undertake initiatives in order to innovate and improve legal education and law practice; and proposes a new field of inquiry called Positive Legal Education that leverages research findings from Positive Psychology, neuroscience, and Positive Education to inspire innovation in legal education and curate a culture of well-being in the legal field.

Behavioral Health In Rural America: Understanding Citizen Perceptions And Willingness To Respond To Community Needs, John M. Keesler, Helen Johnston, Jonah Simon, Taegan Anthony, Meagan Barnhart, Madison Bartlett, Janet Delong, Sharon Galloway, Melissa Kilpatrick, Jonathan Laucella, Hope Moreland, Gaby Ryan, Valerie Shannon

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Amid nationwide efforts to address behavioral health needs, rural communities often face unique challenges and a lack of resources. This study presents a bottom-up approach used by one rural community in the Midwest to respond to their needs regarding mental health and substance use. A survey instrument was developed from interviews with community stakeholders and disseminated in both online and paper formats. The survey sought to understand citizen perspectives regarding quality of life, barriers to treatment, and willingness to engage in efforts to address the community’s needs. Data from 1,303 respondents (71.5% women, 54.7% income <$42,000) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses. Results indicate that cost of treatment, shame, and lack of privacy were a barrier for most citizens’ treatment-seeking behavior. In addition, many citizens were willing to engage in strategies to address the community’s needs, including increased county spending, forming a neighborhood watch, and donating money. Differences associated with gender and income emerged across perceptions and willingness to support efforts. Implications for community efforts are discussed.

The Impact Of Maternal Immune Activation On Fetal Brain Development, Brainscan , Western University, Stephen Renaud, Susanne Schmid

Project Summaries

We will be studying the contribution of two distinct immune cell subtypes to fetal brain development: the mother's main immune cells present in the uterus (known as uterine natural killer cells), and the fetal brain's main immune cells (fetal microglial cells).

The Role Of The Basolateral Amygdala In Gaze Avoidance Behaviour, Brainscan , Western University, Julio Martinez-Trujillo, Lena Palaniyappan, Robert Nicolson

Project Summaries

We are researching the neural circuits involved in human social interactions and how they are affected during mental disease, in particular the circuits involved in the pattern of eye movements (known as gaze behaviour) in social settings.

Neurocognitive, Genetic And Environmental Risk Factors Of Learning Disorders In Children, Brainscan , Western University, Marc Joanisse, Daniel Ansari, Lisa Archibald, Elizabeth Hayden, Janis Oram Cardy, Ryan Stevenson, Jeffrey Gruen

Project Summaries

Our research has already uncovered a range of behavioural and neural factors that can differentiate between children whose development is impaired and those whose development is progressing typically. Intriguingly, our recent findings have also suggested that multiple learning disorders are often present in children with general cognitive difficulties like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. However, a common feature of research in this area is that of a ‘distinct syndrome’ approach, only studying childhood disabilities separately.

Imaging Fetal Brain Connectivity In High Risk Pregnancy, Brainscan, Western University, Sandrine De Ribaupierre, Barbara De Vrijer, Charles Mckenzie, Roy Eagleson, Simon Levin, Jacqueline Olgivie

Project Summaries

Our hypothesis is that differences in the regional connectivity within the fetal brain (the structural and functional connections between regions of the brain) can be observed with fetal fMRI as early as in the second trimester of pregnancy.

If we can detect differences in an at-risk fetal brain and associate that with plancental and maternal data, we could recommend interventions, such as diet or medication changes, and then monitor the impact of treatment on the fetal brain.

Growing New Dendritic Spines To Correct Cognitive Deficits Of Schizophrenia, Brainscan , Western University, Nagalingam Rajakumar, Brian Allman, Wataru Inoue

Project Summaries

In this project, we will attempt to re-grow functional dendritic spines in an animal model of schizophrenia for the first time. By re-growing dendritic spines, we intend to restore glutamatergic neurotransmission and improve cognition.

Role Of Microglia Signaling In Brain Circuit Development And Cognition, Brainscan, Western University, Vania Prado, Marco Prado, Wataru Inoue

Project Summaries

We have generated two mouse models in which we can control the Gq and Gisignalling in microglia during specific periods of brain development so we can explore the mechanisms behind abnormal microglial function.

Using our mouse models, we can stimulate these signalling pathways during the critical period of postnatal brain development to understand whether they impact adult cognition by influencing normal synaptic pruning. Mouse models of autism show issues with social memory, attention, sociability and hyperactivity. We will therefore assess those behaviors in our mouse models to determine if any autism-like behaviours are present.

Establishing A Translational Platform For Studying Sensory Processing In Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Brainscan , Western University, Susanne Schmid, Brian Allman, Ryan Stevenson, Janis Cardy

Project Summaries

The causes for ASD and DLD are many, complex and largely unknown. One specific cause already identified is mutation of a single gene essential for neuronal development. A useful transgenic rat model has been developed with this mutation that exhibits disabilities very reminiscient of children with ASD or DLD. We will use it to demonstrate that the same tests can show the same disruptions to the auditory system between children with ASD/DLD and this rat model. This model can then be used to undertake further exploration of the impact of ASD/DLD on the auditory system and evaluation of possible behavioural …

Assessing Listening With Engaging, Real-World Auditory Signals, Brainscan , Western University, Björn Herrmann, Ingrid Johnsrude 6612111

Project Summaries

Our project will develop and evaluate a novel way (using functional imaging, fMRI, and electrophysiology, EEG) to assess this cognitive impact of hearing loss with engaging, real‐world auditory stimuli. We will try to assess listening effort in more realistic listening situations among healthy listeners, comparing detected effort in degraded and clear acoustic conditions.

Using EEG, we will then develop measures that are sensitive to the cognitive demands imposed by degraded speech, using these features to assess hearing function with engaging narratives in natural listening conditions.

Developing Optogenetics/Electrophysiology Applications For Studying Cognitive Impairment During Stress, Brainscan, Western University, Wataru Inoue, Brian Allman, Julio Martinez-Trujillo

Project Summaries

We will develop cutting-edge techniques to:

• precisely measure and artificially manipulate the activity of CRH neurons in the PFC, and
• measure small and local releases of CRH by these neurons.

The success of our project will open the door to understand the neural mechanisms for how stress impairs cognitive functions and how it may contribute to mental disorders.