Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Psychedelic Therapy Versus Antidepressants For Treating Chronic Depression, Louisy Silva, Lasse Struppe, Jared Proulx

Non-Thesis Student Work

More than 18 million people in the United States suffer from depression, making it the number one cause of disability. Depression is the primary reason why every 14 minutes someone dies from suicide, creating an epidemic. Since the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as Prozac 30 years ago, only minor variations of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) antidepressants have been developed. Unfortunately, over 50% of individuals do not respond to antidepressants. In order to fight back against the mental health epidemic, a need exists to innovate new ways to fight chronic depression. …

Covid-19 President_University Of Maine, University Of Maine At Machias Health And Safety Reminders, Joan Ferrini-Mundy

Office of the President

Message from Joan Ferrini-Mundy, University of Maine President to the University of Maine community regarding the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Covid-19_Health And Safety Guidance_Fall 2022 Webpages, University Of Maine

FAQ & Health Advisory

Screenshots of the University of Maine health and safety guidance webpage with information related to Fall 2022 semester information and updates.

Utilization Of Creativity-Based Interventions To Combat Nursing Burnout, Heather J. Webb, Pamela Burhoe, Ryan Johnson, Brenna Milliken

Non-Thesis Student Work

In addressing the potential for a creative writing practice to serve as an effective intervention against nurse burnout, we ask the following research question: In RNs who have practiced between 2-10 years, does participation in a creative writing program decrease burnout symptoms compared to nurses who do not participate within a time frame of one year. Burnout syndrome is a collective term that encompasses many subcategories that result in negative attitudes towards patients and coworkers, as well as increased turnover rates. Burnout syndrome was already a significant concern before the COVID-19 pandemic because of the high demand and stress of …

Covid-19_Umaine News_Times Record Interviews Wheeler About Covid-19 Wastewater Testing, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine in the News regarding Robert Wheeler, associate professor of microbiology at the Department of Molecular and Biological Sciences, speaking with the Times Record about how wastewater testing helps the presence of COVID-19 in a community.

Children's Center_Chapel Covid-19 Testing, Kimberly Dodge-Cummings

Children's Center

Email from Kimberly Dodge-Cummings, University of Maine: Children's Center Director regarding the Children's Center no longer participating in test-to-stay for the Preschool and Chapel programs which was out in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covid-19_Umaine News_Umaine Study Finds Connection Between Partisan Politics And Effective Face Mask Production During Pandemic, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine in the News regarding a study published by new faculty Matthew and Natalia Magnani in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maine found that specifics of homemade face mask production were different depending on a state’s political affiliation and changed throughout the country with increased political polarization.

University Of Maine Athletics_Maine Athletics Announces New, Relaxed Covid Policy Email, University Of Maine Athletics

Athletics Department

UMaine Athletic News email regarding the changing of COVID-19 policies, specifically that was no longer a requirement to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Alfond Arena or The Pit at Memorial Gymnasium. And that face coverings were no longer required.

Collins Center For The Arts_Announcing A New, Relaxed Covid Policy Email, University Of Maine Collins Center For The Arts

Collins Center

Email from the University of Maine's Collins Center for the Arts detailing the relaxing of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines put in place at the Center in response to University of Maine System guidance.

Chancellor Messages_Chancellor's Fall Covid-19 Message, Dannel P. Malloy

Chancellor

Message to the University of Maine System community from Chancellor Dannel P. Malloy regarding the current situation with COVID-19 and University of Maine System responses.

Collins Center For The Arts_Covid-19 Policies Webpage, University Of Maine Collins Center For The Arts

Collins Center

Screenshot of University of Maine's Collins Center for the Arts webpage detailing the relaxing of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines put in place at the Center in response to University of Maine System guidance.

