Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating Trauma-Informed Design In A Mental Health Setting: A Community-Based Research Case Study, Marie Spence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study utilized a community-based research framework to explore how the Trauma-Informed Design framework can be implemented in a mental health setting. This study focused on the site of Empower Therapy Practice, a private mental health practice in the Denver Metro Area, to engage clients and staff to participate in advisory boards and inform the interior design of a new office space. To explore the application of Trauma-Informed Design, participants engaged in a variety of research activities, including an evaluative questionnaire, Photovoice, and focus group. Advisory board members identified various aspects of Trauma-Informed Design which meaningfully translate to therapeutic …

Navigating Crisis: The Intersection Of Politics, Culture, And Suicide In South Korea And Japan, Natasha A. Burke

Honors College Theses

Suicide is an important global issue, and there need to be measures put in place to help prevent such a problem. Existing literature finds that culture and politics do significantly impact suicide rates. I assess how the perceptions of suicide differ from culture to culture and how culture plays a role in the rates of suicide and reasons for it. I also examine at how socioeconomic status, unemployment, and economics affect people as well. In this study, I research how politics and culture affect suicide rates in Asia, specifically how politics and culture influence suicide rates in South Korea and …

Voluntary Early Retirement From Sport: The Lived Experiences Of Former Ncaa Diii Student-Athletes, Lindsey Darvin, Ryan Konotopskyj, Ashley Ryder

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Intercollegiate athletics offer amateur athletes an approximately four-year window to pursue their athletic careers (Hodges & Darvin, 2022). While many athletes complete their full eligibility, some choose to retire early (Zvosec & Bass, 2022). At the NCAA Division III level, motivations for early retirement remain unclear, and the experiences of former student-athletes are often overlooked (Zvosec & Bass, 2022; Hodges & Darvin, 2022). Despite DIVISION III's large athlete population, research seldom delves into their experiences. This study aims to explore why former Division III athletes voluntarily leave their sport. Transitioning out of collegiate sports poses significant challenges, affecting athletes' identities, …

Nature Healing Mental Stress: What U.S. Healthcare Can Learn From Other Nations, Shannon Frank-Richter, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

The United States healthcare system lags many developed nations in healthcare access and practices, especially surrounding ecotherapy [1]. Ecotherapy is the practice of mindfulness in tandem with intentional immersion among natural spaces or with natural elements. Research from Asia, Europe and Canada indicate immense benefits from ecotherapy, or mindful nature immersion, as an effective treatment for burnout and stress. By adopting regular nature engagement, the U.S. could significantly improve mental health and reduce occupational stress. This literature review examines how nature immersion, especially with mindfulness, positively affects the brain and nervous system. Key components in nature are identified, such as …

The Farmer Stress Production Meeting Model: Acceptability And Feasibility Of An Intervention, Anna Scheyett, Andrea Scarrow, Jennifer Dunn, Stephanie Hollifield, Justin Shealey, Brian Hayes

Journal of Extension

Farmers experience high stress levels, but are often reluctant to participate in mental health-specific programming. We tested providing stress supports to farmers by embedding information and resources within existing Extension production meetings. During meetings, farmers were offered blood pressure screenings where providers would also discuss stress; were offered an information packet on stress and health, and listened to a brief talk from a therapist with local roots. Farmers accepted screenings and resources, and several later contacted the therapist. Extension agents, initially cautious about addressing the topic of farmer stress, expressed greater confidence in talking about the issue after these meetings.

Safehaven: Support For The Dental Team To Reclaim Work-Life Balance And Joy, Bruce Overton Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

The article is about the SafeHaven program, which provides support for dental professionals to reclaim work-life balance and joy, as well as the recent legislation expanding access to the program.

The "Ableism'' Behind Mental Health Professionals' Perceptions Of Support, Hideki Muramatsu

Patient Experience Journal

This paper presents the personal narrative of the author, an individual who has experienced personal and clinical recovery from mental health difficulties. Diagnosed with a mental disorder (NEUROTIC; ICD-10) during my university years, I endured cognitive dysfunction, panic disorder, derangement of ego, suicidal ideation, and depression. Despite these challenges, I have actively engaged in social skills training, supervised virtual reality content, led self-help groups, and published papers on my experiences. I will discuss my own experiences as an expert-by-experience and describe the tendencies of professional ableism consciousness that I encountered during my journey of recovery. Through the lens of my …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Academic, Behavioral, And Emotional, Success Of Elementary School Children, Marsha Wallace

Student Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent among all demographic characteristics, however, higher rates of adversities occur in vulnerable populations such as females, children, young adults, minorities, and multiracial individuals. This exploratory qualitative study aimed (a) to investigate the impact adverse childhood experiences have on diagnoses such as ADHD, ED, or ODD and (b) to explore the effects of ACEs on elementary school-aged children. The frameworks guiding this study were Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Human Development, which focuses on environmental factors, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which concentrates on the required satisfaction of needs. Fifteen parents of 5 to 10-year-old children in a …

