Digital Commons Network^™

Sparkled: Social Programming In Kids Affects Risk Of Latent Endothelial Disease, Rebecca Drakowski

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Social Health Programming (SHP) is a holistic intervention that can empower communities to address modifiable risk factors for poor cardiovascular health, including suboptimal nutrition or psychosocial stressors. SHP participation has been shown to increase dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, decrease perceived stress, and improve cardiovascular endurance. However, it is unknown how SHP participation during adolescence affects carotenoid serum levels, hair cortisol concentrations (biological marker of chronic stress), or vascular reactivity index (VRI; measure of subclinical cardiovascular health).

Methods: Adolescent girls and young adult women (12–29-year-old) were enrolled in this observational cohort study. Serum, hair, and saliva samples were …

Post-Secondary Education Experiences Of Military-Connected Students: A Phenomenological Study, Craig J. Alia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the influence that lifelong stressors had on the lived experiences of adult military-connected students in U.S. post-secondary educational institutions. Military-connected students were defined as the adult children or step-children of military members who attended a minimum of four years in primary school while their parent was on active duty and attended both high school and post-secondary school while their parent(s) were either active duty or retired. The theory guiding this was Pearlin’s stress process, which explains the interaction among and between military-connected students’ (MCS’) stressors, stress mediators, and the resultant …

The Stressful Task Of Building Resilience, Zoey Swanson

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Stress And Trauma-Related Concerns Among Law Enforcement, James Hughes

Master of Arts in Human Services

Law enforcement personnel work in environments with routine exposure to high stress and trauma which can lead to increased risk for mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to learn about the prevalence and effects of PTSD and related mental health issues among law enforcement (LE) officers and how psychological issues are managed within the LE system. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design strategy was used that involved collecting quantitative data first and then explaining the results with in-depth follow-up qualitative data. In the first quantitative phase of the study, data was …

Stress Management Education Module For Nursing Students, Valentina Loreto-Ashley

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background. Stress refers to a state of mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Research indicates that stress negatively affects university students.

Problem. Researchers have found that 30% of undergraduate nursing students have symptoms of burnout resulting from an overaccumulation of stressors and 97.8% were at moderate risk for developing burnout.

Approach. An educational module consisting of a 15-minute YouTube videos was designed, developed, and implemented to increase awareness about stress, reduce feelings of anxiety, and identify integration potential of such a module in nursing education to promote student well-being. Participants completed an online survey before …

A Comparison Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Amongst Male And Female Clinical Laboratory Leaders, Elizabeth M. Payne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the potential relationship between male and female emotional disparities -- specifically depression, anxiety, and stress -- in clinical laboratory leaders. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to determine levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in 16 male and 16 female clinical laboratory leaders at two laboratory sites in Long Island, NY. Through univariate ANOVA tests, the research evaluated if there are significant differences in mental health outcomes between female and male leaders in clinical laboratory settings. The results demonstrated that female leaders experienced significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to their male …

The Impact Of Peer Support, Ptsd Symptoms, And Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Help In Police Officers, Cassandra Mary Ferraro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in perceived stress, self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms, and mental help seeking attitudes in police officers who use peer support programs and those who do not use peer support programs. Police officers are consistently exposed to stress and trauma that has negative biological, physical, and mental health effects, leaving officers at risk for the development of mental health diseases and disorders. Identifying the need for mental health resources, and peer support groups are recommended; however, there is not enough literature to determine its effectiveness. The recovery model …

Stress Management Through Educational Coping Techniques, Margaret Nikitchuk, Maddy Politeo, Sarah Hall, Ben Pham, David Kumar, Kiana George

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

Executive Summary

According to the United States Census Bureau, Seattle reported the highest amount of people with stress in the United States with 54.5% (reported by adults) saying they felt ‘nervous, anxious or on edge’ for at least several days during the past two weeks” (Swedish, 2024). Many residents in Seattle cope with stress in unhealthy ways. For instance, in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA, 19% of individuals aged 12 or older used illicit drugs, compared to the national rate of 14.7% (SAMHSA, 2012). Additionally, 22.5% of this population engaged in binge alcohol use at least once in the past month (SAMHSA, 2012). …

Virtual Reality Mindfulness For Nursing Stress And Burnout, Rebecca Jean Cantrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout has been a term that has been researched since the 1970’s; however, it has been noted that throughout the past few years there has been increased burnout amongst healthcare workers. Mindfulness has been researched as a tool to decrease burnout and stress. The delivery of mindfulness activity has been completed through different avenues such as in-person and virtual. The purpose of this research project was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality mindfulness experiences and the burnout rates amongst nursing staff in the ambulatory units of a VA Healthcare System. Six nursing staff members volunteered to participate in the …

Lifetime Stressor Exposure Is Related To Suicidality In Autistic Adults: A Multinational Study, Rachel L. Moseley, Darren Hedley, Julie M. Gamble-Turner, Mirko Uljarević, Simon M. Bury, Grant Shields, Julian N. Trollor, Mark A. Stokes, George M. Slavich

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite very high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) in autistic adults, the key psychosocial drivers of this phenomenon remain unknown. To investigate, we examined how lifetime stressor exposure and severity, which have been found to predict STB in non-autistic populations, related to STB in a multinational dataset of 226 autistic adults from the United Kingdom and Australia (67% female; M_age = 41.8, SD = 13.6, range = 19–73 years old). Results revealed that autistic men and women differ with respect to the count, severity, and type of stressors they experienced over the life course. Whereas autistic men …

Evaluating The Impact Of A One Day Resiliency Training Facilitation Program On Nurses' Wellbeing In An Acute Care Hospital, Amarachi Chidinma Eke-Okoro

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Nursing burnout is a significant problem with far-reaching consequences. High levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and reduced job satisfaction among nurses contribute to poor patient outcomes, increased medical errors, and high turnover rates. There is a high prevalence of burnout among nurse executives, consequences of which include extreme stress, emotional anguish, and a desire to quit, which points to a larger problem with burnout affecting the nursing profession (Martin et al., 2023). Fostering resilience among nurses can help to mitigate these outcomes by enhancing physical, mental, and social health through building purpose, positive emotions, and effective stress management. …

Emotional Wellbeing Of Asylum-Seeking Children After Release From Immigration Detention, Luis H. Zayas, Alice P. Villatoro, Tatiana Londoño, Jaime Fuentes-Balderrama

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Families seeking asylum in the United States are often placed in detention centers after fleeing crime, violence, and government ineffectiveness in their countries. Migration brings more hardship, terror, and trauma. The cumulative psychological and social effects from detention need to be better understood. This exploratory study examines the effects of detention and family separation on immigrant children’s psychosocial wellbeing after released. We recruited 81 Central American children previously detained with their parents to assess their wellbeing since release. A third of the children had been separated from their parents during detention. Over a third of parents and less than a …

Finding Peace: A Believer's Guide To Holiday Stress, Bruce Vermeer

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"How can we reduce holiday stress while still celebrating fully?"

Posting about being still during the busy Christmas season from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Finding Peace: A Believer's Guide to Holiday Stress

A Grounded Theoretic Analysis Of College Students’ Attitudes Regarding Indoor Plants And Pets As Moderators Of Daily Stressors, Lydia Dill

Honors Projects

This study explores college students' attitudes toward indoor plants and pets, and how this may impact college students’ experience with stress. Through in-depth interviews and grounded theory methodology, three key themes emerged: Plant Ownership as a Method of Establishing Structure, Plants as Ornamentation, and Pets as a Source of Comfort. Plant ownership helps students create routines and emotional stability, while plants also enhance living spaces aesthetically. Pets provide emotional support, offering companionship and support, particularly during academic pressures. The study builds on previous research by examining both indoor plants and pets together, highlighting how each fulfills unique emotional, psychological, and …

Systemic Administration Of A Site-Targeted Complement Inhibitor Attenuates Chronic Stress-Induced Social Behavior Deficits And Neuroinflammation In Mice, Amit Kumar Madeshiya, Brandi Quintanilla, Carl Whitehead, Stephen Tomlinson, Anilkumar Pillai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chronic stress, a risk factor for many neuropsychiatric conditions, causes dysregulation in the immune system in both humans and animal models. Additionally, inflammation and synapse loss have been associated with deficits in social behavior. The complement system, a key player of innate immunity, has been linked to social behavior impairments caused by chronic stress. However, it is not known whether complement inhibition can help prevent neuroinflammation and behavioral deficits caused by chronic stress. In this study, we investigated the potential of a site-targeted complement inhibitor to ameliorate chronic stress-induced changes in social behavior and inflammatory markers in the prefrontal cortex …

Burnout, Stress And Its Effect On The Use Of Deadly Force, Charles Gutshall

School of Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Police officers encounter significant occupational stressors that contribute to heightened levels of burnout and stress, potentially influencing their critical decision-making during deadly force encounters. This dissertation investigates the relationship between selfreported perceived stress, burnout, and the frequency of deadly force application among officers in southeastern Florida. Drawing on the Professional Quality of Life Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Restraint in the Use of Deadly Force Scale, survey responses from 202 officers were statistically analyzed using regression and descriptive techniques.

Contrary to initial hypotheses, findings revealed no significant predictive relationship between perceived stress, burnout, and the likelihood of using …

Building A Meditation Room To Improve Critical Care Nurse’S Work Environment: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Jennifer Alonso, Daphne Pierre, Stephanie Wald, Stephen Breazeale

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Background: Burnout, stress, and compassion fatigue are common among nurses, especially for those working in intensive care and during night shifts, and may contribute to the global nursing shortage. Thus, nursing organizations have issued recommendations to improve workplace health. Aligned with these initiatives, we sought to improve nurses' stress by creating a meditation room in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Miami. Methods: This evidence-based practice project took place from March to August 2023. The meditation room opened in May 2023 with a variety of therapeutic modalities, including meditation, music, and aromatherapy. We conducted two custom-designed surveys to …

Kolcaba’S Comfort Theory: A Framework For Understanding The Significance Of Skin-To-Skin Care After Childbirth, Aqsa Nizar Ali

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Despite the WHO recommendations and evidenced-based results of skin-to-skin contact, it is quite an uncommon practice witnessed after childbirth. Compared to research conducted in low and middle-income nations, the majority of the studies conducted in high-income countries revealed greater rates of SSC [11]. Skin-to-skin contact, a nurturing practice, has gained significant recognition as a cornerstone of early infant care. Beyond its physiological benefits, skin-to-skin contact fosters a profound sense of comfort and connection between mother and infant. Kolcaba's theory of comfort, a comprehensive framework for understanding and promoting comfort, provides a valuable lens to explore the multifaceted benefits of skin-to-skin …

The Show Must Go On: Leading Factors In The Burnout Of Stage Managers, Morgen E. Doyle

Honors College Theses

Stage managers are the key to making theatre move onstage and in the audience. To keep the show, we need to take care of our stage managers. Many have voiced concerns about burnout from their time in the stage management industry (McGraw 2024, 12). Burnout can be defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” and characterized by three main dimensions: “energy depletion and exhaustion; feelings of cynicism and increased mental distance related to the individual’s job; and reduced professional efficiency in the individual’s workplace” (World Health Organization 2019). In this …

Social Capital And Changes Of Psychologic Distress During Early Stage Of Covid-19 In New Orleans, Kimberly Wu, Erica Doe, Gabriella D. Roude, Jasmine Wallace, Samantha Francois, Lisa Richardson, Katherine P. Theall

Psychology

Here we report on the relationship between measures of social capital, and their association with changes in self-reported measures of psychological distress during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyze data from an existing cluster randomized control trial (the Healthy Neighborhoods Project) with 244 participants from New Orleans, Louisiana. Changes in self-reported scores between baseline (January 2019–March 2020) and participant’s second survey (March 20, 2020, and onwards) are calculated. Logistic regression is employed to examine the association between social capital indicators and measures of psychological distress adjusting for key covariates and controlling for residential clustering effects. Participants reporting …

Predicting Different Psychological Profiles Amongst Substance Users., Zach J. Gray

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are some of the most prevalent issues facing society. As SUDs are highly individualized in how they manifest, recent work has attempted to classify distinct profiles of drug users to better understand what factors put someone at risk for shifting from casual substance use to developing a substance use disorder (SUD). Common risk factors for SUD development include stressor exposure, difficulties with emotion regulation, personality, and risky decision-making. As many of the behaviors that constitute SUDs are exhibited prior to potential diagnosis, developing “profiles” that combine these traits and experiences could eventually predict SUDs. The current …

Exploring The Therapeutic Benefits Of Dance In The Academic Schedule: The Effects On Stress Among High School Students, Amanda Polanowski

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the minds of dance students about the stress they experienced as a result of their academic schedules and extracurriculars. The following research questions informed this study:

Q1 Does incorporating dance into the academic schedule lower stress in high school students?

Q2 In what mental state are students before and after taking dance class?

Q3 Does dance provide mental health benefits for high school students?

Student stress was evaluated before the study using a questionnaire as well as before and after each dance class through surveys. Eighteen students participated in a …

Predictors Of Belongingness In First-Year College Students: Examining Mental Health And Adjustment, Jordan D. Foreman-Black

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The initial transition to college is a pivotal moment for emerging adults, often influencing whether a student will remain successful. Students face a significant challenge adapting to the new environment that has been compounded by their experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, a sense of belonging for students has been shown to be a key aspect of a successful transition to college. Students are often confronted with increasing levels of mental health challenges throughout the transition, specifically experiencing increasing mental health difficulties or challenges throughout their initial adjustment to college. Moreover, parents have become increasingly involved in students’ …

The Effects Of Mental Fatigue Induced By The Stroop Test On Muscular Endurance Performance And Neuromuscular Activation In Division Iii Female Athletes, Francesca Cuchna, Jeffrey Herrick, Price Blair, Sean Collins

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 1540-1552, 2024. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that mental fatigue, as induced by a Stroop test, has on resistance training performance outcomes such as muscular endurance, power output, and neuromuscular activation. Seven female college-aged NCAA Division III student-athletes with at least one year of resistance training experience and were within the 50th percentile for maximal aerobic capacity provided informed consent for participation. During two separate visits, using a within-subject crossover experimental design, subjects completed either the experimental or control condition. Subjects then completed a to-failure leg press test at …

Implementing Acceptance And Commitment Therapy To Reduce Caregiver Stress And Enhance Procedural Fidelity For Families Affected By Autism Spectrum Disorder, Casey K. Marsh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing each year (CDC, 2022). Although the severity of symptoms is specific to individuals, the families of those diagnosed are often also affected in a variety of ways. Caregivers of children with ASD experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on caregiver stress and procedural fidelity. Three caregivers of children with ASD were trained using an ACT curriculum and caregiver stress was measured using two self-report scales, before and after six ACT …

Mitigating The Negative Effects Of Perceived Stress Using Wellness And Resiliency Training Programs On Job Satisfaction In Public Safety Officers In The United States, Benjamin T. Iobst

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, survey-based quantitative research study investigated the role of wellness and resiliency training programming in mitigating the adverse effects of stress on job satisfaction (JS) in US Public Safety Officers (PSOs). This research measured the dimensions of perceived stress, such as technological stress, critical incidents, organizational stressors, work-life balance, and social-conflict stress. Additionally, this research examined the relationship between these stressors, wellness, and resiliency education and their effect on job satisfaction in PSOs. It was found that perceived stress has a statistically significant negative correlation with job satisfaction (rs = -.466, p < .001). Additionally, organizational stress (rs = -0.556, p < 0.001), work-life balance stress (rs = -0.452, p < 0.001), critical incident stress (rs = -0.306, p < 0.001), and social conflict stress (rs = -0.298, p < 0.001) have a statistically significant negative correlation with job satisfaction, whereas technological stress does not (rs = -0.109, p = 0.129). Finally, it was found that resiliency training does not have a statistically significant relationship with job satisfaction (U (195) = 4647, p = .971) or perceived stress (U (195) = 4434.50, p = .608) based on the conditions that were tested. Police departments can use results from this research to guide and develop policies and training to address stress and job satisfaction in the public safety industry.

Beyond Children’S Vulnerability: Secure Attachment Mediates The Relationship Between Child Anxiety Disorder And Parents’ Psychopathology Risk, Diep Tran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Anxiety is one of children's most common mental health disorders. Many studies emphasize the effect of anxiety on young children, especially social abilities and other impairments across contexts throughout the child’s development. Along with this issue, studies have also shown that secure attachment is a powerful predictor of children’s later social and emotional outcomes. However, there is limited literature about child anxiety disorder and its unintended negative consequences on parents. Evidence for the association between anxiety in young children, secure attachment, and parental stress was not well understood. Thus, this proposed study offered a comprehensive literature review of past and …

Compassion-Based Resilience Training (Cbrt) To Protect And Nurture Community Care Providers, Elise Tosatti, Lana F. Khamash

Publications and Research

This case study describes pilot implementation of Nalanda Institute’s Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT) with community care providers in New York City (NYC) to protect them from stress and trauma impacts and nurture their capacity to deliver skillful, compassionate care.
The Academy for Community Behavioral Health in NYC offered CBRT at no cost to a diverse cohort of 28 non-profit care providers. This virtual 8-week course met weekly for two hours over Zoom, with formal and informal meditation practice between sessions. A mixed methods pre/post survey assessed changes in mediation practice, work-related stress, and mindfulness and compassion. A final survey invited …

The Association Of Overall Dietary Quality On Stress, Anxiety, Depression, And Academic Performance In College Students: A Systematic Review, Jessica Phelan, Richard R. Rosenkranz, Cindy Logan, Mark Haub, Emily Mailey, Armin Ezzati, Sara K. Rosenkranz

Health & Human Performance Faculty Publications

Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to examine current evidence regarding the associations between dietary quality and mental well-being indicators (stress, anxiety, and/or depression) in college students, with a secondary aim of characterizing the relationship between overall dietary quality and academic performance. Methods: Searches were performed, and the PRISMA guidelines were followed for reporting the methods and results. Results: Twelve observational studies were included and reviewed showing high dietary quality was associated with: low stress (four studies), high stress (one study), and no significant association (two studies); low depression (three studies) and no significant association (two studies) and …

Metabolic Stress Induces A Double-Positive Feedback Loop Between Ampk And Sqstm1/P62 Conferring Dual Activation Of Ampk And Nfe2l2/Nrf2 To Synergize Antioxidant Defense, Eun-Ji Choi, Hyun-Taek Oh, Seon-Hyeong Lee, Chen-Song Zhang, Mengqi Li, Soo-Youl Kim, Sunghyouk Park, Tong-Shin Chang, Byung-Hoon Lee, Sheng-Cai Lin, Sang-Min Jeon

Staff and Researcher Publications

Co-occurring mutations in KEAP1 in STK11/LKB1-mutant NSCLC activate NFE2L2/NRF2 to compensate for the loss of STK11-AMPK activity during metabolic adaptation. Characterizing the regulatory crosstalk between the STK11-AMPK and KEAP1-NFE2L2 pathways during metabolic stress is crucial for understanding the implications of co-occurring mutations. Here, we found that metabolic stress increased the expression and phosphorylation of SQSTM1/p62, which is essential for the activation of NFE2L2 and AMPK, synergizing antioxidant defense and tumor growth. The SQSTM1-driven dual activation of NFE2L2 and AMPK was achieved by inducing macroautophagic/autophagic degradation of KEAP1 and facilitating the AXIN-STK11-AMPK complex formation on the lysosomal membrane, respectively. In contrast, …