Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Inferring Personalized Treatment Effect Of Antihypertensives On Alzheimer's Disease Using Deep Learning, Xiaoqian Jiang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, especially among the elderly. Recent studies have shown how hypertension is related to cognitive decline in elderly patients, which in turn leads to increased mortality as well as morbidity. There have been various studies that have looked at the effect of antihypertensive drugs in reducing cognitive decline, and their results have proved inconclusive. However, most of these studies assume the treatment effect is similar for all patients, thus considering only the average treatment effects of antihypertensive drugs. In this paper, we assume that the effect …

Predicting The Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementia In Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment Using A Semi-Competing Risk Approach, Yi Guo, Xia Hu, Yong Chen, Jiang Bian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (AD/ADRD) are a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases. The progression of AD can be conceptualized as a continuum in which patients progress from normal cognition to preclinical AD (i.e., no symptoms but biological changes in the brain) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD (i.e., mild symptoms but not interfere with daily activities), followed by increasing severity of dementia due to AD. Early detection and prediction models for the transition of MCI to AD/ADRD are needed, and efforts have been made to build predictions of MCI conversion to AD/ADRD. However, most existing studies …

A Salutogenic Approach To Wellbeing: The Smu Resilience Framework, Paulin Tay Straughan, Alvin Sim

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Research has shown the inextricable relationship between resilience and wellbeing – resilience not only reduces mental ill-being; it actually enhances positive mental health. Resilience has been shown to be positively correlated with positive indicators of mental health, such as life satisfaction, subjective well-being, and positive emotions. As such, resilience can be conceptualised as both a protective and preventive factor that is associated with healthy development and psychosocial stress resistance. Departing from the dominant pathogenesis approach, the Singapore Management University (SMU) has adopted salutogenesis in its whole-of-university approach to health and wellbeing promotion. Through the operationalisation of the SMU Resilience Framework, …

Adverse Childhood Experiences In Mothers And Their Children With Hearing Loss, Elizabeth A. Rosenzweig

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

This study examined the relationship between maternal and child ACEs in children with hearing loss ages 3-12. One hundred twenty-four mother-child dyads completed assessments of mother and child ACEs. Adverse cChildhood eExperiences (ACEs) were measured using the Center for Youth Wellness Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (CYW ACE-Q; Burke Harris & Renschler, 2015).

Both maternal and child participants in this study reported higher levels of ACE exposure than previously reported in studies of the general population. Maternal and child ACEs were significantly correlated. White/Caucasian mothers experienced significantly fewer ACEs than mothers of other races/ethnicities. Children living in adoptive, foster, or guardianship …

Effectiveness Of Couples-Based Exposure And Response Prevention (Erp) Therapy Vs. Individual Erp Treatment For Ocd Symptom Reduction And Overall Couple Satisfaction, Priscilla Nguyen, Shana O'Connor-Wolf

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating, chronic condition characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts followed by persistent behavioral urges and time-consuming rituals that attempt to neutralize anxiety and distress caused by those unwanted obsessive thoughts (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This research study aims to explore the effectiveness of Couples-Based ERP in decreasing individual symptoms of OCD and evaluating the impact of treatment on relationship satisfaction. Using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Dyadic-Adjustment Scale (DAS) to measure our constructs, we hypothesize that Couples-Based ERP will be effective in not only decreasing OCD symptoms, but also increasing overall relationship satisfaction.

A Systematic Review Of Bottom-Up And Top-Down Psychotherapy Methods For The Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Kristen Sievert

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

While numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of either Top-Down or Bottom-Up modalities in reducing PTSD symptoms, there is a paucity of research focused on comparing differences in treatment effects of Bottom-Up and Top-Down therapies. Top-Down interventions are built on an individual’s ability to become conscious of their thoughts and their subsequent capacity to change those thoughts, while Bottom-Up interventions rely on an individual’s body sensations an/or movements to access and process trauma. We investigated this gap by conducting a systematic review of Top-down and Bottom-up treatments for PTSD. To be included in the review, studies needed to examine adults …

The Effectiveness Of Combining Play Therapy With Emotionally Focused Family Therapy For The Treatment Of Children, Ages 3-6., Britney Roark

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Present literature on emotionally focused family therapy (EFFT) overlooks treatment involving young children (Willis et al., 2016). Because preschool-aged children learn and express emotion best through the medium of play (Schaefer & Drewes, 2011), I hypothesize that EFFT will prove most effective with children ages 3-6 when combined with play therapy techniques. Marriage and family therapy interns, trained in EFFT concepts, who treat children in this age group will complete a training course on combining play therapy with EFFT. A control group will not. Initial and final measures will determine the success of treatment over a 12-week period.

