Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Post Pandemic Analysis Of Covid-19 And The Impact On Mental Health Of High School Student-Athletes—Today, More Than Ever Minds Matter, Pastora Hernandez Barbee

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The cancellation of sporting opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic caused many student-athletes to feel deprived of the only outlet they had, which held a significant component of their personal and athletic identities (Grubic et al. 2021). This study aimed to answer the following research question: What are the experiences of high school student-athletes in a Pacific Northwest school district with access and support for holistic wellness in a post-pandemic COVID-19 school environment? The research methodology used was the wellness theory framework (Adams, Bezner, & Steinhardt, 1997). A total of seven student-athletes participated in the study through in-depth interviews. From the …

Black Maternal Mortality: A Result Of The Haunting Past, Jaylynn Arnold

Global Honors Theses

Throughout history, Black women have been treated as less than human in a variety of traumatic ways for generations, all of which have negatively affected the physical and emotional well-being of free and enslaved Black women. This consisted of being victims of medical abuse, sexual abuse, degrading stereotypes, and the right to easily access basic human needs such as quality healthcare. Current research has shown that within the United States, Black women have the highest rate of maternal mortality than any other ethnicity of women especially when compared to white women. Being that 84% of these maternal deaths are preventable, …

Comparative Analysis Of The Water Crisis In Guam And New Delhi: Evaluating Causes And Potential Solutions, Jordina Marshall

Global Honors Theses

The core topic of this paper will be an examination of a comparative study of the water issue in India, with a particular emphasis on New Delhi, and the water crisis on the island of Guam, with a large amount of focus being placed on an assessment of the possible causes as well as potential remedies. Due to the impact the water problem has on the ecosystem, the welfare of the populace, and the security of their food supply, a solution must be found. There are rising concerns that endangers the health of both of these nations as well as …

Home: “People As Place”, Amory Ballantine

MSW Capstones

Crises of climate breakdown, ocean acidification, mass extinction, pollution and other forms of environmental degradation demand global transformation. Direct and clinical social workers are on the front lines of responses to the social consequences of these crises. They have critical skills needed for socially and environmentally sustainable solutions to these problems. Yet for the most part, direct and clinical social workers are not engaged in environmental action and do not see their work as “environmental social work.” Micro-level workers need information and resources in order to integrate environmental health in practice, and particularly tools which center the needs of the …

Lunch And Learn: Addressing Needs And Resources Of Adolescent And Young Adult Cancer Patients, Philomina Bigelow

MSW Capstones

Historically adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients have been an underserved population. Research indicates they are more likely to experience poorer treatment outcomes, which may result in part from unaddressed biopsychosocial stressors, poor treatment compliance, and poor provider rapport. Research also indicates that oncology providers do not have a formal standardized training they are required to attend on biopsychosocial needs and resources for the AYA population. Oncology care providers need knowledge of the biopsychosocial needs and resources of their AYA patients in order to provide care and resources that remove the effects of biopsychosocial stressors. This project was designed …

Barriers Impacting Lpns Academic Progression, M Dianne Nauer

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

Barriers Impacting LPNs’ Academic Progression

M. Dianne Nauer

Chair of the Supervisory Committee:

Sharon Fought, Ph.D., RN

Nursing and Healthcare Leadership

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) desiring to academically progress in the profession of nursing face specific barriers as reported in the literature. LPNs are licensed nurses, but when trying to advance to registered nurse (RN) or earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), find that their experiences as nurses is not credited academically. The barriers reported by Washington State LPNs included the need to continue working, making traditional full-time class schedules a significant or extreme barrier. Cost and …

Diversity In Community College Registered Nursing Education, Sergio Hernández Del Cid

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

The United States is currently facing a shortage of trained professionals in many fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Nursing (Allen-Ramdial & Campbell, 2014; Georgetown University, 2020). As a result, current U.S. nursing student demographics do not mirror the populations they serve (Gooden, Porter, Gonzalez, & Mims, 2001). Research has shown the positive impact a diverse nursing staff has on patient care (Gooden, Porter, Gonzalez, & Mims, 2001). Representative care and cultural awareness translate to better patient outcomes especially for patients from marginalized and underrepresented communities (Woods-Giscombe, Rowsey, Kneipp, Lackey, & Bravo, 2019). Community colleges play a critical role …

Racial Trauma As A Diagnosis: Recognizing The Impact Of Racial Violence And Discrimination On Mental Health, Myka Michelle L. Ferrer

Global Honors Theses

During the Black Lives Matter Movement, many Black activists and allies have experienced direct and indirect forms of racial trauma and violence. Previous studies have shown that membership in a racial or ethnic minority group is associated with an increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mood disorders such as depression due to exposure to trauma (Lopéz et al., 2017). However, although racial trauma could lead to a diagnosis of PTSD, racial factors that contribute to the trauma are often overlooked because of the limitations in what is defined as s a traumatic event. In this paper, I …

Restorative Justice: An Additional Gaming Addiction Treatment, Divine Alexa Yagumyum

Global Honors Theses

With the technological advances of the 21st century, gaming addiction starts to become more analyzed and discussed as people become more aware of it. Gaming addiction can also be referred to as internet addiction, internet gaming addiction, and gaming disorder. Globally, gaming addiction is on the pathway of being seen as a health issue that needs to be treated. Identifying gaming addiction as a health concern causes one to wonder what kind of treatment needs to be given. The use of restorative justice, though mainly used in the criminal justice system, can be used in multiple sectors (such as the …

Attitudes Toward Mindfulness And Adherence In Chronic Pain Management, Sarah Johnson

Global Honors Theses

Chronic pain is a global public health problem, affecting 10-25% of the population. Mindfulness is an effective treatment but requires consistency. Because of its benefit, it is important to examine obstacles to mindfulness practice. In order to determine if negative attitudes toward mindfulness are related to non-adherence, 748 adults with chronic pain were recruited to fill out a series of questionnaires assessing treatment adherence and attitudes toward mindfulness. We found that positive attitudes toward mindfulness predicted reduced adherence. However, those who had more positive feelings toward mindfulness made more attempts at the therapy. Upper and middle-class participants had more positive …

Reshaping African American Women's Birthing Experience, Kiana Bulloch

Global Honors Theses

In the United States, African American women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than any other race or ethnic group. The high maternal mortality rate has continued to be a global problem. The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is a universal measurement of registered maternal deaths due to birth or pregnancy-related complications. The U.S. has continued to have an MMR well above the global average despite establishing interventions in socio-economic gaps. In an effort to decrease MMR, the United Nations proposed a global plan to decrease maternal mortality by 75% as one of the eight …

The Dangers Of Fast Fashion: A Health And Environmental Analysis, Summer Roslyn Turnberg

Global Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the alternatives for fast fashion, the global interdependence between areas of production and areas of consumption for fast fashion, and the long-term health and environmental risks associated with fast fashion production and consumption. This paper aims to discover what health effects are proven to be associated with fast fashion production, the causes of health effects, and the steps which manufacturers, shoppers, fashion companies, and those producing the clothing can take to better the fast fashion interdependency and operations. This study will first delve into the global interdependencies of fast fashion and the …

Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care In Oncology, Monica Wilber

MSW Capstones

Almost everyone knows someone who has been impacted by cancer, but how many people do you know have a durable power of attorney for health care? Durable power of attorney for health care is a simple form that allows you to appoint whomever you trust to make health care decisions for yourself if you are deemed unable to do so. Durable power of attorney for health care, also known as DPOA-H, is a topic that can create some ambivalence within those working in the oncology field and those who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis. The ambivalence comes from …

Intersectionality And Maternal Mortality: African-American Women And Healthcare Bias, Katherine Mijal

Global Honors Theses

African-American women's maternal mortality is significantly higher than that of white women. This is because of the intersectional oppression of sexism and racism, which significantly limits these women's access to quality healthcare through their pregnancy and during and after birth. This access is impeded by healthcare practitioners' implicit biases, which result in these practitioners not providing their patients with the quality of care they need.

