Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Paraprofessionals In The Mental Health Structure Of India, Amy Abraham, Kimberly D. Becker, Wendy Chu

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The mental health treatment gap in India is part of a growing public health crisis, with over 95% of those in need of services never receiving them. Over 197 million Indians suffer from at least one diagnosable mental health disorder, and this number continues to grow given the treatment gap. The treatment gap is a result of four major factors: lack of government support, stigma, limited treatment facilities, and dearth of professionals able to provide treatment. The current study aimed to analyze several factors of paraprofessional-led mental health interventions including setting, treatments delivered, treatment models, and client outcomes. A narrative …

Connected Pastors: The Importance Of Having Safe Support Systems In Ministry, Karin A. Hines

Senior Honors Theses

Pastors minister to broken people, but sometimes they need help themselves. Many pastors do not seek help or do not have anyone safe to go to, often for fear of losing their influence or job. This thesis argues that sharing one’s life with safe people is essential, especially for those who are in high-stress professions. It explores pastoral support systems, examines comparable stigmas against seeking help in other fields, analyzes the science of sharing and isolation and their effects on the brain and body, and considers the Bible’s instructions on living in community for one’s personal well-being. Pastors require intentional, …

How Nutrition And Physical Activity Shape Your Well-Being, Stacy Phillips

EFNEP

This publication will explore the link among nutrition, physical activity, physical health, and mental health and how it impacts whole-body well-being. Understanding how multiple aspects of a person's lifestyle can affect an individual's overall well-being is essential to providing better education on how to make better choices to improve their well-being.

The Intersection Between Adolescent Pregnancy, Mental Health Concerns, Stigma, And Sex Education, Madelon Cox

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis discusses research from the past two decades focused on factors contributing to an increased risk of adolescent pregnancy and the lasting impact of that pregnancy. The consequences of being a pregnant adolescent can be compounded by race, gender, socioeconomic class, and access to education. Adolescent pregnancy also carries significant physical and mental health risk for the adolescent and the child. Awareness and various interventions can help pregnant adolescents or those who may be at risk for adolescent pregnancy to support them, prevent isolation, and reduce further negative mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

Implementing An Online Mental Health Intervention For Educators, Angela Cheney

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The primary objective of this project was to assess the impact of the New Directions Behavioral Health Employee Assistance Program, an online intervention, on teacher stress and well-being. Teacher participation was recruited through email, flyers, and in-person discussions. The study used a mixed-method design, including pre- and post-project surveys of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure changes in stress, and the System Usability Scale (SUS) to evaluate the ease of use of online intervention. The intervention aimed to increase teachers’ self-awareness of stress and anxiety, provide strategies for prevention and early intervention, and support overall mental wellbeing. Paired-samples t …

Purgatory, Kat Mccormick

Bachelor of Fine Arts Theses

Artist Statement:

Purgatory is my exhibition of paintings and sculptures investigating the complex relationships between the self, the psyche, and the process of healing. Living with long-term and recurring mental health issues can breed despondency toward treatment when trial and error lead nowhere. Enduring instability seems no more difficult than endlessly trying to hold onto stability. I represent the stagnancy of this limbo between healing and devolving by painting in limited color. I create contrast through juxtaposing textures such as soft and sharp, and leaning into the differing intensities of phthalo green and tints mimicking raw canvas. Using self-portraiture in …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Youth With The Juvenile Justice System, Marion D. Rogers

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This qualitative case study examined the lived experiences of African American youth in the juvenile justice system using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Intersectionality Theory as guiding frameworks. Three participants engaged in three rounds of in-depth interviews, and the data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding, with findings presented at the within-case and cross-case levels. Results revealed how family dynamics, school exclusion, community survival strategies, and systemic surveillance shaped participants’ pathways through the justice system, while experiences of resilience coexisted with mistrust, invisibility, and ambivalence toward counselors and authority figures. The study highlights the importance of culturally responsive …

Addressing College Students Stress Through Coping Strategies, Daisy Valdez Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

College students often experience stress due to time management, responsibilities, and finances. This stress can negatively impact them by leading to mental health issues and affecting their academic performance. This capstone focuses on creating a plan in which students are able to handle stressful situations and have greater awareness of stress. The workshop taught students about common stress factors, the impact they have on students, how to manage negative thoughts, and coping strategies. Participants completed activities such as creating their own stress bubbles, a negative and helpful thought worksheet, and a Kahoot quiz on coping skills. Results showed that students …

Exploring Exercise Motivation And Mental Well-Being In College Students, Elaine M. Lindesmith, Anqi Deng Dr

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined the relationship between physical activity, exercise motivation, and mental well-being among 48 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, the study used survey data to measure depression, anxiety, physical activity, and open-ended exercise motivation responses. Motivation responses were coded as autonomous or controlled.

