Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Impact Of Traditional (Non-Affirming) Black Church Affiliation On Exploration Of Sexual Identity For Black Assigned Female At Birth Lgbq+ Individuals And The Associated Mental Health Risk, Aurielle J. Sutton

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explored the impact of Black traditional church upbringing on the sexual and religious identity development, including the subsequent mental health risk, for Black assigned female at birth (AFAB) LGBQ+ individuals. Studies conducted on Black AFAB LGBQ+ individuals are limited, especially in terms of  assessing their experiences in sexual identity development based on religious upbringings. Studies have overlooked the experience of LGBQ+ Black AFAB individuals navigating sexual orientation development and religious and racial identities. Studies have greatly favored Black gay men and supported health risks such as HIV. In the present study, twelve Black AFAB Queer individuals participated in …

Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Over-The-Counter Medications Among Undergraduate Students At The University Of Mississippi, Anna S. Dawson

Honors Theses

This study examines and compares knowledge and attitudes towards over-the-counter (OTC) medications among undergraduate college students at the University of Mississippi. OTCs are purchased and administered without a prescription, making them an efficient, safe, and affordable method of healthcare. It is important to determine the attitudes college students have towards these drugs and if they are able to safely and correctly use them. Information gathered from this study can be used to guide future education on medication literacy and to gain insight into how college students use OTCs to medicate themselves. A Qualtrics survey was sent out to a random …

Exploring The Relationships Between Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Organizational Support, Job Satisfaction, And Intent To Stay Among Minnesota School Nurses, Kristin K. Coudron

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

School nurses face escalating job demands driven by increasing student health complexity, chronic condition management, and expanding public health responsibilities. Often serving as the sole healthcare professional within a school or district, they work in settings characterized by high autonomy, variable organizational support, and growing concerns about job satisfaction and retention. Limited empirical research has examined how personal and organizational resources jointly relate to school nurses’ intent to remain in practice. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) theory and the National Association of School Nurses School Nursing Practice Framework, this quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study explored relationships among emotional intelligence, …

Reflecting On Psychotherapy In Adolescence: A Qualitative Analysis Of Processes Of Change, John Parigger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a sharp increase in anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescence, and many forms of psychotherapy are shown to be effective. However, most research has examined average effects for manualized treatments that address multiple areas of functioning, which makes it difficult to determine how psychotherapy causes positive change. Process-based therapy postulates that all psychotherapies work through promoting adaptive biopsychosocial patterns of behavior (i.e., processes of change). Research has increasingly focused on the process-based therapy model, and there is a need for qualitative studies to incorporate lived experience into our understanding of change processes. The current study utilized the process-based …

Threaded Belonging: Strengthening Cultural Identity Through Armenian Embroidery In The Diaspora, Krysten A. Lee

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

The current study examined the impact of an Armenian textile arts workshop on cultural identity among members of the Armenian diaspora in the Bay Area of California (n = 25). Grounded in relational-cultural theory, it explored how culturally grounded, community-based, traditional art practices may strengthen cultural identity and reduce cultural disconnection resulting from forced displacement following the Armenian Genocide of 1915. A mixed-methods, arts-based design was implemented where participants engaged in an embroidery workshop centered on traditional Armenian textile practices. Data was collected through pre- and post-intervention Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS) scale (Aron, Aron, & Smollan, 1992) …

Art As Activism: Emotional Expression And Collective Empowerment Among Muslim Participants Creating Protest Posters, Menhal Sheikh

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

Muslim Americans are among the most underserved populations in mental health care in the United States. In the wake of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, many Muslim Americans have experienced intensified psychological distress, including anxiety, grief, and a heightened sense of helplessness, while continuing to show up in the streets in protest. This mixed-methods study examined whether the collective process of protest poster-making leads to emotional expression among Muslim American participants. Eleven Muslim American participants across two groups in the San Francisco Bay Area completed a pre and post Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) to measure changes in affect, …

Spiritual-Soul Care: Art Sacralization, Active Imagination, And Eco Therapy, Andrea N. Miller

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This thesis reasons that spiritual-soul care is, at times, an ethically necessary dimension of mental health care for many individuals yet remains underdeveloped within the field. In response, this research aims to articulate a foundational, non-dogmatic “baseline” language that is simple and accessible, while remaining nuanced enough to capture the depth and essence of spiritual-soul care. This study proposes a culturally flexible approach for individuals who identify outside of traditional religious frameworks. This multidimensional model includes three domains—the self, spirit-soul, and the transpersonal levels—each contributing to wellbeing through developmental themes.

Using a qualitative design, 9 participants engaged in contemplation, Jungian …

Loneliness And Social Isolation: Finding Connection Through Art, Elijah K. Wong

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This study explored whether creativity might help alleviate feelings of loneliness and social isolation. The COVID-19 pandemic was an extraordinary event that significantly impacted people's emotional, physical, psychological, and social health globally. To gain insight into these impacts, the research focused on participants’ creative activities and their experiences of loneliness during and after the pandemic. The aim was to find possible links between making and viewing art and reducing feelings of loneliness and loneliness-related experiences. Ten participants were surveyed and asked about their artistry, their time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their sense of belonging to a community. This investigation …

Shadow Garments: Costume Creation For Integrating Alienated Parts Of The Self, Mega M. Galvin

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This study explores costume creation as a narrative-based intervention for integrating "shadow" parts, or aspects of the self that are repressed or alienated due to shame, trauma, or social pressure. Grounded in Jungian analytic psychology, narrative therapy, and expressive arts theory, the research addresses the limitations of traditional talk therapy in accessing somatic memory and proposes costume making as a pathway for externalization and re-authorship. Using a qualitative, participatory study inspired by Pat B. Allen’s Open Studio Process, four adult participants engaged in a three-session workshop to design, construct, and wear costumes representing their identified shadow aspects. Data was collected …

Restorative Environments And Therapeutic Artmaking: A Strengths-Based Art Gallery Workshop To Enhance Well-Being In Emerging Adults, Jeannine Case

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

Emerging adults aged 18 to 29 face increased mental health risks yet encounter considerable barriers to traditional care, which highlights the need for accessible, preventive alternatives. This mixed-methods pilot study investigated whether an art gallery environment could serve as a supportive setting for a strengths-based, positive art therapy-informed wellness workshop aimed at promoting well-being for this population. Six participants between the ages of 20 and 27, all enrolled in post-secondary education, took part in this study. Five identified as female and one as male. Three participants (50%) identified as Hispanic/Latino, one as Asian, one as White, and one as Hispanic/Latino …

The Impact Of Virtual Discharge Interventions Compared To Traditional Methods On Adult Patient Population Readmission Rates: An Integrative Review, Tiffany Providence, Carrie Brooks, Nannono Kayondo, Courteney Lovell, Alice Smith

Master's Projects

Hospital readmissions are a persistent quality and cost burden to the healthcare system, prompting evaluation of modern strategies to strengthen transitional care. This integrative review synthesized findings from thirteen studies published between 2011 and 2025 to assess the effectiveness of virtual discharge interventions in reducing readmission rates among adult patients. Virtual discharge interventions included programs utilizing technology, such as phone calls, video visits, apps, or remote monitoring, to help patients understand their care and improve positive outcomes. Many of these studies showed that virtual support can reduce hospital readmissions, especially for people with heart failure. Some programs also improved patients’ …

The Effect Of Hormone Replacement Therapy On Osteoporosis And Osteoporotic Fracture Risk In Postmenopausal Women: A Clinical Review, Keeley E. Benfield

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a silent yet devastating skeletal disease disproportionately affecting postmenopausal women, increasing risk for debilitating fractures, loss of independence, and premature mortality. After menopause, estrogen declines causing rapid acceleration of bone loss, making early intervention critical. This clinical review evaluates whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) reduces the risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women compared to no HRT.

Methods: PubMed was searched using terms including “Hormone Replacement Therapy,” “postmenopausal women,” “osteoporosis,” “bone mineral density,” and “fractures,” combined with MeSH terms and Boolean operators. Filters limited results to English, free full text randomized controlled trials …

Efficacy Of Ultrasound In Diagnosing Pneumothorax, Lydia C. Hunt

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Pneumothorax is the presence of air or gas within the pleural space, disrupting normal lung expansion and potentially compromising ventilation and oxygenation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility of using ultrasound to diagnose pneumothorax as opposed to chest radiography.

Methods: PubMed was searched using key terms such as “radiography”, “ultrasonography” and “pneumothorax”. Operators and filters were placed, and 5 articles were ultimately selected for review.

Results: Three articles were directly comparing the diagnostic ability of ultrasound versus chest radiograph in diagnosing pneumothorax, while the other two articles were assessing the accuracy of ultrasound alone with …

Whole Blood Versus Component Therapy In Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock: A Comparative Review Of Survival Outcomes, Hadyn Thynne

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Importance: Hemorrhage remains one of the leading preventable causes of trauma mortality, yet the optimal resuscitation strategy, using whole blood vs component therapy, remains debated. While component therapy has been standard in civilian trauma centers since the 2015 PROPPR trial, renewed interest in whole blood resuscitation, largely driven by military experience, has sparked reevaluation of its role in civilian trauma care.

Objective: This review aims to compare survival outcomes, transfusion volumes, coagulopathy correction, and complication rates between whole blood and component therapy resuscitation in adult trauma patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock.

