Digital Commons Network^™

God’S Got Me:The Intersection Of Faith And Mental Healing, Bre'anna Coleman

Honors Theses

Due to the lack of healthcare accessibility and other factors within the Mississippi Delta, faith and the church is often utilized within African American communities in the area as a form of mental wellness. The Intersection of Faith and Mental Healing was a photo voice methodology project that highlighted how faith and mental healing intersect and impact African Americans within the Mississippi Delta. Through three prompts, six participants discussed mental health and how faith, location, and their identities shaped their views of mental wellness. Five participants were male with one female participant. Their ages ranged from eighteen to sixty five …

The Art Of Resiliency: Patient Stories Of Maternal Mental Health Experiences, Sara Santarossa, Becca Austin, Molly A. Bell, Samantha C. Henry, Ashley Inclima, Hailey Maddox, Tara G. Smith, Leah Copeland, Dana Murphy, Ashley Redding, Amy Loree

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

As part of a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Eugene Washington Engagement Award aimed at improving capacity to address maternal mental health in research, this collection of stories describes experiences from six unique patient perspectives. Using motherhood as a common thread, these six stories weave together the patients’ challenges and barriers juxtaposed with their hopes and dreams. Exploring such topics as infant loss, expectations versus the reality of the postpartum experience, grief, loss of identity, loss of physical or emotional safety, advocacy, and perseverance through challenging maternal mental health experiences, these tales of resiliency leverage the voices and lived experiences of …

Road To Recovery: Reboot Recovery, Brooke Gephart

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with REBOOT Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing trauma healing through faith-based, peer-led courses. The purpose of this project was to create content to aid the participants and the leaders of REBOOT to overcome trauma and improve their well-being. Life guides were created to address feelings of anxiety and depression, substance use disorder, and provided education on implementing coping skills to help improve their daily functioning. Educational content was developed for leaders regarding the complexities of overcoming trauma for autistic people and highly sensitive people, to best equip leaders to assist …

Influence Of Collectivist Cultural Values On Occupational Roles And Mental Health Of First-Generation College Students, Guenne Sarmiento, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

First-generation college students (FGCS) from collectivist backgrounds often encounter unique challenges as they navigate academic duties alongside familial responsibilities. These challenges are influenced by collectivist cultural values (CCV), which prioritize family ties, community cohesion, and collective well-being. This capstone project utilizes the Kawa Model to illustrate the supportive and unsupportive factors in the lives of these students, examining how cultural expectations, occupational roles, and mental health intersect. It emphasizes the critical role of occupational therapy in unraveling and addressing these complexities.

Animal-Assisted Therapy With Children In Hospitals And Schools: A Systematized Review, Tantine Kendig

LSU Master's Theses

It has been demonstrated that animals can offer humans significant health benefits. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing form of therapy used in various settings to enhance the health of children, encompassing both physical and mental wellness. The challenges of hospitalization and the school environment have been shown to pose different challenges for children, such as an increase in anxiety, stress, depression, and others that have the potential to affect their mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy, specifically dog-assisted therapy, on children in hospital and school settings by conducting a …

Opening The Outdoors: Experiences Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Adults In Outdoor Occupations To Support Mental Health, Jasmine Reynoso, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed methods study explores the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults in exploring and engaging in outdoor occupations to support mental health. Through 15 survey responses and 2 semi-structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and reflective thematic analysis. The findings revealed three overarching themes: Barriers to Outdoor Occupations, Facilitators to Encourage Participation, and Personally Experienced Benefits. Participants explained how outdoor activities contribute to improved mental health, emotional regulation, and a sense of holistic well-being. By addressing the gap in research on nature-based occupations within BIPOC communities, this study highlights the need …

Employee Wellness In Acute Mental Health Settings – An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Ethan Gross, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster outlines a doctoral capstone project focused on addressing the holistic factors influencing patient recovery and well-being in acute mental health settings. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to identify knowledge gaps, sources of staff stress, and environmental barriers impacting occupational performance. Findings informed the development of a staff-focused program aimed at mitigating stressors and enhancing therapeutic engagement. In addition, a report will be created with evidence-based recommendations for physical environment modifications to support both patient and employee well-being and occupational participation

