Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Relationship Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Depression Using The 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data In 12 States, Ivy Sovine

Capstone Experience

Objective: To determine if reporting adverse childhood experiences (ACE) is linked to depression in adults, taking into consideration the influence of sociodemographic factors.

Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using the cross-sectional 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data. Twelve states included the optional ACE module, respondents who did not answer the questions about depression, education, or at least one ACE question were excluded from the analysis. The study population included 59,860 respondents. We examined the relationship between depression and ACE by using weighted univariate analysis, bivariate models, and logistic regressions.

Results: Among the respondents, 21% (12,112) reported …

Development Of A Remote Dosimetric Audit Framework For Carbon Therapy, Paige Taylor

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Carbon ion therapy is available at over a dozen institutions around the world and is being employed for treatment of cancer. The increased biological effect of carbon compared to conventional photon-based radiotherapy holds promise for the therapeutic benefit in historically radioresistant tumors. While ion chamber dosimetry has been used for day-to-day clinical measurements of absorbed dose, there are few options for remote dosimetry. The availability of such tools would support the development of a robust remote audit program for carbon ion therapy.

The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) conducts remote audits of photon and proton therapy. These audits are …

Body Mass Index And Acute And Chronic Work-Related Injuries; A Random Sample Analysis Of Occupational Health Clinic Records, Nicole M. Lundy

Capstone Experience

Workplace injuries are detrimental because they impact the productivity and wellbeing of workers. The ultimate goal is to minimize job-related injuries due to workplace exposure. This study examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI), age, gender, and injury patterns. Data was collected through a chart review of patients from an occupational medicine health clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan from January 2022 through December 2022.

This was an exploratory study with no population sample control group. Variables investigated were body mass index, gender, age, and type of injury sustained. The injuries were classified by body part into head, back, lower …

The Power Of An Effective Safety Culture, Justin B. Negley

Capstone Experience

Workplace injuries and illnesses have continued to decrease significantly through increased regulations, awareness, and technological advances. These enhancements are not enough to continue to drive these rates lower. A robust safety culture within an organization is required to truly affect change that will continue to diminish the occurrence of injuries and illnesses within the workplace. This project seeks to define the key aspects and elements that are fundamental to a culture of safety as a top priority amongst competing demands. The foundations of a robust safety culture were identified through a systematic literature review, a site comparison example of safety …

Certified Midwives: An Exploration Of Their Impact On Maternal Health Outcomes – A Comprehensive Literature Review, Heather Hollister

Capstone Experience

Maternal health outcomes in the United States have been consistently worse than other high-income countries, with a disproportionate impact on women of color. Midwives have long played an important role in maternal health worldwide. The literature review examines the evidence for midwives as key contributors to improving maternal health outcomes. The paper reviews the existing literature on midwifery, including the impact on maternal health, labor and delivery outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Electronic searches were conducted through Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Medline and Embase. Articles were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria including that they must be a randomized study; participants …

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Teachers, Samantha Ann Tierney, Samantha Ann Tierney

Honors College Theses

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder, estimated to affect 5% of all children and adolescents. The current rate of diagnosis is steadily increasing. This increase in the number of students with ADHD affects educators, who have a large role in the success of students with ADHD. Despite this, many teachers are not prepared to deal with the extra challenges that come with teaching students with ADHD. Teachers may not be properly taught how to deal with children who have ADHD in their classrooms or the role they have in these children’s lives. The purpose of this study is to …

Evaluating The Effects Of Ketamine On Cognitive Flexibility In Rats Using A Probabilistic Reversal Learning Task, Anthony N. Nist

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Depression is one of the most debilitating and widespread mental health conditions in the world today. Drugs that are traditionally prescribed to combat depression are flawed in several ways, and because of this, new treatments are needed. One drug that seems capable of overcoming the limitations of traditional antidepressants is ketamine. In clinical research, a single dose of ketamine can significantly reduce symptoms of depression quickly, its effects may last for weeks to months, and its side effects appear to be limited and relatively harmless. However, clinical research is ongoing, and more research is needed to fully understand ketamine's beneficial …

Enhancing Efficiency Of The Nutrition Education For Utah Refugees, Habiba Ali Nur

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Refugees face many challenges related to obtaining and preparing adequate and culturally acceptable and desirable foods in their resettlement communities. These challenges often lead to risk of food insecurity and chronic diseases. A review of literature identified the existing delivery strategies and highlighted the need for nutrition education tailored to the refugees’ conditions. This study identified some of the barriers that refugees face, including the English language, transportation, finding items in grocery stores, availability of ingredients and equipment needed for cooking, affordability of food and budgeting. It also highlighted participants’ preference for having nutrition education.

