Digital Commons Network^™

Perceived Barriers And Facilitators To Mental And Behavioral Health Screening And Treatment In Primary Care For Women In Northeast Tennessee, Sarah K. Hill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Between one quarter and one third of all primary care patients meet criteria for at least one mental disorder. However, many women are not screened for mental disorders as recommended by the literature. Some studies suggest even lower rates of screening and treatment in rural areas. This researcher sought to identify barriers and facilitators to mental and behavioral health screening and treatment for women in primary care and solicit feedback on how to ameliorate perceived barriers. Given the limited extant data describing rural Appalachian women’s perceptions of barriers and facilitators to receiving mental health services an exploratory qualitative analysis was …

Emergency Department Utilization Among Recently Released Prisoners: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Suyanpeng Zhang, Allie Silverman, Sze Chaun Suen, Christina Andrews, Brian Chen

Faculty Publications

Background: The population of ex-prisoners returning to their communities is large. Morbidity and mortality is increased during the period following release. Understanding utilization of emergency services by this population may inform interventions to reduce adverse outcomes. We examined Emergency Department utilization among a cohort of recently released prisoners.

Methods: We linked Rhode Island Department of Corrections records with electronic health record data from a large hospital system from 2007 to 2009 to analyze emergency department utilization for mental health disorders, substance use disorders and ambulatory care sensitive conditions by ex-prisoners in the year after release from prison in comparison to …

Impact Of Co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders And Traumatic Brain Injury On Speech-Language Treatment: Speech-Language Pathologists’ Perspectives, Janis Whitney Neal

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Previous studies have associated traumatic brain injury (TBI) with higher rates of psychiatric disorders. This study investigated speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perspectives on the prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders in the TBI population and its impact on speech-language treatment. Interviews were conducted with twelve SLPs working with a TBI population. Results revealed a lack of standard measures to assist SLPs in distinguishing between the symptoms of psychiatric disorders versus the neuropsychiatric symptoms of TBI. Also, results indicated the heavy reliance on a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive and individualized treatment for the TBI clientele, and the negative consequences of untreated psychiatric …

The Mission Continues: Reexamining Engagement Of Post-9/11 Veterans In Civic Service, Monica M. Matthieu, Aaron J. Scheinberg, Amanda Moore Mcbride, Nancy Morrow-Howell

Center for Social Development Research

The Mission Continues: Reexamining Engagement of Post-9/11 Veterans in Civic Service

Efinancial Health, Nan Taylor

Cornerstone 1 Reports : Expansion and Enhancements of the Thinkfinity Platform

No abstract provided.

Ursinus Magazine, Fall 2013, Wendy Greenberg, Kathryn Campbell, Ellen Labrecque, Jennifer Meininger Wolfe, Bobby Fong, Erica Lamberg, Joshua C. Walsh

Ursinus Magazine, 1995–Present

Letter from the President • Princeton Review cites "exceptional academic record" • Teagle conferences examine "gateway" courses • Space exploration • Moliken named to National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame • Studying the impact of concussions • Honor for environmental teaching • New Trustees • Music meets meditation • Father and son writing team • This app is therapy coach in your pocket • New Vice President for Finance and Administration • Romance and comedy: Bell, Book and Candle • 2013 Ursinus College Hall of Fame for Athletes • The arts • Drive and skill intact, football aims …

The Music Of Robert Schumann: Correlation With His Mental And Physical Health, Cari Elizabeth O'Neil, Dr. Stephen D. Lindeman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The lives of famous artists in every genre are dissected again and again. What inspires them to create extraordinary works of art such as the Mona Lisa, Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, and the operas of Mozart? Popular psychology commonly links genius with various forms of mental and physical ailments. To what extent, if at all, does an illness help to inspire an artist? I chose to analyze the life and compositions of Robert Schumann to see if physical and mental illness impacted his musical compositions in both number and in style. After a review of literature, biographies, compositions, analysis of composition, …

Social Workers With Mental Illness : Coming Out In The Workplace, Alix M. Zamansky

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of disclosure in the workplace among social workers with mental health issues with a particular focus on the catalysts of coming out, whether stigma inhibits disclosure, and the perceived social and emotional benefits and costs of coming out. Due to the sensitive nature of the research topic, an anonymous online survey was used. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, mental health questionnaire, and a researcher-designed Outness Inventory. Thirty-six clinical social workers with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual diagnoses participated in the study, 21 of whom reported being out to someone at work …

In The Environment : Clinician Perspectives On Nature And Psychological Health, Benjamin D. White

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explores the relationship between nature and psychological health from the perspectives of 12 clinicians from a variety of training backgrounds. During 30 to 45- minute interviews, participants were asked a variety of questions about their personal and clinical experience as they have informed their perspectives on the question: How does nature influence psychological health? Major findings of the study showed there to be a significant difference between the importance of nature in clinicians' personal lives and nature's role in clinical practice. Findings indicated that although nature was important to participants' personal psychological well-being that nature was not …

Happy Is The Woman Who Has No History : An Historical Discourse Analysis Of Women, Their Changing Roles And Society's Changing Perceptions, 1890-1920 In America, Sarah E. Pulver

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This analysis examines the historical mental health needs that emerged for women at the turn of the 19th century as a result of drastic changes in the tenor of the United States. The research explores literature pertaining to women from 1890-1920 in the United States and relates to four main topic areas as a way to examine trends and patterns in mental health needs and supports at the time in history. The Historical Research approach is well suited for this research as the specific goal of the study is to examine the historical sources for patterns and trends to better …

Strengthening The Future Of Haiti : Mental Health Needs Of Children In FonfrèDe, Haiti : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Capracare, Jaimie A. Colica

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The Haitian earthquake of 2010 led to an influx of problems for an already struggling nation. The current study is an exploratory study on the mental health and behavioral needs of children and the supports currently in place in one rural Haitian community approximately 120 miles from Port au Prince. Thirteen adults who had caretaking roles within the community participated in in-depth interviews focused on the needs of children, supports offered and the culture of their community. Most participants pointed to a lack of basic needs being met as the culprit for children's struggles including acting out, sadness and difficulty …

Wives Of Rural Mexican Migrants: Gender Roles And Mental Health?, Jared Wilkerson, Dr. Niwako Yamawaki

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Rural Mexican communities near Irapuato, Guanajuato are an ideal place to discover the effects of migration on a population. This area of Mexico contains many villages known as “sending communities” due to a high number of migrants who mostly travel to and from the United States. These sending communities are unique in that those who leave are almost solely men and almost solely temporary migrants—that is, even if they are married or have children, they migrate alone, and not with the intent of long-term residence or attempts at citizenship. When men leave wives and children at home to become migrant …

Mental Health, Substance Use, And Delinquency Among Truant Youth In A Brief Intervention Project: A Longitudinal Study, Richard Dembo, Rhissa Briones-Robinson, Kimberly Barrett, Ken C. Winters, James Schmeidler, Rocío Aracelis Ungaro, Lora Karas, Steven Belenko, Laura Gulledge

Faculty Publications

The relationship between substance use, mental health disorders, and delinquency among youth is well documented. What has received far less attention from researchers is the relationship between these issues among truant youth, in spite of studies that document truants are a population at risk for negative outcomes. This study bridges this gap by (a) examining psychosocial functioning and delinquency among truants and (b) assessing the efficacy of a brief intervention (BI) in reducing delinquent behavior over time. To meet these objectives, data were collected from 183 truant youth enrolled in an ongoing National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded BI project. …

Measuring Use Of Positive Thinking Skills: Psychometric Testing Of A New Scale, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Positive thinking interventions improve adaptive functioning and quality of life in many populations. However, no direct measure of positive thinking skills taught during intervention exists. This psychometric study of a convenience sample of 109 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) caregivers examined a new eight-item Positive Thinking Skills Scale (PTSS), which measures the frequency of use of positive thinking skills. The PTSS was found to be internally consistent (α = .90). Construct validity was supported by significant correlations (p < .01) with positive cognitions (r = .53), resourcefulness (r = .63), depression (r = −.45), and general well-being (r = .40). The findings …

Research Brief: "Mental Health Diagnosis And Occupational Functioning In National Guard/Reserve Veterans Returning From Iraq", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the employment or enrollment in school of recently returned National Guard and Reserve OIF/OEF veterans who have a mental health diagnosis compared to those veterans without a mental health diagnosis. In policy and practice, the US military should implement pre- to post-deployment programs to help adjustment into work/school role functioning, and policymakers should partner with universities to help veterans cope with academic stress. Suggestions for future research include using a larger and more comprehensive sample of National Guard/Reserve OIF veterans and studying the effectiveness of programs and support for veterans.

Health Consequences Of Sexual Hookups For First-Year College Women: A One-Year Prospective Investigation, Robyn Leanne Fielder

Psychology - Dissertations

"Hookups" are sexual encounters between partners who are not in a traditional committed romantic relationship. The majority of college students engage in hookup behavior, but little is known about the health consequences of hookups. This longitudinal study examined the effects of sexual hookups on mental health and risk for sexual victimization (SV) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among first-year college women. It was hypothesized that sexual hookup behavior would negatively affect women's mental health and increase their likelihood of experiencing SV and STDs. Participants (N = 483) completed 13 monthly online surveys that assessed sexual behavior (performing oral sex, receiving …

Predicting Mental Well-Being In Assisted Living Communities : The Roles Of Social Capital And The Built Environment., Sarah Elizabeth Walsh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Along the continuum of poor to good health, mental well-being refers to the positive state of being. Mental well-being connotes the ability to manage stress, maintain independence, and is indicative of happiness and improved quality of life. Mental well-being is critical to overall health throughout the lifespan, but it is of particular importance in the context of healthy aging since older adults are more likely to experience compromised mental health. Existing research has identified factors that reduce the risk of poor mental health outcomes: the built environment and individual and community social capital are associated with overall health status and …

Adjudicating Sex Crimes As Mental Disease, Melissa Hamilton

Pace Law Review

The psychiatric diseases of the paraphilias are now entrenched in the law in decisions concerning culpability, desert, and risk. Though, as the foregoing cases suggest, it is a tough balancing act, considering the existence of psychiatric illness suggests less responsibility, while at the same time implying a greater risk of future dangerousness. To better navigate this conundrum, the law has drawn on the psychiatric sciences. Part II of this Article outlines a basic need for law and science to serve each other even though they may not share objectives. With respect to the advent of new laws to control sex …

Research Brief: "Prevalence Of Childhood Trauma Among U.S. Army Soldiers With Suicidal Behavior", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the link between childhood trauma and servicemember suicide risk within the US Army. In policy and practice, communities should be willing to discuss abuse with servicemembers who experienced childhood trauma, healthcare providers should tell veterans and servicemembers about their treatment options, and family members should assist with the mental health treatment of veterans and servicemembers. Policymakers should create programs that encourage social networks and increase the number of veteran and military support groups. Suggestions for future research include using a different data source for the study, adding a control group, and broadening the sample of veterans …

Research Brief: "Weight Change Following U.S. Military Service", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about weight change among veterans before, during, and after discharge from the military. In policy and practice, physicians should discuss strategies to prevent unhealthy weight gain with veteran patients; the VA should better tailor its MOVE! weight management program to younger veterans. Suggestions for future research include looking at the reasons behind weight gain in discharged servicemembers, analyzing the strategies used by members of the Reserve/National Guard to limit weight gain, and using more samples of younger veterans to generalize results.

Introduction: Wounds Of War: Meeting The Needs Of Active-Duty Military Personnel And Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Olympia Duhart, Kathy L. Cerminara

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Association Between Attachment-Related Trauma And Adult Representations Of Attachment And The Role Of Maternal Mental Health, Syreeta Scott

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Despite longstanding theoretical associations in the attachment literature between early experiences of trauma, unresolved attachment representations, and mental health symptoms, few studies have explored associations between these variables, and findings amongst current studies are inconsistent. This study aimed to examine these relationships in a high-risk sample of mothers. It also explored relationships between aspects of trauma, such as type, severity, and age of exposure in relation to unresolved attachment representations. Possible moderating effects of mental health were also examined. Data for the study were collected as part of a larger longitudinal study on women’s transition to motherhood. The present study …

Psychological Alienation And Its Relationship To Mental Health Among Students Of The Internal Departments In The Faculties Of Physical Education In Iraq, Hamed Suleiman Al-Dulaimi, Sabah Hassan Farhan

Modern Sport

Psychological alienation and its relationship to the mental health of students in the internal departments of the Colleges of Physical Education in Iraq is a significant issue, particularly among students who experience instability, anxiety, and a sense of loss. This is especially evident among Iraqi students who attend universities outside their home provinces under difficult and stressful conditions, particularly following the events of April 9, 2003. These events had wide-ranging social, political, and economic impacts that negatively influenced the behavior of Iraqi society in general and university students in particular, resulting in psychological distress such as fear, anxiety, confusion, and …

