Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Central Washington University Campus Community Garden: A Mural Project, Angie Love, Blanca Soto, Catherine Leger, Alex Johnson

Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE)

This service-learning project represents the first phase of constructing a mural for the campus community garden at Central Washington University. The purpose of the mural is to bring awareness to the garden by creating a welcoming space that empowers the community to learn from, work with, and teach others. As a group, we became involved with the Campus Community Garden through a Health Education (HED) course, Community Organization and Coalition Development (HED 450). The purpose of this course is to provide public health students the knowledge, practices, and skills necessary to be successful while working with community organizations. We started …

Novel Advances In Alzheimer's Disease, Jacob P. Naumann

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia in adults, is a progressive degenerative neurological disease that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. Dr. Alois Alzheimer discovered and diagnosed the irreversible disease in 1906 after documenting the famous case of Auguste Deter.¹ Since the discovery of the disease, numerous advances have made it possible to not only better understand the causal factors, but also to improve the medical diagnosis and preventative measures that healthcare providers can implement. For the first time since 1984, the National Institute on Aging (NIAA) and the Alzheimer’s Association (AA) proposed and published new diagnostic guideline …

Music Therapy As Treatment For The Psychological Distress Of Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence: Comparing Expressive And Receptive Music Interventions, Kristiana Miner

Theses and Dissertations

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence refers to physical, sexual, or emotional harm committed by a current or former intimate partner. Intimate partner violence has varied and serious repercussions in the lives of its victims. The direct consequences of violence combined with the physical aftermath of emotional distress, fear, and anxiety can lead to a variety of ailments. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and suicide are both major concerns for female victims of IPV. Considering that the issues faced by many victims of DV are pervasive and complex, treatment for survivors needs to be comprehensive and multifaceted. Music therapy is an evidence-based …

Functional Analysis Of Gambling, Mack S. Costello

Dissertations

Given high rates of gambling and the growing population of disordered gamblers, there is a need to develop assessment strategies with improved treatment validity. More specifically, assessment strategies are needed that identify the controlling variables for disordered gambling and, thus, provide guidance in the selection of treatment and prevention strategies. This study sought to develop a functional analysis for gambling by utilizing a simulated gambling environment in which contextual variables hypothesized to be causally linked to disordered gambling could be systematically manipulated. Seven experienced gamblers participated in the multi-element, single-subject experimental study. Participants who endorsed at least some problems from …

#Narcissus, Lauren Potts

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

My senior BFA exhibition is a project bringing awareness and reflection to the college subculture of drinking. I am creating a large installation (approx. 10x20ft) made out of over 4,000 red plastic cups in the shape of a Catholic Church altar. The cups are stacked and glued together in order to create patterns to separate the forms of the altar (three stairs, columns, the facade arches). The installation is shown at Chapman University's Guggenheim Gallery and must be site specific in order to reflect the nature of its existence and purpose. The installation reflects a parallel between forms of ritual: …

Characterizing Psychological Management Practices Of College And University Athletic Trainers In Orange, California, Hannah L. Alexander, Paulina Tselikis, Michelle A. Cleary, Sara L. Nottingham, Jason Bennett

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

An increase in the prevalence, types, and severity of psychological disorders among adolescents and young adults is being recognized. A multidisciplinary team approach to address mental health concerns among student-athletes, including well-developed referral and management plans, is important in the health care setting. Athletic trainers are often the first to notice subtle changes indicative of psychopathology, and have the ability to appropriately intervene and refer student-athletes as necessary. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological management practices of college and university athletic trainers in Orange, California. A descriptive exploratory online questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding …

Protection Or Harm? Suppressing Substance-Use Data, Austin B. Frakt, Nicholas Bagley

Articles

What if it were impossible to closely study a disease affecting 1 in 11 Americans over 11 years of age — a disease that’s associated with more than 60,000 deaths in the United States each year, that tears families apart, and that costs society hundreds of billions of dollars? What if the affected population included vulnerable and underserved patients and those more likely than most Americans to have costly and deadly communicable diseases, including HIV–AIDS? What if we could not thoroughly evaluate policies designed to reduce costs or improve care for such patients?