To overcome these challenges, the …

Dominant Cognitive Strategy In Aphantasia, Sarah N. Pope

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The purpose of this research was to explore the impact on thinking when an individual is not able to "see with a mind's eye." This is known as aphantasia and is the reduction or absence of visual imagery, which can have large impacts on problem solving and remembering one's own past. The current study examines these impacts by exploring the different ways in which thinking may occur, verbal-analytical, visual imagery, spatial imagery, and how a one's dominant thinking strategy affects performance on a paired work task, a mental rotation task, and an object memory task. Comparing those with typical imagery …

Central Activation Of Orl-1 Receptors In Heart Failure Models, Jeffrey Angell

Theses & Dissertations

Heart failure is a prevalent and debilitating disease associated with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide and is the leading cause of death in the United States. While various therapeutic strategies have been developed and approved to manage heart failure, exploration of novel targets and mechanisms are essential for improving patient outcomes. This thesis investigates the therapeutic potential of the central activation of opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL-1) by nociceptin in a rodent heart failure model.

Furthermore, this study aims to elucidate the central mechanisms underlying nociceptin induced cardiovascular and renal effects in heart failure. This involves investigating neuronal pathways and …

Relative Hepatotoxocity, Carcinogenicity, And Toxicogenomics Of Select Dehydropyrrolizidine Alkaloids In Mice, Michael J. Clayton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids are arguably the most important plant derived toxins in terms of impact on human and animal health. Dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids are a large group of chemically related compounds found in 3% of flowering plants worldwide. Human exposure occurs from ingestion of herbal products including teas supplements or contaminated grain. Animals are exposed through contaminated feed or grazing. There are at least 350 identified toxic PAs, from more than 6,000 plants. The toxins primarily cause liver damage, but some are proven to cause cancer. Indidvidual dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids vary in their toxic effects. Riddelliine is the only dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid with extensive …

The Perpetuation Of Hiv Risk In Latinx Immigrations: A Cross-National Perspective, J. M. Aleman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Research indicates that migration is a social determinant of health that increases the risk of acquiring HIV. What is less understood, however, are the pathways through which immigration influences HIV risk. This study employed a cross-national perspective and utilized a social determinants of health framework to understand how structural factors, such as economic conditions and immigration policies and their enforcement, influence HIV risk among migrants. While mobility, migration and displacement are associated with increased HIV risk, they are not inherently the cause but rather a condition under which vulnerability is increased indicating that other distal, upstream, or structural forces are …

Government Applications Of Digital Health (Telehealth) In Multi-Sectoral Settings: Participatory Action Research With Key Stakeholders, Irina Gelman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Youth Mental Health Awareness, Juana Tomas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In 2019, the Salinas Union High School District began to provide services for high school students through Wellness Centers. The centers are intended to act as mental, social-emotional and medical health resources. (Cuevas, 2019). Many students have untreated mental health challenges that can significantly interfere with their well-being and ability to learn, grow and develop. The Wellness Center supports students with their social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. They help students with their overall well-being. This project is a presentation awareness video that will recognize the importance of mental health, provide essential coping skills that students can use, and highlight how …

Anxiety Screening At A Psychiatric Inpatient Facility: A Quality Improvement Project, Irene Akwitti

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent anxiety and uncontrollable worry occurring more days than not for a minimum of 6 months (Patriquin & Mathew, 2017). Presently, anxiety screening and evidence-based practice treatment for adults are suboptimal. It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in patients. Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) screening tool, a validated, evidence-based instrument, in a psychiatric inpatient facility to improve early detection and treatment of anxiety disorders in patients. Methods. Staff members were educated …

Preserving The Force: A Quality Improvement Project To Reduce The Risk Of Opioid Use Disorder In The Military, Lecreshia S. Shields

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Military service members incur combat and noncombat related injuries which may lead to acute or chronic pain. Treatment of these conditions with opioids may place them at risk for opioid use disorder (OUD). Opioid related overdoses among the military community increased by 50% from 2010 to 2019. The Sole Provider Program (SPP) is recommended to address the risks of OUD among Veterans receiving care at military installations. The goal of this evidence-based project was to ensure that all persons who receive opioid prescriptions at a military facility were evaluated for inclusion into a SPP and prescribed naloxone. Objectives included: 1) …

A Quality Improvement Project To Screen For Food Insecurity In Adults With Anxiety Or Depression, Kelsie Evelyn Kroll

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background Food insecurity is the limited availability and inconsistent accessibility of healthy foods (Coleman-Jensen et al., 2022a). Food insecurity contributes to mental health problems. Individuals with food insecurity have greater odds of screening positive for depression and anxiety (Wolfson et al., 2021). The Hunger Vital Sign™ screening tool is a 2-questions evidence-based tool used to identify food insecurity (Hager et al., 2010). Purpose. Implement the Hunger Vital Sign™ tool at a non-profit behavior health clinic to identify food insecurity in adults who screened positive for anxiety or depression, offer resources for them to obtain nutritious food, and provide additional information …

Postpartum Visitation Policies, Jenna B. Holderman, Morgan E. Matthews

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Continual support for the birthing person during labor improves delivery outcomes and overall childbirth experiences. How many support people are present and their relation to the birthing person varies based on individual preference, family dynamics, and sociocultural expectations. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many hospitals implemented a one-visitor policy for deliveries. With these new guidelines in place, the length of hospital stays significantly decreased, and there were a variety of opinions towards these restrictions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore birthing persons’ overall sentiment towards visitors in the immediate postpartum period.

Methods: The current study analyzed …

Lactation Benefits, Experiences, And Education In Bereaved Mothers: A Literature Review, Grace Davis

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background: Parents who lose an infant through miscarriage, elective termination, or stillbirth experience perinatal bereavement (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). A bereaved mother’s grief could be influenced by lactation as most will still experience lactation regardless of their loss. Generally, these women are solely taught to suppress their milk production, oftentimes resulting in discomfort, leakage, clogged ducts, and even mastitis (Carroll et al., 2020). To prevent adverse effects, bereaved mothers need a comprehensive list of options and education regarding lactation including donation, expression, and suppression. Bereaved mothers' lactation experiences, education, and benefits are vital areas to be …

Moral Distress In Critical Care Nursing: A Literature Review, Anna Tindell

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Moral distress is a pressing concern in the healthcare field with significant implications for all areas of nursing and patient outcomes. However, those within the specialty of critical care nursing experience moral distress more frequently than those in other specialties. It arises from the complex ethical dilemmas nurses in critical intensive care units face as they work in these high-pressure environments. The purpose of this literature review is to discuss moral distress in critical care nursing and how it affects a nurse’s ability to provide quality care. Furthermore, this review will determine factors contributing to moral distress and potential interventions …

Emergency Department Patient Navigator Post Chest Pain Diagnosis Discharge, Nancy Simoes

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract The most common complaint seen in the Emergency Department, along with abdominal pain, is nonspecific chest pain. Often, these complaints cause prolonged lengths of stay in the ED, followed by hospital admissions and subsequent readmissions for various reasons. When thinking about these various reasons, the question for prevention of readmission comes to mind. What could we do as a department to keep patients from continuously using the Emergency Department as a primary point of care instead of outpatient facilities when necessary? Project Aim: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to initiate the need for a patient navigator …

Investigating The Relationship Between Consistent Workout Regimen On Quality Of Life Among Crossfitters In South Mississippi, Christian Glass

Honors Theses

Robust literature exists to support the utility of CrossFit in improving metabolic and cardiovascular well-being. However, a metaphorical chasm exists not in the study of the physiological effects of CrossFit but in the psychological effects, namely quality of life (QOL). This thesis aimed to offer an installment into this gap by investigating trends among a population of 81 CrossFitters in south Mississippi. To best fulfill this task, a quantitative study was conducted using a 32-item survey composed of a mixture of questions from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL- BREF) to assess reported quality of life …

Nurses’ Perceptions Of Ppe Compliance Among South Mississippi Medical- Surgical Nurses, Jenna Roush

Honors Theses

Utilizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriately is critical in protecting nurses and patients from contracting infectious diseases. Poor compliance with PPE is associated with increased hospital-acquired infections and directly impacts infection control measures. This thesis delves into the perceptions of PPE compliance and awareness among medical-surgical nurses in South Mississippi. A quantitative study utilizing a 28-item survey was implemented. Likert-style and open-ended survey questions were completed by n=28 participants. Univariate analysis was used to determine compliance among each PPE item, awareness and confidence of PPE items, and whether there was a lack of training or a PPE shortage. Based on …

Self-Reflections Through A Screen: Self-Identity, Social Media, And Psychological Well-Being, Jeremy J. Serio

