Digital Commons Network^™

Academic Burnout And Its Association With Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, And Social Media Addiction Among University Students In Perak, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kai Eng Joanne Lim, Khang Jin Cheah, Farzana Athirah Abdul Latif, Fatin Izzaty Mohd Shahrin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Academic burnout among Malaysian undergraduates is a rising concern, driven by academic pressure and compounded by lifestyle and behavioural factors. This study aimed to examine the associations between academic burnout, sleep quality, physical activity, and social media addiction.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 382 undergraduate students was conducted using an online survey to collect the data. The chi-square test was used to assess bivariate associations, and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of academic burnout.

Results: The majority of respondents were aged 21 to 23 years (59.7%) and female (60.7%). Overall, 56.0% of …

An Examination Of How The Ethno-Racial Socialization Process Influences Women Of Color’S Engagement With Mental Health Treatment, Kairys M. Grasty

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Women of Color (WOC) are uniquely deterred from engaging with traditional mental healthcare services due to the generational harm that has been wrought to Communities of Color when accessing support in generations’ past and present (Godoy-Ruiz et al., 2015). Thus, to protect WOC from further marginalization, parents and caregivers disseminate messages to WOC about their gender and racial identity during the ethno-racial socialization (ERS) process. While this process is intended to be protective, an unintended consequence is that it can socialize WOC to be distrustful of others and reluctant to engage with mental health services to support their mental health. …

Does Spirituality Mediate Or Moderate The Adverse Effects Of Occupational Stressors On Mental Health In Law Enforcement Officers?, Erika D. Keplinger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Law enforcement officers are often exposed to occupational stressors that can negatively affect their mental health and job performance. Spirituality has been thoroughly researched as a restorative method to improve physical and psychological health concerns. There has also been an increase in studies on workplace spirituality. The existing research on workplace spirituality suggests that incorporating spirituality into the workplace increases employee well-being and decreases stress and burnout. Unfortunately, research on police culture often neglects spirituality. There is little research to show how spirituality could mediate or moderate the adverse effects of mental health on law enforcement officers. This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, …

Increasing Patient Satisfaction And Engagement By Improving Patient Intake Process In An Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Hotenesia Njoroge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This scholarly project aimed to enhance patient satisfaction and engagement by improving the intake process in an outpatient mental health clinic. Inefficient intake procedures, characterized by long wait times, communication gaps, and misreferrals, contribute to patient disengagement and dissatisfaction. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design evaluated a patient-centered intervention involving communication training, streamlined workflows, and real-time updates. Data were collected from 52 participants using Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) and qualitative feedback. Quantitative results revealed high satisfaction with staff respect (M = 4.19), communication clarity (M = 4.06), and facility comfort (M = 4.13). Wait time satisfaction scored slightly lower (M = 3.96), …

Integrated Growth: Developing A Sustainable Continuum Of Whole-Person Discipleship For Cultivating Healthy Leaders, Joyce A. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership, particularly within ministry contexts, involves complex responsibilities that often lead to chronic stress, burnout, and diminished well-being. These challenges underscore the need for a holistic, sustainable framework that supports leaders in every dimension of life. This Dissertation in Praxis explored a biblically grounded, multidimensional wellness initiative designed to foster integrated health among ministry leaders at The Harvest Church, a nondenominational congregation in North Houston, Texas. Framed by biblical principles of stewardship, wholeness, and relational unity, this study implemented and assessed a structured wellness program addressing four critical domains of a leader’s well-being: emotional resilience, financial stability, physical/nutritional health, and …

Enhancing Collaborative Care: A Training Manual For Improving Veterans Affairs Mental Health Chaplaincy, Eddie L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) launched a study to investigate the integration of chaplains in mental health care. This research expands on that study by focusing on the critical need for enhanced collaboration between chaplaincy and mental health services at local VA facilities. While existing literature affirms the integral role of chaplains in addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals, significant gaps in awareness and effective collaboration practices were identified at the Marion, IL VA Health Care System (VHCS). This study aimed to assess and address the specific training …

Risk Of Major Depression In Partners Of People With Alzheimer's Disease: A National Cohort Study, Casey Crump, Jingkai Wei, Barbara G Vickrey, Alexis C Edwards, Paul E Schulz, Weiva Sieh, Jan Sundquist, Kristina Sundquist

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) may cause significant psychosocial distress not only in the patient but also their partner. However, long-term risks of major depression in partners of AD patients are largely unknown.