Evidence Review: A PICO-guided PubMed/MEDLINE search with …

The Role Of Probiotics In Metabolic Syndrome: A Clinical Review, Ariel Rios

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

BACKGROUND

           Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. First-line treatment consists of lifestyle modifications, followed by guideline-directed pharmacologic therapy. Growing evidence suggests that modulation of the gut microbiota through probiotic supplementation may improve metabolic outcomes, although its clinical role remains uncertain. This clinical review evaluates whether the use of probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, may serve as adjunctive therapy for metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

          PubMed was searched using terms including “metabolic syndrome” and “probiotics,” yielding 195 articles. Abstracts and full texts were screened to identify randomized …

Incidence Of Breast Cancer In Menopausal And Post-Menopausal Women With The Use Of Different Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapies, Morgan L. Moorer

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is a widely used treatment for common symptoms that women experience through menopause and post-menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, low libido, night sweats, and weight fluctuations. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the association between MHT use and breast cancer risk.

Methods: A search was conducted through PubMed using the following key terms: “estrogen”, “progesterone”, “breast cancer”, and “menopause”. After filters were applied, the search was narrowed down to 33 final results. Of those results, 3 total articles were utilized in this literature review.

Results: Two articles directly …

Comparing Monoclonal Antibodies Targeted At Amyloid-Beta Plaques’ Efficacy To Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors In Alzheimer’S Disease Management, Megan B. Hardy

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Alzheimer’s disease is a detrimental neurodegenerative disorder that is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Without a cure, this disease slowly robs patients of their dignity and livelihoods. Traditionally, pharmacologic management has relied on symptomatic relief with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). However, new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting amyloid-beta plaques may be the first disease modifying therapy. The purpose of this clinical review was to compare the efficacy, safety, and clinical utility of mAbs and AChEIs in the management of Alzheimer’s disease.

A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted through June 2026 using terms related to monoclonal antibodies, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and Alzheimer’s disease. …

The Effects Of Non-Pharmacologic Interventions On Glycemic Control In Type 1 Diabetes And Anxiety: A Clinical Review, Samuel Merr

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) carries significant psychological burden, including elevated rates of anxiety and diabetes-related distress. Both of these have been linked to worse glycemic control and outcomes. The purpose of this clinical review is to evaluate the current evidence on whether non-pharmacologic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), are associated with meaningful reductions in HbA1c in adults with T1D and elevated anxiety.

Methods: PubMed was searched using key terms including “type 1 diabetes,” “anxiety,” “non-pharmacologic interventions,” and “glycemic control,” with MeSH terms and Boolean operators applied. …

Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: Evaluating Targeted Hypothermia And Targeted Normothermia, Lexie Johnston

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Targeted temperature management plays an important role in post-cardiac arrest care and is aimed at reducing neurologic injury and improving survival following ROSC. While therapeutic hypothermia was once considered the standard of care, recent studies have questioned whether it provides additional benefit over targeted normothermia. This review evaluated current evidence comparing targeted hypothermia with targeted normothermia in adult patients following cardiac arrest.

Methods: A PubMed search was performed using key terms related to cardiac arrest, temperature management, mortality, and neurologic outcomes. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and meta-analyses published within this past …

Biologic Therapies Versus Methotrexate In Psoriatic Arthritis Management: A Literature Review, Yisel Ramos

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause progressive joint damage, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used as a systemic therapy, while biologic therapies target specific inflammatory pathways. This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of biologic therapies compared with MTX in adults with PsA.

Methods: A PubMed/MEDLINE search identified studies evaluating biologic therapies and MTX in adults with PsA. Four publications were included based on methodological quality, clinical relevance, and applicability to the PICO question. Outcomes included joint symptoms, disease activity, physical function, radiographic progression, and adverse …

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation For Recurrent Clostridioides Difficile Infection: A Clinical Review, Benjamin H. Drinkwalter

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a common healthcare-associated infection that frequently recurs after standard antibiotic treatment due to persistent disruption of the intestinal microbiome. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a microbiota-based therapy that may reduce recurrence by restoring normal intestinal bacterial diversity.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed to identify English randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between 2021 and 2026. Four studies that directly compared FMT with standard antibiotic treatment were included. A fifth randomized controlled trial was added with a second targeted search because the initial search not contain enough randomized …

Prescribing Prevention: The Impact Of Non-Pharmacological Intervention Versus Medication On Maternal Mortality, Sheris Cox

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia, are one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the world. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions, including supervised exercise, Mediterranean dietary patterns, and mindfulness-based therapies, in reducing and preventing HDPs and maternal mortality overall. A review of the current literature was conducted using PubMed, with a final search using the terms “preeclampsia,” “exercise,” “stress reduction,” and “maternal mortality.” With the use of certain filters applied to the search, results were condensed to 10 articles for review. Of the articles reviewed, it was found …

Laparoscopic Excision Versus Laparoscopic Ablation For Treatment Of Symptomatic Endometriosis, Jordan Kaplan

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity.¹ This disorder affects 6% to 10% of reproductive-aged women and is associated with chronic pain, infertility, and menstrual irregularities.³ Laparoscopy is the gold standard for surgical management of symptomatic disease; however, uncertainty exists regarding whether laparoscopic excision provides better clinical outcomes compared to laparoscopic ablation.⁴

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database with MeSH terms and Boolean operators related to endometriosis, laparoscopy, excision, and ablation. Filters were applied to include English-language, full-free text, randomized controlled trials, …

Pharmacologic Pain Management During Intrauterine Device Insertion, Taylor M. Long

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Intrauterine devices provide long-acting reversible contraception for women wanting to prevent pregnancy, but pain during insertion is a major concern for many patients. This clinical review compared nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local anesthetic options for pain control during and shortly following IUD insertion.

Methods: PubMed was searched using terms “intrauterine device insertion”, “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs”, “lidocaine”, “local anesthetics”, “pain”, and “analgesia”. The search returned 135 articles. After filters were applied, eleven articles remained, and five articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the clinical review.

Results: The review included four randomized controlled trials and one network meta-analysis. …

Efficacy Of Sglt2 Inhibitors In The Management Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Paige N. Curtis-Campbell

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), recently proposed to be termed polyendocrine metabolic syndrome (PMOS), is a complex multifactorial disorder commonly associated with obesity, hyperandrogenism, infertility, and insulin resistance. First-line treatments for metabolic characteristics include lifestyle modifications and metformin; however, metabolic abnormalities may persist. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent a potential therapeutic agent due to their effects on insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and body weight.

Methods: A literature search of PubMed identified studies examining SGLT2 inhibitors in women with PCOS compared to metformin, standard therapies, or placebo. The search was restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses available …

Effect Of Intramedullary Nailing Vs Plate Fixation On Bone Union Time In Distal Tibial Fractures, Madeline Wasmund

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Distal tibia fractures are complex fractures due to the intricate anatomy and minimal soft-tissue protection. There are currently two techniques that are mainstays for repairing a distal tibia fracture: intramedullary nailing and plate fixation. This study explores the bone union time between these two different techniques. PubMed was searched with a specific search strategy using the terms “intramedullary rod”, “plate/screw fixation”, “tibial fractures”, and “time to bone union.” Filters were applied to find articles that were most relevant, which resulted in 4 articles, each of which was appraised. Three articles were systematic reviews/meta-analyses comparing intramedullary nail fixation and plate fixation …

Catheter Directed Thrombolysis Vs Anticoagulant Therapy For The Management Of Pulmonary Embolisms, Kelsey A. Strawser

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that develops within a blood vessel and travels to the lungs, leading to a blockage of blood flow where it can cause life threatening complications.¹ Currently, there is not one standard treatment for pulmonary embolisms. Treatment depends on the size and location of the emboli, as well as the risk it has to the patients’ health.⁹ While systemic anticoagulation is one of the most common treatment methods for pulmonary embolisms, catheter directed thrombolysis rapidly dissolves the clot, which can lead to quicker symptom relief and decreased strain on the heart.^{11 …}

Vitamin D And The Expression Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Sle), Sonephet S. Phoumsavath

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects women and minority populations, carrying significant morbidity. The purpose of this literature review is to analyze the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in reducing disease activity in SLE patients, compared with none.

Methods: PubMed was searched using a specific strategy with key terms including "vitamin D," "systemic lupus erythematosus," and "disease activity." Boolean operators and filters included a five-year publication limit and restriction to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. This narrowed the results to five quality articles for review.

Results: Two meta-analyses and …

The Role Of Probiotics As Adjunctive Therapy In The Treatment Of Depressive Disorders, Maritza Lopez

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder that remains difficult to treat for many patients despite available therapies. The purpose of this clinical review was to evaluate the effectiveness of adjunctive probiotic supplementation for adults with major depressive disorder. PubMed was searched using key terms including major depressive disorder, probiotics, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and gut-brain axis. Search filters and eligibility criteria narrowed the results to six relevant articles for review, including one randomized clinical trial, four systematic reviews, and one clinical practice guideline. Overall, the included studies generally reported reductions in depressive symptom severity and favorable safety …

Clomiphene Vs Letrozole For Fertility In Women With Pcos., Lauren Weissenberger

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition associated with ovulatory dysfunction and infertility in women. The purpose of this review is to analyze the efficacy of clomiphene versus letrozole in ovulation induction, pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in women with PCOS.

Methods: PubMed was searched strategically using key terms “polycystic ovary syndrome”, “clomiphene”, and “letrozole”. The following filters were applied: randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, free full text, English language, and publication dates restricted to the last five years. Results narrowed down to three relevant, quality articles for review.

Results: One article was an RCT comparing clomiphene …