The Implications Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adult Health Perceptions, Angela Cleshette Revis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic incidents or circumstances children face before age 18 that often manifest as physical and mental health illnesses in adulthood, disproportionately affecting survivors from lower socioeconomic classes, specifically communities of color. This study examines the prevalence and type of illnesses stemming from ACEs in adult patients sampled from a North Carolina public health center, where patients are of lower socioeconomic classes, including those from communities of color. Semi structured interviews among 14 participants were conducted using the Zoom meetings platform to obtain responses from the participants. The results show significant mental health consequences, including early …

Harnessing Llms For Automated Video Content Analysis: An Exploratory Workflow Of Short Videos On Depression, Jiaying (Lizzy) Liu, Yunlong Wang, Yao Lyu, Yiheng Su, Shuo Niu, Orson Xuhai Xu, Yan Zheng

Computer Science

Despite the growing interest in leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) for content analysis, current studies have primarily focused on text-based content. In the present work, we explored the potential of LLMs in assisting video content analysis by conducting a case study that followed a new workflow of LLM-assisted multimodal content analysis. The workflow encompasses codebook design, prompt engineering, LLM processing, and human evaluation. We strategically crafted annotation prompts to get LLM Annotations in structured form and explanation prompts to generate LLM Explanations for a better understanding of LLM reasoning and transparency. To test LLM's video annotation capabilities, we analyzed 203 …

Longitudinal Effects Of Graduate Allied Health Education On Physical And Mental Health, Kelly Warren

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Student wellness represents an ongoing focus in academia. Allied health professional (AHP) students complete educational tracks that are rigorous, placing them at risk for impact to physical and mental wellness. Previous data support such changes in this population and poor student wellness may contribute to weak academic performance, attrition, and quality of life.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the impact of the AHP program on the physical, mental, and sleep health of 1st year graduate AHP students.

METHODS: Graduate students (n=29; 30% men, 70% women) in the Stony Brook School of Health Professions participated across 3 timepoints (T01-Baseline/Sept, T02-Feb and T03-Jun) …

The Role Of Sociability In Mental Health In Mid To Late Life During Covid-19, Katherine L. Fiori, Amy Rauer, Christina M. Marini, Amna Khan, Christine So

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Some adults in mid and late life may have been particularly sensitive to the negative effects of social disruptions due to COVID-19 restrictions. The current study explored whether sociability moderated links between disrupted contact with friends and family and multiple indicators of mental health. We collected quantitative data via an online survey from a community sample of 136 adults in mid to late life (M age = 67.77, range 50–91; 69.3% females; 92.7% White). We conducted a series of hierarchical linear regressions to test for moderation. Controlling for age, gender, and marital status, sociability moderated the associations between disruptions …

Cross-Country Comparison Of Depressive Symptoms And Social-Emotional Aspects In University Students From Brazil And Germany During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Results From Two Cross-Sectional Surveys, Aneliana Da Silva Prado, Sabrina Baldofski, Elisabeth Kohls, Alessandra S. Bianchi, Fernanda S. Oda, Joanneliese De Lucas Freitas, Christine Rummel-Kluge

Pacific Faculty Work

Background The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected students' mental health, increasing pre-existing psychosocial vulnerabilities. University students worldwide have presented differences in their mental health status; however, cross-country studies comparing students' mental health during the pandemic are lacking. Aims To investigate potential differences between university students from Brazil and those from Germany with respect to (a) depressive symptoms and alcohol and drug consumption, (b) social and emotional aspects (loneliness, self-efficacy, perceived stress, social support and resilience) and (c) attitudes towards vaccination. Method Two online cross-sectional studies were conducted with university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil (November 2021 to March 2022) …

Assessing The Relationship Between Residential Segregation And Access To Mental Health Services In Omaha, Ne, Solomon Twum Ampofo

Geography and Geology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Assessing the Relationship Between Residential Segregation and Access to Mental Health Services in Omaha, Ne

Equitable healthcare access is a key determinant of a population’s overall health. Despite numerous U.S. policies aimed at improving accessibility, the legacy of racial segregation has skewed these efforts, perpetuating disparities in healthcare access and health outcomes in many cities, including Omaha, Nebraska. These inequities are particularly evident in mental health, where racial minorities, especially Black Americans, face disproportionately high rates of mental illness. Since mental health problems exacerbate chronic disease risks, enhancing mental healthcare access in underserved minority neighborhoods is essential for improving both …

The Importance Of Mental Health Of Collegiate Athletes, Abbey Cobberly

First Year Composition Colloquium

Collegiate athletes aren’t offered enough help when they are faced with the mental health challenges that come from high expectations, performance pressure, injuries, time management issues, coaching styles, and the stigma around asking for help.

Reach Out When Help Is Needed, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial emphasizes the importance of recognizing signs of emotional distress, particularly in the dental field, where long work hours and patient stress can take a toll. It highlights the need for suicide prevention and awareness training, advocating for open communication and mental health support within work families.

The author shares a personal story of losing a colleague and stresses the value of the American Dental Association's Postvention Toolkit. The Michigan Dental Association’s Member Assistance Program is also recommended as a resource for mental health and emotional support.

The Association Of Migration-Related Stress With Poor Mental Health Among Recently Resettled Afghan Refugees, Munjireen Sifat, Sarah Kenney, Venera Bekteshi, Shawn Chiang, Motolani Ogunsanya, Laili Boozary, Adam Alexander, Darla Kendzor

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The resettlement of Afghan refugees in Oklahoma City, OK, provides a critical context for examining the mental health challenges faced by this population due to post-migration stressors.

METHODS: This study utilized online surveys to recently resettled Afghan refugees in Oklahoma City, with support provided by bilingual research assistants to accommodate low literacy rates. Surveys, initially in English, were professionally translated into Dari and Pashto and validated through back-translation.

RESULTS: Participants (N = 348) were majority of Pashtun ethnicity. High rates of mental health issues were evident, with 62.1 % of participants screening positive for depression and 20.1 % …

The Effects Of Wildfires On The Mental And Physical Health Of School-Age Children In North America: A Scoping Review, Sarah Oerther, Sarah Manspeaker, Alison Wix, Daniel Oerther, Carmen Marsit

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Wildfires are occurring more often and with greater intensity, leading to longer and harsher fire seasons. As a result, children are more frequently exposed to wildfire smoke, which increases their risk of mental and physical health effects. Purpose: The purpose of our scoping review is to explore the current literature on what is known about the direct and indirect impacts of wildfires on the mental and physical health of school-age children in North America (5 to 18-year-olds). Methods: A health sciences librarian-assisted literature search, with input from the research team, was performed. Results: A total of 16 studies were …

Unveiling The Relationships Between Household Labor And Maternal Well‐Being, Meghan M. Bennett, Debra L. Oswald, Astrida S. Kaugars

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

In this study, we investigated whether mothers' engagement in household labor, and perceptions of their own and partner's increased household labor, relate to maternal well-being (burnout and flourishing) and mental health (anxiety and depression). Mothers of children under the age of 18 (N = 213) completed online questionnaires. Mothers' total time spent on household labor was associated with increased odds of having clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of flourishing. Similarly, mothers' perceptions that they had increased their household labor was associated with burnout and increased odds of having clinically significant levels of anxiety. However, …

A Veteran Mental Health Approach Sustaining Identity Post-Military Life: A Comprehensive Overview, Darren Sosa, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Veterans and their mental health face readjustment challenges based on veteran identity, intersectionality, and experiences from their time serving in the military. This comprehensive overview and PRISMA analysis investigate the current evidence-based practices of veterans' identity and intersectionality. Specifically, psychoeducation and evidence-based practices for veterans readjusting back into their communities. A gap identified in this research’s findings calls for suggestions for future research on the veteran population and intersectionality. No specific psychoeducation or evidence-based practices tailored for identity readjustment or veteran intersectionality were found. This research constructs a tailored framework of suggestions for current and future evidence-based practices for the …

Youth Participatory Action Research In Reference To Mental Health: A Scoping Review Protocol, Tess Johnson, Marie Barnard, Allison Ford-Wade, Hannah Allen, Ruaa Al Juborri

Faculty and Student Publications

This review seeks to see how Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) has been utilized to explore Mental Health Literacy (MHL) among adolescents, what outcomes have come from utilizing YPAR in interventions with adolescents and what the current gaps in the literature are regarding the utilization of YPAR to examine MHL with adolescents. A PCC framework (participants/population, construct, context) will be applied to the review (Peters et al., 2015).

The Need For Accurate [And Respectful] Depictions Of Mental Illness In Fiction, Jacequlyn L. Mills

Masters Theses

This thesis seeks to address the ongoing misrepresentation of mental illness in popular media, specifically within film, television, and literature. The power of the media is instrumental in public perception, and the ongoing negative misinformation and inaccuracy of mental illness those who are affected by it in media is instrumental in spreading harmful stereotypes and stigma. This affects not only the way that the general public views mental illness but also the way those with mental illness view themselves as well as their desire to seek help. I use these forms of media to showcase both the negative and positive …

Identifying The Benefits Of Black Owned Barbershops In The African American Community, Tanya Elizabeth Greene

