Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Stressors And Coping Mechanisms Among Esperanza Community Residents Seeking Healthcare At The C.D. Doyle Clinic, Kashish Sawant, Alexander Carruth, Lucas Williams, Miriam Yampuler, Krishna Hariprasad, Pranavi Kolli

Research Symposium

Background: The C.D. Doyle Clinic (CDD) is a student-run free clinic that operates as an acute care center in the Esperanza Community (EC), a state sanctioned encampment in Southeast Austin supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents of EC are provided with access to low-cost insurance, employment opportunities, and community support by The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF). However, studies have indicated that home-insecure individuals experience a heightened level of stress, due to causes such as social estrangement, systemic inadequacies in support structures, and financial instability¹. While CDD primarily addresses acute wellness needs, the clinic hopes to establish more collaboration with …

Effects Of Arginine-Vasopressin In The Brain On Cardiovascular Function In A Psychosocial Stress Animal Model, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Fernando Dominguez, Giselle Padilla, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Psychosocial stress impacts cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of events like myocardial infarction (MI), stress cardiomyopathy, and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety. However, our understanding of the biological mechanisms that connect psychosocial stress with negative cardiovascular and psychological outcomes remains incomplete. Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is linked to both mental and physical health by regulating social behavior, blood pressure, and anxiety-related behaviors. This study investigates the potential cardioprotective effects of the neuropeptide AVP, in an effort to generate evidence that it may strengthen heart function and lessen the severity of adverse cardiovascular events caused by stress, brain …

Investigating The Relationship Among Environmental Factors, Reproductive Status, And Stress In A Preclinical Model Of Endocrine Function In Women’S Translational Health, Bianca A. Camacho, Laura Emma Garcia, Raquel Villarreal, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: The average menstrual cycle of a healthy adult woman is a duration of approximately 28 days, during which in the follicular phase (first 14 days) the progesterone hormone is at a stable level while estrogen increases to its peak level on day 14. Day 14 is known as ovulation, during which progesterone increases during its Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge while estrogen decreases. Menses, known colloquially as a woman’s “period,” begins approximately at day 14 after ovulation and lasts an average of 7 days. The luteal phase, otherwise known as the secretory phase, lasts for the remaining 14 days until …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Ssris On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Under Induced Stress –Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Giselle Padilla, Fernando Dominquez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been found to have a wide range of effects on not just the neuropsychological processes but has also been found to exert effects outside the central nervous system (CNS); regulating numerous biological processes, such as metabolism, gastrointestinal system, reproductive function, and even the cardiovascular system. However, there is still a limited understanding of how serotonin affects all these systems due to its complexity and ability to regulate homeostasis. This project aims to create a stronger foundation of knowledge about serotonin and its influence on the interaction between the CNS, behavior, and cardiac function …

Investigating The Role Of Egr3 And C-Fos In Stress-Induced Behavioral Responses In The Rodent Brain, Ana P. Reyna Gonzalez, Ismael Perez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background/ Purpose: Stress is a natural response to challenging situations which is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis of an individual organism. Research has indicated that overactivation of this system could lead to disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD (Azarte-Mejia et al., 2024). Studies of epigenetic research have indicated that Immediate Early Genes (IEGs) such as c-Fos and Egr3 are crucial in stress responses, regulating genes involved in synaptic plasticity and adaptation (Brosens et al., 2024). Therefore, understanding their roles in stress responses can inform therapeutic approaches for stress-related conditions.

Method: The current study examined Egr3 and c-Fos expression in …

Learning Lessons From Hard Truths: School Shootings, Devin Watson

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The American school system is plagued by violent attacks such as school shootings. Unfortunately, these events are incredibly difficult to predict. The security used for these schools is often found lacking and students aren’t getting the help needed. Part of the issue is the internal struggle of students in tough situations and teachers not being trained properly to help them. School security is more than just something at the gate. It’s about creating a safe environment that students can find sanctuary in. The solution is to provide better training for teachers and updating the physical security of the school.

Recent Stressful Life Events And Perceived Stress As Serial Mediators Of The Association Between Adverse Childhood Events And Insomnia, Grant Benham, Ruby Charak, Ines Cano-Gonzalez, Joceline Mena Teran, Jordan Kenemore

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Insomnia is common in college students and linked to poorer mental and physical health. There is growing evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may contribute to insomnia in adulthood. However, beyond the need for additional replication of these findings, there is a need to identify underlying mechanisms that plausibly connect the two experiences. Based on a serial mediation model, the current study examined the role of two theoretically informed mediators: recent stressful life events and perceived stress. A cross-sectional survey of 2,218 college students at a large university in the southwestern United States was conducted between August 2020 and December …

Determinants Of Adolescent Resilience Levels In Surabaya City, East Java Province, Indonesia, Riris Diana Rachmayanti, Fatwa Sari Tetra Dewi, Diana Setiyawati, M Dody Izhar, Andrei Ramani

Kesmas

Assessing adolescent resilience may provide valuable insights into adult resilience. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between determinants and adolescent resilience in Surabaya City. The participants of this cross-sectional study were 277 adolescents aged 12–19 years who were in senior high school. The outcome was the resilience levels. This study's findings indicated relationships between resilience levels and stress experience (p-value = 0.01), access to mental health information (p-value = 0.00), life satisfaction (p-value = 0.00), family harmony (p-value = 0.03), presence of adults to share (p-value = 0.04), feeling safe at home, school, and community (p-value = 0.00), perception …

The Differences In Perceived Stress And Coping For Prelicensure Nursing Students After A Positive Reappraisal Coping Intervention, Deanna Lynne Walborn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic stress has become a common problem among nursing students, which can lead to undesirable student outcomes if their stress goes unabated. The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest/posttest study is to determine if an intervention using a positive reappraisal coping intervention (PRCI) can reduce student nurse stress. Knowles’ theory of adult learning along with Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping (TMSC) provided a foundation for the study. Olejnik’s (1984) table was used to determine the minimal total sample size required for this research. A sample of 26 nursing students from those who are enrolled in a public …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Stressors In Anaesthesia Training In The Uk And Mechanisms To Improve Resident Wellbeing, Thomas Gale, Sophie Winter, Harriet Daykin, John Tredinnick-Rowe, Lyndsey Withers, Marie Bryce

Peninsula Medical School

INTRODUCTION: High levels of stress and burnout have been identified among resident anaesthetists in UK training programmes. Factors involving clinical roles, workplace culture and training are known stressors, but in-depth research investigating how to improve wellbeing is limited.

METHODS: We used a qualitative design in two phases with participants from across the UK. Phase 1 involved semi-structured interviews of resident anaesthetists in the 2nd-5th years of training, and educational stakeholders. Phase 2 involved additional participants in two focus groups, one each for residents and stakeholders. Interviews and focus groups were conducted online, audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis using a …

Added Psychological Stress Significantly Increases Anxiety But Does Not Impact Stress Biomarkers In Response To Combined Mental And Physical Stress, Nathan M. Sutton, Stephanie Uriegas, Hunter Martaindale, Matthew J. Mcallister

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

High Stress occupations are subject to significant health risk due to the exposure to a variety of stressors, specifically the exposure to concurrent stressors (i.e., combined mental and physical stress). Exposure to concurrent stressors has been shown to exacerbate the stress response, potentially resulting in cardiovascular strain, immune suppression, and inflammation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a concurrent stress challenge (CSC) on markers of stress, as well as perceived anxiety. METHODS: This study utilized a randomized control trial, in which fifty-four subjects (n=54) were randomly assigned to perform either exercise alone …

Exploring Mental Health In Veterinary Students: Common Stressors And Effective Coping Strategies: A Narrative Review, Rahib K. Islam, Emily K. Cobb, Hannah K. Mccowan, Kylie Watson, Kaustuv Bhattacharya, Anjali Chandra, Warda Mohiuddin, Karen Gruszynski, Amanda H. Wilkerson, John J. Dascanio, Robert E. Davis, Vinayak K. Nahar

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Veterinary students face significant challenges impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The rigorous academic curriculum, high expectations, and demanding clinical training create an environment of intense pressure and constant stress. This review explores the demographic and psychosocial variables influencing mental health outcomes, highlighting common stressors and coping strategies. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar. Studies published up to 2021 involving veterinary students were included. Twenty-one peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, stressors, mental health measures, and coping strategies were extracted and analyzed. Studies focused on various mental health aspects, …

