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Posttraumatic Stress In Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy: Associations With Early Maladaptive Schemas, Anxiety, And Quality Of Life In A 6-Month Prospective Study ​, Mehmet Öztürk, Pinar Öztürk, Fügen Sönmez Çeti̇nkaya, İlker Özdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that significantly affects psychosocial functioning, self-perception, and quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms may be more prevalent in individuals with epilepsy than previously recognized, particularly following seizure-related experiences perceived as traumatic. The aim of this study was to evaluate short- and long-term PTS levels in individuals with newly diagnosed epilepsy and examine their associations with anxiety, depression, early maladaptive schemas, and quality of life.

Materials and methods: In this prospective study, 31 individuals with newly diagnosed epilepsy were enrolled. Participants completed a sociodemographic data form, the Post-Traumatic Stress …

The Current - Volume 37 Issue 01, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Conservation As A Guise: Green Grabbing And The Acculturation Erasure In Rempang, Indonesia, Umi Ma'rufah, Bobi Bobi, Yogi Eka Sahputra, Muhammad Ishlahudin

Forest and Society

This study examines how the state enacts green grabbing through forestry legal instruments and how this process intersects with the existence and cultural acculturation of the Sungai Raya community. Previous studies on state-led green grabbing have predominantly emphasized economic, political, and ecological dimensions, often overlooking the socio-cultural dynamics of affected communities. Employing a qualitative narrative research approach, this study draws on in-depth interviews and literature review to reconstruct the life histories of community members. Using the Rempang Eco-City National Strategic Project as a case study, this research identifies the unilateral designation of Kawasan Hutan Taman Buru (the Hunting Park Forest …

Motherhood-Defining Memories And Narrative Identity Awareness In Relation To Psychological Wellbeing And Maternal Functioning Following A Parenting Program, Christin Camia, Antje Von Suchodoletz, Michelle P. Kelly

All Works

Introduction – Drawing on previous research showing that self- and relationship-defining memories relate to psychological and relational functioning, this study began to explore motherhood-defining memories and their relation to psychological wellbeing and maternal functioning within a parenting program context. The study aimed to examine whether participation contributes to the narrative coherence of motherhood-defining memories. Methods – Participants were 155 mothers from diverse cultural backgrounds (M age = 32.85 years, SD age = 5.20) residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Seventy-five mothers participated in an eight-session parenting program, and 80 mothers served as controls in a comparison group. Motherhood-defining memories …

Rethinking Education For Sustainable Development: The Role Of Blended Learning Within Skill-Based Higher Education, Nessrin Shaya, Sandra Baroudi, Serena Aoun, Rawan Abukhait

All Works

Purpose – Drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory, this study positions blended learning not merely as a technological enhancement but as a strategic pedagogical mechanism for operationalizing sustainable development. It examines how blended learning within interdisciplinary and skill-based higher education environments cultivate employability skills that support sustainable educational practices. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a survey design. Where data were collected from 782 undergraduate students across five universities in UAE. Two institutions offered blended, interdisciplinary and skill-based courses, while three delivered the same courses through traditional face-to-face formats. The structural model was examined using structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping …

Beyond Closed Doors: Standardizing Intimate Partner Violence Screening In A Predominantly Spanish-Speaking Primary Care Clinic, Sarah Abughrib

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Intimate partner violence is a widespread public health concern, with an estimated 64.2 million U.S. adults affected in their lifetime and significant physical, psychological, and economic consequences. Due to systemic challenges, IPV screening remained inconsistent across an adult primary care clinic serving a predominantly monolingual Spanish-speaking population in the San Francisco Bay Area, with only 4.1% of patients screened across the Adult, Women's, and Teen clinics in June 2026. Aim: This quality improvement project aimed to increase overall IPV screening by 10%, from 4.1% to 14.1%, by July 31, 2026. Methods: Standardization efforts included introducing a …

Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, Secondary Trauma, And Experiences With Death And Dying Among Organ And Tissue Recovery Professionals: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Shelby Andreasen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Professionals in organ and tissue recovery have complex job roles that affect the outcomes of patients who wait for a life-saving organ or a life-enhancing tissue graft. This profession had little research regarding burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma, as well as how consistent involvement with deceased patients affects these professionals and the outcomes of their cases. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of 11 organ and tissue recovery professionals (OTRPs). Constructivist self-development theory was applied to understand OTRPs’ lived experiences of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout, as well as the impact …

Fellowship Graduates’ Perceptions Of The Professional Competencies Developed In A Local Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Program In The Southern United States, Margaret Elaine Lonnemann

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) fellowship programs focus on improving clinical skills and professional development in physical therapy. OMPT fellowship programs are 1–3-year postprofessional subspecialty training programs in manual physical therapy requiring prior orthopedic clinical experience. The problem that was addressed in this study is that professional competencies are not adequately assessed after program completion of an OMPT fellowship in the Southern United States. Grounded in Dreyfus’s skill acquisition model, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore OMPT fellowship graduates’ perceptions of the professional competencies developed and recommendations for assessing these competencies in future graduates. Data were …

Teachers’ Communicative Experiences Of Media And Information Literacy (Mil) In Peri-Urban Schools In The Southern Philippines: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analysis, Author Information Removed

JMLE Submissions Open for Review

Media and Information Literacy (MIL) has become increasingly important as education responds to an increasingly complex information environment, yet less is known about how teachers experience and make sense of teaching it, particularly in resource-constrained contexts. Guided by Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenology, this study explored the lived communicative experiences of seven Senior High School teachers from five peri-urban public schools in the Southern Philippines. In-depth interviews revealed three interconnected, culturally situated meanings: pagsugakod (carrying on amid uncertainty), pagtagad (attentive responsibility), and pagkabalaka (ongoing concern). Together, these meanings show how teachers navigate limited preparation, respond to students’ lived circumstances, and teach within …

Staff Education To Improve Early Identification Of Behavioral Escalation And Timely Clinical Intervention In An Adult Group Home Setting, Gayduo Barr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project addressed a gap in staff knowledge regarding the early identification of behavioral escalation and timely intervention in an adult group home setting. The practice-focused question was: Does staff education about early identification of behavioral escalation and timely clinical intervention improve the knowledge of staff working in an adult group home setting? The purpose was to improve staff knowledge of behavioral escalation, triggers, trauma-informed care, and intervention strategies. I delivered a structured educational intervention to 14 house managers. Educational content included behavioral escalation stages, triggers, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, documentation, and …

Non-Veteran Civilian Manager Perceptions About Supporting Employee Military In Civilian Workplace Transitions, Sandra Gail Piggee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One of the largest populations seeking employment in private sector industries is military veterans. The active-duty military careers end for over 200,000 individuals per year, and over two-thirds of veterans resign from private sector industry positions within 2 years of post-service transition due to difficulties with their transition. This can lead to a lack of career advancement, professional development, and employee benefits. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore perceptions of non-veteran civilian managers in private sector industries about how to support employees who are veterans in making a successful transition from the military into civilian employment. …

Kindergarten Classroom Educators’ Perceptions Of Social Emotional Learning Implementation, Thomasina A. Millner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that research on social emotional learning (SEL) has largely focused on student outcomes, program effectiveness, and implementation practices, but limited research has examined kindergarten classroom educators’ perceptions of implementing SEL. Grounded in the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework, the purpose of this study was to explore kindergarten classroom educators’ perceptions of SEL implementation. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews with nine kindergarten educators who had at least 1 year experience implementing SEL were conducted. Through thematic data analysis the following five themes emerged: Educators noted (1) that SEL is …

Prekindergarten Teachers' Perspectives On Coaching Following Professional Development On Early Childhood Programs, Donna Renee Morton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Coaching is recommended for prekindergarten (PK) teachers following professional development (PD) to increase implementation of instruction practices with fidelity in early childhood (EC) programs. The problem addressed in this study was PK teachers were challenged to engage in coaching experiences after PD to implement instructional practices with fidelity in a large EC program located in the Mideastern United States. Framed by Knowles’s adult learning theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore PK teachers’ perspectives on coaching experiences after receiving PD to implement instructional practices with fidelity. Semistructured interview data were collected from eight PK teachers who …

The Lived Experiences Of Intimacy And Isolation In Single Mothers During Covid-19: An Eriksonian Perspective, Chante Renee Reeves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Single mothers were largely absent from the COVID-19 literature, despite being head of household in approximately 80% of single-parent homes. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to gain insight into the lived experiences of single mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study addressed how this group connected with family, friends, and others in meaningful ways despite government-imposed lockdowns and restrictions. This phenomenon was explored through Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, with a focus on the intimacy versus isolation stage. An Eriksonian perspective on relationship building and maintenance in adulthood can help better understand and address the social …

Completion Outcomes And Predictive Characteristics In Mandated Inpatient Substance Use Treatment, Tina Marie Moyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Treatment retention, specifically as it pertains to offenders who are mandated to receive substance use treatment rather than serve standard incarceration sentences, is receiving more scholarly attention. Although prior research indicates an association between substance use treatment and reduced criminal behavior, many studies have methodological limitations. The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental, comparative study was to compare treatment completion outcomes for mandated and non-mandated offenders and to examine individual predictors of treatment completion, thereby addressing gaps in the current research. Secondary data from adult offenders receiving treatment at an inpatient substance use rehabilitation facility were analyzed. The risk-needs-responsivity model was …

Licensed Counselors’ Professional Well-Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacqueline Flaherty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014) Code of Ethics, professional counselors are responsible to monitor their own impairment. Specific interventions to prevent impairment and foster counselor professional well-being (PWB) and resiliency are imperative in a profession in which it is ethically required to continuously provide competent counseling. The purpose of this study was to explore the narratives of licensed counselors’ PWB during the onset of and successively during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The theoretical orientation for this study was Dewey’s theory of experience. Nine counselor participants who were licensed by May 2018 shared detailed accounts of …

Syllabus Psy 201: Psychological Research, Valeriia Modina

Open Educational Resources

Syllabus for PSY 201: Psychological Research, taught at the College of Staten Island in Fall 2026. Psychologists use the scientific process to collect information about human behavior. This enables them to develop valid and reliable explanations about behavior. This course will review the research process from the formulation of a research question through the publication of research findings. We will examine various data collection methods including observation, interview, survey, quasi-experimental, and experimental. Students will also be introduced to the way in which statistics help us understand and interpret the information we collect about behavior.

You Haven't Been Forgotten: A Patient-Centered Initiative Restoring Trust Through Intentional Staff Communication In The Emergency Department, Daniel A. Aliakseyeu

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Approximately 70% of patients in this 36-bed emergency department (ED) in Hospital X are not roomed and spend the majority of their visit in the waiting room, where they are susceptible to gaps in communication about their care and wait times. Baseline Press Ganey Scores from May 2026 showed that only 61.4% of patients felt informed about delays. Baseline observation data of 50 nurse-patient communication interactions confirmed these gaps: 24.5% of nurses introduced themselves, 13% provided a timeline of care, and 0% addressed potential delays. Aim: Improve communication-related patient satisfaction scores regarding delays among non-roomed patients in the ED …

Staff Education On An Electronic Health Record-Based Tracking And Reminder System For Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics, Osereme Nora Agboifo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Missed or delayed administration of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications remains a practice concern in outpatient mental health care because treatment gaps can interrupt continuity, increase relapse risk, and contribute to avoidable hospitalization. The practice problem addressed in this staff education project was inconsistent use of a standardized electronic health record (EHR)-based LAI tracking and reminder workflow. The project purpose was to improve staff knowledge, documentation consistency, reminder use, and follow-up practices for adults receiving LAI antipsychotic medications. The practice-focused question asked whether staff education on an EHR-based LAI tracking and reminder system would improve adherence monitoring and follow-up processes …

Postsecondary Experiences And Impact On Career Choices And Employment Status For Cisgender Women With Autism, Maureen Bell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cisgender women with autism remain underrepresented in research on postsecondary education and career development despite experiencing distinct barriers within these systems. This qualitative study examined how cisgender women with autism perceived the impact of their postsecondary education experiences on career choices and employment navigation. Guided by the social model of disability and intersectionality theory, nine postsecondary participants formally diagnosed with autism and who self-identified as cisgender completed semistructured interviews exploring their educational and employment experiences. Thematic analysis identified seven interconnected themes. Findings indicated that academic success often masked significant internal distress, suggesting that performance did not reflect accessible environments. Participants …

Examining The Association Between Socioeconomic Factors And Cervical Cancer Among Minority Women In The United States, Darla Fils

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern, with African American and Hispanic women experiencing disproportionately higher incidence and mortality rates in the United States. Socioeconomic factors, including income, education, employment status, and place of residence, may contribute to these disparities by affecting access to preventive services, timely diagnosis, and follow-up care. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined associations between these factors and cervical cancer incidence among African American and Hispanic women while controlling for age and health insurance status. Guided by the socio-ecological model, the study used 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from N = 33,886 African American …

You Haven’T Been Forgotten: Driving Improvements In Trust, Transparency, And Accountability Through A Patient-Centered Communication Initiative In The Emergency Department, Ellie Mead

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: In Spring 2026, the Emergency Department (ED) at Hospital X identified difficulties securing high levels of patient satisfaction. Over one third of patients did not feel adequately “informed about delays,” and observation of nurse-patient interactions in front-end care areas confirmed these communication gaps: in 87% of interactions, nurses did not explain next steps to the patient, and in none of the 51 interactions observed did nurses proactively inform patients about possible delays. Aim: This quality improvement initiative sought to improve the patient experience in the ED and drive a 10% increase in Press Ganey patient satisfaction survey results relating …

Deciphering The Rules Of Odor-Driven Learning In The Fruit Fly Olfactory System, Cole B. Hanan

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Odorant identity is encoded by patterns of activity across olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and their corresponding glomeruli in the antennal lobe (AL). An odorant's valence can be modified by experience, allowing animals to associate previously neutral odors with appetitive or aversive outcomes. However, some odors appear resistant to such reassignment, and the factors determining whether an odor can acquire learned valence and whether that association generalizes to chemically related odors remain poorly understood. This thesis uses Drosophila melanogaster to address this question using a fully automated proboscis extension reflex (PER) conditioning assay. Odorants are presented via a computer-controlled olfactometer, reward …

Promoting Safety And Confidence: Standardizing Intimate Partner Violence Screening And Improving Staff Screening Confidence In A Predominantly Latinx Community Health Center, Jordan Jiang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent public health problem that is screened far less consistently than comparably common conditions and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including low-income, Spanish-speaking, and undocumented individuals. This quality improvement project was conducted in an outpatient community health center serving a primarily Latinx, Spanish-speaking population in San Francisco, where screening across the Adult Health, Women's Health, and Teen Clinics was inconsistent, with a baseline rate of 4.1% in June 2026. Aim: The project aimed to increase overall IPV screening by 10 percentage points, from 4.1% to 14.1%, by July 31, 2026. Methods: Rogers' Diffusion of …

Urine Good Care: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention At The Bedside, Ruby Yost

Master's Projects and Capstones

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and length of stay and is one of the most common healthcare-acquired illnesses accounting for up to 40% of hospital-acquired infections (Rubi et al., 2022). Because 65-70% of CAUTIs are preventable, reducing the incidence has become a focus area for infection control and nursing quality management among hospital organizations (Tang et al. 2025). CAUTIs are urinary tract infections that occur in patients with indwelling urinary catheters and are typically associated with bacterial colonization of the urinary tract. The aim of this QI Project is to increase …

Standardizing Intimate Partner Violence Screening Among Latinx Patients In A Community Clinic Setting, Peyton O'Callaghan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern that may go unrecognized when screening practices are inconsistent. Objective: To standardize IPV screening practices and improve staff confidence across the Adult Health, Women’s Health, and Teen/Pediatric clinics of a community health center serving a predominantly Latinx, monolingual Spanish-speaking, and underserved population. Aim: To increase the overall IPV screening rate by 10% during a three-week implementation period. Methods: The project team developed and implemented a standardized four-question printed screening tool, medical assistant scripts in English and Spanish, and a staff educational in-service. These interventions addressed low screening rates, limited staff …

Nourish And Flourish: Building Confidence In Healthy Food Selection Among Older Adults In An Independent Living Facility, Emily Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

The nutrition education program aims to increase confidence in selecting and maintaining healthier food choices and dietary habits for chronic conditions through weekly workshops. This quality improvement project was conducted in an independent senior living facility in Richmond, CA serving the elderly population ages 65 and up. To address the concern of low confidence levels and management of dietary patterns and chronic health conditions pertaining to nutrition, a comprehensive nutrition education program was developed with pre- and post-intervention assessment surveys to compare baseline confidence levels. The weekly workshops for this nutrition education program aims to increase confidence levels of the …

Standardizing Group Visits For Gestational Diabetes Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative In An Outpatient Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic, Nha Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: At an outpatient maternal-fetal medicine clinic in Northern California, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) education is delivered inconsistently across nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered dietitians (RDs), with no standardized curriculum, referral criteria, or educational materials. Aim: By August 12, 2026, this project aimed to develop and implement a standardized GDM group visit framework for NPs, RDs, and scheduling staff in maternal-fetal medicine clinic, increasing compliance with standardized referral, enrollment, and educational processes from a baseline of 0% to 50%. Methods: Using baseline observations, workflow assessment, stakeholder input, and a literature review, the QI team developed standardized bilingual slide …

Excelling In An Entry-Level Job, Paul Hill, Osei Vega-Sandoval

All Current Publications

Experience in an entry-level job becomes more valuable over time, especially when performance is exceptional. Managers conduct periodic performance reviews to provide feedback that entry-level employees can use to improve. Performance reviews are an opportunity for employees to learn, share career goals, and seek tailored guidance for their career development. This fact sheet provides insights into the character and qualities an employee should demonstrate to become a high performer, and what organizations can do to retain such employees.

Advancing Beyond An Entry-Level Job, Paul Hill, Osei Vega-Sandoval

All Current Publications

Entry-level positions are a gateway into the workforce, yet advancing beyond an early-career role is necessary to broaden one’s professional experience and earn a higher salary. Whether following the traditional path of moving up within an organization or developing extensive expertise, there are a variety of career paths and concepts to consider. This fact sheet provides strategies and insights for advancing to higher-level positions within organizations.