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Social media use among emerging adults is assumed to be related to a variety of negative psychological outcomes and has, in recent years, become a widely studied phenomenon (Kim, 2017, Pew Research Center, 2018). Despite the widespread assumption, the results from empirical studies of the effects of social media use on mental health in this population have been inconsistent and inconclusive (Keles et al., 2020, Yang et al., 2021). Several meta-analyses (e.g., Keles et al., 2020) demonstrate these inconsistent results across studies and point to the need to consider individual difference factors when researching this issue. Different self-identity styles have …

Nonmedical Stimulant Use In An Undergraduate College Student Sample: Demographics, Academics, Stress, And Other Substance Use, Ashley Skye Vanover, Meredith K. Ginley, Shelby Whalan

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Nonmedical use of prescription stimuluants (NMUS) can cause adverse outcomes for college students including academic impediments, such as a lowered GPA, and polyuse of illicit substances (Garcia et al., 2021; Holt & McCarthy, 2019; Norman & Ford, 2018). The current study investigated the demographics, academics, stress, and polysubstance use between students who endorsed NMUS and those who did not in an undergraduate college population sample at a large public university in the Southeast. The sample consisted of 429 undergraduate students who completed online measures of demographics, perceived stress, stressful life events, and substance use. Overall, 3.4% of the sample reported …

Enhancing The Hearing Conservation Audiological Test Battery In Noise-Exposed Dod Service Members, Taylor N. Paige

<strong> Theses and Dissertations </strong>

This research study compared how audiometric results differ in service members who are and those who are not exposed to occupational hazardous noise. To address this question, the performance of 21 service members with no occupational noise was compared to the performance of 23 service members with reported occupational noise exposure. Standard audiometric tests were employed, as well as expanded test measures including extended high frequency audiometry and speech in noise testing.

Results indicated the experimental group performed more poorly on some Modified Rhyme Test (speech in noise test) conditions, as well as were more likely to have absent audiometric …

Examining The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Covid-19 Vaccine Status Using 2022 Brfss Data: A Cross-Sectional Study, Cristhian A. Chau-Valdivia

Capstone Experience

Abstract:

Objective.To determine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) scores with COVID-19 vaccination outcomes before and after adjusting for demographic variables.

Methods. Data were from 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys regarding 13 categories of ACEs, COVID-19 vaccination, and demographic variables. Data was weight adjusted for survey respondent data. This complex design combined the core and optional modules. Participants who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine were categorized as vaccinated. The sample size is 12,514.

Results. Participants who were female (OR=1.35, 95% CI: [1.19,1.52]), greater than or equal to 65 years old (OR=4.76, 95% …

Mental Health Perceptions Among Us Veterans And Non-Veterans: 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Nicole Frederickson

Capstone Experience

Objective. To determine the association between veteran status and perceived mental health in US adults.

Methods. 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System cross-sectional telephone survey data were used. Analyses were adjusted for confounding sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. Weighted multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the association between veteran status and reporting 0, 1-13, or 14+ poor mental health days.

Results. A total of 430,653 individuals were included in this analysis. Veteran status was associated with decreased odds of reporting 1-13 poor mental health days than nonveterans (OR=0.81; 95% CI 0.77, 0.86) but greater odds of reporting 14+ poor mental …

Association Between Frequent Mental Distress And Insurance Status Using The 2022 Brfss, Christina Clayson

Capstone Experience

Objectives

Determine if there is a direct relationship between frequent mental distress and health insurance coverage.

Methods

Data from the 2022 BRFSS was used to calculate adjusted percentages. Crude odds ratios for both mental distress and insurance coverage. Multivariate analysis calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios for frequent mental distress by insurance coverage with income as a covariate.

Results

Individuals reporting frequent mental distress had lower income, less education, and were younger. Individuals without health insurance were more likely to be younger, Hispanic, and not have graduated high school. There was no significant association between frequent mental distress and not …

Social Media And Mental Health: The Public Health Impact And Future Policy Directives, Renae A. Merrill

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between social media use among young people and the increasing concerns of mental health problems in the U.S. and globally is on systemic agendas. Furthermore, research on social media use and mental health indicate reasons to suspect a causal relationship, but more work needs to be done. Therefore, this three-article dissertation seeks to explore (1) associations between social media use, personality, and depression; (2) associations between social media emotional support, anxiety, and personality; and (3) the relationship between social media use and mental health using Deborah Stone’s causal stories framework. Findings from this study provide an improved understanding …