Digital Commons Network^™

Perception Of Mental Health Among Students In Higher Education, Kasibah Baig, Leia Aguilar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mental health in higher education environments is a topic that has the need for exploration and discussion. Students with poor mental health face additional stressors and challenges in their academic and personal areas of life. It is critical for colleges and universities to address the topic of mental health and understand how it can affect students, as well as to be able to provide the proper support and services. By having more conversations about mental health on campus and providing easily accessible and inclusive resources for students, it can create a comfortable environment on campus for students to be able …

Bridging The Gap For Parents Seeking Mental Health Services For Children, Emmary Yolanda Taylor

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The rising statistics of adolescents suffering from concerns of mental health in all its various diagnosis, is an increasing problem for the community. The understanding of mental health in adolescents is now continuously being explored due to the rise of concerns. Although professionals continue to research and address the rise of mental health, parental literacy regarding addressing mental health concerns constitutes as one of the number one factors in prevention. The research presented in this paper uses a qualitative approach to study parental literacy and culture regarding mental health in adolescents within the San Bernardino County community. The qualitative research …

Evaluating School-Based Interventions And Programs In Treating Children Mental Health Disorders, Rozandra Yazmin Sanchez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: The implementation of mental health services such as school-based interventions and programs have been well established within schools. However, it is uncertain how effective school-based interventions and programs are in treating children who are diagnosed with a mental health disorder specifically for children who are younger than 11 years old as it has not been explored. Objective: This proposed quasi-experimental study aims to determine the effectiveness of school-based mental health intervention programs in supporting and treating children (ages 6 to 11) who are diagnosed with a mental health disorder by evaluating their symptoms. Method: The proposed study would collect …

Law Enforcement Perspectives Towards Mental Health Crisis Interventions, Anna P. Silva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mental health crisis calls create significant challenges for law enforcement officers, who often serve as the first responders to individuals experiencing psychological distress. Research indicates that 50% of fatal encounters with law enforcement involve individuals with a mental health disorder (Fuller et al., 2015; Kindy & Elliott, 2015). Although the increasing prevalence of mental health- related calls, law enforcement officers frequently lack the specialized training and resources necessary to effectively de-escalate these situations (Cohen & Bagwell, 2023). As a result, interactions between police officers and individuals with mental illness tend to lead to criminalization, unnecessary incarceration, and even fatal outcomes. …

The Outcomes Of School-Based Mental Health Services At A Southern California School District A Proposed Pilot Study, Amanda Smith, Ashley Rodriguez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In this proposed project we intend to explore and identify empirical evidence-based research on outcomes of school-based mental health provided by a Southern California school district. This study will highlight evidence-based research on the growing concern for school-based mental health. A relevant extraction tool that can be utilized for further research, and a study design to explore existing literature regarding programs and student participation to gauge outcomes.

School-based mental health supports mental well-being and promotes positive protective factors. These include social and cultural connections, resilience, coping strategies, problem-solving abilities, positive development, and a supportive school environment where students feel safe. …

Islams’ Influence On Mental Health, Tala Soukieh

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study explores the intricate relationship between Islam and mental health among Muslims in the United States. The study employs a mixed methods approach to provide a comprehensive understanding of this dynamic. Given the significant role spirituality plays in mental health, this research integrates qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to capture these perspectives, specifically in the Muslim community. The qualitative portion will consist of in-depth interviews to cover personal experiences and beliefs about Islam and mental well-being. Concurrently, quantitative surveys will be conducted to collect broader data on religious practices and their mental health outcomes. Significant gaps and barriers …

The Characteristics Of Students With Body Image Dissatisfaction In A Southern California School District, Isabelle Rose Labrie, Yaretxy Romo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Body image dissatisfaction is an increasingly common issue among children and adolescents, often stemming from various factors such as peer influences, family dynamics, media exposure, and extracurricular activities. This dissatisfaction can have significant long-term effects on youths' mental health, including the development of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and eating disorders.

This proposed exploratory study aims to develop a new instrument by synthesizing insights from existing literature. A scoping literature review was chosen as the most appropriate method, as it allows for a comprehensive examination of available research on body image dissatisfaction. This research proposal seeks to fill a gap in …

The Effect Of Childhood Emotional Abuse On The Mental Health Of Latinx Adults, Leslie Castro, Yoceline Valle

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background: Childhood emotional abuse is a severe form of maltreatment that can be as damaging as more visible kinds of abuse. It is defined as any action or inaction by a caregiver that hinders a child's emotional development. This type of abuse can take the form of humiliation, belittlement, rejection, or neglect, leaving lasting emotional scars. Objective: This study proposes to better understand the long-lasting effects of childhood emotional abuse by investigating the connections between the degree of emotional abuse and ensuing mental health issues. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, this study proposes to gather quantitative data on the …

Mental Health Impact Of Student Loan Debt On College Students, Melissa Diaz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This is a proposed study regarding student loan debt and mental health. This study would impact social work practice and education by understanding the mental health status of those continuing to pay off student loan debt. Student loan debt has become an enormous issue in the United States, with the average student carrying $37,000 in debt. Students are impacted financially and emotionally, and their overall well-being is compromised because higher education has become unaffordable for many without the assistance of student loans. Students need to understand the short and long-term implications of student loan debt, such as mental health issues …

#Toomuchcontent: A Quantitative Analysis On Social Media Time Usage And Its Impact On Young Adult Anxiety And/Or Depression In The United States, Sarah Juarez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As technology continues to advance and grow, society has seen a surge in popularity of various social media sites. Social media has become increasingly popular among young adults, with some spending over 10 hours each day on social media. Social media can be utilized for community building, fostering relationships, providing safe spaces, inspiration, creative expression, and may even provide users with acceptance, validation, and a sense of belonging. Considering these factors, social media may also affect individuals negatively— specifically mental health-wise, in terms of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to identify whether a correlation exists between time spent on …

The Impact Of Maternal Problematic Drinking On Daughter's Mental Health: A Systematic Review, Indianna Bouch, Alexzandria Haro

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Parental alcohol use is a widespread issue and is known to have negative impacts on children's mental health. However, research on parent-child dyads concerning parental problematic alcohol use and child mental health outcomes has much less research. Objective: This systematic review aims to examine recent literature on the impact of mothers’ problematic drinking on daughter(s) mental health. Methods: The following databases were used: EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. The keywords included “mother”, “AUD”, “maternal AUD”, “impact on daughters”, “female COA”, “female ACOA”, “mothers with an AUD”, “problematic drinking”, “maternal alcoholic”, “impact on relationships”, …

The Effect Of Covid-19: Childhood Socialization And Technology Use, Nathalie Saray Manriquez, Amber Vanessa Flores, Cassandra Clarissa Tejada

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study proposes to explore the impact of technology use on childhood socialization and mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among elementary and middle school students. With the sudden shift to online learning due to school closures, children experienced a dramatic increase in screen time, the use of computers, tablets, and other digital devices for educational purposes and social interaction. This research aims to examine the effects of heightened technology dependency on children's social development and emotional well-being. Through surveys conducted with teachers, caregivers and parents, the study seeks to investigate the changes in children's socialization behaviors …

Mental Illness Among The Homeless Communities, Tania Wilcox

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the perspectives of individuals with substance use and mental illness on their co-occurring conditions. Mental illness and substance use disorder are commonly known in homeless communities, especially those experiencing chronic homelessness. Other social factors like gentrification, displacement, systemic racism, and insufficient affordable housing also contribute to the problem by restricting the availability of shelter for vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the lack of stable, affordable housing in California is a significant problem, and having access to comprehensive healthcare services exacerbates these problems.

Effectiveness Of Mental Health Interventions Amongst Parents With Child Welfare Involvement, Clarisa Grano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the effectiveness of mental health interventions provided by child welfare agencies to parents involved in the child welfare system. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the research aims to assess intervention outcomes, identify barriers to service utilization, and provide qualitative insights into parents' experiences with mental health services. The quantitative component will gather data on mental health outcomes through structured surveys, while the qualitative component will explore the lived experiences of parents through semi-structured interviews. Findings from this study will contribute to the development of culturally competent interventions and inform policy changes that address systemic inequities in mental …

Effective Interventions For Women With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Kathryn Antoinette Gonzales

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Women diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often undergo powerless treatment interventions according to research. Institutionalized inequalities among service systems challenge women to receive access, begin, engage, and complete mental health services for PTSD. This mixed-methods systematic review sought to determine interventions that are effective for treating this client population. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) tool was used to screen four different electronic databases: PsycINFO, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and OneSearch to identify peer-reviewed articles under a purposive sampling method strategy. Of the 159 studies screened, 15 met the inclusion criteria for this review (n =15). …

The Underutilization Of Mental Health Services Amongst The Hispanic Community: An Exploratory Study, Stephanie Renteria, Andrea Aguilar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Despite the development of mental health services, the Hispanic population within San Bernardino, CA continue to encounter barriers and limitation seeking mental health support. Objective: This exploratory study aimed to identify contributing factors that affect the level of accessibility to mental health services. Method: We propose to collect quantitative data from 25 participants ages 18 to 65 utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather personalized experiences. Recruitment will be collected utilizing interviews conducted in community hospitals. We are going to present open ended questions and collect demographic data to measure the factors of underutilization of mental health in the Hispanic …

Scar Reveal, Danielle A. Unger

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Scar Reveal is a collection of twenty-eight poems. The author arranges the poems in three sections that explore the family of origin and religion, mental health and mortality, and love and labor. The collection is preceded by a preface essay where the author discusses her relationship with poetry and how her poetics have developed throughout her mental health recovery and work as a therapist. The author also provides a brief overview of some selected craft techniques and influences within the manuscript.

