Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Cervical Cancer Diagnosis On Occupational Performance, Wynnet Sinclair, Christine Mcconnell, Emily Clark, Katie B. Mcentire, Caitlin Lewis, Lyndsi Pound, Katherine Wuertz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: In the United States, it was predicted that approximately 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer would be diagnosed in 2023 (American Cancer Society, 2023). The research question focused on identifying changes in occupational performance for patients with cervical cancer. The areas of occupational performance considered were activities of daily living, leisure, work, education, social participation, and mental health.

Methods: The respondents completed a cross-sectional, mixed methods Qualtrics survey. Likert scale questions captured the degree of functional impact of cervical cancer on the predetermined areas of occupational performance.

Results: Twenty-seven subjects (ages 18 to 70) fully …

Professional Development Strategies For Treating People With Idd And Mental Health Needs, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Elizabeth Grosso, Karen L. Weigle

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant health and mental health inequities and difficulties accessing care. There are few initiatives that train mental health professionals to care and advocate for the health and mental health care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

We developed a Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Professional Learning Community (PLC) with Clinical Education Teams (CET) training components through The National Center for START (Systemic-Therapeutic-Assessment-Resources-Treatment) Services^® to further educate providers in the United States. The National Center for START Services^® utilizes multiple training and collaboration forums to build the …

The Link Center: A Federally Funded Technical Assistance And Resource Center Aimed At Improving Mental Health Treatment And Access For People With I/Dd, Brain Injury, And Other Cognitive And Communication Differences., Stacy L. Nonnemacher, Jeanne Farr, Wendy Morris

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Although we do not have robust prevalence studies in the U.S., a recent meta-analysis estimated that 33.6% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have a mental health (MH) condition. We know that this prevalence may be an underrepresentation because of factors like diagnostic overshadowing. We also know that people with I/DD experience inequitable access to quality MH and preventive care. This highlights the chronic lack of and access to holistic, integrated care for individuals with I/DD, especially those who also have MH conditions. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals with I/DD experience MH crises and suffer adverse consequences. …

Exploring Parent/Caregiver Perspectives Of Self-Determination And Its Impact On Mental Health In Adolescents With And Without Disabilities, Jessica Schuttler, Sydney Walls, Tyler Hicks, Karrie Shogren, Hannah Adams, Richard A Chapman

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Introduction. Parents and caregivers play key roles in supporting the development of self-determination and mental health needs in adolescents with and without disabilities. This study explored parent/caregiver perceptions of the relationships among mental health and self-determination constructs for youth with disabilities, across gender and disability status. Method. Parents/caregivers of adolescents with and without disabilities completed rating scales regarding adolescents’ self-determination status (Self Determination Inventory) and mental health symptoms (Behavior Assessment System for Children, 3^rd Edition). Bayesian analyses examined the relationships among self-determination and mental health status. Results. Results are mixed, indicating moderate to robust relationships for self-determination as a …

Building Neuro-Inclusive Community, Strengthening Mental Health: The Autism After 21 Utah Project, Sumiko T. Martinez, Anna Smyth, Ann C. Carrick

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Over two decades of research shows strong positive relationships are a consistently powerful indicator of wellbeing and resilience. However, the U.S. Surgeon General notes that loneliness and isolation is an epidemic in the U.S., and that it is exacerbated for individuals with physical and mental disabilities as well as those with isolating economic or environmental situations. A recent review shows that many autistic adults in particular face challenges in finding the connections they want and need. They also often have compounding mental health conditions, such as depression and mental illness, lower incomes, isolating home environments due to a lack of …

Exploring The Occupation Of Education Of Children With Undocumented Immigrant Parents, Denise Perez, Susan Macdermott, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This research study highlights the detrimental effects of family separations on children's well-being, academic performance, and long-term outcomes. It emphasizes the urgent need for research on the mental health effects of immigration policies on children at risk of parental deportation. A qualitative research study was used to understand the experiences and challenges of adults with undocumented immigrant parents during various stages of schooling. The research utilizes the Kawa model to explore emotional factors and barriers affecting students' occupational engagement in an educational setting. The study aims to identify supports and barriers to school engagement for students with undocumented immigrant parents, …

The Effects Of Occupation-Based Programming On Occupational Deprivation For Civilly Committed Mental Health Patients, Joshua Clapper

MOT Student Capstones

Patients who are involuntarily committed to the mental health hospital are likely to be exposed to occupational deprivation. Through the induction of occupation-based programming, it is believed that occupational engagement can catalyze recovery and support meaningful participation in daily life, decreasing the prevalence of occupational deprivation. This paper investigates the latest evidence-based practices related to mental health and occupational performance in the inpatient hospital setting. To explore the need to educate clinical staff, who are responsible for programming, a pre-survey was distributed, preceding a presentation. A post-survey was then used to examine the effect the brief educational presentation. They survey …

Professional Development Strategies For Treating People With Idd And Mental Health Needs, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Elizabeth Grosso, Karen L. Weigle

Faculty Publications

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant health and mental health inequities and difficulties accessing care. There are few initiatives that train mental health professionals to care and advocate for the health and mental health care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“A Perfect Storm”: Autistic Experiences Of Menopause And Midlife, Miranda J. Brady, Christine A. Jenkins, Rachel L. Moseley, Margaret Janse Van Rensburg

Faculty and Staff Publications

Previous research indicates that menopause can be an extremely difficult transition for some autistic people. This study asks how autistic people experience menopause and how they can better access services, support and information; autistic Community Research Associates played an important role in each stage of the research. Online focus groups and interviews were conducted with 24 autistic participants who lived in Canada (n = 13) or the United Kingdom (n = 11) and had experience with the menopausal transition. Transcripts were coded and analysed by four team members using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes and eight subthemes were …

Professional Development Strategies For Treating People With Idd And Mental Health Needs, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Elizabeth Grosso, Karen L. Weigle

Faculty Publications

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience significant health and mental health inequities and difficulties accessing care. There are few initiatives that train mental health professionals to care and advocate for the health and mental health care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Implementation Of A Standardized Suicide Screening Process In A University Student Health Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Addie Grace Strong, Kathryn Dambrino, R. David Phillippi, Linda Wofford

DNP Projects

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among college age students, prompting the need for evidence-based screening tools like the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to enable early detection and timely intervention. Inconsistencies in suicide screening may pose a risk of missed intervention opportunities. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project specifically aimed to improve the quality and consistency of suicide screening in a university student health clinic by implementing the C-SSRS tool into the clinic workflow during mental health appointments. Methods: Employing a quality improvement framework, this scholarly project followed the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement …

Stroke-Related Mental Health Challenges And Interventions: Strategies For Holistic Recovery, Christopher Walsh, Sam Lee

MOT Student Capstones

This capstone project examines the relationship between post-stroke and mental health. It presents the necessity for a holistic and client-centered approach in the recovery process. Through a mixed-methods approach combining a literature review and empirical research, including surveys of stroke survivors, caregivers, and practitioners, the study shows the prevalence of depression and anxiety post-stroke and the potential benefit of comprehensive mental health support. The findings emphasize the importance of community, spirituality, and proactive education in enhancing mental well-being. The effectiveness of specific interventions for this population was found to be variable, which warrants the use of personalized assessments and intervention …

Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Navigating A New Normal In Middle Tennessee, Karli M. Beaumont

OTD Capstone Projects

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in partnership with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center offers REACH for Cancer Survivorship, a pediatric cancer survivorship clinic. REACH provides a full range of follow-up care designed to meet the physical, emotional, and practical needs of survivors and continuous surveillance of deleterious effects of cancer and its treatments. The purpose of this project was to meet population and agency needs through research of long- and late-term sequela while advocating for occupational therapy’s role in the oncology population through the proactive therapy and prospective surveillance models. The process of creating this project included synthesizing the literature, …

Comics About Organs: Social Support And Graphic Medicine In The Awkward Yeti, Jacob Gibb

Theses and Dissertations

Comic strips have always been a medium for more than humor. Many comic strips published on social media sites address mental health issues. Despite their popularity, the field of graphic medicine, which examines the intersection of health care and comics, has seen little to no examination of how these comics function on social media. Utilizing the popular comic The Awkward Yeti, this research examines how the rhetorical devices of comics make them an ideal medium for communicating about mental health issues and providing social support to social media users. This study conducts a content analysis of 15 Instagram posts from …

My Journey In Researching Depression Among Black People: Experiences Of A Researcher In A Sensitive Study, Brightness L. Kgatla

The Qualitative Report

The interest in qualitative research on mental health within Black communities is rapidly growing. However, there are still debates on the conceptualization of depression among the Black community. This paper focuses on the researcher’s experiences as a young Black South African experiencing depression, and their reflections on interpretivist qualitative research focused on the realities of Black South African youth experiencing depression. The paper highlights the importance of reflexivity in a qualitative study and how the topics researched by a Black South African experiencing depression which is still considered a taboo within some parts of the Black community. If a researcher …

Building Equitable Mental Health Care For Latino Children: Perspectives From Providers And Communities, Francisco Banda, Greeshma James, Karina Vasudeva, Michelle Franklin, Andrea Thoumi, Rushina Cholera

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Background: The current pediatric mental health crisis has disproportionately impacted Latino youth in the United States (US), as demonstrated by their elevated risks of depression, substance use disorder, and anxiety. Despite this, research suggests Latino youth receive inequitable mental health services.

Objective: To understand best practices, challenges, and priorities in providing accessible and equitable mental health care for Latino youth from the perspectives of front-line mental health providers and Latino community members.

Methods: A bicultural, bilingual researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 participants with expertise in Latino mental health. Topics included barriers and facilitators to mental health care access and …

Mental Healthcare Differences Between The United States, Costa Rica, And Sweden, Michaela Diehm

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Countries such as the United States, Costa Rica, and Sweden differ in the ways that they approach treatment of mental health disorders, which is due to the structure of their healthcare as well as the culture, affordability, accessibility, and type of treatment that is available to the people of that country. A literature review did not reveal a comparison of the three countries related to the topic of mental healthcare, nor use of the three selected countries to review their structures to determine the best approach to combating mental disorders before. Costa Rica and Sweden are both countries with universal …

Policy Review And Recommendation: Full Practice Authority For Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners In Georgia, Shantelle Coe

Student Scholarly Projects

Citizens of the state of Georgia, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, experience a lack of mental health resources. Extensive research evidence underscores the urgent need for enhanced access to mental health services, especially in rural areas where individuals face significant barriers such as limited provider availability and long travel distances. Through a thorough review of existing policy related to scope of practice, this scholarly work advocates for policy changes related to the practice authority of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). Advancement of legislative priorities to promote full practice authority for PMHNPs in the state of Georgia empowers …

Unlv Mental Health Initiatives: Unifying Through Innovation And Collaboration, The Lincy Institute, Unlv Practice, Behere Nv, Unlv Department Of Psychology

Lincy Institute Events

Nevada persistently ranks at or near the bottom in the country for overall access to mental health services despite the need (Mental Health America, 2015-2023). UNLV faculty are developing initiatives to change this unacceptable situation. The Lincy Institute, in partnership with UNLV PRACTICE, BeHERE Nevada, and researchers from the Department of Psychology, offered a community forum showcasing three mental health initiatives harnessing faculty collaboration and innovation to drive overdue changes in Nevada’s mental-health landscape. Following the presentations policymakers engaged in open discussion with UNLV presenters and the audience. The three main initiatives showcased in this forum …

Factors Of Teacher Retention And Attrition In A Post-Trauma Environment, Pamela J. Van Dop

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research project used a mixed-methods study to examine the factors leading to teacher retention and attrition in a post-trauma environment. In this study, 89 current and former teachers participated in a survey which included demographic questions and questions related to teacher workload, physical and mental well-being, factors that contribute to retention and attrition, and perceived support while employed at the school of study. The quantitative data was used to compare and analyze factors of retention and attrition across two subgroups: current teachers and former teachers. Ten teachers representing both subgroups were either interviewed or provided written responses to …

Breaking Point: An Exploration Of The Mental Health Crisis On Campus, Melissa Wood

Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges

In the past several decades, the number of college students who experience mental health concerns has increased astronomically. During that time, acts of campus violence have increased as well. Unfortunately, many colleges have been unable to effectively meet the needs of students with mental disorders. This article explores the challenges surrounding the mental health and wellness of college students. It also analyzes the impact of such challenges on students and the institution. Additionally, this paper examines best practices that colleges may implement to assist students in distress and discusses implications for higher education leaders.