College Students' Communication About Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Stimulants: Applying The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Ana Andreoli, Darren Breese, Kylie Deschenes, Lindsey Sarver

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The study examines college students' communication surrounding nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NPS). Using a hypothetical scenario, the researchers will employ the Theory of Planned Behavior to investigate if students' attitudes and perceived social norms affect their intent to intervene on behalf of a friend who is engaging in what they believe to be excessive NPS. College students’ will complete anonymous web-based surveys, reporting on each of the study variables as well as demographic information. Self-reports of both perceived and actual knowledge of engaging in NPS, as well as students' levels of communication health literacy, will also be collected as …

Efficacy Of The Picture Exchange Communication Systemin Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Reagan Blason

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The increasing diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) each year affect many families worldwide and are a major concern to therapists, healthcare workers, and educators. Many children diagnosed with ASD will never go on to develop functional speech or will have limited communication, as well as impaired social-communication skills. Limited communication makes education and therapy difficult for these children and their caregivers. Language therapy and interventions aim to improve social-communication and speech in these children, so it is crucial to find the most efficient interventions. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a common tool used to assist communication in …

The Efficacy Of Bibliotherapy For Social Anxiety And Depressive Symptomology, Paige Palumbo

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the efficacy of a self-help treatment was examined. Participants were undergraduates experiencing comorbid social anxiety and depressive symptoms. It is hypothesized that those in the treatment condition (n=5) would experience a significant reduction in social anxiety and depressive symptoms over the course of the nine week treatment. In addition, it is hypothesized that these gains would be greater than the gains experienced by individuals in the wait-list control condition (n=5). The results of this study did support the hypotheses.

Identification Of Risk Factors For Suicide Amongst Psychiatric Patients: Can Structured Measurement Tools Be More Specific?, Amresh Shrivastava, Robbie Campbell, Megan Johnston, Coralee Berlmont, Miky Kaushal, Avinash Desousa, Larry Stitt, Charles Nelson

Data and Test Instruments

Background One of the main challenges in suicide prevention is that it cannot be predicted. Significant number of patients attempt suicide while being under psychiatric treatment. Lethality and intent of each risk factor varies and remains inconsistent. Though structured instruments have also been useful with limited success search for newer methods remains an urgent clinical need. We believe risk is multifactorial and a scale based upon fundamental domains of biological, psychological, social, environmental, spiritual and clinical origin can elucidate more specific factors. Scale for impact of suicidality- Management, Assessment and Planning of care-brief screener (SISMAP-bcs) is 23 item scale which …

How Are Therapeutic Professionals Interpreting Ethics In Practice With Migrant Clients?, Madeline A. Brenner

Art Therapy Counseling Final Research Projects

The research study aimed to understand the praxis of mental health professionals working with immigrant and refugee populations in relation to ethical guidelines and agency protocols. Through practice-led inquiry, seven mental health professionals were interviewed from differing therapeutic backgrounds and orientations; including Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Social Work, Counseling, and Art Therapy. The researcher sought to identify how theory of therapeutic professionals differ, where professionals are engaging in culturally competent practice and what impact this has on the therapeutic relationship. Participants identified the key components of a positive therapeutic relationship include trust, cultural competency, approach, presence, as well as …

How Are Art Therapists Utilizing The Theory Of Meaning Making In Trauma Treatment?, Carrie C. Critser

Art Therapy Counseling Final Research Projects

This purpose of this research study was to explore if and how art therapists utilize the theory of meaning making in trauma treatment. A secondary aim was to investigate art therapist’s perspectives and application of the theory of posttraumatic growth. Semi-structured interviews were used to investigate how twelve art therapists conceptualized trauma treatment, meaning making and posttraumatic growth. Study participants were all female, located in a wide variety of mental health settings across the United States, with experience spanning four to 34 years. Major findings included that while nine out of twelve participants found meaning making was important to healing …

Preferences For Systems Of Psychotherapy And Beliefs About The Causes Of Depression, Andrew Jarema

Theses and Dissertations

Despite multiple treatments being equally effective in treating depression, individuals may have preferences for which intervention they receive. There has been evidence that psychotherapy is preferred over medication or other professional treatments. Psychotherapy, however, is a broad term that does not capture the reality of diverse systems of therapy available to consumers. Therefore, the current study hypothesized that if given the choice between conceptually different types of psychotherapy, individuals would express a preference for at least one treatment over the others. Results from 221 college students indicate that when offered descriptions of problem-solving, cognitive, interpersonal, or behavioral activation therapies, both …

In Plain Sight, Anonymous

SURGE

I went through my childhood hearing these statements daily, for I lived with my abuser. While there was physical abuse, the scars from the verbal abuse are what still haunt me today. [excerpt]

University Scholar Series: Ed Cohen, Edward Cohen

University Scholar Series

Mental Health and Cultural Context in Vietnam

On May 6, 2015, Dr. Ed Cohen spoke in the University Scholar Series hosted by Provost Andy Feinstein at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. In this presentation, Dr. Cohen explored current research about mental illness and approaches to treatment in Vietnam, in addition to this country’s world view about illness, wellness and emotional health. Cohen is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and a Co-Investigator of SJSU's Social Work Education Enhancement Program in Vietnam.