Methods: A national cohort study was conducted of all 145 289 partners of people diagnosed with all-cause dementia, including 57 113 partners of people diagnosed with AD, in Sweden during 1998-2017, and 1 300 561 population-based controls. Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) for subsequent risk of major depression identified from nationwide outpatient and inpatient diagnoses through 2018, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and prior mental …

The Perception Of Neurofeedback Therapy In Improving Sleep Quality And Reducing Nightmares In Women With Ptsd, Amber Nicole Garcia Roper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research investigation sought to examine the lived experiences of women diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) undergoing neurofeedback therapy with a concentrated emphasis on sleep quality and nightmares. Sleep disturbances are very common in individuals affected by PTSD and sleep disturbances make a remarkable impact on the broader mental health dimensions. Neurofeedback therapy, an emerging type of brainwave therapy, claims to play a promising role in dealing with these issues. Following this approach to phenomenology, putting greater emphasis on the subjective experiences of participants, this study establishes an understanding of how neurofeedback therapy influences sleep quality and the …

Personality As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Casual Sex Behavior And Psychopathology, Dean J. Harris

Theses and Graduate Projects

Prior research has evaluated the impact of casual sex on mental health outcomes; however, there is a lack of research on the possible moderating effects of personality traits on this relationship. Thus, the purpose of this study was to clarify whether personality traits -specifically extraversion and neuroticism- are protective or risk factors for symptoms of anxiety and depression among individuals who engage in casual sexual behaviors, particularly in college-aged individuals. Using a cross-sectional design, 108 participants who met survey criteria completed self-report measures assessing casual sex behavior, the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, the International Big-Five Mini- Markers, and demographic questions. Moderation …

Bridging Diagnostic Safety And Mental Health: A Systematic Review Highlighting Inequities In Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis, Abirami Srivarathan, Andrea Bradford, Sara Shearkhani, Layla Heimlich, Sheryl Jefferson, Kristen E Miller, Kelly Smith, Helen Haskell, Traber D Giardina

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: There is increased recognition that diagnostic errors disproportionately affect marginalised and underserved patient populations in the USA. However, evidence on diagnostic inequities in mental disorders is sparse and not well integrated into the overall diagnostic safety literature.

Objective: We systematically reviewed and narratively synthesised evidence on inequities in diagnosis of mental disorders, guided by the Diagnostic Process Framework developed by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and a narrative synthesis. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2024. Studies were eligible if they reported on …

Using The Personal Health Inventory To Support Engagement In Mindfulness For Veterans With Ptsd: Mixed Methods Secondary Data Analysis, Emily M. Johnson, Mia R. Zappala, Jacob Scharer, Kyle Possemato

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Mindfulness has many potential benefits to physical and mental health but requires many hours of practice to attain the strongest benefits. Mindfulness interventions delivered within the context of primary care settings are often brief, so independent practice beyond the training context is important. Motivational factors are important predictors of sustained practice and different types of motivational factors are associated with different likelihood of sustained practice. The Personal Health Inventory (PHI) is a publicly available personal health planning tool that assesses motivational factors related to self-care behaviors like mindfulness. Our objective was to understand how the PHI can support patient engagement …

Exploring The Positive Mental Health Effects Of Participation In College Athletics, Erin J. Harvey, Devin B. Hefner, Lily C. Pysher, Blake A. Green

Graduate Student Scholarship

Abstract

Exploring the Positive Mental Health Effects of Participation in College Athletics

College students participate in sports for positive physical effects, but does this participation increase the students’ mental health positively, too? This research paper seeks to answer this question to determine how occupational therapists and other professionals working with the population of collegiate athletes can have the best outcomes for their clients. While many studies have been conducted to show how sports participation leads to benefits of individuals’ physical health, few studies have been conducted to determine if participation in sports at the collegiate level benefits students’ mental health …

Disentangling The Effect Of Criminal Legal System Involvement On Mental Health In The United States, Pui Ying Chan

