Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Contextual Analysis Of Life Stories From Older Adults Participating In A Telephone Reminiscence Program, Eliana Likorama

Honors Scholar Theses

Life satisfaction, loneliness, and mental health & well-being are important factors to consider when working with the older adult population. This population is predisposed to many risk factors for mental health problems such as coping with a serious illness, losing a loved one, living alone, cognitive deficits, and more. Reminiscence is one simple, flexible, and cost-effective intervention that can be utilized to promote the mental health and well-being of older adults. Reminiscence is defined as the cognitive process of recalling the past. Numerous studies have shown beneficial effects of reminiscence in older adults: increased self-esteem, enhanced quality of life, increased …

Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Predicting Patient Pain Outcomes Later In Life, Melissa Lowry

Honors Scholar Theses

For centuries, pain and pain management has been a driving force in the world of healthcare. Industries continue to strive for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind pain sensitivities as well as the best interventions available to overcome these mechanisms. While many of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, recent research suggests a possible correlation between one’s personal experiences early in life and their perceptions of pain later in adulthood. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire, designed and published in 1998, consists of 10 measures of childhood trauma that can inform healthcare providers of individuals who may require trauma-informed care …

Instilling Parental Confidence Through Text-Linked Educational Modules At 6 And 24 Weeks, Rachel Hage

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Becoming a parent is one of the most demanding and intense social roles individuals can experience in their life (Vance & Brandon, 2017). A lack of maternal confidence and understanding of how to interact with their infant during the first six months of life may adversely affect their lifelong relationship.

Objective: To examine maternal descriptions of text-linked educational modules on infant development and play and their effect on maternal self-efficacy at 6 and 24 weeks.

Method: This study was a mixed-method approach of interviews collected as part of a larger randomized control intervention for mothers to manage their breast …

Nicu Nurses’ Varying Levels Of And Experiences With Moral Distress While Caring For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Sarah Battaglia

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is both a physical and psychological dependence on opioids. When a woman with OUD becomes pregnant, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) can occur in her child. NAS occurs when the infant shows manifestations of withdrawal, due to the exposure to opioids in the womb being abruptly discontinued once born. Nurses that care for mothers with OUD and their infants with NAS report varying degrees of moral distress related to preexisting stigmas, a lack of education on the chronic disease of addiction, and the multitude of ethical dilemmas experienced while caring for this vulnerable population of mothers …

The Disproportionate Impact Of Covid-19 On Women, Ava Stallone

Honors Scholar Theses

The impact of COVID-19 is placing a large strain on women. This can be seen through reports of mental health and financial concerns. Women are more vulnerable to COVID-19 related economic effects due to existing gender inequalities, which in turn may also have a negative effect on mental health. Through this study gender disproportion is looked at between mental health and COVID-19 financial concerns among women and men. The aim is to asses how COVID-19 financial concerns may be contributing to stress, anxiety, and depression. It is hypothesized that; women will report worse mental health and greater economic concerns than …

Self-Management Of Chronic Low Back Pain In The Hispanic Population: A Feasibility Study, Jasmeen Mohammed

Honors Scholar Theses

This study sought to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of S-SPINE self-management interventions in the Spanish-speaking Hispanic population. Four focus groups were conducted during the study, with a total of 12 participants. During these virtual meetings, we obtained feedback on the S-SPINE modules and explored the needs and preferences of the Spanish-speaking population regarding lower-back pain self-management. Overall, we found that people prefer digital content in self-management modules and want to communicate better with their providers regarding their chronic pain. In addition, while there are a few support groups and resources online regarding chronic pain for Spanish-speakers, there are not …

Description Of The Attitudes, Knowledge And Beliefs On Marijuana In Undergraduate Students Compared To Nursing Undergraduate Students, Maifrak Sobrino

Honors Scholar Theses

Introduction: The use of marijuana has drastically increased over the years. Not only is marijuana being used to treat personal symptoms, but some women use marijuana to manage pregnancy-related symptoms.

Objective: To discover the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of marijuana in the undergraduate student population at the University of Connecticut.

Method: A cross sectional study conducted through Qualtrics using a 15-questions survey, including 5-point Likert scale questions and 5 yes/no questions.

Result: Forty-nine non-nursing students completed the survey. Non-nursing students in comparison to the population as a whole agreed that marijuana use was okay (M = 3.959, SD = …

Attitudes, Knowledge And Beliefs On Marijuana Use In Pregnant Women In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Jordyn Witkins

Honors Scholar Theses

Introduction: Due to the decriminalization of marijuana use by states in the United States, marijuana use has drastically increased in the general populations and in women who are pregnant. During prenatal care, nurses provide education about pregnancy and fetal development.

Objective: This study explore the attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of undergraduate nursing students on marijuana use for individuals and during pregnancy.

Method: The study design was cross-sectional survey with 15-question survey using Likert scale and yes/no questions. Nursing students and non-nursing undergraduate students responses were compared.

Results: Sixty-four nursing students (female, n=50) completed the survey. Nursing students in comparison to …

Evaluation Of A Text Messaging Intervention For Breastfeeding Women Experiencing Breast And Nipple Symptoms, Rose Lisi

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Nipple and breast pain while breastfeeding is a common reason why women stop breastfeeding earlier than they would have liked to. Texting is effective as a long-term intervention to support breastfeeding.

Objectives: To examine the effect of texting to support mothers to manage their breast and nipple symptoms and pain.

Method: A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a breastfeeding self-management (BSM) intervention using texting to provide strategies for mothers to manage their breast and nipple pain. A three-group comparison, the intervention group with “barriers” and “non-barrier”, and the control group, was conducted …

Older Adults’ Response To Adverse Opioid Related Events: A Secondary Analysis, Sarah R. Coughlin

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Many older adults suffer from chronic pain, a disease treated with opioids. Older adults are also highly susceptible to opioid ADEs. Research addressing older adults’ self-management of opioid ADEs is lacking.

Objectives: This study compared the opioid ADE profile found by the present research to those previously reported in the literature for older adults. It also described how older adults respond to opioid ADEs and the resulting outcomes.

Method: The study utilized a secondary analysis design to examine 15 opioid ADE cases from a pilot study that described older adults’ responses to analgesic ADEs.

Results: Neurological ADEs, including dizziness …

Breast Milk Exposure And The Incidence Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis In Very Low Birth Weight Pre-Term Infants, Meaghan Sullivan

Honors Scholar Theses

Purpose: To determine what degree of exposure to breast milk feeding is protective against Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants.

Data Sources: This is a secondary data analysis of 56 VLBW preterm infants diagnosed with NEC and 56 age-matched VLBW infants who served as controls. All infants were born between 1997 and 2009 and cared for in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Infants were born at or before 29 weeks gestation and with a birth weight less than 1500 grams. Data included the volume fed daily and type of feeding along with demographic birth data. …

Connecticut's Elderly Population: An In-Depth Analysis Of Current And Future Trends In Elder Care, With A Focus On Dementia And Cognitive Decline, Emily J. Snodgrass

Honors Scholar Theses

The aging population in Connecticut currently represents ~15% of the state’s population but is anticipated to rapidly increase over the next 20 years. My thesis is an examination of the types of interventions and programs currently available for elderly persons with memory impairment and cognitive decline, as well as the challenges associated with caring for a larger elderly population. Data collected from interviews with CT healthcare and research professionals representative of the diverse specialties of aging together with an analysis of current research literature are used to demonstrate the importance of continued research and expansion of appropriate and accessible services …

Factors Associated With Abnormal Weights In Infants In The First Year Of Life: Results From The 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, Nikaela R. Larossa

Honors Scholar Theses

Purpose: To examine the predictors associated with abnormal infant weights for lengths in the first year of life as seen in ambulatory care settings.

Data Sources: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), in which practitioners documented single patient visits. World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts and recommendations were used to evaluate infant weight for length. Of the total visits, 603 infants were less than one year old, and 595 infants were within the length range of the WHO growth charts. Of the 595 cases, 13.6% were underweight, 5.5% were overweight, 41.2% …

Cultural Competency In The Medical Workplace: A Look At Outpatient Clinic Nurses At A Children's Hospital In New England, Evelyn S. Callahan

Honors Scholar Theses

This paper analyzes the current state of progress toward cultural competency in the medical workplace, specifically in the hospital setting. It compares the current writing on the topic to research done at a large New England children’s hospital. The nurses are all individuals who work in an out patient setting so they often see the same patients regularly for longer periods of time. This differs from the in-patient or floor nurses who only spend limited time with a constantly changing population of patients. The research involved one-on-one interviews and a focus group with nurses at the hospital. The focus group …

An Examination Of Correctional Nursing Competencies For Improved Patient Care, Bing Zheng

Honors Scholar Theses

The concept of this honors project was to explore correctional nursing competency, working closely with my advisor and the research team. Key findings from the initial competency assessment evaluation phase were compiled, organized, and analyzed. A podium presentation “Advancing Correctional Nurse Competencies for Quality Care: Evaluation of Simulation Learning and Satisfaction” was given at the 2013 American Correctional Health Services Association (ACHSA) Multidisciplinary Educational Conference on Correctional Healthcare: Ring a Bell. Additionally, a poster presentation, “Correctional Nurse Competencies: Evaluation of Simulation Learning and Satisfaction,” was given at the 2013 Frontiers conference. A poster presentation was given at the University of …

Self-Medication Practices Of Undergraduate College Students: Non-Medical Prescriptive Stimulant Use, Kim M. Vo

Honors Scholar Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine self-medication practices of undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Connecticut in attempt to inform future educational efforts on drug misconceptions in order to encourage safe medication practices among incoming undergraduate students.

Background: Non-medical use of stimulants prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment has gained attention due to non-medical prevalence rates in U.S. colleges. Current literature investigates circumstances, demographics and motives in sample populations that increase student misuse of these prescription medications.

Methods:

Design: Multi-method research strategy investigating the perceived focus group coded data to the actual self-reported Adhere Tx Know …

Limited English Proficient Patient's Use Of Family Members And Interpreters: A Pilot Study, Brittany T. Histing

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of “Spanish speaking, Spanish dominant and Limited English Proficient Latino patients” accessing health care in the United States (Parés-Avila, Sobralske, & Katz). This will be a descriptive study addressing caring for LEP patients accessing the healthcare setting using interpreters. The goal of the study is to describe LEP patient’s familiarity of interpreter services available via the CLAS standards, describe LEP patient’s experiences accessing healthcare in the United States, and describe LEP patient’s experiences in the United States health care system using or not using an interpreter.

Self-Medication Practices Of Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: Design And Methodology, Courtney Marie Beyers

Honors Scholar Theses

Aim of study

To survey the self-medication practices of adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) using NIH-validated ActualMeds™ Medication Management System via Apple iPad®, in order to improve individual medication management (adherence).

Rationale and Significance

Adults with SCD are a significant population to study when considering self-medication behaviors. Because individuals with SCD are now outgrowing the speciality care of pediatricians, and often find themselves left to manage multiple medications and self-care interventions.

This research is important in understanding medication management, such as high-risk medication adherence behaviors, prescription drug interactions, and over-the-counter drug interactions with prescription drugs in the UCHC patient …

Predictors Of Elevated Depressive Symptoms In Pregnancy, Justine M. Kokoszka

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine factors that may place women at risk for developing depressive symptoms during pregnancy. It was part of a larger, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial investigating the impact of docosahexaenoic acid

(DHA) in pregnancy as it relates to postpartum depression. Participants were women with a confirmed pregnancy(N= 45) who were administered the CES-D at two different times, 20-22 weeks gestation and 30-32 weeks gestation. Factors from a self-report of personal history were included in an analysis with the CES-D scores. A significant positive correlation was found between the first CES-D scores and body …

A Case Study On Using The Via Christi Breastfeeding Assessment Tool In A Clinical Setting, Rouba Taha

Honors Scholar Theses

Aims- The goal of this study is to obtain a subjective point of view of the use, benefits, and shortcomings of the Via Christi breastfeeding Assessment Tool in a clinical setting.

Methods- This case study is based on a single yet detailed interview with a lactation consultant who has utilized the Via Christi Breastfeeding Tool in a clinical setting.

Findings- Advantages of the Via Christi Breastfeeding Assessment Tool include that the tool is practical and concrete, encompassing both a subjective dimension and the basic elements of breastfeeding. Shortcomings of the tool include its non-specificity in focus on the feeding technique …

Psychiatrists' And Psychiatric Aprns' Views Of The Adolescent Mental Health Nurse's Role In The Inpatient Setting, Dana Lehner

Honors Scholar Theses

Current perceptions about nurses’ roles and responsibilities are examined in this study, specifically relating to adolescent inpatient MHNs. Psychiatrists and psychiatric advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), who work with MHNs and have also published scholarly psychiatric articles, were contacted to request their participation in an anonymous survey hosted by SurveyMonkey.com. This research was conducted to examine the stereotypes that exist against nurses within the health care profession itself, as compared to the pre-existing stereotypes displayed by the media’s view of nurses. Due to investigator time constraints, only six subjects participated in the study. Analysis of survey responses revealed four overarching …

Evaluation Of The March Of Dimes Family Support Program With Focus On Parent To Parent Support, Lynn O'Connor

Honors Scholar Theses

The March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program provides families with support specialists, educational materials, and community resources to aide in the emotional and physical adaptation to a new life with a premature infant. Parent-to-parent support has been shown to more effective than group support because the new NICU parent is able to connect on a more personal level with an experienced NICU parent.

The purpose of the research was to develop and implement an evaluation instrument to assess the effectiveness of the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program (MODFSP) in the NICU at the UConn Health Center, specifically …

Evaluating The March Of Dimes Nicu Family Support Program: Parent Support For Neonatal Transport, Kimberly J. Morrone

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of the pilot study was to work in collaboration with the March of Dimes Family Support Team and the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) to develop an evaluation instrument for the assessment of the Transport Module implemented by The March of Dimes Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Support Program initiative at the UConn Health Center. A literature review of the topic illustrated the need for continuing research of successful family support interventions for parents experiencing the transport of their high-risk infant to a tertiary care NICU immediately after delivery. NICU staff members and the March of …