Efficacy Of Solution Focused Therapy With At Risk Youth, Garret Patterson

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Dating back to the 1980’s, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapy approach that helps clients put problems in their life into context as measurable, manageable, and fixable. For many, this solution forward approach helps to improve symptoms and resolve stuck behavior patterns often stemming from childhood. This client driven, not knowing approach helps clients discover their own autonomy and understand that not only are their problems solvable, but that they themselves have the internal resources by which to solve them. However, there is still much interest as to who can benefit most from this form of therapy. However, …

Engagement In Religious Activity Compared To Peer Support: An Intervention For Suicidal Ideation Among High School Students., Meradythe Edson, Natalie Goobes, Danielle Thayer

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Suicidal ideation (SI) can lead to suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children ages 10-14 and the third leading cause of death among adolescents ages 15-24 (CDC). This study compares active engagement in religious activities versus peer support as an effective resource in decreasing SI among high school students in the United States. The research explains how active engagement in religious activities will produce better results than peer support alone for decreasing SI in the targeted population. Semi-structured interviews of high school students and self-report questionnaires are utilized in this study. Our research hopes to support …

The Effectiveness Of Video Game Therapy In Helping Adolescent Clients To Build Connections With Their Families, Qichang Yang

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study explores the role of video game therapy in enhancing family connections among adolescents. Using a mixed-methods approach, we use surveys and interviews to assess changes in family relationships for adolescents undergoing video game therapy. Preliminary findings indicate that video game therapy could be a great tool for improving familial bonds. This research adds to the understanding of non-traditional therapeutic interventions and their potential impact on family dynamics and adolescent mental health.

Impacts Of Receiving An Autism Spectrum Diagnosis As An Adult On Relationship Satisfaction And Relationship-Specific Attachment, Erika Fisch, Molly Hammond, Katie Roberts

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Our research will explore how receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis impacts adult relationship satisfaction and relationship-specific attachment. Previous research has demonstrated benefits of ASD diagnosis for individuals. We hope to expand this body of research by examining the effects of ASD diagnosis on couples. We will survey adult couples with one partner on a waitlist for an ASD evaluation using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire. After evaluation, we will ask adults diagnosed with ASD and their partners to take the survey twice more. We hypothesize that both relationship satisfaction and attachment will improve.

Effectiveness Of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (Efft) On Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (Nssi) Vs Dialectical Behavioral Therapy For Adolescence (Dbt-A), Aneta Merlino

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) in reducing the incidence of adolescent Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI). 80 adolescents who meet the NSSI criteria, age 13-19, will be randomized to participate in a total of 12 weekly, in-person EFFT sessions, or 16 weekly in-person Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescence (DBT-A) sessions. It is hypothesized EFFT will be more effective in long term reduction of NSSI frequency, measured post treatment, and at 12 month follow up, due to an increase in interpersonal protective factors as compared to DBT-A.

Are Telehealth Interventions Efficacious In Reducing Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety?, Megan Hoback, Mario Gaspar De Alba

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to explore the efficacy of therapeutic interventions via telehealth on reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. The focus will be on individuals living in the United States diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Subjects will participate in 12 individual telehealth sessions conducted across three months with a pre-test, immediate post-test, and 3-month follow up including completion of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7), and the Telehealth Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) to measure efficacy. We hypothesize therapeutic interventions via telehealth will be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Impact Of Narrative Therapy On American Interracial Couples’ Marital Satisfaction., Emily Knutzen

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

In the United States, the number of interracial couples has continued to rise since 1967 when miscegenation laws were overturned. Interracial couples face unique challenges related to racism, discrimination, and the complexity of blending cultures. The current study aims to explore the effectiveness of Narrative Therapy (NT) in increasing interracial couples’ reports of martial satisfaction. Twenty couples experiencing low marital satisfaction will be chosen using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an intervention and control group. Pre-test, post-test, and two-month post-test follow up scores on the Index of Martial Satisfaction will be analyzed to assess for effectiveness of treatment.

Socioculturally Informed Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: Impacts On Biracial Couples, Angie Lai

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This quantitative study aims to explore the efficacy of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) for biracial couples using a randomized controlled trial with a control group and an experimental group. Each group will consist of 15 biracial couples who will receive 20 sessions of EFCT. The experimental group’s treatment will also include the 5 Practice Guidelines of Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy (McDowell et al., 2018). Using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DSA), the Trust Scale, and the Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) questionnaire to measure efficacy, I hypothesize that couples who receive the socioculturally informed EFCT will show greater improvement.

A Comparative Study Of Emdr And Prolonged Exposure For The Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Does Interoception Moderate Differences In Symptom Reduction?, Kristen Sievert

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to compare the efficacy and efficiency of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and prolonged exposure (PE) in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Both interventions are standardized treatments for PTSD, however, each intervention’s mechanism of action are different, with EMDR being classified as a bottom-up psychotherapy model and PE being classified as a top-down psychotherapy model. A second aim of this study is to investigate whether differences in treatment response to EMDR compared to PE is moderated by interoception, a person’s ability to be aware of their internal states of their body. To …

Emotionally-Focused Therapy And Couples From Collectivistic Cultures: Impact On Relationship Satisfaction, Jacob Cain, Stephen Lee