Lead Pastor Stress: A Quantitative Study Of The Effects On Mental Health, Marriage, Family, And The Church, Sherri Lee Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church’s lead pastor has many roles and responsibilities, from teaching the Word of the Lord, baptisms, counseling sessions, and leading a staff. These are not the lead pastor’s only role; the majority also have a family, children, and a spouse at home who also need their attention. A balance must be considered between the ministry, family, and marriage. If this balance is off or the pastor becomes overwhelmed with any or all the three, their mental health may suffer and can cause depression and anxiety if not dealt with appropriately (Christianity Today, 2022). Lead pastors, while in ministry, have …

Experiences Of Forgiveness With People Who Have A Problematic Use Of Pornography: A Phenomenological Study, Clarence E. Chapman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of participants in early recovery from self-perceived problematic porn use (PPU). The theory guiding this research study was attachment theory, which was developed by John Bowlby, a physiatrist who focused on the overall development of a child’s emotional development. The study aimed at trying to discover if there are barriers to a person for receiving forgiveness from God when in early recovery. Research indicated there are guilt and shame that can be reasons to these barriers for those who struggle with self-perceived pornography use as Christians. Methods used …

Revealing Roots: Examining The Intersection Of Trauma, Mental Health, And Bioecological Impact On Pentecostal Black Male Pastors, Dreama Delicia Cole

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe Pentecostal Black male pastors in their understanding of (or experiences with) trauma and mental health in the context of the inclusion of bioecological effects and any thoughts about the potential impact on their congregations in California. The chosen theories complement the lived experiences of these pastors. Based on the research questions, interview questions, and data analysis, the following themes and one subtheme emerged: Their Roots Tell a Story: Lived Experiences of Identity Formation and Early Trauma with subtheme Rejection: Lived Experience of Exclusion and Emotional Wounding, Revelation: Lived Experiences of …

The Perceived Impact Of A Faith-Based Divorce Support Group On One’S Spiritual Strength, Mental Health And Ability To Forgive Oneself And Others, Lauren Channing Moultrie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Faith-based support groups are an important offering by churches to provide resources and support to those in their community who are experiencing difficult circumstances. And for those who are going through a divorce and may question the support that they would receive within their church, the offering of a faith-based divorce support group can be encouraging. Faith-based divorce support groups may allow individuals to gather and learn about the divorce journey as they focus on mental health, forgiveness, spiritual growth, and other unique aspects of divorce. Due to the limited existing research on faith-based divorce support groups, I sought to …

Comparison Of Cognitive Functions, Sleep Quality, Emotional State, Balance And Physical Activity Levels Of University Students According To Academic Success, Sevim Oksuz, Ozde Depreli, Aytül Ozdil, Gozde Iyigun, Ender Angın, Betül Fatma Bilgin, Ayşen Karaman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study was planned to compare the level of attention, dual-task abilities, sleep quality, emotional state (anxiety, depression, stress), dynamic balance, and physical activity level in low and high-academic success university students. Method: A total of 134 international undergraduate students between the age of 18 and 25 (low academic success group n=67, high academic success group n=67) were recruited for this study. The Trail Making Test (TMT) – A and B was used for attention assessment, the TMT While Walking – A and B was utilized for dual-task performance, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was utilized to assess …

The Psychological Effects Of Ice Conditions In Long-Term Space Travel, Jamen W. Barker

Student Works

The psychological effects of long durations spent in space remain largely unexplored, as do potential treatments for these effects. This review compiled data from 19 articles found via searches on the APAPsychInfo and Google Scholar databases, as well as a few ancillary sources. These studies are relevant to the study of the psychological effects of space travel and isolated, confined, or extreme (ICE) environments, and research into means of addressing them, as well as limitations in current literature on the topic. Studies found sleep deprivation, largely due to microgravity, to be a contributing factor to increased stress in space. Social …