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate why African American men are less likely to seek mental health support in conventional settings. Black-owned barbershops are a substantial presence in the Black community as they offer a dual purpose. Barbershops not only create a sense of male confidence internally and externally but offer an unorthodox way of healing. Insight into the perceptions, attitudes, and insights were gathered to acquire helpful information to contribute to more positive outcomes for African American men in mental health. Semi-structured interviews provided data to find common themes among 10 African American male participants to …

Outdoor Educational Opportunities And Movement Breaks Effect On Mental, Social, Emotional Health Of Adolescents, Nathaniel Ballard

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper examined research intent on the purpose of studying how educational leaders may support the mental, social, and emotional health of adolescents through incorporating outdoor educational opportunities and movement breaks in the classroom. The qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches used, delve into the ways of incorporating movement in the classroom through brain breaks, utilizing outdoor education opportunities, and the effects technology can have. These concepts and tools can work together to support the mental, social, and emotional health of adolescents as well as to promote greater academic growth. However, they must be utilized appropriately for intended success. The …

The Role Of Jordanian Television Programs In Raising Awareness About Mental Health From The Perspective Of Psychiatrists, Yasmine Hamza Badis, Saddam Suleiman Salman Almashaqbeh

The study aimed to identify the role of Jordanian television programs in raising awareness of mental health from the perspective of psychiatrists. The sample of the study was composed of 153 members from the Jordanian Association of Psychiatrists affiliated with the Jordanian Medical Association. To achieve the goal of this study, the descriptive approach was followed, and the study relied on the questionnaire as a tool for collecting data. The results of the study showed that the role of Jordanian television programs in raising awareness about mental health from the Perspective of psychiatrists was medium, and the diversity of features …

Women Serving In Special Operation Forces: Practical Recommendations For Mental Health Providers, Kashvi Khanna, Jessica Salaz, Nicholas Boyd, Alexandra Reeves, Kaethe Hoehling

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

Women have faced limited access to needed and appropriate services in many professional and societal conditions. Military Special Operations Forces (SOF) is one of these domains. However, despite recent changes that have allowed the inclusion of women into these units, they continue to endure cultural and systemic barriers as well as several subsequent mental and physical health issues. Experiences of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, nonacceptance, and the unique demands of SOF roles can create various health concerns for women in SOF, including PTSD, depression, trauma, and reproductive health issues. These significant concerns highlight the need for clinical and practical recommendations …

Voices From The Classroom: A Qualitative Study Of Teachers' Perspectives On Student Depression, Naomi Brinton, Jacqlyn Zarabba, Linda Mcwhorter, Linda Knauss

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Rising levels of depression among adolescents is an important issue to teachers and school administrators, as teenagers spend the majority of their time in the school environment. By analyzing individual interviews with 15 public high school teachers using a modified grounded theory approach, this qualitative study examines the role high school teachers might play in identifying and referring students who exhibit signs and symptoms of depression. Results provide guidance for high school teachers in connecting students with appropriate services and identifying common barriers and facilitating factors in this process. Specific recommendations are outlined to help aid schools in the identification …

Occupational Therapy In Psychiatry: A Safe, Affordable Approach For Better Care, Isabelle G. Cassada

Honors Theses

Occupational therapy (OT) is a therapeutic practice designed to enhance independence in individuals’ activities of daily living (ADL) across all age groups. While widely recognized for its role in physical rehabilitation, it is less commonly applied in mental health care. This underutilization can be attributed to a significant gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of OT in improving occupational function (OF) for individuals experiencing the negative effects of mental illnesses. Notably, OT in mental health care is not a new concept and dates to before World War I (WWI). This thesis conducts a literature review of fifty-one sources to …

Identifying Adolescent Depression In The Public School System, Laura Lee Griffith

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Twenty percent of United States adolescents experience major depression at some point. Elevated school dropout rates, substance abuse, chronic disease, mortality and morbidity rates, and impaired growth remain because 60 % of adolescents with unidentified depression do not receive treatment. Purpose: This evidence-based project identified adolescents aged 16-19 in a South Carolina high school who had symptoms of depression. Counseling and resource information were provided for students with scores of 10 or greater, or thoughts of self-harm on the PHQ-9. Method: Students were screened using the PHQ-9. Data was organized in Excel and analyzed using the T-tests and …

Seeking Solutions: The Impact Of State Policies On Mental And Behavioral Health, Angela Shoulders

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact of state-level policies aimed at improving access to mental and behavioral health treatment in the United States. Using rigorous quasi-experimental methods and a variety of data sources, the three manuscripts analyze the effects of distinct but related policies: naloxone co-prescription laws, psychologist prescription privileges, and mental health parity laws mandating timely access to care. The findings suggest that naloxone co-prescription laws lead to unintended consequences, including an increase in opioid overdose deaths among certain demographics. The analyses of psychologist prescribing privileges show expanding prescribing privileges to psychologists increases the availability of mental health providers without …