How Rural Veterans Enrolled In Veteran’S Treatment Courts Describe Their Experiences With Having Their Health Care Needs Adequately Met By The Court, Armando B. Dela Rosa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the experiences of rural veterans enrolled in Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) with a focus on their access to healthcare services. The purpose of this research is to understand how these veterans' healthcare needs are being met and the barriers they face, contributing to the academic discourse on veteran healthcare accessibility. The central research questions address the adequacy of healthcare provision for rural veterans and how they navigate court-ordered care. The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing in-depth interviews with a sample of 15 veterans from various rural locations in Nevada. Data was collected through structured Zoom …

Barriers And Bridges To Mental Health: A Quantitative Study Of Religious Commitment, Mental Health Stigma, And Help-Seeking Attitudes In The Black Community, Catisha Tillman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health is a silent killer in the Black community. The Black community prefers to seek mental health support from their pastors, friends, families, and church members rather than from a professional counselor. This mistrust is seated in a deeply rooted history of transgenerational trauma towards the medical and mental health care system. Stemming from the enslavement of the Black community to the present day, with systemic racism, disparities in mental health care, limited educational resources, and socioeconomic disadvantages. The following research examined how religious commitment affects mental health stigma, help-seeking attitudes, church-based relational support, and perceived barriers to mental …

The Lived Experiences Of Generation X With Social Media Use And Body Image Perception: A Phenomenological Study, Consuela Coburn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media use grows worldwide daily with several available applications having both positive and negative values. Several studies found negative effects on mental health and body dissatisfaction in adolescents and young adults. Existing literature predominantly focuses on young female participants, resulting in a gap in understanding the effects of social media use across other age cohorts. This phenomenological qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Generation X adults regarding social media use and the perceived effects on body image. Additionally, this study identified themes that emerged based on the semi-structured interviews of Generation X adults. NVivo 15, a computer assistance …

Heart Rate Variability In The Context Of Mental Health And Substance Use, Sage M. Lopez

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been linked to various areas of cardiovascular disease and mortality in previous research. Within this area, certain mental illnesses and use of psychoactive substances have been associated with low HRV and its health implications. Little research exists that examines the combined effects of mental illness and psychoactive substance use. The current research aims to understand if there is a compounding negative effect of these two factors when studied in tandem. Using a three-phase study design, HRV was analysed at baseline and at physiological relaxation, with participants being included under certain mental health, substance use, or …

Mental Health In Relation To Parental Absence: A Systematic Review, Mohammed Barry, Abdulaziz Alyahyawi, Heba Jafar Sabbagh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To evaluate the literature based on the relationship between orphaned children and mental health, compared to non-orphaned children. Mental well-being of orphaned children is a profound intricate topic that connects with broader concerns of childcare. This systematic review aims to evaluate the literature regarding the relationship between mental health and parental absence. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Science Direct in October 2025, with 1017 screened studies. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Independent reviewers performed quality assessments using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Subsequently, a meta-analysis was performed when possible. Results: Findings indicate that orphaned …

Quality Improvement Project: Enhancing Staff Delivery Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions In Serious Mental Illness Care, Kimberly Vann

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Serious mental illness places a significant burden on global healthcare systems, increasing hospital utilization and critically impairing patients' functional status. Often crippling, these illnesses are mostly treated with medication therapy despite proven research to show effective outcomes with holistic and non-pharmacological therapies. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are often underutilized in outpatient mental health settings. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine whether structured training impacted staff confidence in delivering NPIs and impacted documentation frequency in the electronic health record (EHR). The project was guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice and implemented using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, …

Questionnaire For Eudaimonic Well-Being: Psychometric Validation Among Malaysian Youth, Mohd Ahsani A. Malek, Nurulwahida Saad, Suzana Mohd. Hoesni, Muhamad Ariff Ibrahim, Nurul Shafira Adi, Mohd Nazir Mohd Nazori

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The rising prevalence of mental illness underscores the need to understand how individuals can live and flourish under such conditions. In Malaysia, research has largely emphasized diagnosis and treatment, with limited focus on positive psychology and few validated instruments. This study aimed to translate and validate the questionnaire for eudaimonic well-being (QEWB) among Malaysian youth.

Methods: The QEWB was translated into Malay using back-to-back translation and administered to undergraduates from four public universities through a cross-sectional survey design. Convenience quota sampling was used, resulting in 229 respondents completing the online form to measure sociodemographic characteristics, eudaimonic well-being, …

The Impact Of Social Interaction On Patient Well-Being With Transition Into Long-Term Care Settings: A Review Of Interventions For Improved Patient Outcomes, Helen Whitney Harmon

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Purpose: When individual patients are transitioned from home or acute care settings to more long-term care environments such as skilled nursing units or assisted living facilities, the residents are at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness, which is linked to depression, anxiety, and increasing cognitive decline, and other detrimental outcomes.

Aims: Combinations of peer-reviewed qualitative and quantitative research studies were analyzed to determine what factors contributed to changes in patient well-being, mental health and overall quality of life during these transitions.

Methods: One article focusing on preventable healthcare transitions in patient population was able to link higher medical acuity …

Occupational Therapy For Maternal Pelvic Floor And Mental Health: A Holistic Approach To Recovery, Diana S. Theodore

Student Capstone Papers

Maternal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is highly prevalent yet often underrecognized in occupational therapy practice, despite its significant impact on mental health, daily function, and quality of life. Many postpartum women experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pain with intimacy, and pelvic organ prolapse, which are frequently normalized or left untreated. Occupational therapy practitioners often have limited training in addressing the complex relationship between pelvic floor function and maternal mental health, contributing to gaps in care. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a comprehensive handbook for occupational therapy students and practitioners integrating pelvic floor function and maternal …

Looking For Loopholes: Are Suicide Notes Really Admissible As Dying Declarations?, Marc D. Ginsberg, Hugh M. Mundy

Cleveland State Law Review

The “classic” dying declaration under Federal Rule of Evidence 804(b)(2) is made by a person near death from fatal wounds or illness who makes a statement to a third party about who inflicted the wounds or caused the illness. The rule is based on the belief that persons making such statements are unlikely to lie as the sense of impending death removes “all temptation to falsehood.” Thus, in theory, the dying declaration bears an imprimatur of trustworthiness justifying its admission as a hearsay exception.

Still, the exception for dying declarations has been described as “the most mystical in its theory …

Development Of A Mental Health Program For Work Rehabilitation, Vannida M. Nguyen, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Work-related injuries often result in decreased work performance and extended recovery time. This can lead to mental health challenges and a risk of re-injury. Typical work rehabilitation focuses on physical recovery while overlooking psychosocial factors. This capstone project developed a wellness program to support emotional wellness and improve return-to-work (RTW) outcomes. The program incorporated educational content, coping strategies, and interventions targeting emotional wellness for injured workers receiving physical therapy. Occupational therapy has the ability to address both physical and psychosocial factors and increase interdisciplinary efforts during work rehabilitation. Improved confidence reflected in the self-reported RTW-SE scores suggests that occupational therapy …

Building Understanding: Developing A Mental Health Literacy Scale For Teacher Preparation Faculty, Jesse Mossholder

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study aimed to create a valid and reliable Teacher Preparation Faculty Mental Health Literacy Scale. Current literature consistently indicates that traditional undergraduate college students experience high rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Teacher preparation programs often lack systematic approaches to supporting student mental health or to preparing faculty to respond effectively. While the literature, resources, and institutional support regarding college student mental health have increased, a significant gap remains in understanding faculty mental health literacy within the context of teacher preparation programs. This mixed-methods sequential exploratory study utilized non-discriminative snowball sampling to recruit preservice educators and teacher preparation …

Integrating Mental Health Screening Into Pediatric Rehabilitation: Bridging Gaps In Comprehensive Care, Chloe D. Pak, Anvitha Kaguturu, Andrea Mann

Research Day

Introduction: Children with physical disabilities experience high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, which have the potential to influence the course and outcomes of their rehabilitation. Although there is an increasing prevalence of psychiatric conditions in the pediatric population, access to mental health services for children remains low.

Objective: This literature-based review aims to examine the existing approaches towards mental health screening in pediatric rehabilitation settings, analyze how psychiatric comorbidities are being addressed, and determine what barriers are currently preventing the full integration of mental health screening in the care of children needing physical rehabilitation.

Methods: A …

Nature Nearby: Use Of Green Spaces Mediating The Relationship Between Access To Green Spaces And Health, Sydney P. Goodson

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

Access to green spaces has been consistently linked to improved physical and mental health, yet the mechanisms driving this relationship remain underexplored, particularly in the United States. Using data from the 2018 General Social Survey (N = 1,045), this study examines whether time spent in natural environments mediates the relationship between access to green spaces and self‑rated physical and mental health. Linear regression models with robust standard errors reveal that time spent in natural environments mediates the relationship between access to green spaces and both health outcomes. These findings suggest that proximity to green spaces alone is insufficient to produce …

From Beauty To Burden: Mapping The Health And Psychosocial Impacts Of Fragrances And Cosmetic Products Use In The Uae, Sharifa Alblooshi, Mariam Al Ali, Dana N. Abdelrahim, Suheir Awadalla

All Works

Background The dynamic beauty care sector in the Middle East is on an upward trend in the UAE; however, concerns persist about the side effects of this industry, attributed to chemical exposure, which is believed to contribute to skin problems and other health issues. In the UAE, there is a lack of data on consumer usage, awareness, and the health effects associated with it.Methods This study presents the results of an online survey administered to 461 female subjects in the United Arab Emirates as part of a cross-sectional study. The survey consisted of 55 questions on product use, knowledge, attitudes, …

Promoting Reintegration Across Home And School Environments For Pediatric Burn Survivors Through A Mental Health Toolkit For Children, Caregivers, And Educators, Ashtan Goodwin

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Objective:

Pediatric burn injuries affect physical recovery, emotional well-being, social participation, and school reintegration. Mental health needs are often under-addressed, particularly for caregivers and educators supporting children post-injury. Pediatric burn patients are three times more likely to develop psychiatric conditions than uninjured individuals, with disorders such as PTSD emerging years after the injury (Duke et al., 2018). The purpose of this project was to address gaps in mental health support and resources for pediatric burn survivors and their support systems.

Methods:

A mixed-methods approach was used through a pre-survey and interviews with burn care team members. The pre-survey was distributed …

Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (Iadl) Education To Support Role Transition For Teen Mothers In Underserved Communities, Ayanna Johnson, Lakeisa Boykin, Jessica De Brun

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project focuses on researching the unique challenges faced by teenage mothers in low-socioeconomic communities and developing occupation-based strategies to support their transition into motherhood. The aim was to enhance their independence and effectiveness in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as child-rearing, home and financial management, community engagement, and meal preparation.

Examining The Correlation Between Emotional Well-Being, Leisure Engagement, And Leisure Preferences In Geriatric Long-Term Care, Katherine G. Stahl, Keisa Boykin, Sharon Glover

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project explores the relationship between emotional well-being, leisure participation, and activity preferences among older adults in an assisted living facility using a mixed-methods approach. Findings showed that participation frequency alone was not strongly associated with emotional well-being, as residents with varying levels of attendance reported similar well-being scores. Instead, factors such as personal interest, physical limitations, scheduling conflicts, and environmental preferences played a larger role in engagement. Residents preferred socially interactive and physically active activities, such as fitness classes and performances, and identified gaps in current programming where preferred activities were not consistently offered. Overall, the study highlights …

Effects Of A Major Disruption On Mental Health Of Pregnant Women In South Carolina, Lizmarie Maldonado

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Mental health conditions are a leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women, and untreated mental health conditions are associated with adverse maternal and birth outcomes. Major disruptions, such as pandemics, hurricanes, or wildfires, create unprecedented challenges and may impose additional stressors during an already vulnerable time. Community or medical care disruptions during such events may lead to adverse health outcomes. This dissertation seeks to characterize the impact of a recent major disruption on mental health outcomes among pregnant women using administrative claims data for all births in South Carolina in 2019 and 2020. By leveraging unique data sources, …

Assessing The Effects Of Different Exercise Modalities On Postpartum Depression, Grace Mcmillan

Honors Capstones

Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that affects approximately 1 out of 8 women, nationally, after birth. The purpose of this study is to assess how different exercise modes can impact the lives of mothers suffering from postpartum depression. To conduct this research, there will be a review of current literature and quantitative data on postpartum depression and exercise. This review will explore how cardio, flexibility, and resistance training can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of postpartum depression. This review will analyze each mode and how they positively benefit the mother's mood as well as how it can …

Can The Implementation Of The Pause Decrease Death Anxiety And Poor Mental Health In Practicing Nurses?, Lilli Meyer

Undergraduate Theses

Practicing nurses are frequently exposed to patient death, placing them at increased risk for death anxiety and compromised mental health. Despite this, there remains a lack of structured, in-the-moment interventions to support emotional processing within clinical settings. This study evaluates whether the implementation of “The Pause,” a brief moment of silence following a patient’s death, may reduce death anxiety and improve mental health outcomes among practicing nurses. A quantitative survey consisting of eight questions was distributed to nurses in the Louisville, Kentucky area over a three-month period, yielding 26 responses. Findings indicated that 80.8% of participants reported no improvement or …

Understanding Servicewomen's Barriers Experienced Throughout Military Sexual Assault Help-Seeking Process: A Phenomenological Study, Brittany Rae O'Leary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the current barriers experienced by women MSA victims throughout their help-seeking process of unrestricted reports through the institutional blindness and social-ecological model theories. Furthermore, the victims’ perception of the organizational climate’s influence on the help-seeking process, including command support and the judicial component of unrestricted reports, and the victim’s desire to seek additional military-setting services are also examined. Inductive coding and thematic analysis will be used to identify any reoccurring patterns experienced amongst the participants. The theories guiding this study are Meyer, Rowan, and Freyd’s institutional blindness and Bronfenbrenner’s social-ecological model …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Ptsd Symptom Severity, Alcohol Use, And Resilience In American Military Veterans Using Standardised Assessment Instruments, Oladimeji Owolabi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) continues to be a significant mental health concern among U.S. military veterans. This quantitative study examines the interrelationships among PTSD symptom severity, alcohol use, and psychological resilience using three standardised instruments: the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). A cross-sectional correlational design was implemented with a convenience sample of 150 American military veterans, recruited through online platforms and veteran-focused organisations from all branches. Participants completed an anonymous online survey that assessed trauma-related symptoms, alcohol consumption behaviours, and resilience levels. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, …

Quality Improvement Project: Educating Nursing Faculty On Animal-Assisted Therapy: Enhancing Knowledge And Confidence To Improve Program Outcomes, Sarah J. Whitwell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether an educational intervention on animal-assisted therapy (AAT) improved nursing faculty perceived knowledge and confidence in using AAT to improve program outcomes. The problem addressed was the limited knowledge and confidence among nursing faculty regarding the use of non-traditional, evidence-based strategies to support student mental health. This project was guided by the Stetler Model of Evidence-Based Practice and Lewin’s Change Theory and used a quasi-experimental, one-group pre–post design. The project was conducted with nursing faculty teaching in a baccalaureate program at a four-year public university in Oklahoma. A 10-item Likert-scale …

Understanding Teacher Wellness: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Mental Health, Physical Health, And Job Satisfaction Of Current First Through Fifth Year Rural Minnesota Elementary Specialist Teachers, Jessica E. Thompson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This study explored teacher wellness among early-career elementary specialist teachers in rural Minnesota schools to address low retention among specialists. The research was guided by self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1987) and the job demands-resource model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007), which together examined teacher wellness through understanding what motivates teachers and the role of demands and resources in their job, with relation to understanding teachers’ emotional, physical, and mental well-being and overall job satisfaction. A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized, with data being collected through interviews with six participants. Findings suggested that teacher wellness is a balance among internal motivation, …

An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Vulnerable Young People Participating In A Stand-Up Paddle-Boarding Therapy Course; A Phenomenological Study, Claire Hornsby, Alison Warren, Rosi Raine, Alun Morgan

School of Health Professions

Nature-based interventions have been advocated as an approach to support mental health and well-being in young people. The Wave Project, a United Kingdom–based charity, has an established surf therapy intervention for vulnerable children and adolescents which has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. However, this intervention provides challenges in terms of accessibility for young people located away from the coast. Stand-up paddle-boarding is an aquatic activity which can be conducted on inland waters, which therefore has the potential to address this barrier. Semistructured interviews (n = 6) utilizing video and photo elicitation were conducted …

Implementation Of An Occupational Therapy-Led, Sensory-Based Intervention In A Secure Children’S Home: A Qualitative Study Of Staff Experiences, Kevin Steede, Alison Warren

School of Health Professions

The Just Right State program (JRSP) is an occupational therapy-based, sensory intervention designed to support self-regulation. Qualitative methodology was used to explore the experiences of five members of staff working in a secure children’s home in training in and implementing the JRSP under the guidance of occupational therapy staff. Using thematic analysis four themes emerged: Sensory regulation training enhanced staff wellbeing, Sensory regulation as a new lens in a unique environment, Embedding theory in practice, and Considerations for the experiential JRSP training. The findings provide insights into effective training and implementation of sensory modulation interventions.

Enhancing Mental Healthcare Worker Education And Training To Reduce Stigma & Promote Occupational Engagement: An Occupational Therapy Informed Initiative, Emma Rose Osborn

OTD Capstone Projects

Stigma is still a common and often ignored factor that affects health outcomes, especially in mental health care. Stigma is a social problem that affects both caregivers and patients. It is based on deep-seated fears of disease and contagion. Healthcare workers, especially those who work in mental health, are in a unique position to both support and fight these stigmas. Even though this is possible, many healthcare professionals still don't know how much stigma affects patients' experiences and access to care. The goal of this capstone project is to investigate the prevalence of stigma in mental health settings and its …

Chrononutrition: A Beginner’S Guide For Mental Health Professionals, Jerrod Brown Phd, Ma, Ms, Ms, Ms, Ms, Ms, Jeremiah Schimp Phd, Ma, Lpcc, Leanne Skehan Dcn, Msacn, Mph, Mba, Shelley Mydra Dmft, Lmft, Jonathan Ward Dc, Phd(C), Ms, Dibcn, Kelly Rain Collin Ed.M.

Nutritional Neurocriminology Today

Chrononutrition focuses on how nutritional timing influences biological rhythms (Castro-Mata et al., 2025; Kim et al., 2025; Raji et al., 2024). This includes examining how dietary patterns (e.g., timing, frequency, and regularity) affect the circadian system and metabolic health (Cart & Pauling, 2025; Juliana et al., 2023; Negri et al., 2025). Sleep schedule, shift work, substance use, malnutrition, and other external factors, which will be discussed in this article, can disrupt the circadian rhythm. This disruption increases the risk for serious mental health problems (Baron & Reid, 2014; Castro-Mata et al., 2025; Franzago et al., 2023). Alternatively, consistent and nutritious …

Exploring The Well-Being Of Students: Mental Health Symptoms And Help-Seeking In Students With And Without Disabilities, Delaney M. Havrylkoff

LSU Master's Theses

Students with learning-related disabilities (LRDs) are a growing population in schools worthy of more holistic attention. This vulnerable population often receives support for their academic needs, while their mental health needs tend to get overlooked or untreated. Students with LRDs often face more negative experiences (e.g., lower academic performance, bullying, and peer victimization) in school compared to their peers without disabilities. As a result, they may experience higher levels of mental health issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the mental health status and service utilization of students with LRDs in schools compared to their peers without disabilities. …