Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Screening For Depression In Immigrants In Their Host Country, Hortense Bissila

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe initial need for care for depression is greater for immigrants, who encounter linguistic, cultural, structural, and attitudinal hurdles to mental health care that render them more susceptible to increased levels of depressive symptoms compared to populations of hosting country. The aim of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to educate frontliners in the community on how to assess for depression in immigrants in culturally congruent ways. This project addresses gap in mental health care practice that needs urgent redress in promoting self-cultural competence and raising awareness to assess for depression on immigrants. To meet the aims of the …

Nursing Staff Education Program On Using The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions Tool Kit, Camarita Titang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The absence of adequate knowledge, skills, and competencies in screening for suicide risk in adolescent and young adult patients is a significant problem facing nurses in outpatient settings. An evaluation of the project site facility’s main performance metrics revealed shortcomings in locating patients who pose a serious risk of self-harm and suicide. Staff dealing with the patients may, as a result, overlook preemptive measures that could stop a suicide event. The project aimed to create a training program to introduce the ask suicide-screening questions (ASQ) tool kit, an evidence-based suicide screening tool, to ambulatory nurses. The goal of the project …

Thirty-Second Mindful Body Scan Meditation For Bedside Nurses, Shruti Balwalli-Udyawer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue, or secondary traumatic stress, is a state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by an inability to cope with the everyday environment that reduces the ability of the nurse to provide high-quality health care to a patient. The purpose of this staff education project, guided by Selye’s general adaption syndrome , was a 6-week, 30-second mindfulness exercise program to promote stress reduction for cardiac step-down and medical-surgical nurses. In this quantitative, pre- and posttest study, the Perceived Stress Scale was completed by a sample of 24 nurses who met the inclusion criteria. The practice focused whether educating nurses …

Nursing Staff Education Program On Using The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions Tool Kit, Camarita Titang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The absence of adequate knowledge, skills, and competencies in screening for suicide risk in adolescent and young adult patients is a significant problem facing nurses in outpatient settings. An evaluation of the project site facility’s main performance metrics revealed shortcomings in locating patients who pose a serious risk of self-harm and suicide. Staff dealing with the patients may, as a result, overlook preemptive measures that could stop a suicide event. The project aimed to create a training program to introduce the ask suicide-screening questions (ASQ) tool kit, an evidence-based suicide screening tool, to ambulatory nurses. The goal of the project …

Nursing Staff Education Program On Using The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions Tool Kit, Camarita Titang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The absence of adequate knowledge, skills, and competencies in screening for suicide risk in adolescent and young adult patients is a significant problem facing nurses in outpatient settings. An evaluation of the project site facility’s main performance metrics revealed shortcomings in locating patients who pose a serious risk of self-harm and suicide. Staff dealing with the patients may, as a result, overlook preemptive measures that could stop a suicide event. The project aimed to create a training program to introduce the ask suicide-screening questions (ASQ) tool kit, an evidence-based suicide screening tool, to ambulatory nurses. The goal of the project …

The Effects Of Prolonged Exposure Therapy On The Symptoms Of Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Hannah Belle Pontillas

Nursing | Senior Theses

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-5 defines posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD as persistent psychophysiological reactions including intrusive memories of trauma, negative feelings towards such memories, and avoidance of related stimuli—all of which are a direct result of experiencing a traumatic event. The first line of treatment for this particular mental disorder is considered to be prolonged exposure therapy or PE therapy due to its high success rate in treating the symptoms of moderate to severe PTSD as it encourages patients to directly confront and overcome their trauma. However, PE therapy has garnered concern as it …

Community-Based Tuberculosis Contact Management: Caregiver Experience And Factors Promoting Adherence To Preventive Therapy, Joyce Sibanda, Bhekumusa Lukhele, Anna M Mandalakas, Alexander Kay

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Delivery of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) for children with household exposure to tuberculosis is a globally supported intervention to reduce the impact of tuberculosis disease (TB) in vulnerable children; however, it is sub-optimally implemented in most high-burden settings. As part of a community-based household contact management program, we evaluated predictors of adherence to community based TPT in children and performed qualitative assessments of caregiver experiences. The Vikela Ekhaya (Protect the Home) project was a community-based household contact management program implemented between 2019 and 2020 in the Hhohho Region of Eswatini. At home visits, contact management teams screened children for TB, …

Thirty-Second Mindful Body Scan Meditation For Bedside Nurses, Shruti Balwalli-Udyawer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue, or secondary traumatic stress, is a state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by an inability to cope with the everyday environment that reduces the ability of the nurse to provide high-quality health care to a patient. The purpose of this staff education project, guided by Selye’s general adaption syndrome , was a 6-week, 30-second mindfulness exercise program to promote stress reduction for cardiac step-down and medical-surgical nurses. In this quantitative, pre- and posttest study, the Perceived Stress Scale was completed by a sample of 24 nurses who met the inclusion criteria. The practice focused whether educating nurses …

Addressing Breast Health Disparities Among Recent, Established African-Born Immigrant Women And Second-Generation Americans In Prince George County, Maryland, Omolola Okunromade

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Breast health disparities and underutilization of screening methods are major concerns in the United States (US), particularly affecting Black women who experience lower survival rates and advanced diagnoses. Despite the rapid growth of the African-born immigrant population, breast health among this group in the US is notably under-examined. This study aims to investigate the breast health knowledge and practices of first-generation African-born immigrants and second-generation immigrant women of African descent, aiming to understand the distinctive attributes of this group and the impact of acculturation on this public health issue.

Methods: Interviews were conducted among First Generation African immigrants and …

School Nurse Perceptions Toward Peers With Substance Use Disorder And Knowledge Of Alternative-To-Discipline Programs, Patricia L. Howard-Chittams

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Title of DNP Project: School Nurse Perceptions Toward Peers with Substance Use Disorder and Knowledge of Alternative-to-Discipline Programs

Student Name & Full Credentials: Patricia L. Howard-Chittams, MSN, FCN, AGNP-BC

Abstract

This pilot project addresses existing barriers to the use of alternative-to-discipline programs for individuals with substance use disorder. It aims to identify and dispel these barriers through an educational program. The focus includes assessing knowledge, confidence, and perceptions of school nurses about their peers with substance use disorder and alternative-to-discipline programs. Given the rise in substance use disorder since the pandemic, the pilot project’s goals is to enhance understanding, increase …

Access To Prenatal Care And Mental Health In Pregnant Women During Covid-19: A Systematic Review, Chloe Feezel, Marin Kahoun, Kaija Kunttu

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

COVID-19 affected the world in many ways. Pregnant women were greatly impacted by a change in their access to prenatal care, from in-person care to telehealth methods, and social support being limited by social isolation. Compared with prevalence of anxiety and depression in pregnant women pre-COVID-19, pregnant women during COVID-19 reported higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms due to the stress of circumstantial changes. The purpose of this systematic review is to review and critically appraise the evidence about access to prenatal care and mental health in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following PICOT formatted question will …

The Effect Of Self-Perineal Care Education On Knowledge, Episiotomy Pain And Wound Healing Among Primipara Mothers, G.P Lazarus Lilly Mary

Student Works (2020-2029)

A nurse-midwife ensures all mothers receive the best care to be safe and healthy throughout pregnancy and childbirth. However, it is challenging for midwives to provide holistic nursing care as postpartum mothers spend only a brief period in the postnatal ward due to the high demand for the facilities there. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effect of self-perineal care education (SPC education) on knowledge, episiotomy pain, and wound healing outcomes among primipara mothers and explore their opinions regarding self-perineal care education and their challenges and practices at home. Mixed-methods research using the embedded design was …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Use Of Service Dogs In Veterans With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder And Traumatic Brain Injury, Jennifer Shiroff, Kathy Gray, Gabrielle Santulli, Stephen Didonato, Jacqueline O'Rourke Fulford

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Objective

This qualitative research was conducted to add to the body of knowledge that supports the benefits of service dogs (SDs), as a tertiary treatment modality, to veterans with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

This grounded theory research design utilized open‐ended, semi‐structured interviews with veterans (n = 10) who were using SDs as a treatment modality for PTSD and/or TBI. Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo qualitative software until data saturation was achieved.

Results

Results from the data analysis identified 4 major themes with concurrent subthemes. The most prominent themes were functional status, impact of …

The Usability And Feasibility Of A Nursing Evidence-Based Comorbidity Educational Website For An Urban Mental Health Assertive Community Treatment (Act) Program, Andrea Brudigan, Laurie Sewell-Muller, Kokuvi Sena Tsogbevi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objective: Serious mental illness (SMI) causes an increased risk for comorbidities like heart disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Many times, these comorbidities are due to side effects of antipsychotics and poor self-management from low insight and other symptoms of mental illness. This project aims to enhance client care enrolled in an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program by providing evidence-based resources tailored to clients with SMI, providing ACT team members with support to promote healthy behaviors in clients.

Methods: A website was developed that provides printable, easy-to-read, evidence-based resources that address physical comorbidities. The ACT team integrated these resources into …

Postpartum Depression For Mothers With Early Fetal Death Or Stillbirths, Callie Goldman

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Many times, prevention of early fetus death and stillbirths is possible; however, some mortality events are spontaneous or unavoidable. While existing research reveals the likelihood of postpartum depression for mothers following birth, few studies address the potential for postpartum depression of mothers of stillbirth or demised fetuses. The purpose of this study is to determine how mothers can be better prepared for the hardship of losing a baby during childbirth, while going through common difficulties, such as postpartum depression, following birth. Methods: A mixed method approach will be conducted to gather qualitative (interview) and quantitative (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale …

Effectiveness Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions When Treating Postpartum Depression In First-Time Mothers, Rudy Trujillo, Tamantha Minton-Damm, Ashley Muntean, Natalia Lack

Symposium of Student Scholars

Abstract

Non-pharmacological intervention alone or paired with pharmacological interventions is somewhat effective in treating and lowering rates of postpartum depression (PPD) in women. Undergraduate students reviewed studies of the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for postpartum depression. To narrow down results, the students based the review on studies completed within the last 10 years, focusing specifically on primiparas (first births) women. Responses ranged from no notable efficacy in reducing PPD measured against the Edinburgh Scale to marginal improvements when non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches were combined, and testing extended to other scales of motherhood and postpartum. The students discuss the …

High Anxiety In Pediatric Oncology Patients? What About Art Therapy?, Rebekah Love

Symposium of Student Scholars

Anxiety and depression are becoming more prevalent in the pediatric population today. In addition to the general pediatric population experiencing an increased risk of mental illness, children with an oncology related diagnosis have an even heightened risk. Most pediatric oncology patients reported fear or worry daily, which is cited to be most severe when they had an appointment or went to the hospital for a fever. It is imperative we discover interventions to lessen the anxiety and depression pediatric oncology patients experience daily. A literature review revealed conclusive interventions have not been determined. The purpose of this research is to …

Comparison Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Pharmacologic Intervention In Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment, Analily Wong, Collin Owen, Meghan Vatave

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a condition that can result in chronic health conditions that negatively impact a person’s life. Methods to treat AUD involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacologic intervention, including disulfiram (DIS), naltrexone (NTX), and acamprosate (ACA).

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to determine the efficacy of CBT compared to pharmacologic intervention within one year of treatment in adult patients who have been diagnosed with AUD.

Methods: A reference search was conducted using various databases to locate literature. Combined keywords and Boolean operators were utilized to reveal desired articles. A total of 10 …

Nurse Role In Preventing Substance Abuse, Catherine Williams

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Pain is the number one reason why people seek medical attention, meaning pain management is an important intervention in caring for patients. However, over prescribing opioids has caused a major problem in healthcare. The United States is facing a crisis related to opioid abuse and opioid overdose deaths. A major contribution to this crisis is from an over prescription of opioids, which has caused a four-time increase in prescription opioid overdose death since 1999. It is the nurse’s responsibility to screen, assess, monitor, and educate patients about substance abuse. All patients while being triaged should be screened for abuse; …

Reducing Suicide Reattempts With A Telephone Follow Up Program, Bailey Breaux

MSN Capstone Projects

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Most people can say they know at least one person who has committed suicide or has considered suicide. The number of deaths continues to rise, and they aren’t stopping anytime soon. Many of these patients visit emergency rooms around the country seeking help for their depression and suicidal ideation. Some are brought into the emergency department following a suicide attempt and their visit only predicts another one happening in the near future. Some hospitals around the globe has tried to stop this recurrence of suicide reattempts by …

Implementing Evidence-Based Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Depression Assessment, Treatment, And Post-Hospitalization Referral, Lucy Flores

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Purpose: This project was designed to strengthen the quality of depression assessment with evidence-based depression assessment tools in inpatient psychiatric units.

Background: Missed diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders contribute to the most severe outcome of depression: suicide. A crisis stabilization facility with inpatient psychiatric units had significant opportunities to improve clinical outcomes by screening for depression in adults and to monitor symptoms with evidence-based tools.

Methods: The 12-week quality improvement project included implementation of staff education sessions of evidence-based tools to screen, monitor, interpret scores, and detect risk modifiers. The design and build with Information …

Implementing The Depression Screening Tool Phq-9 In The Annual Wellness Exam Of Concierge Family Medicine, Eric Iglesias

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Abstract

Background: Depression has been one of the most common mental health disorders that our population fact but is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Primary care providers are often the first line of defense in detecting depression. Because of this, implementing a depression screening tool in a primary care setting will improve holistic management of care and improve quality of life.

Project Aim: The aim of this project was to increase the number of clients who are evaluated for depression by using the PHQ-9 screening tool during their annual wellness exam and initiate treatment according to the Veteran’s Affairs/Department of Defense Depression …

Reducing Physical Restraints And Emergency Psychiatric Medications On An Inpatient Psychiatric Unit With The Broset Violence Checklist, Victoria Hernandez

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Physical restraint and psychiatric emergency medication use, especially psychotropic medications, is problematic, negatively impacting patient safety on psychiatric units (Ambwani et al., 2021; Iuppa et al., 2013; Rahman, 2021). The Bröset Violence Checklist (Woods & Almvik, 2002), a short-term violence-predicting tool, has been used in the inpatient setting to predict violent outbursts and determine when high-level violence interventions are needed.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to recognize signs and symptoms of aggression and agitation early and intervene to reduce the use of physical restraints and emergency restraint medications on an inpatient psychiatric unit, thereby improving patient safety. …

The Uncertainty And Psychological Health Of Family Caregivers Of Patients With Delirium In Intensive Care Units, Amal Shokri Haji Assa

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Each year, more than 5 million patients are admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) in the United States, and up to 80 % of these patients develop delirium. Delirium is a common indicator of acute brain dysfunction in the ICU and a predictor of mortality, longer ICU/hospital stay, and long-term cognitive impairment. Family caregivers are a valuable resource in preventing, detecting, and managing delirium in the ICU. However, witnessing delirium episodes can generate adverse psychological symptoms in family caregivers that may compromise their health and well-being. Research in this area has demonstrated a gap in the literature regarding how …

How Has The Pandemic Exacerbated Nurse Burnout, And What Can Be Done To Improve Their Psychological And Emotional Well-Being?, Lisette Diaz

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people, both emotionally and physically. Nurses are among the people who are most affected. The nurses' quality of life and the way they provide care has been changed by the pandemic. Nurses are so focused on providing the best possible care for their patients that they neglect to look after themselves.

Objective: The purpose of this literature review is to identify and evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected nurses and their well-being. The significance of this research was to establish how the ongoing pandemic has impacted nurses’ performance and …

Substance Use Among Nurses As A Result Of Covid-19, And The Impact Of Rehabilitative Programs On Nurses, Gerome Macaspac

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: The incidence of substance use among nurses has been a persistent issue for decades. The effects associated with substance misuse depend on what is used, the amount, how often, and how they are taken. Regardless of the substance used, any nurse who enters the workplace using substances puts the lives of others at risk. Due to the widespread effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a risk that the number of nurses resorting to the use of substances may have increased. Therefore, an investigation into drug use among nurses during the pandemic is particularly important.

Objective: To explore the …

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding And Infant Support: Breastfeeding's Effects On Maternal Mental Health, Anna Jacobs

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breastfeeding has proven to be beneficial for infant health and maternal physical health, but there are variable outcomes for maternal mental health. This literature review explores the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal mental health, a topic that is often disregarded when discussing breastfeeding with mothers. After an internship with Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding and Infant Support, a program to make breastfeeding more accessible at Razorback Athletics events, maternal mental health related to breastfeeding was shown to be a topic in need of more current research. This objective of this literature review was to determine how breastfeeding can impact maternal mental health …

The Clinical Healthcare Provided To Homeless Communities Across The United States: A Literature Review, Saylor Sisemore

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Homelessness has become a global public health concern as it results in poorer physical and mental health than age-matched people living in permanent housing (Ortiz & Roser, 2017). The area that comprises Northwest Arkansas (NWA), like other areas of the United States experiencing rapid growth, has seen a marked increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in recent years. The homeless population is one of the most vulnerable and underserved groups of individuals in NWA and beyond. Public health nursing as a discipline is dedicated to providing compassionate care and exceptional service for all members of communities, with special …

Psychiatric Medications: Does Education Affect Medication Prescriptions?, Surina M. Narine, Mary D. Ramos, Sarah Chu

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: There is a lack of research on racial challenges among underrepresented adolescents regarding prescription drug use for mental illnesses. Purpose: This study addressed the following question: In adolescent minorities, how does education about racial disparity and culture affect the stigma and number of prescriptions written for psychiatric medications? This evidence-based practice project aimed to identify if racial awareness directly impacts the amount of psychiatric medication prescribed for adolescent minorities. Methods: Literature reviews analyzed qualitative and quantitative data to provide correlating information on racial disparities and psychotropic medications. This study examined the following possible factors for decreased prescribed drugs within …

Resilience And Prenatal Mental Health In Pakistan: A Qualitative Inquiry, Shireen Shehzad, David Arthur, An-Sofie Van Parys, Nicole Letourneau, Gail Wagnild, Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Nargis Asad, Olivier Degomme

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Women in Pakistan suffer from a high rate of depression. The stress of low-income, illiteracy, exposure to violence and living in a patriarchal society are predisposing vulnerabilities for depression, particularly during and following pregnancy. The resilience of an individual plays a significant role in promoting prenatal mental health, but this has yet to be thoroughly researched. In this article, our objective is to identify the core characteristics of resilience among pregnant women, which will then help us in developing an intervention.
Methods: The exploratory-descriptive study was conducted over 6 months in five different antenatal hospitals in Sindh, Pakistan. A …