Improving Rhode Island’S Health Care System: Lessons From The Cuban Model, Sarah R. Moffitt

Senior Honors Projects

Improving Rhode Island’s health care system: lessons from the Cuban model

Cuba is world renowned for its health care system. In regards to international health crises, Cuba is a leader in sending workers abroad and training doctors from all over the world. Within its own borders, the Cuban model provides free access to all citizens in which every individual has a primary care provider. Cuba boasts high vaccination rates, a long life expectancy, low infant mortality rate, and a population that is one of the healthiest in the western hemisphere.

The purpose of this research project is to evaluate the …

Guilty By Reason Of Insanity: Unforeseen Consequences Of California's Deinstitutionalization Policy, Jen Rushforth

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

Beginning with the passage of the Lanterman-Petris- Short Act in 1969, deinstitutionalization in California has had a devastating effect on the mentally ill. Instead of affording the mentally ill with more rights and protections, the process of shutting down state psychiatric hospitals and impeding psychiatric care for those in need caused a cascade effect leading to an increase of homelessness and incarceration. Over the past four decades, prisons and jails in California have become the de facto state mental hospitals, with severely mentally ill individuals having nearly a four-to-one chance of ending up in jail or prison over a psychiatric …

An Investigation Of Aerobic Fitness, Perceived Quality Of Life And The Direct Effects Of Self-Determination Theory In College Students 2015, Alanna Darling

Master's Theses

There have been numerous studies examining the association between physical activity, motivation and quality of life. In contrast, studies focusing on aerobic fitness and its relationship with levels of motivation and perceived quality of life are lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between a direct measure of aerobic fitness, behavioral regulations, and perceptions of quality of life in college-aged sample. Participants included both males (n=129; 21.1±1.8 years) and females (n=89; 20.8±1.4 years) who completed the Behavioral Regulations of Exercise Questionnaire-2 sub-scores and Perceived Quality of Life (PQoL) instruments. Participants then performed the Queen’s College Step …

Chhs May 2015 E-Newsletter,, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Vashon S. Wells, Editor, Wku College Of Health & Human Services

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

The Skinny On Eating Attitudes, Body Image, And The Thin-Ideal In College Women, Lyndsay N. Greene

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

There is evidence of a link between body image and disordered eating among females, and some research that suggests exposure to the media exacerbates both body dissatisfaction and eating pathology. Despite these claims, little research has been done on the effects that exposure to photo-shopped images specifically has on body dissatisfaction and eating pathology. The present study sought to further understand the relationship between cognitive distortions of body image and eating attitudes and to examine the effects that exposure to the thin-ideal found in the media has on body dissatisfaction among college aged women. Eighty female college students answered questions …

The Flip-Side To Readmission: Focused After-Care, Amresh Srivastava

Data and Test Instruments

paper 1. Suicidality in hospitalized early psychosis patients at time of discharge The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and nature of suicidal risk among early psychosis patients at the time of discharge from hospital. Is it only related to the involvement of a suicidal attempt at admission? Thirty such patients, who were admitted after a suicide attempt were compared with 30 patients similarly diagnosed, but admitted for clinical reasons not involving a suicide attempt. Dependent measures of psychopathology, adjustment and suicidality were used. It was found that the two groups did not differ in suicidality, which …

An Evaluation Of The Attitudes, Beliefs, And Mental Health Literacy Of Young African American College Graduates, Marshae Antoinette Mcneal

Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the attitudes, beliefs, and mental health literacy of young college-educated African Americans as compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Previous research indicates these two populations differ when receiving services for mental illness. The goal of this study was to see if this difference is due to their mental health literacy level, attitudes toward seeking help, as well as their attitudes and beliefs toward mental illness. A quantitative analysis was conducted using elements of the MacArthur Mental Health Module and the Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPHS-SF) to …

Frontal Lobe And Psychopathy, Shawna Germain

Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science

This research paper presents an analysis of the functions of the frontal lobe and how damage to the frontal lobe correlates to psychopathy. Initially, it will look at how damage to the frontal lobe obstructs frontal lobe functions. The decrease in executive function, due to a reduction of blood flow to the frontal lobe following a subarachnoid hemorrhage, is explored. The correlation between cortical thickness and impulsiveness in adolescence is examined. Subsequently, the issue is then examined through the observation of groups with psychopathy and how the diagnosis relates to their frontal lobes. One study compares individuals with psychopathy to …

Examining The Role Of Consciousness And The Absurd In Suicide, Alexandra R. Azevedo

Senior Honors Projects

In order to emphasize the significance of suicide as a subjective experience, this research project explores suicide through a philosophical lens, primarily focusing on the absurdist school of thought that gained prominence with the twentieth century French philosopher and writer Albert Camus. Despite recent advances in the scientific study of suicide, I argue that many of the historically divisive questions surrounding suicide are rooted in philosophy. My original work attempts to rectify the current disconnect between suicidality and philosophy through the analysis and application of Camus’ chief work on the subjects, The Myth of Sisyphus. Recognizing the efficacy of …

Clinical Efficacy Of Music Therapy In Addiction Counseling: A Systematic Review, Marissa Renee Rinehart

Masters Theses

A previous systematic review study by Mays, Clark, and Gordon in 2008 reviewed music therapy research to look into the clinical efficacy of music therapy and addiction counseling. Their research concluded that the present literature contained few articles that had quantitative evidence and the music therapy that was presented was not an independent therapy for treatment for patients with substance abuse. This systematic review sought to research literature within the past six years that studied the effects of music therapy on clients who were dealing with substance abuse to review the progress of music therapy research since the 2008 article …

An Examination Of Psychoeducation And Its Potential Modifying Influence On Alcohol Use Patterns Among Adults Reporting Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms And Hazardous Alcohol Consumption, Sarah Jo Bujarski

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research has suggested that consumption of alcohol in the presence of elevated posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) may serve an avoidant function to cope with negative emotions. These coping-related motives for use are theorized to both maintain PTSS and relate to poorer prognoses in treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Treatments utilizing coping skills training, which typically also involves educating clients about the negative consequences of drinking alcohol to cope, suggest the utility of targeting coping behaviors to reduce alcohol use. These studies, however, have not attempted to isolate the effects of psychoeducation on alcohol-related factors. The current study investigated the …

Teacher Narratives And Student Engagement Testing Narrative Engagement Theory In Drug Prevention Education, Michelle Miller-Day, Michael L. Hecht, Janice L. Krieger, Jonathan Pettigrew, Young Ju Shin, John L. Graham

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

Testing narrative engagement theory, this study examines student engagement and teachers’ spontaneous narratives told in a narrative-based drug prevention curriculum. The study describes the extent to which teachers share their own narratives in a narrative-based curriculum, identifies dominant narrative elements, forms and functions, and assesses the relationships among teacher narratives, overall lesson narrative quality, and student engagement. One-hundred videotaped lessons of the keepin’ it REAL drug prevention curriculum were coded and the results supported the claim that increased narrative quality of a prevention lesson would be associated with increased student engagement. The quality of narrativity, however, varied widely. Implications of …

Investigating The Theory Of Ambiguous Loss: The Role Of Ambiguity Tolerance In Pre-Death Grief For Caregivers Of Individuals With Dementia, Megan Kale-Cheever

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis sought to investigate the relationship between ambiguity tolerance and caregiver grief within the framework of ambiguous loss theory. Thirty-one family caregivers completed a quantitative survey comprising two pre-existing scales and several demographic questions designed to assess level of ambiguity tolerance, level of grief, caregiver age and gender, type of relationship to the care recipient, living situation, length of caregiving career, level of Social support and frequency of difficult behaviors. Quantitative data analysis revealed that while no relationship existed between total ambiguity tolerance and total caregiver grief, a modest, inverse relationship exists between tolerance toward general-type ambiguity and burden, …

Effects Of Mild Hypohydration And Hyperthermia On Cognition And Mood In Obese And Non-Obese Females, Jenna Marie Burchfield

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Information regarding effects of hypohydration (HY) and hyperthermia (HT) on cognition, mood and development of symptoms is conflicting since the two conditions often confound each other. Further, although obese individuals may have physiological impairments during heat stress, whether psychological impairments occur with HY and HT is unknown. PURPOSE: To assess the independent and combined effects of mild HY and HT on cognition, mood, and the development of symptoms in obese and non-obese females. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy females (11 non-obese, 22±2y, 61±6kg, 25±4% body fat; 11 obese, 22±2y, 80±18kg, 44±5% body fat) volunteered in two randomized, repeated-measures trials, involving passive …