Evaluation Of Maternal Mortality In The United States Using A Socio-Ecological Model, Ashley Dang

Global Honors Theses

The United States has the most alarming rates of maternal mortality compared to other developed nations. An important factor to discuss with maternal issues and delivery is the racial disparities between African-American women and white women; the CDC states that pregnancy-related deaths for African-American women are three to four times higher than white women. Institutional racism and implicit bias are important factors when discussing African-American patients and healthcare providers in medicine. The focus of this thesis will examine current solutions to reduce maternal mortality in the United States through a Socio-Ecological Model, as well as discuss the racial disparities that …

The Health Of Migrant Farmworkers In The Pacific Northwest: Access, Quality, And Health Disparities, Marleny Silva

Global Honors Theses

The health and well-being of migrant farmworkers have been neglected in the U.S. despite the prevalent reliance on undocumented foreign labor to fill the needs of the agricultural industry. In 1942, the U.S. signed a bilateral agreement with Mexico which allowed the recruitment of Mexican workers for temporary work in U.S. fields until the end of the program in 1964. This program contributed to the increase of Mexican migration even after its termination and reaffirmed our nation’s dependence on migrant farm workers, both documented and undocumented. Due to their undocumented status, undocumented migrant farmworkers experience neglect, dehumanization, and criminalization that …

Preventing Prejudiced Psychological Practice: Social Justice Education In Undergraduate Psychology Programs, Rachel Roewer

Global Honors Theses

In order to provide sufficient mental health care services and produce ethical research, psychologists must be motivated to inhibit their personal biases. Bias in psychological research and mental health care settings can contribute to the perpetuation of oppression, preventing clients who identify with marginalized groups from receiving adequate mental health services. Prejudice amongst mental health care providers can influence misdiagnosis and wrongful prescription of medication. Psychological research informs clinical practices, thus biased research can lead to prejudiced mental health care practices. To ensure that members of marginalized groups receive effective health care, there is a global need for ethical, culturally …

Integration Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Into The Healthcare System In The United States, Nikki Lu

Global Honors Theses

Chronic diseases are a prevalent issue around the world and chronic diseases are hard to prevent due to various systemic factors in the healthcare system. This paper mainly focused on socioeconomic issues and highlighted a few systemic factors in the US healthcare system. These factors have created various health disparities, inequities among socially constructed groups, and financial expenditures in the US healthcare system. Socioeconomic factors significantly impact the health and healthcare among socially constructed groups. Additionally, in this paper there are current approaches in addressing these healthcare factors such as social determinants of health and precision medicine as well as …

Expansion Of Naloxone For The Prevention Of Opioid Overdose Among Homeless Populations, Frederick Flores

MSW Capstones

Opioid abuse and overdose has seen a dramatic increase in the United States over the past decade. In 2015 the number of individuals who died of opioid overdose surpassed traffic fatalities related to alcohol for the first time in history. Fortunately, fatal overdose from opioids is not instantaneous and, if administered within a 1-3 hour window, pharmaceutical interventions such as nasal naloxone can reverse the overdose and safe a life.

The goal for this program is to educate homeless opioid users about the risks, signs, and symptoms of opioid overdose, provide them with naloxone for intranasal administration, and provide referrals …

Youth Empowerment For Environmental Justice, Mattie B. Brickle

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Woodsmoke pollution is an environmental justice issue for youth living in certain Pacific Northwest cities. Little is understood about how youth may be empowered to address woodsmoke issues in their communities. In this study, I examined youth empowerment in a citizen science study on woodsmoke, using Photovoice methodology. Ten diverse youth collected and analyzed indoor air samples and photos, then presented their findings to the community and policy makers. Entrance and exit surveys revealed an increased sense of empowerment to take action on woodsmoke pollution. Youth also expressed increased optimism and a resolve to become scientists and to combat environmental …

Responding To Their Voice: The Needs Of Postsecondary Students With Intellectual And/Or Developmental Disability, Lucretia A. Berg

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) enter postsecondary education (PSE) at increasing rates. Many continue to demonstrate persisting adaptive behavior needs that impede academic and employment outcomes. This qualitative case study explored one Northwest PSE program educating students with IDD regarding persisting adaptive behavior needs and whether the needs fell under the purview of occupational therapy (OT). It was the researcher’s assumption that gaining an understanding of student needs would provide cognizance of potential OT services. Thirty-two participants were recruited through both purposive and snowball sampling including: administrators; instructors; related services providers; parents or guardians; and students. In …

Race Matters: Occupational Therapy As A Career Choice By High School Students Of Color, Kirsten L. Wilbur

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

This critical ethnographic study examined occupational therapy as a field that has maintained the historic exclusion of students of color through mainstream professional academic practice. In particular this paper explores systemic barriers that influence secondary to post-secondary pipeline decisions for urban, high school students of color. The tenets of critical race and Freirean critical theory guided analysis of the data collected from field notes, individual interviews and focus group discussions. Three categories representing student experiences with making post-secondary decisions emerged from the study: (a) navigating the system, (b) making choices, and (c) no interest in healthcare. Additional findings including …

From “Destroying Angel” To “The Most Dangerous Woman In America”: A Study Of Mary Mallon’S Depiction In Popular Culture, Claire Sandoval-Peck

History Undergraduate Theses

My paper examines the life of "Typhoid Mary" Mallon, and looks at how she has been depicted and vilified in popular culture. It asks why and how she has been remembered in history as the infamous “Typhoid Mary” and how her portrayal has been influenced by the attitudes and beliefs of the time and place of her life. I discuss her historical legacy through the lens of her three identities as a healthy carrier, Irish immigrant, and a working woman, researching both primary and secondary sources. Through exploring those subjects, I have concluded that the convergence of these three identities …

Phenomenological Psychology In Practice And Research: A Global Perspective On A Human Science, Alex A. Ekstrom

Global Honors Theses

Phenomenology is a philosophical movement, and more recently, an approach taken by healthcare professionals around the world in their work with patients, and by social scientists in their research about human phenomena (Creswell, 2011; Viney & King, 2003). In this paper, I will explore this approach in the field of psychology specifically. I will focus on how phenomenology has been used to enhance the clinical practice of psychology, and in qualitative research in psychology to better understand and promote well-being. I will suggest that the phenomenological approach in psychology leads to a more open-minded and rigorous practitioner and researcher who …

Traveling With Stowaways: The Human Microbiome And Travel, Alisha N. Hughes

Global Honors Theses

The human microbiome is a research field that is fairly new and thus, not yet fully understood. However, past research has revealed that the human host and the microorganisms interact with each other. To comprehend how influential the connection between host and its stowaways is, the following text will first offer general information on the human microbiome, before moving on to a pilot case study proposal. With the use of similar case studies, this proposal aims to investigate how the human microbiome changes when the host travels and analyzes the changes and their affects on the individual’s health. The paper’s …

The Cultural Isolation Of Providers And Educators Caused By Stigma And Compassion Fatigue When Serving Survivors Of Invisible Wounds, Bronwyn G. Pughe

Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to give voice to the lived experience of providers and educators regarding stigma and compassion fatigue. In this study, using critical social theory as a lens, I seek to understand how providers and educators experience and recognize the stigma they carry, their own compassion fatigue and what they do to stay healthy—including mental physical, emotional/psychological, intellectual, and spiritual health.

La Dolce Vita, The Italian Case Study: Linking Culture, Policy And ‘Active Aging’, Maria L. Kimmerle

Global Honors Theses

By 2025, the global demographic trend reveals a chalice-like structure, indicating an aging population. Active Aging (AA) policies are sustained on social capital or networking wherein people are successful, positive, and experiencing a high quality of life in their aging years. The major backbones supporting activity in the elderly must be reinforced by the culture of that society, the policies and the political support which is witnessed in societies with a large aging population, such as Italy. Adopting culturally inappropriate policies contrary to social norms create social dilemmas, thereby policies are rejected and no change occurs.

Objective: To present the …

Governing The Infections Bacteria Commons: Preventing Antibiotic Resistance, Christopher R. M. Pilch

Global Honors Theses

In recent decades, concerns have arisen over the misuse of antibiotics and the resultant increase in ever-more resilient strains of pathogenic bacteria. The author examines this issue through the lens of common pool resource theory, which frames a case study comparison between the United States and the Netherlands and their respective antibiotic distribution practices. The results of the case study offer insights into how the United States can better manage its antibiotic and public health policies.