Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Adolescent Perinatal Wellbeing In Rural Parts Of Kenya: A Qualitative Study, Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Marleen Temmerman, Margrette Hanselmann, Kethakie Lamahewa, Violet Naanyu, Mellan Lilumbi, Tatiana Taylor Salisbury

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction: Despite global efforts to reduce adolescent birth rates, the problem persists in low- and middleincome countries. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates (97.9 births per 1000 women). In Kenya, more than 15 % of adolescent girls become pregnant. Forty-three percent of these develop depression. This study investigated adolescent pregnancy in rural Kenya to understand the challenges and context-specific factors that can help adolescents maintain good mental health during pregnancy and the motherhood.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Kilifi County between October and November 2021. A total of 73 participants consented to participate in the …

Impacts On College-Aged Asian American Mental Health, Zahra Soherwardy

Senior Theses

This study explores the relationship between different forms of racial harassment and mental health issues in Asian American college students. Asian American mental health is a growing concern in the field of public health. Asian Americans have the lowest treatment rates and some of the highest stigma levels of any demographic. They are also impacted by the model minority myth and discrimination, further alienating them from getting help. The topics of subtle racism, blatant racism, and current racial discrimination were compared to depressive symptoms, anxiety, self-esteem, and four domains of aggression using survey data. Subtle racism was found to be …

Supporting College Students’ Mental Health Through Occupational Therapy, Mallory R. Watts

Selected Honors Theses

The mental health of college students has emerged as a significant concern, particularly because of the pressures of academic, social, and personal demands intensify. This study investigates the role of Occupational Therapy (OT) in supporting the mental health of college students, exploring the potential need for integrating OT services into campus programs. By assessing the current mental health resources available to students and evaluating their effectiveness, this research aims to identify gaps in support and determine whether OT could serve as a valuable addition to existing services. Through a combination of surveys, interviews, and literature reviews, the study examines students' …

Gender-Affirming Medical Interventions: A Clinical Review, Raha Borazjani

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

This clinical update examines the findings for mental health outcomes related to gender-affirming medical interventions (GAMIs), specifically gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and gender-affirming surgery (GAS) in transgender individuals. This study analyzes the impact of these interventions on gender dysphoria, depression, suicidality, and overall psychological well-being from findings published in peer-reviewed literature from 2015-2025. The findings indicate that GAHT leads to substantial decreases in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and suicidality with the most pronounced benefits occurring during the first 2 years of therapy. Studies have linked GAS with long-term improvements in psychological distress, body image, quality of life with low regret rates …

Roadmap To Better Mental Health Care, James R. Kilgore, James C. Somers, Jenna Rolfs, Everett Allen, Tom Colletti, Blake Rogers, Maggie Banger, Nikoleta Delis, Debra S. Munsell Dhsc, Pa-C

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

This article will describe the current providers involved in delivering mental health services, the projected needs for mental health providers in the next decade, and interventional strategies that may enhance their delivery of care. By adopting comprehensive, patient-centered interdisciplinary strategies, and utilizing new and innovative tools and pharmaceutical agents healthcare providers can mitigate the adverse effects of lack of access and the delivery of mental health care.

Prevalence Of Psychiatric And Sleep Disorders And Their Impact On Quality Of Life In Children With Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: An Observational Study., Amanda K. Hertel, Jordan T. Jones, Ashley Lytch, Emily Cramer, Ariana Schroeder, William R. Black

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is the most common connective tissue disorder. However, few studies exist on psychiatric and sleep disorders in pediatric patients with hEDS. This study aims to describe psychiatric and sleep disorders and evaluate their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pediatric patients with hEDS. As part of a longitudinal study, a convenience sample of 123 pediatric patients with hEDS, were recruited at a hEDS multidisciplinary clinic in sequential order over a seven-month period. Patient-reported outcomes were completed (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pediatric Profile Version 2 [PROMIS], Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7], Adolescent Sleep Wake …

Unveiling The Multidimensional Impact Of Sex Trafficking: Insights From Survivors, Claudia G. Interiano-Shiverdecker, Devon E. Romero, John J. S. Harrichand, Jessica Martin, David J. Thompson

Trauma Counseling and Resilience

This transcendental phenomenological study delves into the lived experiences of 10 women who experienced sex trafficking. Through in-depth individual interviews, participants unveiled a narrative marked by coercion, manipulation, and multifaceted abuse. Despite variations in the duration and onset of their ordeals, participants uniformly expressed the profound and lasting impact of sex trafficking across numerous facets of their lives. Psychological distress, physical ailments, disrupted vocational trajectories, strained relationships, and spiritual upheaval were recurrent themes, illustrating the pervasive nature of their trauma. This research highlights the urgent necessity for holistic support and intervention strategies tailored to the intricate and multidimensional needs of …

Babied For Life?: Helicopter Parents And College Students, Keira Anderson

Psychology Student Publications

This essay covers the effects of helicopter parents, or over-parenting, on college students. College students traditionally gain a new level of independence, and this essay explores how helicopter parents hinder that independence. This essay also explains some of the negative mental health effects over-parenting has on college students.