Meditation Or Medication: Comparing Meditation To Phosphatidylserine In The Reduction Of Salivary Cortisol In Collegiate Tennis Players Post Exercise, Elizabeth Ann Novian Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a glycerophospholipid made in the body that is a part of the cell membrane (Carter & Greenwood, 2015; McArdle et al., 2019). PS reduces cortisol levels in the body (McArdle et al., 2019). Meditation is a “consistent self-care practice…that allows for developing loving awareness of current thoughts and feelings” (Valluri et al., 2024. Definition section, para. 1). Sadimi et al. (2021) used mindfulness meditation and found cortisol reductions were high. Meditation (MED) has not been compared to PS in reducing cortisol. Cortisol is increased in the body in response to the reception of stress input, such as …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On The Mental Health Of Frontline Workers Of Toronto Homeless Shelters (Csws), Isiaka Omotosho Akande

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objective of this phenomenological research is to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the client service workers (CSWs) in Toronto homeless shelters. Kolcaba's theory of comfort guides this study. This theory holds that being comfortable is one of the fundamental necessities for relief after stressful health care events or incidents. Comfort boosts health-seeking behaviors for patients, clients, and workers. In the context of the City of Toronto’s homeless shelters, Kolcaba’s theory of comfort suggests that if client service workers are given adequate resources to balance their health and mental needs, thus stabilizing their comfortabilities, then …

The Impact Of Time Of Night On Affect And Affective State Type: A Simulated Nightshift Study, June J. Pilcher, Christopher Ply

Publications

Nightshift workers experience circadian misalignment thus negatively impacting many physiological systems which can change subjective states such as affect. The current study examined change in affect and affective state across a simulated first nightshift. Ninety sleep-deprived college students (33% female) completed a series of surveys and tasks across four testing sessions during the night. The participants completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule at the beginning of each testing session. Using these affect scores, we derived four affective state types defined by high and low positive and negative affect (Self-actualizing-high positive affect with low negative affect, High affective-high positive affect …

Association Between Maternal Stress And Child Sleep Quality: A Nationwide Echo Prospective Cohort Study, Sarah Dee Geiger, Aruna Chandran, Marie L Churchill, Maxwell Mansolf, Cai Zhang, Salma Musaad, Courtney K Blackwell, Stephanie M Eick, Dana E Goin, Susan Korrick, Akram Alshawabkeh, Patricia A Brennan, Carrie V Breton, Jose F Cordero, Sean Deoni, Viren D'Sa, Anne L Dunlop, Amy J Elliott, Assiamira Ferrara, Arlene Keddie, Monique Lebourgeois, Kaja Z Lewinn, Daphne Koinis-Mitchell, Maristella Lucchini, Sara S Nozadi, Thomas O'Connor, Yeyi Zhu, Emily Zimmerman, Susan L Schantz

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Childhood sleep quality is associated with physical, cognitive, and behavioral health and predicts later sleep quality; it has many determinants, including developmental exposures.

Objectives: To examine associations between maternal stress during pregnancy and childhood sleep quality and determine whether postnatal stress mediates the association.

Method: Data from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes cohort were used. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) T-scores were the exposure measure. Outcome measures were preschool Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) sleep syndrome scale and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sleep Disturbance Parent Proxy short form 4a (PSD4a) T-scores at ages 4-8 years. Linear mixed-effects regression …

Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts-Integration, Training, And Testing (Adapt-Itt) Framework To Tailor Evidence-Based Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment For People With Hiv To Enhance Engagement And Adherence: Qualitative Results From A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Cristina M. Lopez, Angela D. Moreland, Stephanie Amaya, Erin Bisca, Christin Mujica, Tayler Wilson, Nathaniel Baker, Lauren Richey, Allison Ross Eckard, Patricia A. Resick, Steven A. Safren, Carla Kmett Danielson

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and HIV are at high-risk for negative HIV-related outcomes, including low adherence to antiretroviral therapy, faster disease progression, more hospitalizations, and almost twice the rate of death. Despite high rates of PTSD in persons with HIV (PWH) and poor HIV-related health outcomes associated with PTSD, an effective evidence-based treatment for PTSD symptoms in PWH does not exist. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the adaptation and theater testing of an evidence-based intervention designed for people with co-occurring PTSD and HIV. METHODS: The Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical experts-integration, Training, and Testing (ADAPT-ITT) …

Investigating The Perceived Efficacy Of Support Groups As A Secondary-Organization Stress Intervention Measure For Hospice Nurses, Sade A. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigated the perceived efficacy of support groups as a secondary organizational intervention measure for hospice nurses. Workplace stress is a common issue in hospice care that impacts workers negatively. It results in declining mental, physical, and social wellness. While research indicates significant benefits of support groups, they are not commonly applied in hospice care. Support groups have been widely used in mental health for years to share information and experiences and discuss problems. This dissertation interviewed eight participants using a qualitative case study approach. The participants were recruited from an online hospice nurse group on Facebook. The information …

Family-Based Mindfulness: A Curriculum Guide For A Four-Week Program, Megan Hauser-Cleveland

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This thesis argues that, compared to a traditional parent-only mindful parenting program, a family-based mindfulness program will more effectively support parental caregivers in developing secure attachments with their adolescent children, which is essential for healthy youth development and well-being. The rationale for this project examines the development and outcomes of secure and insecure attachment, the impact of trauma on youth mental health and parenting practices, how mindfulness can support emotional regulation, and the benefits and concerns of mindful parenting programs. The creative project for this thesis draws from the literature to create a comprehensive format for a family-based mindfulness program …

Psychological Impact Of Ulcerative Colitis On Pregnancy And Postpartum Period, Stephanie C. Carver

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) poses significant challenges during pregnancy, affecting both physical and mental health. While the physiological effects of UC during pregnancy are well documented, less is known about its impact on maternal mental health. This study aims to investigate the psychological effects of UC on pregnant women, focusing on stress levels, postpartum depression (PPD) incidence, and the role of multidisciplinary care in improving mental health outcomes.

Objective

The primary objective of this research proposal is to evaluate the psychological impact of UC during pregnancy and determine whether disease activity increases the risk of PPD and stress. A secondary …

An Investigation: How Long-Term Meditation Practices Serve As Change Agents For Positive Parenting, Diana Serras

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This research study investigated, analyzed, and compared stress, depression, and anxiety levels between parents who are long-term meditation practitioners and those who are not. By exploring questions related to the impact of mindfulness on parental stress levels, parent-child interactions, emotional awareness, self-regulation, and nonjudgmental acceptance, the research sheds light on the transformative potential of long-term meditation practices for mindful parenting. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The research included quantitative data from three self-report instruments and qualitative data from five case studies to explore …

Off The Clock But Still At Work: Investigating The Relationship Between Workplace Incivility And Behavioral Disengagement, Doug Brown

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis investigated the relationship between workplace incivility and behavioral disengagement, using emotional appraisal as a mediating factor. Data was collected through a survey method via Prolific. Using the transactional model of stress, I hypothesized that experienced incivility will be positively associated with behavioral disengagement as a coping mechanism. Additionally, I hypothesized that emotional appraisal would mediate the relationship between experienced workplace incivility and behavioral disengagement. By using a mediation model to test these hypotheses I aim to increase the understanding of workplace incivility and its negative impacts on individuals and the workplace as a whole. Results of the study …

The Effect Of Working Memory On Psychological Hardiness: The Moderating Effect Of Stress And Motivation, Sarah Joy Labarbera

Theses and Dissertations

Psychological Hardiness is a resilience personality trait with extensive empirical evidence of its combative effects against stress (Bartone et al., 2008; Oliver, 2009; Johnsen et al., 2013). However, the cognitive processes underlying this skill are not well understood. Understanding the mechanisms of resiliency is imperative for all human persons to succeed, especially those involved in high-stress occupations. This study will investigate the relationship between working memory capacity and psychological hardiness, as well as assess stress and motivation as potential moderating variables. We hypothesized that 1) Higher vs. Lower levels of working memory capacity (WMC) will predict higher levels of Hardiness, …

U-Stressed? Do Library Employees Experience More Technology Eustress Or Distress?, Abigail Raper

Library Services Publications

Based on professional conversations regarding library technology usage and its impact on workrelated stress, I inquire whether library employees experience more technology eustress or distress on the job. This question was inspired by Tarafdar et al.’s (2019) Technostress Trifecta. My study explores a facet of this theoretical framework, specifically the relationship between motivating (eustress) and discouraging (distress) technology stress. The research project used a mixedmethods approach. I implemented the Information and Communication Technology Demands, the Eustress-Distress Emotion Regulation questionnaires, and a follow-up semi-structured interview. Study participants received a recruitment email through a professional newsletter read by people who work in …

"This College Is Run By Women": The Narratives Of Overburdened And Burnt-Out Community College Women Faculty, Lindsay Spence Carson

Dissertations of Practice

At community colleges, a noticeable gender divide exists among faculty who participate in college operations, such as committee and service work, department chair and other leadership positions, as well as unpaid labor. This narrative inquiry explored how tenured community college women faculty experience the gendered division of labor and privilege. I was particularly interested in the ways in which their experiences influence burnout and how community college structures, policies, practices, and social norms perpetuate gender differences in labor distribution. Ten participants who represent three midwestern community colleges, a variety of academic divisions and departments, and who are in different stages …

Personal Wisdom And Coping: Insights From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Noah Ringler

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Much of personal wisdom research has focused on the relationship between personal wisdom and difficult life events (DLEs). Research indicates that those high in personal wisdom cope more effectively with DLEs. However, these studies primarily focused on older adults and assessed coping through well-being measures. Seeking to address these limitations, Ringler (2021) found that mindfulness partially mediates the relationship between personal wisdom and coping with DLEs (measured through meaning-making) in a more age-diverse sample. Despite this progress, several gaps in knowledge remain. For example, there is still a lack of understanding about how wisdom relates to the use of specific …

Coping Strategies As Predictors Of Acculturative Stress Among International College Students, Naba Khan

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This study examined how coping strategies influence acculturative stress among international and multicultural college students. A quantitative correlational design was used with 36 participants recruited through convenience sampling at the University of Texas at Arlington. Participants completed four standardized Likert-type scales measuring acculturative stress, general coping, and academic coping. Correlational analyses showed that age was negatively related to acculturative stress and positively related to coping. A mediation analysis using PROCESS Model 4 indicated that coping partially mediated the relationship between age and acculturative stress, accounting for 39% of the variance, R²=.39, F(2, 33) = 10.60, p < .001. Age significantly predicted coping (β=.06, p=.015), while coping marginally predicted acculturative stress (β= -.26, p = .068). Findings suggest that coping strategies play a modest but protective role in reducing acculturative stress, with older participants reporting slightly greater coping and lower stress.

The Influence Of Social Support On The Stress Levels Of Pre-Nursing Students, Michelle Chinwendu Nicole Izuwah

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Introduction/Background: The nursing shortage in the United States continues to pose a significant challenge due to the widening gap between the supply of and demand for qualified nurses. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance and vitality of nurses to society. Thus, it is important to support students throughout their nursing journey, even from the earliest stages. Pre-nursing students are college students who have not yet begun taking upper-division classes and are enrolled in nursing programs, and face a unique set of struggles due to the pressure of prerequisite classes, as well as fears of not being accepted into the nursing …

Beyond The Surface: Lgbt+ Minority Stress & Social Safety, Violet Lewis

A with Honors Projects

Presentation about minority stress in the LGBT+ community surrounding the recent political climate and how we can use social safety to deter the impacts.

Influences Of Sex, Alcohol, And Stress On Conditioned Fear Responses, Heyam K. Mayberry

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Learned fear responses are acquired through the identification and association of threatening stimuli with aversive outcomes. Fear responding and the proper maintenance of defensive behaviors is integral to survival. However, without the homeostasis of such systems, fear responses can become maladaptive and lead to dysregulated behavioral responding. Psychological conditions such as alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often lead to impairments in fear learning, deficits in fear memory, and heightened fear responses. While there are clear sex differences in the prevalence of both AUD and PTSD, development of either disorder increases the risk for comorbid AUD/PTSD, leading …