The Neonatal Care Project: Empowering Parents Through Education And Support, Waverleigh Jenkins

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop and provide an informational and evidence-based resource for parents to utilize after discharge from the Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital (SJCH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). An in-depth needs assessment showed a need for increased parental support and better resources to improve parent mental health outcomes due to feelings of unpreparedness following a NICU stay. To support this goal, and in collaboration with the occupational therapy team at SJCH, two informational websites were created, one in English and the other in Spanish. The website is entitled “The Neonatal Care Project” and contains …

Social Health Among Adolescents In The Global School-Based Student Health Survey (Gshs), Luke Pontoriero, Sarah Simon, Lauren Anderson

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Background: Social health is a function of the quantity and quality of relationships, including with family members and peers. Adolescents who report being lonely or having no close friends have a low quantity of relationships, and those who feel that their peers are unkind and their parents are not understanding have low quality relationships. We examined whether poor social health is associated with violent behavior.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), which employs a standardized two-stage cluster sampling method and a validated questionnaire to explore health and risk behaviors among nationally representative samples of …

Enhancing Mental Health Awareness And Sustainability: A Playbook And Needs Assessment Approach, Kenadee Kline

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to promote greater awareness and education regarding mental health resources within a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals' mental health through recreation, education, and community-building. The project aimed to enhance the visibility and understanding of available mental health services, while also assessing the effectiveness of current initiatives and improving the sustainability of these programs.

To achieve these goals, a comprehensive playbook was designed to serve as an educational tool for the community, which included findings from a needs assessment of existing mental health initiatives. A multifaceted approach was used, incorporating one-on-one interviews, …

Diving Into Magic Mushrooms, Cole Anderson

Psychology Student Publications

The primary purpose of this paper within the science community is to help break stigma but also provide insight into what is happening for the mental health crisis happening at a global level. In this paper, you will find the testimonial of a veteran who turned into a certified alcoholic and the route this person had found within the scientific community to start conquering their own mental health troubles. At the end of this paper, there should be genuine interest and understand where and how Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybe) have a place amongst modern medicine with the fight against the global …

Social Media's Effect On Our Health, Isabel Engelhard

Psychology Student Publications

This paper tells us about the complex relationship between social media use and the mental health of young people. It addresses the negative effects of social media, such as increased suicide rates, addiction, and cyberbullying, while also bringing up the positive aspects, like personal connections. The study emphasizes the need for a healthier online environment to support mental health in young people.

Mindful Lawyering: Incorporating Mindfulness Into The American Bar Association’S Model Rules Of Professional Conduct, Lyda Creus Molanphy

St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Perceived Discrimination On Mental And Physical Health Among The Hispanic Immigrant Population, Cheyla Tabares Cuesta

Undergraduate Theses

Discrimination has profoundly shaped the lives of individuals within disadvantaged communities, but its impact on mental and physical health has often been overlooked. In this project, I review literature on perceived discrimination based on immigrant status and its effects on psychological and physical health and examine a potential mediator and moderator of these relationships. Specifically, the relationships between immigration-based discrimination and both mental health and physical health may be mediated by perceived stress, meaning that discrimination may lead to higher stress levels, which results in poorer health outcomes. Furthermore, these relationships may be moderated by psychological resilience; individuals with higher …

Mens Rea And Insanity, Maine Law Review

Maine Law Review

Two developments in the administration of criminal law call for a closer examination of the relationship between mens rea and insanity. The first is the practice of bifurcating trials into a guilt phase and an insanity phase. The new Maine Criminal Code, for example, allows the defendant to elect such a procedure. The second development is the increasing willingness of courts to admit evidence of the accused's mental disease or defect as probative of whether he possessed the culpable state of mind, or mens rea, which must be proven as one of the elements of the crime charged. When the …

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 …

Reconstructing Belief: Understanding The Mental Health And Faith Development Of Adolescents, Ella Bivens

Christian Ministries Student Projects (All)

This content argues that a proper understanding of James Fowler’s Theory of Faith Development can help ministry workers, specifically youth group volunteers, better minister to the emotional and spiritual needs of students within the Church who are doubting and deconstructing their faith.

Profit Over Patients: Examining The Influence Of Pharmaceutical Companies On Mental Health Medication Prescriptions, Allison Beltramini

Honors Projects in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

This paper explores the relationship pharmaceutical companies have with the overprescription of mental health medication, highlighting unethical marketing practices and their impact on prescription patterns. Previous literature addresses unethical pharmaceutical company marketing strategies, relationships within the field, and cost differences. This study includes qualitative insights from professionals in the field. Interviews conducted collected information that showed the prevalence of mental health illnesses, how treatments are prescribed, and the extent of pharmaceutical influence. Initial findings suggest a significant push for medication as it is the most common treatment method for mental health illnesses. This study highlights pharmaceutical companies' profit-driven motives and …

Gender-Responsive Treatment For Girls And Women Within The Criminal Justice System, Kylie R. Huelsmann

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

There is a need for improved gender-responsive approaches for women and girls in the criminal justice system, especially for women of color and transgender individuals. Traditional programs built around men often neglect the unique challenges faced by these populations, such as substance use disorders, mental health conditions, trauma histories, and acting as caregivers. Women, in particular, experience higher rates of recidivism and barriers to successful reintegration. Trauma-informed and evidence-based programs that address mental health, addiction, and family support, ultimately lead to more effective rehabilitation and reduce recidivism for women and girls after adjudication.

Program Development For Occupational Therapy Services Within A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, Charles H. Hanks

Capstone Projects

The goal for this capstone project was to advocate for occupational therapy services to be provided within a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). The concentration areas of my capstone project were occupational therapy program development and advocacy. CCBHCs provides a variety of medical, mental health, and substance use/abuse services to persons, groups, and populations living in the community. Currently, only qualified mental health professionals (QMHP) can provide skilled services to individuals significantly impacted by their challenges. This limits the number of trained professionals that can effectively treat and provide services to individuals in this setting. Occupational Therapists (OT) are …

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.

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 …

“We're Not One-Box Issue People”: Intersectional Perspectives On Lgbtq+ Mental Health In Schools: A Uk Qualitative Study With Students, Staff And Training Providers, Charlotte Woodhead, Amy Morgan, Ibrahim Sabra, Sara Sabra, Lukasz Konieczka, Gemma Knowles, Emily Cunningham, Juliet Dryud, Liberty Elliott, Lauren Ige, Angela Mascolo, E. Singh, Katharine Rimes

School of Psychology

Abstract There is limited intersectionality-informed, contextually diverse qualitative research on school experiences of LGBTQ+ students and links to mental health. Focusing on racialized, ethnic minority and religious/faith groups, this coproduced UK study examines how: 1) sexual and/or gender diverse students with intersecting minoritized identities experience school; 2) school environments could better support their mental health; and 3) what shapes school inclusion initiatives. In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with 22 staff members, 32 students (13–19 years), and nine LGBTQ+ school inclusion training providers. The sample was diverse across gender and sexual identity, race/ethnicity, religion and context. Data were analysed …

Let's Grow: Investigating The Relationship Between Houseplants And Mental Health In College Students, Makia G. Adler

Honors Thesis

This literature review explores the potential mental health benefits of houseplants for college students, a population increasingly affected by anxiety and depression. With traditional mental health services strained and often inaccessible, simple and low-cost alternatives are urgently needed. This review examines whether the presence and interaction with houseplants can improve psychological well-being, specifically symptoms of anxiety and depression. Drawing from ten peer-reviewed studies, this review finds a generally positive association between houseplants and mental health, though results vary. Notably, the duration of exposure appears to have little effect, while setting and autonomy in plant interaction are more influential. Interactions in …