Human Cryptosporidiosis: A Review And Staining Method, Amatullah Ahmad

Honors College

Cryptosporidiosis is increasingly emerging as the most significant cause of infectious diarrhea in humans and livestock. In humans, studies show that Cryptosporidiosis disease is more prevalent in the immunocompromised and young ones. However, outbreaks from contaminated water sources have caused disease in healthy adults, too. Two main species of the protozoan causative agent,Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are responsible for most human infections. Cattle, pets, mice, and other livestock can transmit theCryptosporidiumparvumvariantsto humans through fecal transmission. Other species of Cryptosporidium can infect domestic animals, but their host range is narrow; therefore, they are not of significant concern to human health. …

Ums_Community Guidance_Students_Covid-19 Fall 2022 Vaccination Requirements, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System providing information regarding vaccination requirements for the fall semester 2022.

Ums_Community Guidance_Employees_University Of Maine System Covid-19 Employee Vaccination Protocols, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System guidance regarding vaccination protocols for employees.

Ums_Community Guidance_Students_Quarantine, Isolation, And Support Services, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System with guidance on quarantine, isolation, and support services for students.

Ums_Community Guidance_Everyone_General Information Regarding Fall 2022 Programs, Visitor Access And Protocols, Visitor And Event Vaccination Requirements, Pandemic Protocols And Overall University Operations, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System general information regarding fall 2022 programs, visitor access and protocols, visitor and event vaccination requirements, pandemic protocols and overall University operations.

Hr_On-Campus Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic June 21–24 Email, University Of Maine Office Of Human Resources

University of Maine Communications

Email from University of Maine Office of Human Resources regarding on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic being held on campus from 1:30–3 p.m., June 21–24, 2022.

Research Skills Combining Microbes And Social Equity (Avs 590-0980), Sue Ishaq, School Of Food And Agriculture

General University of Maine Publications

To understand a microbiome, you must learn about the bustling community of microorganisms and the complex ecosystems they live in, because one cannot exist without the other. So, too, does microbiome research rely on understanding the lives and ecology of humans, because there is no aspect of human life which does not involve microbes in some way. To become better microbiome researchers, we must understand social and environmental contexts which affect humans and, in many cases, prevent them from making choices which result in beneficial microbial exposures. This symposium will focus on developing research skills to create transformative research, including …

Covid-19_Umaine News_Mepri Releases Two Reports On Supports For Students And Teachers During Covid-19 Pandemic, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine in the News regarding a University of Maine study that the Maine Educational Policy Research Institute (MEPRI) has published two new reports based on a study of the strategies and challenges involved in supporting preK–12 students and teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ums_Community Guidance_Everyone_Face Covering Requirements, University Of Maine System

Community Guidance

Screenshot of webpage part of the "Together for Maine" University of Maine System guidance regarding changes to face coverings requirements on UMS campuses.

Covid-19_Umaine News_On-Campus Covid-19 Testing Schedule Beginning May 9, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine News press release regarding UMaine COVID-19 symptomatic and asymptomatic self-administered tests being available.

Tabletop Roleplaying Games, And Depression, And Social Anxiety, Noelle B. Ott

Honors College

Tabletop roleplaying games are a form of in-person, multiplayer games structured around group interaction, set rules of gameplay, strategic group decision-making, and active character roleplaying. While such games have existed in some form for thousands of years, more recent and modern versions such as Dungeons & Dragons and Call of Cthulhu have increased attention not only to their use as a form of entertainment, but as a potential extension of play and drama therapies in a clinical setting (Henrich & Worthington, 2021). Research into therapeutic roleplaying, both with and without gameplay supervision, has shown a promising association with increased understanding …

Effects Of Rumination And Co-Rumination On The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Depressive Symptoms, Evelyn G. Clement

Honors College

Depressive symptoms have far-reaching and negative implications on both an individual and societal level, with college students generally considered to be a particularly vulnerable population in terms of risk for depressive symptoms. Two internal cognitive processes, self-efficacy, and rumination, as well as the interpersonal form of rumination, co-rumination, have all been uniquely linked to depressive symptoms. The literature linking these four constructs is not nearly as extensive as it is with any of the constructs uniquely relating to depressive symptoms. Rumination is related to lower levels of self-efficacy, but the interaction of self-efficacy and co-rumination as well as the effects …

Perfectionism, Perceived Stress, And Maladaptive Eating Behaviors In High-Achieving And Honors Undergraduate Students At The University Of Maine, Jaimie Giguere

Honors College

This thesis investigates the differences in perceived stress, perfectionism, and maladaptive eating behaviors among high-achieving honors and non-honors undergraduate students (N=413) at the University of Maine. Students were classified as high-achieving based on a UMaine Honors College c-index ((GPA× 12.5)+(SAT×

.03125)), which uses a student’s GPA and SAT score to assign them a numerical value. All UMaine undergraduate students were invited to participate. Participants completed a survey containing measures that assessed levels of perceived stress, perfectionism, and maladaptive eating behaviors. They were also asked questions about their major, honors status, grade point average, and SAT scores. Results indicated that there …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices And Their Effect On Veterinary Medicine, Erin N. Bradstreet

Honors College

Antimicrobials are essential in the treatment of diseases in both humans and animals, but antimicrobial resistance threatens their efficacy. As more microorganisms become resistant to an ever-growing list of antimicrobials, diseases that used to be simple to treat are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. The major factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance are overuse and misuse of antimicrobials. In order to combat the problem of resistance, antimicrobial stewardship programs that aim to improve antimicrobial prescribing and use practices are becoming increasingly widespread. These programs are quite common in human medicine, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of life, including antimicrobial …

Eating And Exercise Habits Among College Students, Cameron Peirce

Honors College

This study examines the eating and exercise habits of undergraduate college students (N=204) in order to determine which populations among the sample show the highest rates of disordered eating and disordered exercise behaviors. Participants answered a multipart questionnaire regarding their eating and exercise habits, perfectionistic tendencies, and individual demographic characteristics. Results show Honors and female students had among the highest levels of disordered eating. Student athletes and male students showed the highest levels of disordered exercise. Implications for further research and early intervention for college students with maladaptive eating and exercise habits are discussed.

Evaluating Forensic Nursing Content Within Maine's Undergraduate Curricula, Paige E. Solans

Honors College

Victims of violence are highly likely to be under the care of a nurse at some point in their life and require specific assessments, communication techniques, and background knowledge to ensure high-quality patient-centered care. Therefore, it is imperative that senior nursing students who are about to enter the nursing profession are properly educated on how to care for these vulnerable patient populations. The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of the forensic nursing content in Maine’s public universities' nursing curricula in preparing its students to care for these patients. This study included a 28-item survey distributed to …

Optical Illusions To Schizophrenic Delusions: How Your Brain Can Alter Reality, Kathryn Stanislaski

Honors College

Widely misunderstood, stigmatized and understudied, schizophrenia is often misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated. While people diagnosed with schizophrenia are often thought to misinterpret reality, they may be more adept at processing visual sensory information and perceive reality better than those without schizophrenia. Studies involving patients with schizophrenia have shown consistent and extensive insusceptibility of these patients to a variety of optical illusions. In this paper, I propose that when processing visual information, people with schizophrenia rely greater upon the dorsal stream and areas in the brain associated with bottom-up processing, as opposed to those without schizophrenia that utilize the ventral stream …

Confrontation As A Coping Strategy To Protect Women's Mental And Physical Health, Ailin S. Liebler-Bendix

Honors College

Women suffer harmful consequences for mental and physical health after being exposed to sexism. In this study, I explored confrontation as a coping mechanism to protect women’s mental and physical health following an experience of sexism. This study consisted of a mock job search review in which the participant was exposed to blatant sexism and was instructed to confront or ignore the sexism. The participants completed measures of perceived sexism, psychological wellbeing, mental health, and physical health following the committee meeting. I hypothesized that women who were instructed to confront would do so and those instructed to ignore would not. …

Implementing Landscape Design Principles To Improve Green Spaces And Promote Ecotherapy On A College Campus, Jessica Hutchinson

Honors College

As students in Maine are subject to harsh winters and a disconnectedness due to the pandemic, the creation of an ecotherapy focused garden may benefit the community at the University of Maine. Mental health is a rising concern within the United States, where anxiety has been the most frequent in students at 62.7% from a survey conducted by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (Son et al., 2020). Ecotherapy is the practice of holistic psychology where healing is derived from interactions with the surrounding ecosystem (Summers and Vivian, 2018). Through literature review and gardening, this creative project provides a green …