Results showed that physical activity was weakly and negatively related to depression and anxiety, but these relationships were not statistically significant. There were also no significant differences in mental health between autonomous and controlled motivation groups, and motivation did not significantly predict mental health outcomes in regression analyses. Overall, the …

The Impacts Of Doomscrolling On Adolescent Development, Neyssa Birotte

Education

Current research indicates that doomscrolling on social media negatively impacts one’s mental health and emotional well-being. The term “doomscrolling” refers to the act of scrolling excessively through distressing content on social media, often leading the individual down a rabbit hole of bad news. Doomscrolling can be associated with any type of distressing or traumatic event, such as school shootings or the COVID-19 pandemic. Being exposed to such negative content on a daily basis can be destructive to adolescents’ mental health. As a result, this can influence their ability to manage their own emotions in a healthy manner. Additionally, doomscrolling is …

An Exploratory Study On Perceptions Of Climate Change And Mental Health Among Alaskans, Emily Miranda Cohen

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is a pressing global issue with diverse mental health impacts. However, the relationship between climate change perceptions and mental health remains poorly explored. Rapid climate change in Alaska makes it an ideal setting to explore these relationships. Thus, 204 Alaskan adults were surveyed to assess their perceptions of climate change and explore the relationships between climate change perceptions, exposure to adverse climate impacts, and psychological distress (i.e., symptoms of depression, anxiety, and climate-related post-traumatic stress). Results suggest that participants agree that climate change is real, human-caused, negative, and impacts areas both close to and far from where they …

Air Pollution And Self-Reported Health Outcomes In The United States, Alina Dervisevic

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between short-term PM2.5 exposure and self-reported health outcomes among U.S. adults using BRFSS data from 2000 to 2012 linked to county-level pollution and weather data. Results show that PM2.5 exposure is associated with worse mental health and gender specific behavioral responses.

Easy Travel-Friendly Snack Recipes For College Students To Support Mental Well-Being, Lidia Vides

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

College is a pivotal period in life of a young adult, marked by newfound independence, increased responsibilities, heightened academic pressure, and significant changes in daily routine. While this transition can often be exciting for a young adult, it also presents many different challenges. As a result, many students experience increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Nutrition plays a powerful yet often overlooked role in supporting mental and physical health. Current research studies show that a balanced diet rich in whole food ingredients can help regulate mood and promote emotional well-being through multiple biological pathways. However, despite this knowledge, convenient, …

When Health Meets The Classroom: Diabetes, Depression, And Absenteeism, Megan Lindsay Meyer, Victor Sanchez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study would examine how diabetes and depressive symptoms influence school attendance among students ages 10 to 17 in one school district. Students with diabetes who experience higher levels of depressive symptoms might be at increased risk for chronic absenteeism, which could negatively affect both academic performance and emotional well-being. Despite growing awareness of pediatric diabetes and school-based mental health needs, gaps would remain in understanding how diabetes self-management relates to depression and attendance outcomes. This proposed quantitative comparative study would include students with and without diabetes. Participants would complete standardized measures assessing diabetes self-management and depressive symptoms, and …

Gaps In Therapeutic Services For Foster Youth In Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs, Kaniqua Tainiaja Stewart, Maria Del Rosario Sanchez, Rachelle Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines rehabilitation outcomes among foster youth who are currently or were previously placed in Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs), also known as group homes. With more than 400,000 children are in foster care in the United States, and approximately 39,000–57,000 residing in group homes, limited research has explored why rehabilitation efforts in these settings often fall short. Existing literature emphasizes policy reforms, compliance, and placement outcomes under California’s Continuum of Care Reform, but gives less attention to youths lived therapeutic experiences and the consistency and quality of mental health services delivered within STRTPs. This study addresses this gap …

Impact Of Parental Immigration Status On Latino Adolescents’ Mental Health, Kassandra Gomez, Stephanie Montero, Odalys Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Latino adolescents in the United States face unique stressors related to family immigration status; however, this issue has not been paid much attention in the literature. Guided by the Ecological Systems theory, this quantitative study seeks to explore and describe how parents’ immigration status impacts adolescents’ mental health (Bronfenbrenner, 1979. Two hundred adolescents, who will be randomly sampled across seven different Colton Joint Unified Schools, will be engaged in a survey. Data will be collected from respondents using a self developed questionnaire, which captures variables including student demographics, parental immigration status, immigration related stressors in relation to depression and anxiety …

Exploring Mental Health Service Disparities Among First-Generation Latino College Students, Diane Zepeda-Rodriguez, Samantha Ramirez, Desiree Robledo, Merina Leo-Urroz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

First-generation Latino college students experience barriers to mental health in the form of cultural stigmas and systemic disadvantages, which prevent them from obtaining support and cause disparities within mental health services within their community. Existing research addresses how cultural factors, such as religion, gender roles, and stigma, play a part in their willingness to obtain services. However, despite the limited literature found regarding research addressing barriers to Latinos receiving mental health support, little to no research addresses the specific population of first-generation Latino college students. This study will aim to explore how systemic barriers and cultural stigmas impact help-seeking behaviors …

Building Resilience: How Protective Factors Mitigate Acculturative Stress In The Latinx Immigrant Community, Andres I. Delgado, Jamie Tierrablanca

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This literature underscores the vital role of protective factors in reducing

acculturative stress among Latinx immigrants. Key factors such as social

support, religious affiliation, familism, and physical activity help contribute to

mitigating the negative effects of acculturation. The Latinx community can

significantly benefit from integrative, culturally responsive interventions informed

by social work frameworks such as ecosystems theory and critical race theory

(CRT) as they are essential in addressing the mental health needs of this

population. Despite existing research, gaps remain in understanding the full

scope of the Latinx immigrant experience, suggesting a need for further

exploration. The expected findings will …

Outcomes Associated With Childhood Parental Divorce: An Umbrella Review Of Meta-Analyses, Gabriel Xing Da Tan, Andree Hartanto, Ysabel Thereze Ang Guevarra, Angel K. M. P. Lee, Jing Jie Kenneth Koh, K Tennakoon Appuhamillage Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Background: Childhood parental divorce has been consistently associated with a host of negative outcomes across multiple domains, such as socioemotional, behavioural, academic, and physical health, which can persist into adulthood. Despite extensive research on childhood parental divorce, the current literature lacks a systematic, integrated synthesis that clarifies which child outcomes are most consistently associated with parental divorce, as well as the potential moderators influencing these associations. Therefore, we conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses to bridge this gap by consolidating the existing research and providing an exhaustive overview. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted across various databases and following a two-stage …

Self-Directed Violence In Athletes, Adela Vavrinova

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Self-directed violence (SDV) in athletes comprises a spectrum of behaviors, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidality, and self-harming behaviors that can be embed- ded within sport contexts. Competitive sport environments may intensify psychological vulnerability through factors such as performance demands, body-image pressures, injury and rehabilitation stress, and norms that discourage help-seeking. This thesis synthesizes existing literature on SDV among athletes with the aim of clarifying how SDV is concep- tualized and measured, summarizing what is known about prevalence patterns, functions, and contextual risk factors, and identifying prevention and intervention strategies relevant to athlete systems. The reviewed evidence suggests the SDV literature …

Mental Health Representation And Audience Interpretation In Contemporary Streaming Media, Caitlyn Freeman

Communications and Digital Media Theses

This study looks at streaming television as a place where ideas about mental health are shaped and communicated. These shows communicate mental health through storytelling, rather than simply reflected. Instead of viewing series as realistic depictions of psychological struggle, this analysis focuses on different elements to understand how audiences understand mental illness. This study focuses on patterns in how mental health is presented to audiences, including whether it is shown as an emotional conflict, ongoing experience, or a moment of crisis within the story. Using a qualitative analysis, the research analyzes selected episodes from each series through a codebook with …

Addressing Challenges With Mental Health Amongst The Unhoused Youth Community, John Paul Solis

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the growing challenge of mental health concerns among unhoused youth in Santa Cruz County, particularly those served by the Youth Homelessness Response Team (YHRT) under the Community Action Board. Many youth in this population experience conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, which can impact their ability to engage in services and achieve stability. The purpose of this project was to increase mental health awareness and improve engagement with support services through the implementation of a Mindfulness Walk-in Workshop. The workshops were offered weekly to youth participating in YHRT, Transitional Age Youth Housing Navigation (TAYNAV), and …

The Role Of Family Dynamics In Adolescents Mental Health, Victoria Tinajero

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on the role of family dynamics in adolescent mental health. Teens who lack strong family support often develop mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. When families struggle with communication and have little emotional connection, teens may feel alone, misunderstood, or unsupported, which can lead to poor overall performance and emotional difficulties. When parents of teens learn family communication skills and techniques for providing emotional support, they are better able to reduce conflict and help manage issues like emotional withdrawal. To address this issue, I created a one-day workshop to educate them about mental …

Associations Between Controlling Coaching Behaviors And Mental Health Help Seeking Attitudes In Collegiate Athletes, Maria C. Cacheiro

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Although correlations between coaching behaviors and mental health have been investigated before, research that extensively analyzes collegiate athletes’ willingness to seek out mental healthcare has not been conducted. Previous research shows that coaching behaviors correlate with athlete mental health and even predict depression levels more accurately than their own personality traits. The current study aimed to analyze the relationship between athletes’ perceived controlling coaching behaviors and their mental health-help seeking attitudes. Participants were surveyed to determine their perception of controlling coaching behaviors, available emotional support, athlete-coach relationship satisfaction, and mental health seeking attitudes. It was found that perceived aspects of …

Factors Associated With Postpartum Depression Symptoms Following Antepartum Hospitalization, Alison N Goulding, Daniel Palacios, Sukru Aras, Hu Chen, Sasidhar Pasupuleti, Marika Toscano, Nicole Cirino, Israel C Christie, Zhandong Liu, Emily S Miller, Terri L Fletcher

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Hospitalized antepartum patients are at increased risk for postpartum depression (PPD). Developing approaches to identify those at highest risk for PPD would enable timely and targeted intervention.

Objective: We aimed to identify factors associated with the development of PPD symptoms in hospitalized antepartum patients and to assess their predictive utility.

Study design: This retrospective cohort study included pregnant individuals hospitalized in a regional referral center due to medical or obstetric complications between 2012 and 2025. Data were extracted from the electronic health record, including demographics, medical and obstetric history, hospitalization characteristics, and postpartum Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores …

Parenthood And Mental Health Among University Populations In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study, Tuwani A. Rasengane, Ngozika Esther Ezinne, Antor Ndep, Nnamdi John Eseme, Susarah Maria Richter, Kingsley E. Agho, Ebele Gertrude Ejidike, Michael Agyemang Kwarteng, Kelechukwu Enyinnaya Ahaiwe, Nnaemeka Meribe, Obed Adonteng-Kissi, Edith Daniel-Nwosu, Mchillary Ogiemudia Osamudiamen, Ike Onyebuchi Oforbuike, Grace Obumneke Ogbonna, Isaura Ilorena D.Alva Brito Dos Santos, Okechi Ulumma Amaechi, Ugochukwu E. Uzuegbu, Khathutshelo Percy Mashige, Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Aims: This study examined the association between parenthood status and psychological well-being among university staff and students in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted across 22 universities in four SSA countries using convenience sampling. A total of 1189 university staff and students, including parents and non-parents, participated. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between parenthood status and mental health outcomes after adjusting for sociodemographic and contextual factors. Results: Participants with children had lower odds of moderate depression (adjusted …

Prevalence Of Internet Addiction And Its Related Determinants Among Medical Students At Al-Kindy College Of Medicine, Qays Ahmed Hassan, Shaymaa Khalid Abdulqader, Afram Ayman Mousa, Malak Muneer Qasim, Farah Majed Salman

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: Internet addiction has emerged as a contemporary issue. Medical students in particular are at higher risk to internet addiction due to high academic pressures. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at Al-Kindy College of Medicine during the academic year 2024–2025. A total of 200 students completed the 10- item modified Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire survey which was disseminated through the official university platform. Results: A total of 200 participants enrolled, 133 (66.5%) were female, and most were in the third stage of study (63.5%). Spending more than 6 hours daily on screens features by 49% …

Mental Health And Coping Mechanisms Of College Students At Hispanic-Serving Institutions During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Denisse J. Aguilar Michel

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, college students have faced increased mental health issues and heightened stress. Prior studies have shown that Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students, in particular, experienced a disproportionate impact due to the pandemic. While much research has focused on the pandemic’s impact on college students, little is known about its impact on BIPOC college students attending Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) during (2019–2022) and after (2024) the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the small sample size, Hispanic versus non-Hispanic analyses were not conducted. This study investigates the perceived impact of the pandemic on students’ mental health …

Empathetic Administration: Leveraging Phenomenological Insights To Enhance Student Mental Health Support In Higher Education, Arlissia Lenton Bradley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how students at universities in Texas navigated online mental health resources and coping supports while managing mental health challenges. The central research question that guided this study was: What were the lived experiences of students in higher education who were managing mental health issues? Utilizing Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, the study examined how cognitive appraisals and self-effective beliefs, environmental supports and constraints, and behavioral coping strategies interacted as students interpreted and responded to mental health stressors in academic contexts. Data was collected in a virtual setting …

Age Of First Smartphone Ownership With Social Media Access And Its Impact On Mental Health Outcomes, Derrick W. Swandol

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between the age of smartphone ownership with social media access (ASO) and self-esteem and depression symptoms, as well as to determine if the results could be moderated by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as an individual transitions from adolescence to adulthood. The study was conducted with n=54 (72% female), of whom 83% first owned a smartphone with social media access ≥ 12 years-of-age. This study was unable to obtain the minimum sample size for a statistically significant study and is considered underpowered due to needing a minimum sample size of …