Dissertations and Theses

BACKGROUND: Interactions with the criminal legal system (CLS), such as through arrest or incarceration, are relatively common in the United States (US) and are increasingly recognized as social risk factors for poor mental health. Previous studies have reported a positive association between CLS involvement and poor mental health, with some theoretical frameworks, including the ecosocial theory and the stress process paradigm, supporting a plausible causal relationship. However, prior research has significant limitations in providing casual evidence given possible reverse causation in cross-sectional studies and insufficient consideration for the dynamics between CLS exposures, mental health status, and related confounders over time …

Executive Functioning And Mental Health In Emerging Adults: Type 1 Diabetes Status As A Moderator, Hannah Margot Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging adults (ages 18-26) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are especially vulnerable to diabetes management challenges when taking on increased disease responsibility during this critical period of development. They may experience higher cognitive and psychological demands compared to peers. The study examined whether having T1DM moderated the association between executive functioning (EF) and mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, and disordered eating) in emerging adults. Exploratory analyses investigated the associations between EF, disease management, and mental health symptoms. Participants were 35 emerging adults with T1DM and 35 healthy controls. Participants completed questionnaire measures of mental health and performance-based …

Maya Migrants And Psychotherapy: Recommendations And A Case Study From Comunidad Sol In Canton, Ohio, Robin Chancer, Gerónimo Ramírez, Ernesto Ajanel Calel, María Ixcoy Mejía

Maya America: Journal of Essays, Commentary, and Analysis

This article approaches the question: How can non-Indigenous mental health practitioners work appropriately with Maya K’iche’ and Ixil communities in the United States? The authors are three Maya leaders and one non-Indigenous psychotherapist, the four of whom have worked together for several years. Psychological treatment rooted in Euro-American paradigms can be minimally helpful—if not harmful—to many Indigenous communities (Dudgeon & Bray, 2016). Traditional approaches such as cognitive-behavior therapy continue the colonial preoccupation with individual pathology and the separation of mind, body, spirit, and nature. The authors suggest that more appropriate approaches would include acknowledging structural oppression and centering the K’iche’ …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …

The Effects Of Moderate-Intensity Physical Exercise And Yoga Interventions On Stress In Hispanic College Students: A Pilot Study, Hongxing Lu, Florentino Saenz, Preethi Raju, Ednia Gutierrez, Sue Anne Chew, Saraswathy Nair

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Hispanic college students face high stress, which may increase their risk for chronic stress-related health issues. Effective and accessible stress management strategies for this population remain limited. Objective: This pilot study filled a gap by studying the effects of psychological stress on diet and physical activity habits and evaluating the impact of moderate-intensity physical exercise (MIPE) and yoga interventions on chronic psychological stress and acute stress responses among Hispanic college students. Methods: A total of 18 Hispanic college students participated in a 6-week intervention consisting of either MIPE or yoga, conducted twice weekly. Anthropometric measurements and lifestyle data were …

Defining Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression: Recommendations From The Isbd Task Force, Eduard Vieta, Roger S Mcintyre, Trisha Suppes, Tamsyn E Van Rheenen, Balwinder Singh, Kamilla Woznica Miskowiak, Allan H Young, Lakshmi N Yatham, Kyooseob Ha, Michael Berk, Holly A Swartz, Chantal Henry, Maja Pantovic Stefanovic, Gerard Anmella Diaz, Aysegul Ozerdem, Wiesław J Cubała, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Mauricio Tohen, Isabella Pacchiarotti, Paula Villela Nunes, Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, Paolo Brambilla, Robert Post, Jair C Soares, Michael Bauer, Ana C Andreazza, Xavier Justes Fradera, Montserrat Cosials-Lopez, Giovanna Fico

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Despite the availability of approved treatments, a substantial proportion of patients with bipolar disorder experience treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD), characterized by persistent depressive symptoms unresponsive to standard therapies. However, a universally accepted definition of TRBD is lacking. This consensus document, developed by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Task Force on TRBD, aims to provide a standardized definition of TRBD to facilitate clinical trials, research, and treatment strategies.

Methods: The Task Force employed a literature review, clinical trials analysis, and expert consensus meetings to define TRBD.

Results: TRBD was defined as the failure to achieve a significant and …

Defining Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression: Recommendations From The Isbd Task Force, Eduard Vieta, Roger S Mcintyre, Trisha Suppes, Tamsyn E Van Rheenen, Balwinder Singh, Kamilla Woznica Miskowiak, Allan H Young, Lakshmi N Yatham, Kyooseob Ha, Michael Berk, Holly A Swartz, Chantal Henry, Maja Pantovic Stefanovic, Gerard Anmella Diaz, Aysegul Ozerdem, Wiesław J Cubała, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Mauricio Tohen, Isabella Pacchiarotti, Paula Villela Nunes, Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo, Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, Paolo Brambilla, Robert Post, Jair C Soares, Michael Bauer, Ana C Andreazza, Xavier Justes Fradera, Montserrat Cosials-Lopez, Giovanna Fico

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Despite the availability of approved treatments, a substantial proportion of patients with bipolar disorder experience treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD), characterized by persistent depressive symptoms unresponsive to standard therapies. However, a universally accepted definition of TRBD is lacking. This consensus document, developed by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Task Force on TRBD, aims to provide a standardized definition of TRBD to facilitate clinical trials, research, and treatment strategies.

Methods: The Task Force employed a literature review, clinical trials analysis, and expert consensus meetings to define TRBD.

Results: TRBD was defined as the failure to achieve a significant and …

Addressing Psychosocial Barriers To Participation In People Experiencing Homelessness: An Occupational Therapy Workshop, Preston Bender, Steven M. Gerardi, Lacey Spark

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Despite the occupational therapy (OT) profession's emphasis on holistic, person-centered care, many OT practitioners and students report feeling a lack of self-efficacy and preparedness to navigate the complex psychological, social, and systemic barriers that hinder occupational participation in people experiencing homelessness (PEH). This capstone project aimed to address the perceived unpreparedness among clinicians through the creation of an 8-hour interactive educational workshop aligned with Experiential Learning Theory. The content is grounded in the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and informed by the Bridging the Transition from Homelessness: A Social Justice Framework (BTTF), trauma-informed care (TIC), harm reduction, and diversity, equity, …

Mental Health Disparities In Hospital Admissions For Youth With And Without Autism, Ben Pfingston, Lindsey Sneed

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The purpose of this study was to compare mental health diagnoses in a sample of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and youth without ASD (non-ASD) admitted to inpatient hospitals across the United States. We hypothesized that autistic youth would have a greater proportion of co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses compared to their typically developing peers. To do this, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) 2019 Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID). We compared the proportions of co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses between autistic and typically developing youth. Compared to 21% of non-ASD admissions, 36% of the ASD admissions …

The Impact Of Pet Therapy On Stress Reduction And Academic Performance Among Allied Health Students, Catherine Brock

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interest in pet therapy is increasing due to its potential to alleviate internal and external stress signs through the human-animal bond. This study investigates the effects of pet therapy compared to environmental and behavioral modifications on allied health students' stress levels and exam performance. Methods: We conducted an anonymized randomized intervention design with allied health students to compare perceived stress and test scores. Eighty-five students were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups. We hypothesized that students who participated in pet therapy before their exam would report lower anxiety and achieve higher exam scores than those who received …

Mental Health And Substance Use Interventions Within Muslim Community Spaces: A Community Based-Participatory Research Proposal, Halah Mansour Alayleh

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background. Muslim Americans face significant mental health and substance use challenges compounded by Islamophobic discrimination, cultural stigma, and barriers to accessing culturally competent services. They also significantly underuse professional mental health services. Purpose. This study aims to collaborate with Muslim communities within the San Francisco Bay Area to develop a replicable intervention framework for addressing mental health and substance use stigma within mosques and other Muslim community spaces. Methods. The proposal uses a community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology while integrating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and stigma theory in the framework. This proposal outlines the four phases of intervention …

“All Together”: A Case Study Demystifying Patient And Public Involvement (Ppi) In Brief Psychological Interventions Within A Community Mental Health Service For Adults In The Uk, Molly H. Nadel, Katherine Parkin, Stephanie Casey, Rachel Maciag, Alice Xie, Mu-Yin Chang, Youngsuk Kim

Patient Experience Journal

The importance and value of involving patients and the public in the decision-making processes within services designed to support them, and research projects aimed at understanding and improving those services, have long been established. This is often referred to as Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). However, establishing good quality involvement work in practical terms is often less well understood and therefore, the uncertainty surrounding this can lead to hesitation by clinicians in practice. In this paper, we will share our lessons learned and the practical outcomes of PPI when applied in an NHS community mental health service for adults. We …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Indirect Impact Of Killings Of Unarmed African Americans By Police On African American Women, Deantonie E. Price

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the indirect impact of police killings of unarmed African Americans on the mental and emotional well-being of African American women. This research aimed to fill a significant gap in the literature, which has been largely overlooked by focusing on the specific experiences of African American women. The central research question explored how these women articulated and experienced the emotional and psychological effects of police killings within their communities. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to explore the complexities of individuals' perceptions, emotions, and lived experiences. Data collection included in-depth interviews, a …

The Title Of My Project: Screen Time And Children's Health, Elisabeth Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Excessive screen time is harmfully affecting families emotionally, physically, and mentally (Brindova et al., 2014). Eating habits, physical exercise, sufficient sleep each night, and communication with family and peers are increasingly declining as screen time is increasing (Siegle, 2017). With the rise in screen time, young people are spending more time alone (Gingold et al., 2014). Behrens et al. (2019) “explored the cause of anxiety and depression in children as it relates to the use of technology” (p. 474). Since the increase in technological advances, there has also been an increase in cyberbullying. “Setting limits on the amount of time …

Improving Collaboration With Hospital Security And Nursing Staff, When Treating Patients In Acute Crisis, By Implementing A Modified Sbar Card., Yuna Choi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Inpatient psychiatric units provide assistance to patients experiencing acute mental health crises such as psychosis or suicidal ideation. Patients experiencing acute mental health crises can sometimes become agitated or aggressive towards staff, themselves, or other patients, which can pose a significant risk to everyone’s safety. The purpose of the project is to improve staff satisfaction and collaboration by standardizing the interdisciplinary communication between hospital security and nursing staff. Over a period of two weeks, the facilitator educated security and unit staff on a SBAR card during shift huddle to implement on the unit in the event of an acute mental …

Negative Affect And Cannabis Use Outcomes In College Students: The Mediating Effect Of Protective Behavioral Strategies, Morgan Haga

Master's Theses

Particularly considering the ongoing changes in legalization, there has been a growing prevalence of cannabis use among college students. Similarly, students have endorsed increased mental health concerns following the COVID-19 pandemic. Resulting in a cycle of harmful use, research has supported a positive relationship between negative affect and cannabis-related negative outcomes. Protective behavioral strategies for marijuana (PBSM) have been successful in reducing cannabis-related negative outcomes; however, the frequency and utility of PBSM use for students experiencing increased negative affect is unknown. Participants included 330 college students (M_age = 19.17) from 12 U.S. universities who were predominately White non-Hispanic …

Examining The Predictive Validity Of Adolescent Complete Mental Health On High School Academic Performance, Nai-Jiin Yang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This multiple-paper dissertation examines how adolescent complete mental health, based on the Dual-Factor Model, predicts high school academic performance. The Dual-Factor Model considers both psychological distress (such as internalizing and externalizing symptoms) and subjective wellbeing (such as life satisfaction and positive affect). The main research objective is to determine whether this comprehensive framework offers stronger predictive power for academic success than symptom-based approaches alone.

Two studies were conducted using self-report mental health data collected at three time points during an academic year. These data were analyzed alongside end-of-quarter grade point averages in English Language Arts, math, and overall GPA using …

Efficacy Of Digital Mental Health Interventions For Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review Of Randomised Controlled Trials, K. T. A. Kasturiratna, Andree Hartanto, Angel Khaterina Lee, Charmaine Jiali Koh, Nadyanna M. Majeed

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly impacts various facets of life. While traditional treatments such as medication and behavioural therapy are effective, they often fall short due to limited access and undesirable side effects. In response to these limitations, digital mental health interventions have emerged as a transformative approach in alleviating ADHD symptoms. The current meta-analysis investigates the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions for ADHD synthesising data across 23 randomised controlled trials, with 99 effect sizes across 1,472 participants. Results showed small, significant effects of digital mental health interventions in reducing overall ADHD symptoms …