Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Intergenerational Creative Movement Program: A Social Connection Intervention To Foster Health And Well-Being, Claire M. Reardon, Mohammad Khalilian, Amy F. Kostelic, Susan Thiel, Anthony R. Bardo

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

A sense of connection and belonging is widely recognized to be essential for mental health. Yet, since the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness, social isolation, and mental health problems have remained elevated across America. Transitions into young adulthood and older age, while distinct, similarly challenge social connectedness, especially among women. Our multi-lesson education program connected first-generation female college students with college-educated forty-plus women to foster belonging and improve mental health. The program integrated dance as a creative physical activity, promoted intergenerational engagement through a humanistic focus on generativity, and used a social network approach to gauge the development of connections among participants …

Improving Health Behaviors And Symptoms In Youth With Mental Health Disorders: The Gamerfit Rct, April Bowling, Alyssa M. Button, Robbie Beyl, James Slavet, Tara Daly, Peyton Murray, Phillip Nauta, Amanda Staiano

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Objective

Methods

Educating High School Advisors On The Benefits Of Life Skills Education Prior To Post-Secondary Transition, Noble H. Steenbergen, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

To develop and provide a viable life skills program to high school educators, with the intent to educate students on life skills and reduce mental health problems during post-secondary transition

Empowering Mothers: A Digital Intervention For Perinatal Mental Wellness, Morgan Edmunds

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Aim: The aim of this project was to develop a smartphone application prototype for peripartum mental health. The goal of this application was to enhance access to education and quality mental health care.

Background: Currently, in the United States, peripartum mental health conditions are the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality (The Joint Commission, 2023). There is a gap in education, screening, and treatment for peripartum mental health due to distrust and a lack of resources, including a lack of mental health providers (Dossette et al., 2024; Feldman & Perret, 2023). Therefore, there is a significant number of women …

I Know What To Say Now: Students' Evaluation And Utilisation Of Accidental Counsellor Training, Joanna E. Harnett, Claire E. Ashton-James, James Kite, Tonia Crawford, Sanetta H.J. Du Toit, Leigh A. Wilson, Rosa Howard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction In 2020 and 2021, 280 health profession students who were engaged in student leadership roles and peer mentoring were invited to undertake extracurricular training in accidental counselling to build skills in recognising and responding to a person in distress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of the online training course, and to explore students’ confidence to use Accidental Counsellor tools to support peers in distress after completion of the training course. Methods A retrospective cohort study including a post- intervention only design was used. A survey was administered approximately 12 months after 225 students completed …

Breaking The Silence: A Scoping Literature Review On Trauma-Informed Care For Black Women Navigating Sexual Health-Related Trauma, Ayanna Troutman, Funlola Are, Ashley Okoye, Sarah Chiang, Destiny Craig, Anthony Akande, Irene Stafford

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Black women disproportionately experience sexual health-related trauma, yet their mental health needs are often inadequately addressed due to systemic barriers and stigma. This literature review examines trauma-informed care (TIC) frameworks tailored to Black women, emphasizing culturally responsive practices in addressing sexual health-related trauma. By synthesizing findings from existing research, including the importance of intersectionality, culturally specific interventions, and community-centered approaches, this review highlights effective strategies for mental health providers. The review concludes with implications for enhancing TIC training and implementation in clinical settings which contributes to the advancement of equitable mental health services for Black women.

Confronting The Mental Health Crisis: Structural Inequities, Market Pressures, And The Role Of Pharmacy Solutions, Kasi Gorli, Thomas L. Pile, Craig Kimble, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

The mental health crisis in the US is severe, with depression and anxiety leading causes of disability among young adults. The mental health services market is growing, but access to care remains inconsistent, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Pharmacists are playing a crucial role in mental health care, improving medication adherence and patient outcomes through collaborative practice agreements. Systemic reform is needed to address barriers such as affordability and social determinants, with pharmacists integral to closing care gaps.

Efficacy Of Psychedelics Therapy Across Psychiatric Disorders: An Umbrella Review Of Meta-Analyses, Alissa A. Lopez, Ihsan Salloum, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga

Research Colloquium

Background: Psychedelics are gaining renewed scientific interest as a treatment for mental health conditions such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and addiction. Numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest these substances may produce significant therapeutic effects. However, there is currently no high-level synthesis comparing how different psychedelic compounds perform across a range of psychiatric conditions. A quantitative umbrella review is needed to clarify whether psychedelics broadly improve mental health outcomes, and whether certain compounds are more effective for specific diagnoses.

Methods: The aim of this study is to conduct an umbrella review (meta-analysis of meta-analyses) to assess the …

At Stake In Each Other’S Company: A Systems View Of Compassion Fatigue In Mental Health Work, Susan S. Standen

Journal of Conscious Evolution

Traditional research on the phenomenon of compassion fatigue (CF) in mental health work tends to include recommendations for workers to build skills in psychological detachment and self-care. This puts the burden of coping with vicarious trauma on the individual caregiver, not on the systems they operate within. Alternatively, a transformative systemic perspective suggests that Western cultural assumptions about care-giving and individual resilience need to be reassessed. By broadening the exploration of CF and comparing it with human reactions to overwhelming crises across fields and disciplines, new questions can be asked, and new solutions can be proposed. This essay details how …

An Evolutionary Preamble Towards A Multilevel Framework To Understand Adolescent Mental Health: An International Delphi Study, Federica Sancassiani, Vanessa Barrui, Fabrizio Bert, Sara Carucci, Fatma Charfi, Giulia Cossu, Arne Holte, Jutta Lindert, Simone Marchini, Alessandra Perra, Samantha Pinna, Antonio Egidio Nardi, Alessandra Scano, Cesar A Soutullo, Massimo Tusconi, Diego Primavera

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Adolescence is a sensitive developmental window shaped by both vulnerabilities and adaptive potential. From an evolutionary standpoint, mental health difficulties in this period may represent functional responses to environmental stressors rather than mere dysfunctions. Despite increasing interest, integrative models capturing the dynamic interplay of risk and protective factors in adolescent mental health remain limited. This study presents a holistic, multi-level framework grounded in ecological and evolutionary theories to improve understanding and intervention strategies.

Methods: A two-round Delphi method was used to develop and validate the framework. Twelve experts in adolescent mental health evaluated a preliminary draft derived from the …

Creating The Thomas Mcrae Sanitorium For Negros: Race, Contagion, And Space In Jim Crow Arkansas, Shauna Gibbons

The Ozark Historical Review

The Thomas McRae Memorial Sanatorium for Negroes, located in Alexander, Arkansas, opened its doors in 1931 as the only resource for the entire state’s population of consumptive African Americans. It was touted as one of the best of its kind under the supervision of Dr Hugh A. Browne. But its “kind” was a facility intended for individuals whom whites in the medical and political establishment viewed not only as second class citizens but as biologically and medically different.

Social Determinants Of Health In Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, And Other Sexual And Gender Minority (Lgbtq+) Older Adults: Impact Of Socioeconomic Disadvantage On Inpatient Hospitalizations, Jennifer T. May Phd, Rn, Anp-Bc, Devon Noonan, Susan G. Silva

Publications

Introduction

Little is known about the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) older adults (≥50 years). The aim of this study is to determine whether the distribution of LGBTQ+ inpatient hospitalizations are related to structural socioeconomic factors.

Methods

A secondary analysis of retrospective electronic health record data for LGBTQ+ older adults hospitalized from 2018 to 2022 was conducted at one large health system. The average county area deprivation index where the patient resided was calculated.

Results

The analysis included 2270 LGBTQ+ older adult inpatient hospitalizations, with 1508 (66.4%) from …

Sociodemographic Determinants Of Telehealth Visits: A Comparison Of Mental Health And Substance Use Disorders With Other Services, Stanley Nkemjika, Orman Trent Hall, Jeanette Tetrault, Ayana Jordan

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Discrimination has wide-ranging implications, affecting patients' trust in healthcare professionals and their intentions to seek care. It can cause barriers that can affect access to care, especially among racial and ethnic minority groups in mental healthcare settings. Hence, we aim to examine the relationship between racial discrimination and reasons for using telehealth services.

METHOD: Using the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS-6), we isolated 6017 participants who reported on discrimination inquiry. The primary dependent variable in this study is self-reported discrimination in healthcare, while the main independent variable is the reason for the most recent telehealth visit, and …

Childhood Loneliness And Cognitive Decline And Dementia Risk In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Jinqi Wang, Danyang Jiao, Xiaoyu Zhao, Yixing Tian, Haibin Li, Xia Li, Chen Sheng, Lixin Tao, Hui Chen, Zhiyuan Wu, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Importance: Adult loneliness has been linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk, but the long-term implications of childhood loneliness remain underexplored. Objectives: To investigate whether childhood loneliness is associated with cognitive decline and dementia risk and whether adult loneliness mediates or modifies these associations. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative cohort study conducted between June 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018, with a maximum follow-up of 7 years. Data analyses were performed from October 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. Exposure: Childhood loneliness was defined as …

Assessing The Psychological Wellbeing And Resilience Of Frontline Health Workers In Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ahmed Sarki, Joseph Atukwatse, Gideon Mbithi, Sabina Odero, Mary Namuguzi, Bernard Mutwiri, Lestine Bitakwitse, Peninah Wachira, Kevinson Mwangi, Eunice Ndirangu, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Health workers in the frontline are the major drivers of health systems in low- and middle-income countries. However, these health workers face both chronic and acute shocks and stressors that expose them to mental health problems which are often overlooked. We examined the prevalence of mental health problems, correlates of psychological functioning, and resilience of frontline health workers in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 1800 frontline health workers across all regions of Uganda from August through October 2023. We used tools such as the PC-PTSD-5, PHQ9, PSS, GAD-7, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and CD-RISC-10 to assess PTSD, …

Social Determinants Of Health In Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, And Other Sexual And Gender Minority (Lgbtq+) Older Adults: Impact Of Socioeconomic Disadvantage On Inpatient Hospitalizations, Jennifer T. May Phd, Rn, Anp-Bc, Devon Noonan, Susan G. Silva

Publications

Introduction Little is known about the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) older adults (≥50 years). The aim of this study is to determine whether the distribution of LGBTQ+ inpatient hospitalizations are related to structural socioeconomic factors. Methods A secondary analysis of retrospective electronic health record data for LGBTQ+ older adults hospitalized from 2018 to 2022 was conducted at one large health system. The average county area deprivation index where the patient resided was calculated. Results The analysis included 2270 LGBTQ+ older adult inpatient hospitalizations, with 1508 (66.4%) from …

Outcomes Of Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Communitybased Drug Rehabilitation Program For Voluntary Vs. Court-Mandated Clients In The Philippines, Maria Regina M. Hechanova, Trixie Anne Co, Fessa R. Egusquiza

Psychology Department Faculty Publications

This study sought to evaluate the outcomes of a community- based rehabilitation program for voluntary and court-mandated drug users in the Philippines. Participants went through a bio-psycho-social-spiritual group-based program that aimed to develop their recovery skills and life skills. The program also included family modules to enhance their knowledge of drug use, its effects, and the role of family in recovery. A cohort design was used with pre- and posttest surveys administered before and immediately after the program. The sample consisted of 105 voluntary clients and 118 court-mandated clients who underwent screening or drug dependency evaluation and were recommended for …

Sleep Quality, Emotional Moods, And Cognitive Outcomes Among People Living With Hiv: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study, Shan Qiao Ph.D., Abhishek Aggarwal, Camryn Garrett, Arielle N’Diaye, Atena Pasha, Irene Esu, Chih Hsiang Yang Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Introduction Although studies have explored the relationship between sleep quality, mood, and cognitive outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH), few use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques to evaluate within-person associations between sleep quality and emotional/cognitive outcomes among PLWH at the day level. This study investigated the association between previous night’s sleep quality and momentary psychological outcomes in participants’ natural setting. Methods Study participants were PLWH in South Carolina who were at least 18 years old, diagnosed with HIV for at least 2 years, and able to operate a cellphone. Participants were sampled using posters posted in AIDS Service organizations, …

Utilization Of Outpatient Mental Health Services During And 2 Years After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Michelle A Hayek, Hye-Chung Kum, Sulki Park, Robert Ohsfeldt, Mark A Lawley, Michelle J Bovin

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Objective: Analyze the impact of COVID-19 on outpatient mental health (OP-MH) utilization patterns, particularly telehealth, across eight different MH conditions with a 2-year follow-up.

Methods: This population-based cohort study uses a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥18 and newly diagnosed with one of the eight MH disorders: psychotic, depressive, bipolar, anxiety, trauma-related, substance-use, other MH disorders, and two or more MH disorders. Monthly OP-MH utilization patterns were compared among patients in 2020-2021 newly diagnosed in 2019 to comparable prepandemic cohorts newly diagnosed in 2017. Multiple logistic regression models were conducted to examine differences in telehealth utilization across MH …

The Association Between Irregular Sleep Patterns And Learning Outcomes: Implications For Students’ Health In Iraq, Hazhmat Ali, Dildar Haji Musa, Ary Habeeb Mohammed, Hiwa Abdulraheem, Sherzad Salahadeen, Alind Mustafa

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Students often exhibit irregular sleep patterns due to rigorous academic workloads, which exert a considerable negative impact on their mental health. The present study aims to investigate the influence of irregular sleep on academic performance.

Methods: This study recruited a cohort of 409 medical students of both genders. Upon their consent, participants filled out a closed-ended questionnaire on various sleep parameters, including sleep habits, duration, and environment.

Results: Students with irregular sleep patterns reported higher rates of sleep deprivation, late sleep onset, and troubled sleep. Moreover, they spent a longer duration using smart devices before bedtime …

Academic Burnout And Its Association With Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, And Social Media Addiction Among University Students In Perak, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kai Eng Joanne Lim, Khang Jin Cheah, Farzana Athirah Abdul Latif, Fatin Izzaty Mohd Shahrin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Academic burnout among Malaysian undergraduates is a rising concern, driven by academic pressure and compounded by lifestyle and behavioural factors. This study aimed to examine the associations between academic burnout, sleep quality, physical activity, and social media addiction.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 382 undergraduate students was conducted using an online survey to collect the data. The chi-square test was used to assess bivariate associations, and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of academic burnout.

Results: The majority of respondents were aged 21 to 23 years (59.7%) and female (60.7%). Overall, 56.0% of …

Risk Of Major Depression In Partners Of People With Alzheimer's Disease: A National Cohort Study, Casey Crump, Jingkai Wei, Barbara G Vickrey, Alexis C Edwards, Paul E Schulz, Weiva Sieh, Jan Sundquist, Kristina Sundquist

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) may cause significant psychosocial distress not only in the patient but also their partner. However, long-term risks of major depression in partners of AD patients are largely unknown.

Methods: A national cohort study was conducted of all 145 289 partners of people diagnosed with all-cause dementia, including 57 113 partners of people diagnosed with AD, in Sweden during 1998-2017, and 1 300 561 population-based controls. Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) for subsequent risk of major depression identified from nationwide outpatient and inpatient diagnoses through 2018, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and prior mental …

Increasing Patient Satisfaction And Engagement By Improving Patient Intake Process In An Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Hotenesia Njoroge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This scholarly project aimed to enhance patient satisfaction and engagement by improving the intake process in an outpatient mental health clinic. Inefficient intake procedures, characterized by long wait times, communication gaps, and misreferrals, contribute to patient disengagement and dissatisfaction. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design evaluated a patient-centered intervention involving communication training, streamlined workflows, and real-time updates. Data were collected from 52 participants using Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) and qualitative feedback. Quantitative results revealed high satisfaction with staff respect (M = 4.19), communication clarity (M = 4.06), and facility comfort (M = 4.13). Wait time satisfaction scored slightly lower (M = 3.96), …

Enhancing Collaborative Care: A Training Manual For Improving Veterans Affairs Mental Health Chaplaincy, Eddie L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) launched a study to investigate the integration of chaplains in mental health care. This research expands on that study by focusing on the critical need for enhanced collaboration between chaplaincy and mental health services at local VA facilities. While existing literature affirms the integral role of chaplains in addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals, significant gaps in awareness and effective collaboration practices were identified at the Marion, IL VA Health Care System (VHCS). This study aimed to assess and address the specific training …

Bridging Diagnostic Safety And Mental Health: A Systematic Review Highlighting Inequities In Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis, Abirami Srivarathan, Andrea Bradford, Sara Shearkhani, Layla Heimlich, Sheryl Jefferson, Kristen E Miller, Kelly Smith, Helen Haskell, Traber D Giardina

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: There is increased recognition that diagnostic errors disproportionately affect marginalised and underserved patient populations in the USA. However, evidence on diagnostic inequities in mental disorders is sparse and not well integrated into the overall diagnostic safety literature.

Objective: We systematically reviewed and narratively synthesised evidence on inequities in diagnosis of mental disorders, guided by the Diagnostic Process Framework developed by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and a narrative synthesis. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2024. Studies were eligible if they reported on …

Stress Management Is ‘In The Cards’ For Farmers And Ranchers: The Mental Wellness Conversation Curriculum, Alison L. Brennan, Katharine Sutphen, Parker T. Webb, Michelle U. Grocke-Dewey

Journal of Extension

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers need practical, culturally appropriate stress management resources. The Mental Wellness Conversation Curriculum (MWCC) is a novel approach to health promotion that relies on community facilitators to share stress management information using a customized deck of playing cards organized around specific wellness themes. We implemented and evaluated two facilitator trainings in 2023. Training participants reported increases in relevant knowledge, as well as improved confidence about leading mental wellness events. The MWCC is currently being adapted for use with additional, diverse audiences. Future research should explore the implementation and impact of this innovative health promotion modality.

Using The Personal Health Inventory To Support Engagement In Mindfulness For Veterans With Ptsd: Mixed Methods Secondary Data Analysis, Emily M. Johnson, Mia R. Zappala, Jacob Scharer, Kyle Possemato

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Mindfulness has many potential benefits to physical and mental health but requires many hours of practice to attain the strongest benefits. Mindfulness interventions delivered within the context of primary care settings are often brief, so independent practice beyond the training context is important. Motivational factors are important predictors of sustained practice and different types of motivational factors are associated with different likelihood of sustained practice. The Personal Health Inventory (PHI) is a publicly available personal health planning tool that assesses motivational factors related to self-care behaviors like mindfulness. Our objective was to understand how the PHI can support patient engagement …

Exploring The Positive Mental Health Effects Of Participation In College Athletics, Erin J. Harvey, Devin B. Hefner, Lily C. Pysher, Blake A. Green

Graduate Student Scholarship

Abstract

Exploring the Positive Mental Health Effects of Participation in College Athletics

College students participate in sports for positive physical effects, but does this participation increase the students’ mental health positively, too? This research paper seeks to answer this question to determine how occupational therapists and other professionals working with the population of collegiate athletes can have the best outcomes for their clients. While many studies have been conducted to show how sports participation leads to benefits of individuals’ physical health, few studies have been conducted to determine if participation in sports at the collegiate level benefits students’ mental health …

Disentangling The Effect Of Criminal Legal System Involvement On Mental Health In The United States, Pui Ying Chan

Dissertations and Theses

BACKGROUND: Interactions with the criminal legal system (CLS), such as through arrest or incarceration, are relatively common in the United States (US) and are increasingly recognized as social risk factors for poor mental health. Previous studies have reported a positive association between CLS involvement and poor mental health, with some theoretical frameworks, including the ecosocial theory and the stress process paradigm, supporting a plausible causal relationship. However, prior research has significant limitations in providing casual evidence given possible reverse causation in cross-sectional studies and insufficient consideration for the dynamics between CLS exposures, mental health status, and related confounders over time …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …