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Full-Text Articles in Education
How Prison Systems Can Better Aid People With Substance Use Disorders, Avery Faires
How Prison Systems Can Better Aid People With Substance Use Disorders, Avery Faires
College Honors Program
A large percentage of prisoners in the United States are suffering from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), but many prisons across the country lack the proper resources to rehabilitate those with drug addictions. Incarcerated people with SUD face many dangerous and sometimes deadly consequences after release. My thesis addresses key associated questions: What role do prisons play in helping prisoners with SUD? And, how can they aid this population more effectively? When considering the breadth of such issues, I examine the sociohistorical context of drug policy in the U.S. to inform my analysis of the criminalization of substances, the greater …
Rural Pregnant Women’S Experiences With Substance Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Cami Weber
Rural Pregnant Women’S Experiences With Substance Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Cami Weber
Dissertations
Rural pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD) are an understudied vulnerable population that often experiences poor pregnancy outcomes (Higgins et al., 2019; Jumah, 2016; Kramlich et al., 2018; Shaw et al., 2015). Despite the high prevalence and high burden associated with SUD, rural women are less likely than non-pregnant women to seek addiction treatment and complete an outpatient treatment program during pregnancy (Shaw et al., 2015). This study aimed to give voice to rural Missouri women with SUD. The research questions explored the life experiences and motivations for seeking treatment using a qualitative, descriptive research design with grounded theory …
Advancing Behavioral Health Literacy, James Scollione
Advancing Behavioral Health Literacy, James Scollione
Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences
Accessing, comprehending, and using information to make informed decisions and improve one’s overall health or well-being are the foci of health literacy. The concept of behavioral health was introduced in the early 1980s and, since then, it has influenced new ideas (e.g., behavioral health literacy and integrated behavioral health care) and gained research and public attention. My aim is to provide an overview of definitions (i.e., health literacy, mental health literacy, and behavioral health literacy) and their connection to each other. I propose an expanded and honed definition of behavioral health literacy to enhance the behavioral health literacy and well-being …
Interview Of Kate Ward-Gaus Avp Of Student Wellness, Kate Ward-Gaus, Wendy Stanley
Interview Of Kate Ward-Gaus Avp Of Student Wellness, Kate Ward-Gaus, Wendy Stanley
All Oral Histories
Kate Ward-Gaus was the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness at La Salle University. She retired in January 2021. Prior to retiring, Kate worked in substance abuse counseling and wellness for more than forty years. She joined La Salle in 2006 and became the Director of the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Center prior to becoming Assistant VP in 2017. Kate was part of the leadership team that prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in February 2020.
The Role Of Athletic Identity In General Mental Health And Alcohol-Related Help-Seeking Intentions Of College Students, Michael Grant Young
The Role Of Athletic Identity In General Mental Health And Alcohol-Related Help-Seeking Intentions Of College Students, Michael Grant Young
Psychology Theses & Dissertations
Young adults are vulnerable to a range of mental health concerns and tend to drink in high quantities and tend to not seek help for these concerns. Specifically, college students involved in athletics tend to have low help-seeking rates—though help-seeking research for this population is relatively limited. Athletic identity (i.e., identification with the athlete role) is a relevant construct for examining this population, however little is known about its association with help-seeking beliefs and ideas. This study examines: (1) the association between athletic identity and help-seeking intentions for both mental health and alcohol use concerns, (2) the association between …
Std Prevention: An Educational Intervention For Exotic Dancers, Maria Delurdes Dehoyos
Std Prevention: An Educational Intervention For Exotic Dancers, Maria Delurdes Dehoyos
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Centers for Disease Control and prevention reported nearly 2.3 million STD cases diagnosed in 2017, and the number is continuing to rise. San Antonio, Texas, is ranked third in the state of Texas with the highest STD rates and leading in the state with congenital syphilis. There is an increased risk for contracting STDs working in the sex industry. There are little to no studies pertaining to any educational interventions offered to exotic dancers to increase personal knowledge on STDs. This research has focused on an educational intervention offered by a nurse practitioner to exotic dancers in two adults-only …
A Qualitative Examination Of The Preparedness Of African American Pastors To Address Issues Of Addiction, Shuntay Tarver, Chaniece Winfield, Judith Preston, Alexis Wilkerson, Pastor Isaac Shorter
A Qualitative Examination Of The Preparedness Of African American Pastors To Address Issues Of Addiction, Shuntay Tarver, Chaniece Winfield, Judith Preston, Alexis Wilkerson, Pastor Isaac Shorter
Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications
This study qualitatively explored the preparedness of African American pastors to meet the needs of parishioners with addictions. Findings indicated that African American pastors do not always perceive themselves to be prepared to address issues of addiction, and existing cultural barriers challenge collaboration between human services practitioners and African American pastors. Findings also revealed that despite existing cultural barriers, African American pastors are willing to collaborate with professionals who offer educational opportunities in culturally relevant ways. Human services professionals’ ability to understand cultural nuances of African American pastors is of paramount concern to effectively enhance the quality of life for …
A Meta-Analysis Of Group Treatment Outcomes For Veterans With Substance Use Disorders, Robert “Tony” Dice
A Meta-Analysis Of Group Treatment Outcomes For Veterans With Substance Use Disorders, Robert “Tony” Dice
Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations
Group therapy is commonly used in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD). Many studies exist related to the efficacy of group interventions for veterans with SUDs. A meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature addressing the use of group therapy, specifically psychoeducational groups, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) groups and support groups, in the treatment of SUDs with veterans was conducted. The following questions guided the research: What are viable treatment outcomes for psychoeducational, CBT, and support groups of veterans with SUDs? and What are the measures that capture outcomes related to psychoeducational, CBT, and support groups of veterans with …
From Darkness To Light: An Exploration Of Self-Discovery And Healing Through Collaborative Recovery Expressive Writing, Leighann Justice Davidson
From Darkness To Light: An Exploration Of Self-Discovery And Healing Through Collaborative Recovery Expressive Writing, Leighann Justice Davidson
Theses, Dissertations and Capstones
This participatory action research project was developed to explore the participants’ experiences during a collaborative recovery expressive writing (CREW) workshop while in long-term treatment from substance use disorders (SUDs). This workshop featured the primary components of the James W. Pennebaker model, but adapted the technique to create a safe environment for the participants to share their writings. This qualitative study conducted at Recovery Point West Virginia began by exploring how ten women sharing their emotions within a supportive environment used collaborative writing to continue their recovery journey through self-discovery and healing. Following the CREW workshop, the project continued with focus …
Education, Not Restriction, Is Key To Reducing Harm From Offshore Gambling, Sally Gainsbury, Alex Blaszczynski, Brett Abarbanel
Education, Not Restriction, Is Key To Reducing Harm From Offshore Gambling, Sally Gainsbury, Alex Blaszczynski, Brett Abarbanel
Hospitality Faculty Publications
Australian internet gambling policies have been refined and prohibitions on illegal gambling sites clarified in recent years. These offshore sites not only pose potential harm to consumers in the form of fraudulent and deceptive dealings, but also have long-term consequences through reducing the tax dollars generated by the licensed market. Our research takes a closer look at why gamblers use offshore sites, and the implications of this for policymaking.
Non Medical Prescription Drug Use In Rural Communities And Social Work, Izetta Mounice Briggs-Bolling
Non Medical Prescription Drug Use In Rural Communities And Social Work, Izetta Mounice Briggs-Bolling
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
This study explored the roles and responsibilities of social workers providing services to nonmedical prescription drug users (NMPDU). Researchers have indicated NMPDU disproportionately affects people living in rural communities. The overarching research question sought to explore the concerns of social workers when providing services to patients coping with NMPDU in the rural community of Ulster County, New York. The intention was to examine systemic challenges facing rural social workers when attempting to decrease morbidity risks and increase the health of Ulster County residents. A total of 7 social workers participated in 3 focus groups to explore their ideas for defining, …
Mindfulness Meditation Practice By Individuals With Substance Dependent Behavior, Quyen Ho
Mindfulness Meditation Practice By Individuals With Substance Dependent Behavior, Quyen Ho
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Many people in the United States suffer from substance dependence, which leads to depression, anxiety, work impairment, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, crime, and health care problems. Mindfulness meditation has been applied in many aspects of mental health treatment and all belief systems. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore substance dependents' experiences related to their mindfulness meditation practice of at least 6 months and up to 3 years. A constructivist conceptual framework, which states that human beings create systems for understanding reality based on their individual beliefs, emotions, and interpretations, was used for this study. Research questions focused …
Conceptualizations Of Substance Use, Abuse, Dependence, And Treatment: A Qualitative Comparison Of Experiences Of Italian And American Counselors-In-Training, Amy Elizabeth Williams
Conceptualizations Of Substance Use, Abuse, Dependence, And Treatment: A Qualitative Comparison Of Experiences Of Italian And American Counselors-In-Training, Amy Elizabeth Williams
The William & Mary Educational Review
The present study is a qualitative exploration of the conceptualizations of substance use, abuse, dependence, and treatment from the perspectives of Italian and American counselors-in-training. The researcher conducted semi- structured interviews with two Italian and two American graduate-level counseling students. Thematic elements identified based upon collected data include differential attitudes toward alcohol and marijuana compared to illicit drug use in both Italy and the United States, consequences experienced as a result of problematic substance use, and the impact of stigma on opportunities following treatment. Differences in treatment practices and standards and differences in vocational opportunities following treatment in Italy and …