The Unsuspecting Effects Of Social Media On Mental Health, Sapphire Boehm

Psychology Student Publications

This paper explores how social media affects mental health and how individuals can combat its negative impacts. We reviewed multiple studies on the effects of social media on different demographics, including children, college students, and adults in the UK. Key findings show that gender, social media usage, and support systems play significant roles in mental health outcomes.

A Preliminary Study On The Role Of Personal History Of Infectious And Parasitic Diseases On Self-Reported Health Across Countries, Gerit Pfuhl, Filipe Prazeres, Marta Kowal, Toivo Aavik, Beatriz Abad-Villaverde, Reza Afhami, Leonardo Aguilar, Grace Akello, Laith Al-Shawaf, Jan Antfolk, Chiemezie S. Atama, Derya Atamtürk Duyar, Roberto Baiocco, Sercan Balım, Carlota Batres, Yakhlef Belkacem, Théo Besson, Adam Bode, Merve Boğa, Jordane Boudesseul, Mahmoud Boussena, Hamdaoui Brahim, Nana Burduli, Ali R. Can, Hakan Cetinkaya, Antonio Chirumbolo, Dimitri Chubinidze, Clément Cornec, Bojana M. Dinić, Seda Dural, Izzet Duyar, Samuel O. Ebimgbo, Edgardo Etchezahar, Peter Fedor, Tomasz Frackowiak, David A. Frederick, Katarzyna Galasinska, Felipe A. García, Talia Gomez Yepes, Dmitry Grigoryev, Farida Guemaz, Ivana Hromatko, Gözde Ikizer, Steve M.J. Janssen, Julia A. Kamburidis, Tina Kavčič, Nicolas Kervyn, Farah Khan, Aleksander Kobylarek, Mehmet Koyuncu, Yoshihiko Kunisato, David Lacko, Miguel Landa-Blanco, Linda H. Lidborg, Samuel Lins, Tetyana Mandzyk, Silvia Mari, Tiago Marot, Martha Martinez-Banfi, Alan D. A. Mattiassi, Marlon Mayorga-Lascano, Moises Mebarak, Norbert Meskó, Maria Rosa Miccoli, Vita Mikuličiūtė, Taciano L. Milfont, Katarina Mišetić, Mara Morelli, Jean C. Natividade, Izuchukwu L. G. Ndukaihe, Felipe C. Novaes, Salma S. Omar, Mohd Sofian Omar Fauzee, Tobias Otterbring, Barış Özener, Simon Ozer, Ju Hee Park, Irena Pavela Banai, Farid Pazhoohi, Mariia Perun, Martin Pírko, Ekaterine Pirtskhalava, Katarzyna Pisanski, Nejc Plohl, Koen Ponnet, Pavol Prokop, Matheus F. F. Ribeiro, Frederico Rosário, Ayşegül Şahin, Fatima Zahra Sahli, Dušana Šakan, Oksana Senyk, Henrik Siepelmeyer, Diana Ribeiro Da Silva, Sangeeta Singh, Çağlar Solak, Sinem Söylemez, Anna Studzinska, Chee-Seng Tan, Gulmira Topanova, Merve Topcu Bulut, Ezgi Toplu-Demirtaş, Bastien Trémolière, Singha Tulyakul, Joaquín Ungaretti, Jaroslava V. Valentova, Marco A.C. Varella, Mona Vintila, Tatiana Volkodav, Anna Wlodarczyk, Yao-Yuan Yeh, Gyesook Yoo, Oulmann Zerhouni, Marcos Zumárraga‑Espinosa, Maja Zupančič, Piotr Sorokowski

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objectives

Infectious diseases are often associated with decline in quality of life. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between personal history of communicable, i.e., infectious and parasitic diseases and self-rated health.

Study design

Secondary analysis of a large dataset multi-country observational study.

Methods

We used a four-pronged analysis approach to investigate whether personal history of infectious and parasitic diseases is related to self-reported health, measured with a single item.

Results

Three of the four analyses found a small positive effect on self-reported health among those reporting a history of pathogen exposure. The meta-analysis found no support …

Lived Experiences Of Adults Who Were Removed From Primary Caregiver And Placed In Foster Care Before Age Three, Jillian Eve Young

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The capacity to form attachments early in life with important and primary caregivers can significantly influence a child’s psychological development in numerous areas across the life span. Healthy attachments early in life have been shown to be essential; however, due to various situations, many children have trouble developing healthy attachments or experience disruptions with primary/important caregivers. This transcendental phenomenological study focused specifically on the lived experiences of adults ages 18-64 (born between 1960 and 2004) who were removed from their primary/important caregiver during the first three years (even temporarily) and placed into foster care. In these circumstances, it could be …

An Assessment Of Virginia's Temporary Detention Order Process: Impacts On Public Services Delivery And Stakeholders, Teresa Gale Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stakeholders contend Virginia’s public system of mental healthcare lacks adequate access to services, and its temporary detention order process contributes to undue burden on individuals, state and private hospitals, and law enforcement. The purpose of this applied study was to analyze Virginia’s mental healthcare system to identify factors that can be altered and best practices that can be implemented to improve care for citizens admitted under temporary detention orders. The study did this through triangulation of data collection methods including archival dataset analysis, secondary document analysis, and semi-structured interviews. Additionally, the study examined the literature and offered suggestions for best …

Breaking Barriers: Bridging Gaps In Mental Health Literacy Through Digital Innovation, Adraine Racquel Chapman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study addressed the development and implementation of digital innovations aimed at bridging gaps in mental health knowledge, promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and enhancing support networks for children and adolescent families. Recognizing the critical need for accessible mental health education, this research reviewed methods in which digital tools were used to create engaging and informative resources. The study investigated the effectiveness of these digital innovations in increasing mental health literacy, fostering open communication, and building supportive communities. By integrating theoretical frameworks and empirical data, the dissertation highlighted the potential of digital platforms to revolutionize health education. The findings spotlighted and …

Crossing The Chasm: Engaging Black Men Survivors Of Gun Violence In Mental Health Services, Erin Major, Celina Thomas, Charlotte Healy, Amy Vanderstoep, Joseph B Richardson, Thomas M Scalea, Melike N Harfouche

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Despite being high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, Black men survivors of gun violence, and particularly young men aged 18-24, seldom participate in mental health services after injury. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to participation in mental health services for this population.

METHODS: Over a 2-year period, 1 hour-long focus group was conducted with three counselors of the local hospital-based violence intervention program and 21 individual, semistructured in-depth interviews were held with Black men who were hospitalized for a firearm-related injury. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded using open coding and grounded …

Responding To Digital Addiction, Ned Snow

Seattle University Law Review

In Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies, Professor Gaia Bernstein calls our attention to the growing problem of digital addiction. Digital addiction may sound like something out of a science-fiction novel or something that does not raise the same sort of real-life practical concerns as are present in a physical health crisis or an economic decline. But as Bernstein presents the evidence, we learn that the consequences of digital addiction can be just as harmful as a serious disease or a financial depression. Cognitive development disorders, anxiety, emotional depression, social isolation, and other mental health ills can be debilitating—as much …

Religiosity, Patience, And Mental Well-Being Among Ncaa Athletes In The United States At State, Secular Private, And Faith-Based Colleges And Universities, Laura Upenieks, Elizabeth M. Bounds, Karen K. Melton, Perry L. Glanzer, Sarah A. Schnitker

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Patience has been defined as remaining calm in the face of frustration, suffering, or adversity for the sake of something beyond the self. This study examines patience, an understudied virtue in the world of collegiate athletics. Drawing from a sample of 415 student-athletes across the United States, we assess patience as a mediating mechanism between religiosity/spirituality and well-being. Regression results suggest that of the three subscales of patience considered, only greater hardships patience was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and loneliness. We also observed that greater intrinsic religiosity and a secure attachment to God predicted greater patience, yet more frequent …

Assessing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Impacts On The Health Of People Who Inject Drugs Using A Novel Data Sharing Model, Heather Bradley, Nicole Luisi, Anastasia Carter, Terri D. Pigott, Daniela Abramovitz, Sean T. Allen, Alice Asher, Chelsea Austin, Tyler S. Bartholomew, Marianna Baum, Amy Board, Basmattee Boodram, Annick Borquez, Kathryn A. Brookmeyer, Kate Buchacz, Janet Burnett, Hannah L.F. Cooper, Nicole Crepaz, Kora Debeck, Judith Feinberg, Chunki Fong, Edward Freeman, Nathan Woo Furukawa, Becky Genberg, Pamina Gorbach, Holly Hagan, Kanna Hayashi, Emalie Huriaux

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objective: Using an innovative data sharing model, we assessed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of people who inject drugs (PWID). Design: The PWID Data Collaborative was established in 2021 to promote data sharing across PWID studies in North America. Contributing studies submitted aggregate data on 23 standardized indicators during four time periods: prepandemic (March 2019 to February 2020), early-pandemic (March 2020 to February 2021), mid-pandemic (March 2021 to February 2022), and late pandemic (March 2022 to February 2023). Methods: We present study-specific and meta-analyzed estimates for the percentage of PWID who took medications for opioid use …

Influence Of Marching Band Experience On Eating Disorder Risk And Perceived Stress In Collegiate Marching Artists, Kalor Greve, Jaclyn B. Caccese, Matthew P. Brancaleone

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Introduction: Collegiate marching artists face severe and prevalent stressors that may contribute to poor mental health and unhealthy habits. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sex and years of participation in collegiate marching band on the relationship between eating disorder risk and perceived stress levels. Methods: Marching artists from an NCAA Division I university completed the Eating Disorder Questionnaire-6 (EDEQ-6) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to obtain disordered eating behaviors and perceived stress levels, respectively. Spearman rank correlations were used to determine the relationship between PSS-10 scores and global and subscale EDEQ-6 scores, …

Identifying Factors Associated With Sleep Disorders And Treatment Avoidance Among Collegiate Student-Athletes, Allie Ziniti, Andrew W. Froehle, Brian A. Edwards

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Introduction: Mental health concerns among collegiate students-athletes are exacerbated by poor sleep, and this population experiences elevated risk for irregular sleep patterns and associated sleep disorders. Interventions aimed at early identification of student-athletes experiencing sleep disorders and guiding them to treatment can contribute to improved mental health in this group. The present study’s objective was to clarify risk-factors associated with increased likelihood of sleep disorders and treatment avoidance in student-athletes. Methods: Data were self-reported survey responses related to sleep disorders, from US college/university varsity athletes (n=51,882) completing the 2011-2019 National College Health Assessments (NCHA). Outcomes: The primary outcomes that we …

A Qualitative Approach To Identifying Obstacles To Mental Healthcare In The Rio Grande Valley From The Perspective Of Mental Healthcare Professionals., Shania M. Linder, Cristian Botello, Raquel Villarreal, Nelda Rodriguez, Mario Gil, Dayana Zamora

Research Symposium

Background: There are many factors that prevent members of the Hispanic/Latino community from accessing mental health resources. This is important to investigate because there is a lack of knowledge on why residents of the Rio Grande Valley, an underserved region of South Texas, are unable to access and/or utilize mental health resources.

Methods: A focus group session was held at a mental health counseling clinic in Cameron County, Texas on February 1, 2024. The participants consisted of mental health professionals, such as two mental health clinicians, a clinical counselor, two school counselors, a licensed professional counselor supervisor, and a …

Impact Of Acute Stress On Circadian Rhythm Regulation Of Locomotor Activity In Syrian Hamsters, Raquel A. Villarreal, Laura E. Garcia, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Disruptions of circadian rhythms, caused by factors such as environmental changes or stress, are linked to health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and mood disorders. Circadian rhythm disturbances are particularly relevant for understanding the etiology of conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The circadian rhythm, primarily regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, coordinates biological processes to align with daily environmental cycles. Acute stress, especially when experienced immediately upon waking, has been shown to disrupt these rhythms, impair sleep regulation, and exacerbate mood dysregulation. Given the significant clinical implications, understanding how stress impacts circadian rhythms is …

Regulating Ai Therapy Chatbots: A Call For Federal Oversight, Carolyn V. Wheeler

Texas A&M Law Review

While artificial intelligence therapy chatbots continue to develop and increase in popularity, there is little regulatory oversight for this burgeoning industry. Regulation is needed because there is a high probability for harm when artificial intelligence is used in the mental health therapy industry, yet there is no consensus on standards that apply. Artificial intelligence therapy chatbots are currently only regulated by indirect, suboptimal liability schemes. State governments could regulate them by considering them human practitioners or telehealth services, or the federal government could regulate them as medical devices. This Comment examines the pitfalls of the lack of artificial intelligence therapy …

When Grief Comes To Court: Supporting Bereaved Court Involved Youth, Lane Pease, Erin Richter

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Youth who are court involved have higher rates of bereavement than the general population. Learn how grief impacts youth involved in the Juvenile Court. This session will focus on how bringing together court stakeholders and partnering with outside experts to provide grief support can decrease further court involvement and lead to positive outcomes.

Importance Of Principal-School Counselor Relationship, Moya A. Pope Ed.S, Monica Y. Pace Ed.S

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Principals and School Counselors - y'all alright?!? What's your relationship like: Good? Bad? Ugly? The relationship between the school counselor and principal can affect the school as a whole - and when they have a strong relationship, the school community is stronger. This presentation will give you tips on how to strengthen your relationship, become better leaders and positively affect student achievement and school climate.

Balancing Minds And Missions: Mental Health, Wellness, And Accountability Leadership In Higher Education, Asher M. Pimpleton-Gray

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

Now, more than ever, mental health and wellness have become more dominant and pronounced threads within the fabric of our daily landscape. These terms have been emerging more often in conversations within nearly every industry, ranging from entertainment and sports to politics and law enforcement. Higher education is no different. With increased rates of difficulties regarding mental health and wellness it is even more important that colleges and universities create institutional structures and resources that can aid students, faculty and staff in tending to their mental and emotional wellbeing. In this chapter, implications for higher education leaders are explored and …

Just As Expected? Older Adults’ Aging Expectations Are Associated With Subjective Cognition, Nikki Hill, Sakshi Bhargava, Justin Do, Emily Bratlee-Whitaker, Monique Brown, Renata Komalasari, Rachel Wu, Jacqueline Mogle

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between older adults' expectations regarding aging and subjective cognition. Specifically, we examined whether the three domains of aging expectations (physical health, mental health, and cognitive function) were associated with two aspects of subjective cognition: current subjective cognition and subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

METHOD: An online survey was conducted among U.S. adults aged 65-90 (N = 581; M_age=71.4, SD ± 4.81; 51% female). Measures included the 12-item Expectations Regarding Aging scale, the 8-item PROMIS Cognitive Abilities scale (current subjective cognition), and the 12-item Everyday Cognition scale (SCD). We used generalized linear models …

A Secondary Analysis Of The Psychological Capital And Gratitude Of High School Students In Northeast Texas, Rachel Smith, Ashlyn Peppler, Angela Preston

Honors Nursing Posters

Presented at Great Plains Honors Council (GPHC) Conference, March 7, 2025; UNT, Denton, Texas.

Individual Liberty, Safety And Police Liabilities Under The Mental Health (Care And Treatment) Act, Gary Kok Yew Chan

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

How should a society strike a balance between the objective of ensuring safety from dangers that may be posed by individuals believed to have a mental disorder and the deprivation of their liberty? How should police officers discharge their duties in apprehending such individuals with a view to conveying them to a medical practitioner at a psychiatric institution? These legal issues took centrestage in the Singapore High Court decision of Mah Kiat Seng v Attorney-General in which the apprehended individual brought claims in false imprisonment against a police officer. The decision examined the underlying purposes of the Singapore Mental Health …

Help-Seeking Behavior And Related Mental Health Promotion Programs In Southeast Asian Youth: A Systematic Literature Review, Gladys Octavia, James A. Doorbar, Kallista Chan

Kesmas

Mental health issues are a prominent burden among adolescents and young adults in Southeast Asia, compounded by reluctance to seek help and low treatment rates. This mixed-method systematic review analyzed help-seeking profiles (preference, facilitators, and barriers) and evaluated implemented help-seeking programs. Data were sourced from electronic databases, hand-searched local databases, conference proceedings, and grey literature. Study selection followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines, focusing on 1) adolescents (10–19 years) and young adults (18–26 years) in Southeast Asia who were not receiving mental health care, 2) assessing help-seeking behavior, and 3) evaluating programs to increase help-seeking. A total of 16 articles were identified. …

Strategies Police Agencies Can Implement To Improve Officer Mental Health, Robert Gleason

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The profession of law enforcement is commonly recognized as being extremely stressful. Policing has the potential to produce extraordinarily high levels of stress among officers, particularly in contemporary political and social situations. This stress can be induced by several reasons, including but not limited to the occupation itself, the organization, and the organizational leadership. Long-term exposure to chronic stress has been linked to adverse effects on mental and physical health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, exhaustion, and, in extreme situations, suicidal ideations and attempts. This qualitative study examined strategies and initiatives that police officers believe would help agencies …