"A Day In The Life:" A Simulated Experience, Melinda Hermanns, Narisa Waldo, Mary Luanne Lilly

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

An experiential learning activity titled, "A Day in the Life" was implemented with nineteen baccalaureate nursing students in order to achieve a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by persons living with Schizophrenia and a physical disability, such as a fracture in an upper extremity or a visual impairment. The role play simulation required that students interact with public transportation and community resources, while assuming the role of a person with Schizophrenia and a physical disability. Using a qualitative descriptive methodology, reflective journals, aesthetic expressions, and post conference discussions about "A Day in the Life" were reviewed and analyzed by …

Mental Health Services In Rural Long-Term Care: Challenges And Opportunities For Improvement, Jean A. Talbot Phd, Andrew F. Coburn Phd

Mental Health / Substance Use Disorders

To facilitate reform efforts, more research is needed on the current status of mental health services in rural long-term care. Also needed are new tools promoting the targeted use of provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to address the mental health needs of rural long-term care recipients. In this brief, we explore novel practices that hold promise for enhancing mental health services in rural long-term care, focusing primarily on the needs of rural elders who reside either in nursing facilities or in their own homes in the community. Key Findings: Despite high levels of need, individuals in long-term care …

Examining Nervios Among Immigrant Male Farmworkers In The Micasa Study: Sociodemographics, Housing Conditions And Psychosocial Factors, Maria Stoecklin-Marois, Marc Schenker, Kathleen A. O'Connor

Nursing Faculty Publications

Nervios is a culturally defined condition of psychological stress with important implications for Latino health. Using epidemiological research methods, we examined the prevalence of nerviosand associated risk factors, including drug and alcohol use, acculturation, and housing conditions in a population-based study of farm worker families in Mendota, CA (the MICASA Study). A household enumeration procedure was used for sampling, and 843 individuals were interviewed in 2006–2007. In this analysis, we present data on 422 men, 381 accompanied (family) males and 41 unaccompanied males. The prevalence of nervios was 22 %, with no difference in prevalence by household status. Low …

Challenges And Opportunities For Improving Mental Health Services In Rural Long-Term Care, Jean A. Talbot Phd, Andrew F. Coburn Phd

Long Term Services and Supports

Despite high levels of need, individuals in long-term care often fail to receive appropriate mental health services, especially in rural areas. In this report (and accompanying Research & Policy Brief), we consider challenges and opportunities for improving mental health treatment delivered to long-term care recipients in rural settings. As background, we note the prevalence of mental health problems in long-term care populations, describe deficiencies in the mental health care afforded to long-term care recipients, and identify barriers that hinder the remediation of these deficiencies in rural settings. We also outline a rationale for enhancing mental health services in long-term …

Carter, Tim Lee, 1910-1987 (Mss 80), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 80. Correspondence, photographs, audiotapes, film, clippings, general office files, and records of legislative proceedings relating to the political career of Tim Lee Carter, U.S. Representative (Republican) for Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, 1965-1981.

Humane Punishment For Seriously Disordered Offenders: Sentencing Departures And Judicial Control Over Conditions Of Confinement, E. Lea Johnston

UF Law Faculty Publications

At sentencing, a judge may foresee that an individual with a major mental disorder will experience serious psychological or physical harm in prison. In light of this reality and offenders’ other potential vulnerabilities, a number of jurisdictions currently allow judges to treat undue offender hardship as a mitigating factor at sentencing. In these jurisdictions, vulnerability to harm may militate toward an order of probation or a reduced term of confinement. Since these measures do not affect offenders’ day-to-day experience in confinement, these expressions of mitigation fail to protect adequately those vulnerable offenders who must serve time in prison. This Article …

Depression Screening Of Young Adult Freshmen Students, Marlee R. Steele

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Depression is a mental health issue that requires prompt identification and treatment. According to the CDC, it is estimated that in the U.S .one in 10 adults suffer from depression (CDC, 2011) with 4.7% of young adults, 18-39 years, suffer from depression (CDC, 2006). Many young adults report that college life is often more stressful than anticipated and the demands placed not only academically, but also socially, adversely affect their psychological and physical health (Dyson & Renk, 2006). The purpose of this EBP project was to answer the PICOT question: How does a depression screening tool in combination with a …