The Overlooked Experience: Black Females Seeking Mental Health Services On Hbcu Campuses, Shanta' Atkinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have identified a variety of invisible barriers, including Strong Black Woman (SBW), stigma, and religion, that exist for Black females who would be seeking mental health services. There is minimal qualitative data to identify the treatment barriers that Black females experience when seeking mental health services. The experiences of Black females seeking mental health services on HBCU campuses have not been the sole focus of research. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to fill the gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of Black females on HBCU campuses who have sought mental health services on …

Assisted Outpatient Treatment: A State-By-State Comparative Review, E. Lea Johnston, Autumn Klein

Cleveland State Law Review

Assisted outpatient treatment, otherwise known as preventive outpatient commitment, is rapidly expanding across the United States, aiming to address mental health needs and reduce homelessness, hospital costs, and community violence. Since 2019, fifteen preventive outpatient commitment statutes have been passed or expanded. These statutes, which authorize courts to mandate community treatment for nondangerous individuals with mental illnesses, have evaded close scrutiny, rest on misconceptions, and raise significant constitutional concerns. An analysis of legislative debates, court opinions, and scholarship reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about the prevalence of these laws, which contributes to their speedy passage. Additionally, no analysis exists of these …

Redefining Actor Training: Prioritizing Mental Health And Ethical Pedagogy In Higher Education Actor Training Programs, Dori R. Leeman

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In recent years, higher education personnel across the country have referred to the pervasiveness of mental health challenges on college campuses as an epidemic. Students majoring in theatre and performance are no exception. This dissertation examines the unique factors of actor training programs and their impact on student actors’ mental health and well-being. Many traditional actor training programs have long upheld the notion that great artistry requires personal sacrifices, which include a lack of work-life balance and, at times, practices that blur the boundaries between life and art. I argue that actor training programs have failed to evolve alongside current …

Moving Beyond The Baby Blues: Supporting Maternal Mental Health In Minnesota, Rileigh Kronmiller, Mary Montero, Sarah Nelsen, Timothy Taggart

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Untreated mental health challenges are the second leading contributors to perinatal and postpartum deaths in the U.S. as well as Minnesota. There are many barriers for mothers and trans/nonbinary birthing parents to receive the care they need, including social stigma, inadequate prenatal and postpartum screening, and a lack of resources and access to integrated, research-informed care, especially for BIPOC and rural communities. While awareness of this troubling issue has risen in recent years, so too have deaths and other adverse outcomes. Addressing maternal mental health concerns will reduce involvement in the child protection and judicial systems, reduce deaths, and improve …

Assisted Outpatient Treatment: A State-By-State Comparative Review, E. Lea Johnston, Autumn Klein

UF Law Faculty Publications

Assisted outpatient treatment, otherwise known as preventive outpatient commitment, is rapidly expanding across the United States, aiming to address mental health needs and reduce homelessness, hospital costs, and community violence. Since 2019, fifteen preventive outpatient commitment statutes have been passed or expanded. These statutes, which authorize courts to mandate community treatment for nondangerous individuals with mental illnesses, have evaded close scrutiny, rest on misconceptions, and raise significant constitutional concerns. An analysis of legislative debates, court opinions, and scholarship reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about the prevalence of these laws, which contributes to their speedy passage. Additionally, no analysis exists of these …

Cultural Self-Harm Differences, Erin Simmons

Psychology Student Papers and Posters

This study is based on the evident cultural differences in self-harm behaviors and what those behaviors look like specifically for individuals that identify as Black or African American. Previous literature suggests that cultural differences in self-harm exist but very little research centers Black experiences and their connection to self-harm. Self-harm is considered a broad term, and it encompasses a variety of behaviors, some more common than others, but these common behaviors are typically exclusively explored within only a few demographics with a low Black participant pool. This contributes to the assumed lack of self-harm among the Black community but through …

Developing A Pandemic-Related Mental Health Micro-Collection For An Academic Library, Dee Anna Phares

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Academic library patrons dealing with the impact of trauma, depression, anxiety, or addiction spawned or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic require materials that address the unique conditions that have shaped mental health since late 2019. This paper demonstrates how one academic library endeavored to address patrons’ needs for mental health resources by developing a “Coping and COVID-19” micro-collection.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …