Mental and Social Health Commons^™

An Art Therapy Program Design For Anti-Bullying In New Jersey Middle Schools, Michele Deanna Seher

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This thesis proposes an art therapy based anti-bullying program for a model school in New Jersey. The program design responds to strict Anti-Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (Anti-HIB) regulations mandated for NJ schools by the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights (ABR). The target population is middle school (grades 7 and 8), which exhibits the highest rate of HIB activity. Programmatic art therapy services focus on prevention through an art-based anti-bullying club, after school open studio, and psychoeducational application of group art therapy addressing HIB curriculum. Art therapy is also advised for the intervention and remediation of HIB incidents, as necessary.

Combined Effects Of Mdma And Ethanol On Locomotor Activity And Place Conditioning In Male And Female Adolescent Sprague-Dawley Rats, Keli A. Herr

Masters Theses

MDMA, ("Ecstasy") is commonly abused in combination with ethanol (EtOH). Relatively few preclinical studies have investigated sex differences in animal models of polysubstance use. The current study employed a conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure to assess the behavioral effects of the co-administration ofMDMA /EtOH in 32 male and 32 female adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats. Following a 15 min habituation trial, eight 30-min conditioning trials were conducted in two- compartment chambers with different environmental cues. Before each drug conditioning trials, rats were administered intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of MDMA(6.6 mg/kg), EtOH (1.5 g/kg), MDMA (6.6 mg/kg) and EtOH (1.5 g/kg), or saline. Prior …

Congestive Heart Failure Self-Management Among Us Veterans: The Role Of Personal And Professional Advocates, Eleni Skaperdas, Anaïs Tuepker, Christina Nicolaidis, Jessica K. Robb, Devan Kansagara, David H. Hickam

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: Understand patients’ experiences with primary care services for congestive heart failure (CHF) and explore the relationship between health services and self-management.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with thirty-nine patients with CHF receiving care at one Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA). We analyzed data using thematic content analysis.

Results: Participants acknowledged the importance of ongoing engagement in the plan of care for CHF. They attributed success in this effort to be greatly influenced by personal advocates. The advocates included both members of the healthcare team with whom they had a continuity relationship and friends or family members who assisted on …

Basic Human Health And Sustainable Community Development: A Case Study Of A Community In Monte Plata, Dominican Republic, Rachelle H. Arnoux

Capstone Collection

One of my objectives in conducting this research is to enhance my skills in data collection while simultaneously improving my writing skills. More substantively, I wanted to explore how access to healthcare in a developing country like the Dominican Republic can contribute to sustainable development. As good health is fundamental and vital for all human beings, it is important in the context of this study to understand how the healthcare system in a particular country gives the population access to quality healthcare. Referring myself specifically to the situation at Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) Dominicana medical center in the Dominican Republic …

Integrating Addiction Treatment Into Primary Care Using Mobile Health Technology: Protocol For An Implementation Research Study, Andrew R. Quanbeck, David H. Gustafson, Lisa A. Marsch, Fiona Mctavish

Dartmouth Scholarship

Healthcare reform in the United States is encouraging Federally Qualified Health Centers and other primary-care practices to integrate treatment for addiction and other behavioral health conditions into their practices. The potential of mobile health technologies to manage addiction and comorbidities such as HIV in these settings is substantial but largely untested. This paper describes a protocol to evaluate the implementation of an E-Health integrated communication technology delivered via mobile phones, called Seva, into primary-care settings. Seva is an evidence-based system of addiction treatment and recovery support for patients and real-time caseload monitoring for clinicians.

Savor The Memory: A Reminiscence Exercise To Increase Positive Emotions And Reduce Depression Risk In Anxious Individuals, Bethany Morris

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A growing literature suggests that experiencing positive emotions provides psychological benefits (e.g., Coifman et al. 2007), and interventions increasing positive emotions may reduce depression risk (Geschwind et al., 2011). The present study tested whether reminiscence, a method of positive emotion savoring (Quoidbach et al., 2010), can mitigate depression risk by increasing positive emotions in an unselected sample and a subsample of at-risk anxious individuals. Female participants (n=336) were randomized to a reminiscence or control condition and asked to complete daily mental imagery exercises focusing on a positive memory (reminiscence) or a neutral laboratory memory (control) for one week. As expected, …

Suicide Prevention: Training And Education Of Family Physicians, Amresh Srivastava

Data and Test Instruments

General practitioners training: a strategic response to treatment gaps for suicide behaviour Amresh Shrivastava Suicide is an international public heath problem, which impacts the most vulnerable of the world’s populations. About one million people commit suicide and 10-20 times of these attempt it every year across the glob. More than 90000 adolescents commit suicide every year while rate of attempted suicide every year. .It is also among the top 20 leading causes of death, which is projected to contribute more than 2% to the global burden of disease by the year 2020 globally for all ages. Significantly, these figures fails …

Design, Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Compounds With Cns-Activity Targeting Cannabinoid And Biogenic Amine Receptors, Alexander M. Sherwood

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This work seeks to contribute to the discipline of neuropharmacology by way of structure activity relationship from the standpoint of an organic chemist. More specifically, we sought to develop robust synthetic methodology able to efficiently produce an array of compounds for the purpose of systematic evaluation of their interaction with specific sights within the central nervous system (CNS) in order to better understand the mind and to develop drugs that may have beneficial effects on neurological function.

The focus of these studies has been toward the development of novel molecules, using a structure-activity relationship approach, that exhibit binding affinity at …

Desire And Fantasy: The Conditions Of Reality Between The Self And The Other, Raleigh M. Gardiner

Graduate School of Art Theses

The human condition is constituted by the fluctuating operations of desire and fantasy, which emerge in response to one's fundamental differentiation between 'Self' and 'Other.' As infants, we exist in an expansive realm of sensational “sameness” with the world around us; but as we develop, we quickly learn to differentiate between our internal and external worlds, and are forced to divide and organize our once primordial experience of unity on the basis of isolated exclusion of difference. As we slip into the structures of our social and cultural reality, we absorb language, and are taught to construct our own identities …

Anxiety In The Classroom Setting: Early Detection Of Signs And Symptoms, Lisa A. Rauch

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The Surgeon General (2000) estimates that up to 13% of children experience symptoms of anxiety. Since virtually all children attend school, and this environment challenges children in various modalities that are likely to produce anxiety, schools are an excellent environment to detect early signs and symptoms of anxiety. When available, school nurses are well positioned to provide primary and secondary prevention to students identified with signs and symptoms of anxiety.

The aim of this project is to identify if increasing teacher’s knowledge results in and increased ability to recognize early signs and symptoms of anxiety, and report concerns more rapidly, …

Eating Disorders Remain Undetected In Psychiatric Hospitalization: Study Of Electronic Chart Review Of 8000 Patients, Amresh Srivastava, Miky Kaushal, Megan Johnston, Robbie Campbell

Data and Test Instruments

No abstract provided.

Eating Disorders Remain Undetected In Psychiatric Hospitalization: Study Of Electronic Chart Review Of 8000 Patients, Amresh Srivastava, Miky Kaushal, Megan Johnston, Robbie Campbell

Data and Test Instruments

No abstract provided.

A Naturalistic Study Of Screening For Eating Disorder Amongst Psychiatric Patients, Amresh Srivastava, Miky Kaushal, Megan Johnston, Robbie Campbell

Data and Test Instruments

No abstract provided.

Early Identification Of Eating Disorder, Amresh Srivastava

Data and Test Instruments

Robbie Campbell MD FRCPC, Jill Mustin-Powell RN, Megan Johnston PhD, Miky Kaushal MD, Larry Stitt MSc, Amresh Srivastava MRCPsych FRCPC Purpose: Comorbidity of eating disorders and its behavioral traits are common amongst psychiatric patients. Eating disorders are often missed or misdiagnosed which leads to poorer clinical outcome and low functioning, though it is a treatable condition. Patients with eating disorders also tend to have severe psychopathology, which increases risk of suicide, duration of hospitalization and polypharmacy. The present study examines the presence of comorbid eating disorders and their behavioral symptoms in hospitalized adult psychiatric patients. Methods: The study was carried …

Sense Of Self And Relational Connections Through The Use Of Textile Arts, Lisa Thompson-Gibson

Art Therapy Counseling Final Research Projects

This thesis explores the use of textile arts to inform sense of self and authenticity in developing growth fostering relationships. Through narrative inquiry, 11 textile artists were interviewed to explore the question of how relational cultural theory (RCT) and textile arts can inform a sense of self and authenticity for use in art therapy settings. Themes in the research findings included an understanding of how participants originally became involved in textiles, their approach in the creative process, their development of relational connections with others, and how they repair relational disconnections through textile work. Relational cultural theory provided the theoretical framework …

Screening For Eating Disorder Amongst Psychiatric Patients, Amresh Srivastava, Miky Kaushal, Megan Johnston, Robbie Campbell

Data and Test Instruments

No abstract provided.

The Globalization Of Maternal Healthcare In Western Africa, Maura T. Magistrali

Celebration

Maternal healthcare is one of the most important global issues in today’s world, reflected in its inclusion in the Millennium Development Goals. Globalization, through increased acceleration and movement, has improved maternal healthcare in Western Africa, as observed through the spread of Westernized medicines and treatments and improved technology in prenatal and obstetric care. Another remarkable effect of globalization is the hybridity manifested in both women’s healthcare choices and in the pluralistic training of midwives. However, the same forces of movement and exchange can also bring negative consequences, visible through health-access inequalities, brain drain, and the exploitation West African countries.

A Manual To Improve The Health-Related Quality Of Life And Self-Efficacy For Older Adult Females Engaged In Physical Activity, Kimberly Berry

Graduate Theses

Health related quality of life and self-efficacy are two areas that decrease in older adulthood. Females experience numerous physical and mental changes through later adulthood and exercise can help ease this transition. This manual focuses on the positive effects of exercise on women's health related quality of life and self-efficacy. Older adult women can experience benefits from a regular exercise routine that incorporates cardio, strength training, flexibility and balance training.

Conversion Therapy And Free Speech: A Doctrinal And Theoretical First Amendment Analysis, Clay Calvert, Kara Carnley, Brittany Link, Linda Riedmann

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

This Article analyzes, from both a doctrinal and theoretical perspective, the First Amendment speech interests at stake before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Welch v. Brown and Pickup v. Brown. Those cases pivot on a controversial California law banning mental health providers from performing sexual orientation change efforts (also known as conversion therapy) on minors. Two district court judges reached radically different conclusions about the First Amendment questions. The Article explores how a trio of recent Supreme Court decisions involving seemingly disparate factual scenarios—Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association, United States v. Alvarez and Gonzales v. …

More Than A Diagnosis: Enabling Medical Students To Understand And Address The Patient’S Psychological Needs, Paige Jarmuz

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Patient-centered care is a framework for providing medical services in a humanistic, patient-focused manner. Although there are many proposed dimensions, it is simply the perspective of caring for the patient as a person with psychosocial needs, not just a diagnosis. Extensive literature review was completed to gain understanding of the application of patient-centered care in undergraduate medical education, as well as the evidence behind implementing patient-centered methods. Aspects of patient-centered care may be taught in many medical schools but their importance warrants a stronger focus. Incorporating aspects of patient- centered care is not only most ethical, but also is also …

Paper Soldiers: A Clinical Case Study Exploring Papermaking As An Art Therapy Intervention To Increase Posttraumatic Growth In Military Sexual Trauma Survivors, Yonsenia White

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Through a six-week qualitative, single subject clinical case study, the effect of papermaking and other paper based art therapy directives showed potential in increasing posttraumatic growth in a veteran with military sexual trauma (MST) related PTSD. Pre and Post-Test Questionnaires and the AT-PIA were administered to assess the client’s current level of mental health functioning, feelings about the MST experience, and to develop a treatment goal and art directives for the study, as well as check in and check out words, and Self-Work Assignments for personal reflection. Papermaking was chosen as the main art intervention because it carries within itself …

Proposal For An Art Therapy Clinical Program Within The U.S. Department Of Veterans Health Administration, Darshini Walton

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, the military veteran population has increased due to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. This increase is congruent with the escalation of a Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnoses among military war veterans. Currently, the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) PTSD treatment utilizes various pharmacologic and/or psychotherapeutic interventions ranging from Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in residential and outpatient settings. In the event a veteran has a “complicated medical case” or comorbidity that does not respond to conventional medical treatment, the veteran may be referred to an art therapist, …

Implications Of Rurality And Psychiatric Status For Diabetic Care Use Among Adults With Diabetes, Jean A. Talbot Phd, Erika C. Ziller Phd, Jennifer D. Lenardson Mhs, David Hartley Phd

Access / Insurance

This research examined patterns of diabetic preventive care use among adults with diabetes, to determine whether these patterns varied according to respondents’ rural/urban residence or psychiatric status (i.e., the presence/absence of a mental health diagnosis). Specifically, we considered whether rural people with diabetes are less likely than urban peers to use diabetic preventive services; whether having a mental health diagnosis affects preventive service use among diabetics; and, whether rural/ urban differences in service use vary depending on the presence or absence of a mental health diagnosis.

Self Study: A Heuristic Exploration Of Father-Absence Through A One-Canvas Process Painting, Brittany Adams

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Literature has indicated that there has been a growing interest in the career motivations and development of the professional therapist and counselor, including personality, family background, gender, cultural background, spirituality, and values. Individuals who pursue a career in a helping profession commonly express an interest in understanding and helping others with minimal awareness of the origin of that helping desire. This self-study was designed to explore my experiences of father-absence through a one-canvas process painting as a means to building self-awareness and my professional art therapist identity. Art-based research and heuristic inquiry allowed me to investigate my experiences of father-absence …

Art Therapy And Cognitive Processing Therapy For Combat Ptsd: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Melissa Campbell

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Five veterans were recruited for this randomized controlled trial examining the effects of art therapy in conjunction with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for veterans with combat PTSD. The results of this study supported our hypothesis that art therapy in combination with CPT would be more effective, and indicated that art therapy is a powerful form of treatment for this population and needs to be explored further. Other goals of this study were to gain a basic understanding of the benefits of art therapy for combat veterans with PTSD and if it should be included as a standard treatment for this …

The Impact Of Cane Scribble Exercises Upon Mood And Anxiety, Virginia Leigh Bridges

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

A paucity of research supporting the influence of art processes and materials is a major deficit in the field of art therapy. In this thesis study, the impact of Cane Scribble Exercises in regard to improving mood and decreasing anxiety was investigated through non-­‐experimental retrospective analysis. From a data set of response sheets generated by psychiatrically diagnosed, acutely hospitalized adults before and after the intervention, statistically significant positive change was noted for the participants from pre-­‐intervention to post-­‐intervention in both anxiety level (0.7083 ± 0.093, F=57.22, p< .0001) and depression level (0.6111 ± 0.104, F=34.25, p < .0001). Further investigation of the impact of demographic factors revealed subtle differences in mean change between the factors, but an overall positive change across age, gender, and diagnoses remained present. The reliability of the method of rating change, limitations of the study design, and comparisons to previously published research are discussed. The results of this study, that positive change occurs in patients who participate in Cane Scribble Exercises, suggest many opportunities for further art therapy research.

Strategic Planning In The Non Profit Sector: Creating A Strategic Plan For Affinity 2014-2017, Emilee Taplin-Lacey

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

The purpose of engaging in the creation of a strategic plan for Affinity is to integrate knowledge acquired through participation in the Public Policy and Nonprofit Management Master’s Degree program at the Muskie School of Public Service. In addition, my facilitation of a strategic planning process for Affinity is meant to meet the requirements of graduation and represents my capstone project in this regard.

Substance Abuse Trends In Maine: State Epidemiological Profile 2014, Tim Diomede

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

This report takes into account the primary objectives of the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS): to identify substance abuse patterns in defined geographical areas, establish substance abuse trends, detect emerging substances, and provide information for policy development and program planning. It also highlights all the prevention priorities identified in the SAMHS strategic prevention plan: underage drinking, high-risk drinking among 18-25 year olds, misuse of prescription drugs among 18-25 year olds, and marijuana use in 12-25 year olds; as well as monitors the progress being made to address these priorities. This report includes data available through December …

An Assessment Of The Health Needs Of Maine Veterans And Their Access To Veterans Administration Health Care Services, Kristin Brawn

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

On a state level, only a few assessments have been conducted, which indicate that Maine veterans are also experiencing similar mental and physical health issues; however, it does not appear that the adequacy of Maine’s VHA services to meet the needs of Maine’s veterans has been comprehensively evaluated. It is unknown whether the physical and mental health needs of Maine’s veterans are currently being met. Therefore, this project proposes to determine if there is a similar problem among Maine’s veterans in regard to health issues and lack of access to VHA health services, as has been reported at the national …

Physical And Mental Health Status Of Adults With Serious Mental Illness Participating In A Jail Diversion Intervention, Robin Telford

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Adults with mental illnesses are at an increased risk to be diagnosed with one or more comorbid physical illnesses compared to the general population. Much of the disparities faced by adults with serious mental illnesses (SMI) can be attributed to medication side effects, increased risk for metabolic diseases, inability to communicate about severity and monitor physical health symptoms, poor health behaviors, high rates of smoking, and poor quality health care. The rate of physical illnesses for adults with mental illnesses are even higher among those who have been involved with the criminal justice system. In order to understand the relationship …