Digital Commons Network^™

Teaching Crisis Co-Regulation In Occupational Therapy: A Pilot Study Of A Simulation-Based Role-Play, Carli Dimeo, Allen Keener, Elizabeth G. Hunter

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Health professions educators have identified a need for tools to assess student competence in de-escalation and co-regulation. Despite the importance of proficiency with these clinical skills, there is little evidence examining effective approaches for teaching and assessing these skills in occupational therapy students. This pilot study utilized a simulation-based role-play experience to determine the feasibility of a teaching method for occupational therapy students to apply these skills in psychosocial scenarios. Activities were conducted as a required component of a Psychosocial and Community Practice course. Prior to the simulation, students completed instruction addressing emotional regulation and co-regulation. Students then practiced these …

The Phenomenon Of Professional Burnout Among Military Chaplains In Ukraine, Artem Makovskyi, Oleg Mateyuk, Oleksandr Bilovskyi, Anton Datskov, Dmytro Oleshko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article presents a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of professional burnout among military chaplains in Ukraine in the context of their personal experience of being in extreme (combat) conditions. The relevance of the problem is due to the prolonged impact of combat operations, high psycho-emotional stress, and the special role of military chaplains in the system of moral and psychological support for Ukraine's security and defense sector. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the concept of professional burnout by K. Maslach, the provisions of the person-centered approach, and the theory of personal experience. The empirical study …

Christianity As Coping Mechanisms For Migrants With Mental Health Challenges In Australia: Social Work Implications, Obed Adonteng-Kissi, Nnaemeka Meribe, Kathomi Gatwiri, Lillian Mwanri, Agness Tembo, Frank Darkwa Baffour, Edith N. Botchway-Commey, Aunty Kerrie Doyle, David Chisanga, Ahmed A. Moustafa, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Christian religion may be a powerful resource that can serve as a coping mechanism to resolve challenges and provide comfort to African migrants confronted with mental health challenges. We aimed to explore the coping strategies among African migrants in Australia. We undertook semi-structured interviews online with 11 participants with African backgrounds, comprising six mental health clinicians and five migrant service users living in Australia for at least the past 12 months. Literature exploring religious coping mechanisms, social support and acculturation was drawn on. The interviews were undertaken online via Teams, WhatsApp call, and zoom with participants whom we recruited through …

Beyond The Pandemic: How Covid-19 Highlighted The Need For Cross-Sector Healthcare Solutions For Young Australians Living With Adversity, Ennur Erbasi, Shannon Muir, Karen Mclean

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We explored the perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and healthcare access among young people living with significant adversity in Victoria, Australia, using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Guided by a pragmatism epistemology, fifty-seven purposively sampled Victorian adolescents aged 15–19 years with lived experience of adversity completed a primarily quantitative online survey, and eight also participated in semi-structured interviews. Descriptive quantitative results indicated that a greater proportion of participants rated their mental health as fair or poor during COVID-19 (69%) compared to before the pandemic (40%). Similarly, more participants rated their physical health as fair or poor during …

A Pilot Qualitative Study To Better Understand The Factors Related To Suicides And Inform Public Health Action Across A Predominantly Coastal And Rural Area: Cornwall, Southwest Of England: International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, Paula Chappell, Jane Horrell, Kerryn Husk, Beth Simons, Richard A. Sharpe

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Better understanding factors leading to suicide and prevention opportunities is a global public health priority. This qualitative pilot study tested whether reviewing inquest recordings could generate insights during COVID-19 and inform public health prevention programmes across a predominantly rural and coastal area where there are significant health inequalities. Methods: Fifty-five inquest recordings reached a suicide conclusion between March 2020 and January 2021. Stratified sampling was used to obtain two samples from each month. Template analysis was employed to thematically analyse data from 30 inquests. Results: Risk factors during this period were social isolation, anxiety, difficulty in routine creation and …

Mapping Research Trends On Mental Health Literacy Among University Students: A Bibliometric Systematic Review, Eko Pramudya Laksana, Muslihati Muslihati, Arbin Janu Setiyowati, Salsabila Kholifahtun Nisa, Muhammad Nur Hudha, Margaret Kehinde Soetan

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Mental health is a global issue that has received increasing attention, particularly among university students. Mental health literacy (MHL) is an important factor in promoting students' psychological well-being through knowledge, attitudes, and the ability to recognize and address mental health problems. This study aims to map the developmental trends of MHL research among university students in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the direction and focus of studies in this field. This research employed a bibliometric literature review approach by analyzing 48 journal articles indexed in the Scopus database and published between 2021 and 2025. The findings indicate that …

Mind The Gap: Intergenerational Perspectives On Mental Illness Within Ghanaian American Communities, Ama Danso-Ayesu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research explores attitudes toward mental illness among Ghanaian immigrants and

first-generation Ghanaian Americans, with particular focus on factors that influence

stigma. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model, the study utilized the

Community Attitudes Toward Mental Illness (CAMI) Scale to measure four dimensions

of stigma, including authoritarianism, benevolence, social restrictiveness, and community

mental health ideology. A comparative, cross-sectional design was employed to examine

differences between immigrant and American-born participants. The findings revealed

generational differences where Ghanaian immigrants reported higher levels of

authoritarian and socially restrictive beliefs, while first-generation Ghanaian Americans

demonstrated more benevolent and inclusive attitudes. Interpreted through the ecological

systems …

Dance Movement For Wounded Warriors With Mental Health Diagnoses: A Phenomenology, Amelia Ann Forsmo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to understand how dance movement can improve the psychological health of military veterans who are experiencing a mental health disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder. The theories guiding this study are Carl Rogers’ humanistic perspective, Schlossberg’s transition theory, and the post-traumatic growth theory. A purposive sample of 12 to 15 veterans will be selected for participation in this study. Each veteran will have different military backgrounds, various battle wounds, and unique experiences with dance movement or dance movement therapy. For this reason, these perspectives allow each participant to be prioritized and heard. …

Integrating Peer Specialists In Primary Care: Narrative Review With Illustrative Examples, And Pragmatic Recommendations To Support Implementation, Emily M. Johnson, Christina Shook, Kimberly Barrie, Kyle Possemato

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Behavioral health peer support specialists, peers, are health care system employees with lived experience of mental health or substance use concerns who are trained and hired to support others with behavioral health concerns in behavioral health clinics and medical settings. Peer-delivered services have a long history and research consistently demonstrates evidence of varied benefits for a wide range of patients. Peers are increasingly being hired to work within primary care settings to support the needs of primary care patients with behavioral health concerns and enhance the interdisciplinary nature of integrated primary care teams. However, integration of peers into this new …

Healing, Together, Courtney Cleek

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reviews the topics of mutual rehabilitation and the human animal bond (HAB) as a holistic approach to addressing topics of mental health, suicide prevention, and innovative services. Displaying work through the Ten Specialization Year Competencies and the Five Elements of Advanced Integrative Practice, we examine ways to expand social justice, amplify voices, and promote healing within our communities.

Suicide Among Youth And Young Adults In Canada: Bereaved Parents’ Perspectives On The Systems Of Care, Toula Kourgiantakis, Deborah Cooper, David Cooper, Shelley Craig, Eunjung Lee, Jori Jones, Carrie K.Y. Lau, Romy Naïma Tousignant, Jonathan B. Singer, Marjorie Johnstone, Juveria Zaheer

Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults aged 15–24 in Canada. Emergency departments often serve as the first point of contact for identifying suicide risk, particularly for youth and young adults, partly due to the inaccessibility and unavailability of community mental health services. Almost half of the youth who die by suicide visit an emergency department in the year preceding their death, and up to 90% have untreated mental health and substance use concerns. Studies have found that parents describe youth mental health services as harmful, fragmented, inaccessible, and inadequate in meeting their …

Mental Health Outcomes Of A Pediatric-Focused Obesity Randomized Control Trial In Rural Communities, Brittany D. Lancaster, E. Goldenberg, A. S. Trofimoff, Y. Dai, B. Forseth, R. S. Romine, K. Fleming, Ann M. Davis

Publications

Objective: This study explores the impact of iAmHealthy, a rurally focused pediatric obesity intervention, on mental health outcomes and examines how baseline mental health affects body mass index (BMI) outcomes for child–parent dyads in rural communities. Method: Eighteen schools were randomly assigned to iAmHealthy or the Newsletter Control group. iAmHealthy consists of health coaching and group sessions via televideo. Child and parent height and weight, child depression, child quality of life, and parent distress were assessed at baseline, posttreatment (8 months), and follow-up (20 months) from October 2017 to December 2021. Multilevel modeling assessed treatment effects on mental health and …

Evaluation And Identification Of Risk Factors For Stress Among Maquiladora Workers Based On The Mexican Official Standard 035 Survey Tool, Andrea Baca Melendez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background and significance: Occupational psychosocial risk factors are workplace conditions that can trigger physiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes. They are strongly associated with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as non-mental health conditions like myocardial infarction, stroke, and occupational injuries. Analyzing these risks from a sociodemographic perspective provides valuable insights for improving work environments and workers’ well-being. Purpose: This study aimed to identify and determine the levels of occupational psychosocial risk factors among workers in a manufacturing company in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, and to examine their relationship with sociodemographic variables to inform future interventions in …

Gender Differences In Psychological Strengths Among Rural Adolescents, Angela Preston, Jodi Bullard, Rachel Smith, Ashlyn Peppler

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose: Rural adolescents often lack access to mental health care along with increased rates of depression and suicide completion. While psychological strengths have been associated with positive outcomes globally, little is known regarding the prevalence of these indicators (hope, self‐efficacy, resilience, optimism, and gratitude) among adolescents living in rural Texas. The purpose of this study was to describe how rural adolescents report their psychological strengths and examine the data for potential gender differences.

Design and Methods: A secondary analysis of cross‐sectional data was performed on the RStudio platform using tests of central tendency and inferential statistics. Results: There were 425 …

Bridging The Gap: Culturally Responsive Bereavement Support In Latino Families, Maria I. Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Hospice of the Central Coast (HCC), a division of Montage Health, delivers high-quality end-of-life care and bereavement support to adults and families in Monterey and select areas of San Benito County. This capstone project sought to address the disparities by developing and implementing an eight-week bereavement support group curriculum translated and adapted for Spanish-Speaking Latino families. Despite the organization’s longstanding commitment to compassionate and inclusive healthcare, internal data reveal substantial gaps in service for the latino population: of 628 patients served in 2023, only 47 patients were of Hispanic or Latino origin. This discrepancy stems from ingrained barriers such as: …

Bridging Traditions: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review Of Yoga For Trauma Recovery In Indigenous People, Andreia Schineanu, Fredrik Velander, Julaine Allan

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Objective: The aim of this mixed methods systematic review was to explore if Yoga can alleviate mental health issues for Indigenous people, and how participants experience the effects.

Methods: Peer-reviewed primary research published in English retrieved from 2002 to March 2024 was identified using the databases Medline, Scopus, Informit, ProQuest and PsycINFO. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies with Indigenous populations, where the primary intervention was Yoga or mindfulness programs with significant yoga components that reported on mental health outcomes were included.

Results: Only 5 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies demonstrated significant improvements in mental health outcomes, including …

African American Women Employed In The Education Sector Who Have Biological Children With Mental Health Or Behavioral Problems: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Cynthia Henderson Porter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study is purposed to identify and describe the lived experiences of African American mothers employed in a pre-K-12 public school district in Virginia who have biological children with mental health or behavioral problems. The study was qualitative, as this method allowed challenges to be explored personally and humanistically. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism, as it relates to African American mothers’ views of their experiences in the work setting; the assumed perception of colleagues, administrators, and others; and challenges at work pertaining to limitations in functioning, performance, and interpersonal stressors that mothers may encounter. The central …

A Descriptive Study Of Black College Students’ Perceptions Of Law Enforcement After Police Brutality, Alisia L. Collins

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Police brutality is a social issue that has tormented the mental health of the Black community for decades. Seeing brethren battered and bruised countless times has taken an emotional toll on the relationship of the Black community with the American justice system and the officers meant to uphold it. Previous research has shown that the Black community primarily has a negative perception of law enforcement because of factors like police brutality, unjustified shootings, and legal policies within the justice system. Compounding experiences can occur for people with disabilities within the Black community. Specifically, autistic people have a higher risk of …

Nevada's Healthcare And Education Workforce Pipelines, David Damore, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Policy Briefs and Reports

With ongoing workforce shortages in K-12 education, healthcare, and mental and behavioral health—occupations central to the HEAL (health, education, administration, and literacy) economy—this brief utilizes the Nevada P-20 to Workforce Research Data System (NPWR) and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to explore the current and projected landscape for these workforces in Nevada. Examining the demographic characteristics of those participating in focused career and technical education training and those earning relevant postsecondary credentials illuminates gender disparities in Nevada’s healthcare and education workforce pipelines. After reviewing the current state of these workforces and assessing the available NPWR data, we …

Impact Of Restorative Yoga On Mental Health And Cognitive Function In Doctoral Physical Therapy Students, Carly Ritter

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students experience high academic stress, often impacting mental health. Restorative yoga may reduce stress, regulate the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis response, and support cognitive function. This study examined its effects on mental health and cognitive function in DPT students. Forty-four students were randomly assigned to restorative yoga or control groups in a double-blind design. Participants completed the Stroop Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-8), and a demographic survey at baseline and after 6 weeks. The yoga group practiced twice weekly; controls maintained regular activity, excluding yoga. ANOVA and correlation analyses …

Experiences With Social Media Social Comparison In Women Ages 18-28: A Qualitative Study, Olivia Oakley Dr.

Dissertations

This qualitative study aimed to understand young women’s experience using social media and their reported mental health connections, such as self-esteem and comparison. As inferred in recent research, a wide range of social media content is being produced and consumed, from promoting the “thin ideal” to newer campaigns advocating for body positivity (Cohen et al., 2019, Grabe et al., 2008; Groesz et al., 2002). In a time where there is so much online content to consume, it is important to continue to evaluate the lived experiences of those using social media. This phenomenological qualitative research captured the lived experiences of …

Communication Inhibitors: Dilemmas In Community Partnerships Amidst Mental Health Crises In Texas, Alessa Juarez, Kendra N. Bowen, Johnny Nhan

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Community partnerships between police departments, social services, and healthcare providers continue to struggle in various ways, with mental health crisis response remaining a primary yet fragmented service delivery. Using the nodal governance perspective, this paper provides qualitative insight into the existing communication and resource barriers between law enforcement personnel and social service providers in a large urban county in Texas. Four key themes are presented: staff and resource availability, continuity of care, staff personnel and characteristics, and communication efficiency. Policy implications are also discussed, with the study’s findings supporting the prioritization of building stronger communication between existing social service providers, …

Scoping Review Of Sexual And Gender Minority Health Research In Ireland, John P. Gilmore, Tonda L. Hughes, Sean Kearns, Laurie A. Drabble, Diarmuid Stokes, Siobhán D. Thomas, Chris Noone, Lauren Bochicchio

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Aim: To map existing sexual and gender minority (SGM) health research in Ireland, identify gaps in literature and outline priorities for future research and healthcare. SGM is an umbrella term that includes people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex and is sometimes abbreviated as LGBTQI+. Design: A scoping review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024. Methods: The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and PRISMA-ScR framework for scoping reviews. Articles were identified through systematic database searches and screened independently by reviewers. Data Sources: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Embase were searched for articles published …

Mental Health Services For Older Hispanics/Latinos: Incorporating Culture And Context Into Clinical Approaches To Care, Denise Longoria, Romeo Escobar, John M. Gonzalez, Luis R. Torres-Hostos

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

This article discusses older Latinos and their use of mental health services. A brief history of utilization and the contributing factors, including access to services, barriers, and acceptability of mental health services, are included. Sekhon et al.’s theoretical framework of acceptability is discussed in the context of Latino clients. The authors adapt the framework and apply the elements to work with older Latinos and their families. Common stereotypes and faulty assumptions about older Latinos are examined as the Latino population grows and changes in levels of education, language, family structure, roles, religion, and alternative practices continue. Core values for working …

An Evolutionary Preamble Towards A Multilevel Framework To Understand Adolescent Mental Health: An International Delphi Study, Federica Sancassiani, Vanessa Barrui, Fabrizio Bert, Sara Carucci, Fatma Charfi, Giulia Cossu, Arne Holte, Jutta Lindert, Simone Marchini, Alessandra Perra, Samantha Pinna, Antonio Egidio Nardi, Alessandra Scano, Cesar A Soutullo, Massimo Tusconi, Diego Primavera

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Adolescence is a sensitive developmental window shaped by both vulnerabilities and adaptive potential. From an evolutionary standpoint, mental health difficulties in this period may represent functional responses to environmental stressors rather than mere dysfunctions. Despite increasing interest, integrative models capturing the dynamic interplay of risk and protective factors in adolescent mental health remain limited. This study presents a holistic, multi-level framework grounded in ecological and evolutionary theories to improve understanding and intervention strategies.

Methods: A two-round Delphi method was used to develop and validate the framework. Twelve experts in adolescent mental health evaluated a preliminary draft derived from the …

Mental Health And Substance Use Interventions Within Muslim Community Spaces: A Community Based-Participatory Research Proposal, Halah Mansour Alayleh

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background. Muslim Americans face significant mental health and substance use challenges compounded by Islamophobic discrimination, cultural stigma, and barriers to accessing culturally competent services. They also significantly underuse professional mental health services. Purpose. This study aims to collaborate with Muslim communities within the San Francisco Bay Area to develop a replicable intervention framework for addressing mental health and substance use stigma within mosques and other Muslim community spaces. Methods. The proposal uses a community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology while integrating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and stigma theory in the framework. This proposal outlines the four phases of intervention …

The Associations Of Childhood Adversities And Mental Disorders With Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors - Results From The World Mental Health International College Student Initiative, Philippe Mortier, Xue Yang, Yasmin Altwaijri, Jacob Holdcraft, Nancy Sampson, Yesica Albor, Ahmad Alhadi, Jordi Alonso, Nouf Al-Saud, Lukoye Atwoli

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Objective: To investigate the associations of demographic variables, childhood adversities (CAs), and mental disorders (MDx) with onset, transition, and persistence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among first-year university students.

Method: Poisson regression models within a discrete-time survival framework were constructed using web-based self-report survey data from 72,288 incoming university students across 18 countries (response rate=20.9%; median age=19 years, 57.9% female, 1.4% transgender, 21.0% non-heterosexual). These models examined the associations of four demographic variables, five CAs, and eight MDx with STB outcomes.

Results: Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts was 47.0%, 26.0%, and 9.6%, respectively; 12-month estimates were …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Lives Of Individuals In Kuwaiti Society During Curfew, Hend Batel Al-Ma’Seb, Maha Meshari Al-Sejari

Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

The main aim of this study is to assess the extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic has affected individuals in Kuwaiti society in its various aspects, such as economic conditions, social relations, personal hygiene, and physical health, which are determined by demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, and level of education. The study employed a descriptive approach and recruited 703 individuals who lived in Kuwait during the pandemic. The main tool used was an online questionnaire. This questionnaire consists of several sections, including an introduction, demographic information about respondents, and a scale of the impact of the pandemic …

Direct And Indirect Associations Of Childhood Adversities With Functional Impairment And Life Stress Among Military Personnel, Laura Campbell-Sills, Emily R. Edwards, Sam D. Strizver, Karmel W. Choi, Jason D. Kautz, Santiago Papini, James A. Naifeh, Pablo A. Aliaga, Paul B. Lester, Ronald C. Kessler, Robert J. Ursano, Murray B. Stein, Paul D. Biese

Faculty Publications

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with physical and mental health difficulties in adulthood. This study examines the associations of ACEs with functional impairment and life stress among military personnel, a population disproportionately affected by ACEs. We also evaluate the extent to which the associations of ACEs with functional outcomes are mediated through internalizing and externalizing disorders.

Methods

The sample included 4,666 STARRS Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS) participants who provided information about ACEs upon enlistment in the US Army (2011–2012). Mental disorders were assessed in wave 1 (LS1; 2016–2018), and functional impairment and life stress were evaluated in wave 2 …

Following Painting's Quiet Call To Adventure, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Yael Goverover, OTR/L, Ph.D., professor and post-professional program director of occupational therapy at New York University at Steinhardt (NYU), provided the cover art for the summer issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. This oil painting on canvas, titled, Still Life, 2024, features an arrangement of everyday objects with vibrant tones of gold, yellow, orange, and green found in the vase, and a coffeepot, fruits, and botanicals set against a backdrop of scarlet and striped patterned fabrics. She created this piece while on sabbatical in Israel as she studied under the tutelage of a seasoned oil …