Digital Commons Network^™

Psychological Impairment And Extreme Weather Event (Ewe) Exposure, 1980–2020: A Global Pooled Analysis Integrating Mental Health And Well-Being Metrics, C. Chique, P. Hynds, M.M. Nyhan, S. Lambert, Martin Boudou, J. O'Dwyer

Articles

Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) impose a substantial health and socio-economic burden on exposed populations. Projected impacts on public health, based on increasing EWE frequencies since the 1950s, alongside evidence of human-mediated climatic change represents a growing concern. To date, the impacts of EWEs on mental health remain ambiguous, largely due to the inherent complexities in linking extreme weather phenomena with psychological status. This exploratory investigation provides a new empirical and global perspective on the psychological toll of EWEs by exclusively focusing on psychological morbidity among individuals exposed to such events. Morbidity data collated from a range of existing psychological and …

Exploring Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Emotion Regulation, And Problem Behaviors Among Adolescents In Residential Treatment, Kiersten Alicia Hawes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The high prevalence of conditions among adolescents such as anxiety, depression, substance use and suicide has become a global concern. Given the growing rates of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems at the onset of adolescence, researchers have begun to find interest in identifying associations that account for dysfunctional patterns and problem behaviors. Findings suggest that these negative psychological and behavioral outcomes could be linked to exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, violence, and household dysfunction. The present study investigated associations between ACEs, difficulties in emotion regulation, and problem behaviors among a sample of 43 adolescents age 11-17 …

Association Of National Covid-19 Cases With Objectively And Subjectively Measured Mental Health Proxies In The Austrian Football League–An Epidemiological Study, Antje Van Der Zee-Neuen, Alexander Seymer, Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden, Jürgen Herfert, James Óbrien, Tim Johansson, Patrick Kutschar, Stephan Ludwig, Thomas Stöggl, David Keeley, Maria Flamm, Jürgen Osterbrink

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

We aimed to explore the association of national COVID-19 data with the objective and subjective mental health proxies (i.e. location variance, self-reported sleep quality, level of recovery, perceived risk of infection) in team and staff members of five professional Austrian Football clubs. Data were conveniently collected during the implementation of a novel monitoring concept. The concept was designed to enable safe continuation of professional Football during the COVID-19 pandemic. These data were matched with Austrian COVID-19 data and smartphone collected location data. Multivariable linear regression models explored the association of COVID-19, defined as daily novel or active Austrian cases of …

Post-Conflict Mental Health Policy And Substance Use Among Liberian Adults, Ekua Amonoo-Lartson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe objective of post-conflict countries after an extended period of war and trauma is to maintain peace and stability. However, the physical and psychological effects of substance use to cope with the devastation of war remains long after the crisis has ended. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine substance use among Liberian working-age adults, including their substance use habits, experiences with substance use, and access to mental health rehabilitative treatment. The access to medical care theoretical framework was used to guide the study. Data were collected from face-to-face semistructured interviews with 15 individuals regarding their experiences …

Lived Experiences Of Haitian Immigrants In The United States During The Trump Administration, Klaudya Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racism that is either blatant or perceived has contributed to all contemporary markings of group advantage and disadvantage along ethnic and racial lines, which includes differences in education, employment, housing, health, and health care. Understanding how these elements are impacting immigrants will be the key to helping this population overcome problems they might experience. One demographic whose emotional experiences have yet to be fully explored are Haitian immigrants. The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore how the political climate under the Trump administration impacted the psychosocial lived experiences of Haitian immigrants who immigrated to the United States …

Social Determinants And Academic Success For Online Undergraduates Mediated By Mental Health, Jamie Michelle Claus Getz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSocial determinants of health (SDH) are social and economic systems that directly contribute to health disparities and inequalities. This study examined SDH and their relation to education, also an SDH. The relationship between SDH and online undergraduate achievement, as measured by grade-point average (GPA), was studied. Cumulative inequality is the theoretical framework that guided the study; it underscores the complexity of interaction between personal, social, and environmental stressors in relation to a student’s academic performance. The quantitative survey design allowed for potential relationships between variables to be observed and studied based on the survey responses per self-report from 212 online …

Assessing Burnout And Resiliency Among Nurse Practitioners, Kezia Renea Sogard

Nursing

The topic of burnout among medical doctors (MDs) has depicted a strong correlation to MD education and career with burnout, ultimately causing negative psychological and physical outcomes. Research has shown that resilience is a concept that has often been associated with MD ability to respond to stress and decrease burnout. Beyond MDs, the population of nurse practitioners (NPs) has been minimally researched in relation to burnout. NPs are at heightened risk of burnout, comparable to MDs, in relation to rigorous education requirements, large workloads, long work hours, rising demands of documentation, and increased technological advances within health care. The purpose …

Sleep Hygiene Analysis & Education Module For Nursing Students, Kayla Jean Sorenson

Nursing

There is a research gap regarding college nursing student sleep habits and education compared to general college and medical students; nursing students are at high risk for poor sleep hygiene and impaired sleep quality due to coursework rigor, clinical hours, and balance between work (for majority) and college social life. There is a lack of sleep education and support in nursing students to allow for behavior change to occur amidst academic, employment, and social expectations. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) can play a vital role in health promotion to impact the nursing student population regarding sleep health. The practice improvement project (PIP) …

Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Student-Athletes: A Descriptive Study Of Practitioners And Their Perspectives, William C. Way Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Efforts are being made to promote mental health awareness and destigmatize help-seeking behavior among student-athletes (e.g., Kern et al., 2017). The availability and visibility of practitioners with specialized training in sport psychology can facilitate these efforts (e.g., Flowers, 2007; Carr, 2007; McDuff et al., 2005). However, some student-athletes have observed that the clinical sport psychology (CSP) practitioners who are available to them are being stretched thin (Way et al., 2020). In the context of collegiate mental health more broadly, many campus counseling centers are struggling to meet the demand for clinical services (e.g., Kafka, 2019). Research on the experiences and …

Education On My Healthevet To Increase Access To Psychiatric Healthcare For Veterans, Roxann Hackbarth

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

Introduction: Access to mental health care can be challenging for many veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed the patient portal My Healthevet (MHV) to increase access to healthcare services. Despite this program, many veterans still do not take advantage of the portal. The goal of this literature review was to gain knowledge on benefits and barriers of using patient portals, identification of patients who use and do not use patient portals, and interventions to increase the use of patient portals.
Evidence Summary: The use of patient portals, including the VHA portal MHV, helps to increase interactions between clinicians and …

Using A Psychopharmacology Education Program To Increase Primary Care Provider Comfort With Treating Basic Psychiatric Disorders, Latesha Reed

DNP Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND: Almost 1 in 5 people have been diagnosed with a mental health illness but the supply of psychiatric providers does not meet patient’s needs. Multiple reasons contribute to this shortage and nurse practitioners are part of the solution. Even with nurse practitioners specializing in psychiatric mental health there is still a shortage. Primary care is where most patients first present their mental health issues.

METHODS: Literature review informed the development of the educational intervention presented to the primary care providers using a digital, asynchronous learning format. A gap analysis of organizational needs and weaknesses was used to determine the …

What Can Mental Health Teach Us About Social Media Screen Time Misestimation?, Mark Keith, Parker Nokes, Alexandra Spruill

Faculty Publications

Mobile platform providers have provided the ability to measure the time consumers spend on each app. This provides the opportunity to measure a consumer’s misestimation of their screentime which is a concept relevant to several mental health attributes such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. We provide additional evidence about the effect of objective screentime on mental health, but add a unique perspective on how screentime misestimation is determined by various mental health attributes. We collected data from a student sample (n=1005) who are from the demographic who most commonly use social media apps (18-29 yr olds). We measured our model …

C.O.P.E. Influence On Resiliency And Self-Efficacy In A Rural North Dakota School (Creating Opportunities For Personal Empowerment), Ariel Kristine Schwarzrock

Nursing

One in three teens is estimated to experience an anxiety disorder between 13 to 18 years of age. Developed mental health burdens in adolescents can go undetected and untreated. About 50% of those with mental health disorders noted in adulthood started by age 14 years. Therefore, adolescence may be a critical phase for developing positive coping mechanisms and one where nurse practitioners can proactively impact outcomes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based strategy effective in decreasing mental health burden. Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) is a program created for pediatrics using CBT strategies to manage emotions and promote …

Exploring The Relationship Between Dog Ownership, Physical Activity, And Mental Health, Stephanie Ho, Jennifer Robertson-Wilson, Mark Eys

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The physical and mental health benefits of regular physical activity have been well-documented (e.g., Reiner et al., 2013; White et al., 2017). Additionally, owning a dog is associated with positive health outcomes as owners are encouraged to walk. Dogs are also a source of comfort during stressful times for those in their presence (e.g., Brown & Rhodes, 2006; Westgarth et al., 2017). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dog ownership, physical activity, and mental health among the university student population. Over 500 university students completed questionnaires assessing their demographic information, mental health, dog ownership status, …

Covid-19 And The Correctional Environment: An Analysis Of Canadian Correctional Officers’ Experiences Of Stress And Mental Health During The Pandemic, Kristina Kocsis

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This national survey research project examined the experiences of Canadian correctional officers (COs) in providing essential correctional services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sampled COs from several provinces across Canada (N=596) to better understand how the pandemic impacted stress and wellbeing of this population by exploring seven constructs including resiliency, workplace safety, changes in role or responsibilities, work stress, COVID- 19 related stress, perceived support, and positive mental health. The transactional model of stress and coping and the biopsychosocial model of stress were used as theoretical frameworks to investigate stress responses among COs. Respondents reported significant changes to their …

Climate Change, Activism, And Supporting The Mental Health Of Children And Young People: Perspectives From Western Australia, Naomi J. Godden, Brad M. Farrant, Jaime Yallup Farrant, Emma Heyink, Eva Carot Collins, Bella Burgemeister, Mena Tabeshfar, Jason Barrow, Mara West, Jasmine Kieft, Mason Rothwell, Zoe Leviston, Susan Bailey, Mindy Blaise, Trudi Cooper

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The climate crisis has detrimental impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Psychological effects include feelings of fear, overwhelm, worry, distress, hopelessness and anger; PTSD; depression; anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; sleep disturbances; attachment disorders; learning difficulties; substance abuse; shock and trauma symptoms; adjustment problems; behavioural problems; and, suicidal thinking. First Nations' children and young people are particularly at risk due to loss of place, identity, culture, land and customs informed by kinship relationships with the Earth; while sustainable land use practices and connection to Country and community can enhance climate resilience. In Western Australia (WA), …

Impact Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Outbreak Quarantine, Isolation, And Lockdown Policies On Mental Health And Suicide, Balasankar Ganesan, Adel Al-Jumaily, Kenneth N. K. Fong, Palak Prasad, Surendra Kumar Meena, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has made a huge impact on people's physical and mental health, and it remains a cause of death for many all over the world. To prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, different types of public health measures (social isolation, quarantine, lockdowns, and curfews) have been imposed by governments. However, mental health experts warn that the prolonged lockdown, quarantine, or isolation will create a “second pandemic” with severe mental health issues and suicides. The quarantined or isolated people may suffer from various issues such as physical inactivity, mental health, economic and social problems. As with …

Exploring The Relationship Between Microdosing, Personality And Emotional Insight: A Prospective Study, Hannah M. Dressler, Stephen J. Bright, Vince Polito

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Backround and aims: Having entered the recent public and research zeitgeist, microdosing involves consuming sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic drugs, allegedly to enhance performance, creativity, and wellbeing. The results of research to date have been mixed. Whereas most studies have reported positive impacts of microdosing, some microdosers have also reported adverse effects. In addition, research to date has revealed inconsistent patterns of change in personality traits. This prospective study explored the relationship between microdosing, personality change, and emotional awareness. Methods: Measures of personality and alexithymia were collected at two time points. 76 microdosers participated at baseline. Invitations to a follow-up survey …

Change In Mental Health, Physical Health, And Social Relationships During Highly Restrictive Lockdown In The Covid-19 Pandemic: Evidence From Australia, Shane Rogers, Travis Miles Cruickshank

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

A novel coronavirus first reported in Wuhan City in China in 2019 (COVID-19) developed into a global pandemic throughout 2020. Many countries around the world implemented strict social distancing policies to curb the spread of the virus. In this study we aimed to examine potential change in mental/physical health and social relationships during a highly restrictive COVID-19 lockdown period in Australia during April 2020.

Methods

Our survey (n = 1, 599) included questions about concerns, social behaviour, perceived change in relationship quality, social media use, frequency of exercise, physical health, and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown (April, 2020). …

Can Positive Mindsets Be Protective Against Stress And Isolation Experienced During The Covid-19 Pandemic? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding Emotional Health And Wellbeing Needs Of Perinatal Women, Jacqueline A. Davis, Lisa Y. Gibson, Natasha L. Bear, Amy L. Finlay-Jones, Jeneva L. Ohan, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional health and well-being and support needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand their experiences and need for support. This is a potentially vulnerable group and a critical developmental phase for women and infants. A mixed methods design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data that provided a robust insight into their unique needs. A total of 174 women who were either pregnant or post-birth participated. The main findings demonstrated that women in this cohort experienced varying levels of stress and isolation but also …

Co-Creating Visual Representations Of Safe Spaces With Mental Health Service Users Using Photovoice And Zoom, Julie Dare, Helen Seiver, Lesley Andrew, David A. Coall, Shantha Karthigesu, Moira Sim, Kathy Boxall

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This paper examines methodological issues related to an innovative online qualitative research project that explored ‘safe spaces’ with mental health service users. The project used photovoice and focus groups conducted via Zoom videoconferencing software. Eleven participants shared photographs, discussing their meaning and significance in relation to ‘safe spaces’. The photographs were then synthesised into an artist's impression of a safe space and transcripts of the online photovoice discussion analysed thematically and triangulated with the artist's impression. The paper provides a reflexive discussion of the research process and explores methodological and ethical implications of conducting sensitive qualitative research in online spaces.

Detect Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating The Impact Of Covid-19 In Western Australian Schools, Marianne J. Mullane, Hannah M. Thomas, Melanie Epstein, Joelie Mandzufas, Narelle Mullan, Alexandra Whelan, Karen Lombardi, Tina Barrow, Sherlynn Ang, Adele Leahy, Ewan Cameron, Leanne Lester, Matt Cooper, Paul Stevenson, Mitch Hartman, Anne Mckenzie, Francis Mitrou, Stephen R. Zubrick, Juli Coffin, Donna Cross, Asha C. Bowen, Peter Gething

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education. Through the roll out of high-throughput school-based SARS-CoV-2 testing, enhanced follow-up for individuals exposed to COVID-19 and wellbeing surveys, this study investigates the dynamics …

Mental Health Consequences Of Covid-19 Media Coverage: The Need For Effective Crisis Communication Practices, Zhaohui Su, Dean Mcdonnell, Jun Wen, Metin Kozak, Jaffar Abbas, Sabina Šegalo, Xiaoshan Li, Junaid Ahmad, Ali Cheshmehzangi, Yuyang Cai, Ling Yang, Yu Tao Xiang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2021, The Author(s). During global pandemics, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), crisis communication is indispensable in dispelling fears, uncertainty, and unifying individuals worldwide in a collective fight against health threats. Inadequate crisis communication can bring dire personal and economic consequences. Mounting research shows that seemingly endless newsfeeds related to COVID-19 infection and death rates could considerably increase the risk of mental health problems. Unfortunately, media reports that include infodemics regarding the influence of COVID-19 on mental health may be a source of the adverse psychological effects on individuals. Owing partially to insufficient crisis communication practices, media and news …

Mental Health Benefits Of Nature-Based Recreation: A Systematic Review, Nancy Qwynne Lackey, Deborah A. Tysor, G. David Mcnay, Leah Joyner, Kensey H. Baker, Camilla Hodge

Faculty Publications

The demand for mental health services around the world has risen dramatically. Many researchers and practitioners are looking for alternative mental health treatments, including nature-based recreation. However, reviews examining nature-based recreation’s therapeutic effectiveness are limited. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of available research regarding the potential mental-health benefits of nature-based recreation. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines, a global standard established to ensure consistency and quality in literature reviews, a systematic search generated 51 articles for review. Most articles (n = 46, 90%) observed at least one …

Psychotherapy Utilization And Presenting Concerns Among International Asian And Asian American Students In A University Counseling Center., Hannah Stokes, Derek Griner, Timothy B. Smith, Mark Beecher, G. E. Kawika Allen, Jon Cox, Klint Hobbs, Natalie Ann Kirtley

Faculty Publications

Limited psychological research has disaggregated the experiences of Asian American (AA) from international Asian (IA) college students seeking psychotherapy. When combined, important differences between these groups are overlooked. We examined archival data collected from AA, IA, and European American (EA) students at a large, Western, university counseling center. Results indicated no significant differences between groups related to maximum number of psychotherapy sessions attended or likelihood of treatment discontinuance. However, we found significant differences between these groups on a number of items related to presenting concerns and to severity of presenting distress, with IA students presenting with the most distress, followed …

Risk And Protective Factor Specific To African American Youth And Adolescents: A Systematic Review, Darius Reed, Raymond Dewayne Adams

Journal of Family Strengths

Although existing suicide literature proposes that simply being African American protects against suicide (Nguyen et al., 2017; Street et al., 2012), few studies offer practical insights at mitigating suicidal ideations among African American children and adolescents let alone through a social work perspective (Reed, 2019). As the largest provider of mental health services in the United States (American Counseling Association, 2018), the field of social work research has understudied this phenomenon. While it is true that African Americans have experienced lower rates of suicide when compared to the general population (CDC, 2019), research has not compared the risk and protective …

Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health And Well-Being Of Communities: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Protocol, Anam Shahil Feroz, Naureen Akber Ali, Noshaba Akber Ali, Ridah Feroz, Salima Nazim Meghani, Sarah Saleem

Community Health Sciences

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly resulted in an increased level of anxiety and fear in communities in terms of disease management and infection spread. Due to fear and social stigma linked with COVID-19, many individuals in the community hide their disease and do not access healthcare facilities in a timely manner. In addition, with the widespread use of social media, rumours, myths and inaccurate information about the virus are spreading rapidly, leading to intensified irritability, fearfulness, insomnia, oppositional behaviours and somatic complaints. Considering the relevance of all these factors, we aim to explore the perceptions and attitudes of community …

Prevalence Of Depression And Anxiety Symptoms Of High School Students In Shandong Province During The Covid-19 Epidemic, Zeng Zhang, Ailing Zhai, Mingchuan Yang, Junqing Zhang, Haotian Zhou, Chuanming Yang, Shanshan Duan, Cong Zhou

Faculty and Student Publications

© Copyright © 2020 Zhang, Zhai, Yang, Zhang, Zhou, Yang, Duan and Zhou. Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) has brought physical risks as well as psychological challenges to the whole world. High school students are a special group suffering from both the academic pressure and the threat of the epidemic. The present study aims to conduct an online survey to investigate the psychological status of high school students in Shandong Province. Methods: Using a web-based cross-sectional survey, data was collected from 1,018 voluntary high school students assessed with demographic information, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 …

The Importance Of Nutrition Education As A Recovery Component For Individuals With Severe Mental Illnesses, Emily Martinez

Master's Projects and Capstones

In efforts to challenge the Western medicine’s determination of nutrition as a holistic approach, this paper represents the intent for mental health facilities in California to improve or implement nutrition education curriculum by enhancing interprofessional teams with dietitians as an important component of recovery for severe mental illness patients. There is concrete evidence proving that individuals who are in facilities recovering from mental illnesses have benefited from optimal nutrition consumption. Nutrition education has become a component among the toolbox of recovery options, but unfortunately it is not encouraged enough. Pharmaceutical companies advertise drug therapy as the most effective way to …

Mental Health In College Students: Disclosure & Seeking Support, Abby R. Smargon

Honors Program Theses and Projects

A study was conducted through Bridgewater State University in order to better understand the mental health and help seeking behaviors of college students. The data collected served to provide information regarding what specific types of mental health difficulties are reported by college students.