Immigrant And International Students’ Status And Mental Health In College, Stephen Adagwuni

Social Work Student Work

Immigration has become a significant topic of discussion in recent times in the United States (US) and worldwide. The increasing population of immigrants in the US has also been accompanied by a rise in the population of children from immigrant families pursuing higher education in colleges all over the US. In addition to children from immigrant families in the US, other international students from all over the world migrate to the US for their higher education. Research has shown, however, that immigrant students are more likely to experience various mental health challenges due to their unique situation, including acculturation stress, …

Mental Health Outcomes Among Latinx Immigrants In The United States: A Systematic Literature Review, Rosmery Medrano

Social Work Student Work

Immigrants face stressors that are unique to the migration experience and can cause or exacerbate mental health outcomes. The Latinx immigrant population in the United States is less likely to utilize mental health services and is more likely to have poorer mental health outcomes. The underutilization of mental health services and the negative consequences of untreated mental health issues among Latinx immigrants underscore the pressing need for further research to guide interventions and care models. This systematic literature review evaluates recent studies on the impact of immigration and acculturation on mental health outcomes and mental health service use among the …

Addressing Burnout Among Caregivers Of People With Spinal Cord Injury, Rachael Vance

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Capstone Posters

This capstone, completed at Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, involved the implementation of a 6-week occupational therapy program to address the mental health needs of veterans with spinal cord injury. As part of this program, a needs assessment was conducted to explore the mental health needs of their caregivers. Findings of the program and needs assessment were presented to an interdisciplinary team.

Exploring The Relationships Between Interracial Adoption, Adoptees’ Identity Development And Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review, Erin Mackey

Social Work Student Work

Interracial adoption, which is the practice of placing a child or youth of a specific race or ethnicity with a family of a contrasting race or ethnicity, has become more prevalent in today’s world because of the overrepresentation of children and youth of color in the child welfare system. Although interracial adoption has been a controversial topic with little information in the past, it is known that identity plays a huge role in the development of children and youth as they grow. Experts have expressed concerns that interracially adopted children and youth are at risk for loss of identity including …

Hooked On A Feeling: The Importance Of Fostering Emotional Intelligence In Adolescents, Annika Wirkkala

Classical Conversations

In the summer of 2023, CNN reported on a 14-year old girl who claimed to have several mental health issues. These included ADHD, depression, autism, and various phobias. After a specialist examined her, however, she was officially diagnosed not with her extensive list of illnesses but with severe anxiety. How did this 14-year old girl become so convinced that she suffered from all of these problems? Social media. Sadly, this girl is not the only victim of social media self-diagnosis. According to the CNN report, “A growing number of teens are turning to social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Supporting Mothers With Breastfeeding, Courtney Kessler

MOT Student Capstones

Breastfeeding and post-partum mental health can impact the bond and quality of life for mothers, especially first-time mothers and their infants. As mothers try to juggle the occupation of breastfeeding, it can become very overwhelming with the role of parenting. Transitioning from hospital to home reduces the amount of direct support and direct access to instruction on breastfeeding and maternal well postpartum. This creates a need for an occupational therapy based breastfeeding wellness program. An occupational therapy based breastfeeding wellness program will be beneficial as it will be client-centered with a focus on quality of life. To combat the issue …

Music As A Coping Mechanism: Clinical Implications Of How College Students Utilize Music To Cope With Anxiety, Depression, And Daily Stressors, Karly Pikel

Senior Theses

Many college students face stress, anxiety, and/or depression in their daily lives which they cope with in their own ways. Listening to music or playing an instrument are particularly powerful forms of coping that can have a plethora of positive effects on an individual. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey amongst the University of South Carolina student body to determine how they utilize music to cope in their daily lives. Of 847 respondents, almost all of them reported experiencing some extent of anxiety and/or stress and listening to music to help them cope. Respondents agreed that …

Addressing The Rural Youth Mental Health Crisis Through Youth Mental Health First Aid, Rawn Boulden, Christine Schimmel

The Rural Educator

This promising practice describes a statewide effort to address the surging youth mental health crisis through the provision of Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings in West Virginia Public Schools. Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training for adults who work with youth. This interactive training increases participants’ awareness of signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, adolescent development, the prevalence of mental health challenges among youth, and the steps they should take to ensure students with mental health challenges receive timely referral to mental health professionals. This intervention has proven highly effective in rural schools in West …

A Qualitative Study On Mother's Occupational Engagement After A Nicu Experience, Rachel Garcia, Mary Ann Smith, Julie Heftie Ms, Otr/L

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Mothers who are “at-risk” for complications during pregnancy have an increased probability for mental health conditions following delivery, adversely affecting their engagement in motherhood occupations. This qualitative study identifies how best to address the needs of “at-risk” pregnant women. Through the process of conducting semi-structured interviews with women who have experienced NICU with their babies, and interviews with healthcare practitioners working in the NICU, their narrative addresses what approaches would support women while they are going through their “at-risk” pregnancies to assist them with the transition to their occupational roles as mothers and promote bonding with their baby.