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to explore the efficacy of EFT in increasing marital satisfaction in couples of a non-Western, collectivist origin. Our treatment group, consisting of 30 couples of a non-Western, collectivist origin will participate in 14 sessions of EFT in which their marital satisfaction will be measured pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 6 and 12 month follow-ups. Utilizing a control group consisting of 30 couples of a Western, non-collectivist origin receiving the same treatment, we seek to explore how cultural factors such as a collectivist mindset and the de-emphasis of individual’s feelings and emotions might affect the efficacy of EFT in …

School Shootings And Preventative Strategies: An Examination Of Surviving, Learning, And Preparing For School Shootings' Impact On The Depression, Anxiety, And Behavioral Dysfunction Of Children And Adolescents., Julia Wakeham, Jamilah Andrews

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Since the modern era began, humanity has seen a stark increase in mass shootings, where four or more people are killed. Furthermore, many of the shootings occur in vulnerable communities, like schools. With an increase in school shootings, schools have taken precautions to prepare children, using increased security, school police officers, lockdown drills, and restricting children’s clothing, which is intended to keep children safe, but reinforces the fear of shootings and associated stress responses. Our research would examine the impact of surviving and preparing for school shootings on the anxiety, depression, and general functioning of children, adolescents, and young adults.

Fostering Resilience In Children Of United States Navy Seals Using A Social Media Platform, Riley Walker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Having resilience helps children overcome, cope, and manage stressors that they encounter throughout life and provides intrinsically protective factors to help a child thrive in the face of adversity.

Local problem: Children of United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land Operators (SEALs) face consistent stress as their parent is away from home more than 240 days per year doing high-risk training exercises.

Methods: Resilience education to mothers of children whose fathers are United States Navy SEALs delivered virtually on a social media platform. Pre- and post- intervention surveys using the Likert scale were conducted to measure the mothers’ understanding …

Designing A Coloring Book As A Tool To Introduce Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Mbsr), Billie Beth Charles

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This paper explores the design process of developing an illustrated coloring book, as a tool to introduce Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques to young adults experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, panic, and depression. The MBSR coloring book, is being developed based on a theory, and supporting evidence, that engaging in an artistic activity like coloring, can make MBSR techniques accessible to young adults seeking help for anxiety and panic-related symptoms. The author discusses the challenges young adults face in the current societal context and highlights the need for effective and accessible strategies to manage mental health issues. Through research, experience, …

“Too Many Meanings”: Reading “Piro Designs”, Paolo Fortis, Margherita Margiotti

Tipití: Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America

This paper explores the notion of painting as meaningful action (Gow 1999) and highlights the productivity of the idea as emerging from, and dovetailing, different strands of thought on the nature of symbols and actions. Bringing together Lévi-Strauss’ intuition on the dynamism and generativity of graphic systems, phenomenological studies on meaning making, and ethnographic analyses of Amazonian theories of corporeality and sociality, Gow has shown how Yine (Piro) designs provide a developmental model that combines ontogenesis and social change. This paper argues for the productivity of this approach in Amerindian studies, in anthropology, and in a dialogue with psychoanalytic theory …

Race-Free Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Equation In Kidney Transplant Recipients: Development And Validation Study, Yannis Lombardi, Ingrid Masson, Christophe Mariat, Dominique Prié, Vincent Pernin, Moglie Le Quintrec, Timothy S Larson, Mark D Stegall, Boris Bikbov, Piero Ruggenenti, Laurent Mesnard, Hassan N Ibrahim, Marie Bodilsen Nielsen, Arthur J Matas, Brian J Nankivell, Stan Benjamens, Robert A Pol, Stephan J L Bakker, Xavier Jouven, Christophe Legendre, Nassim Kamar, Byron H Smith, Hani M Wadei, Antoine Durrbach, Flavio Vincenti, Giuseppe Remuzzi, Carmen Lefaucheur, Andrew J Bentall, Alexandre Loupy

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of a newly developed race-free kidney recipient specific glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equation with the three current main equations for measuring GFR in kidney transplant recipients.

DESIGN: Development and validation study SETTING: 17 cohorts in Europe, the United States, and Australia (14 transplant centres, three clinical trials).

PARTICIPANTS: 15 489 adults (3622 in development cohort (Necker, Saint Louis, and Toulouse hospitals, France), 11 867 in multiple external validation cohorts) who received kidney transplants between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2021.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was GFR, measured according to local practice. …

Potential Occupational Therapy Interventions For People With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Scoping Review, Annette Leep, Darcie A. Shaw, Meghan E. Lloyd, Stephanie M. Voelck, Hannah R. Ghneim

Masters Projects

There is limited research highlighting occupational therapy (OT) interventions utilized with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This scoping review analyzes current literature by data-charting psychosocial interventions that are or could be applied by OT practitioners for BPD treatment. Five health sciences and psychology databases were searched; the search strategy included keywords and subject headings related to BPD and psychosocial interventions. A variety of evidence-based interventions applicable to the BPD population were identified for OT implementation. Themes included awareness of behaviors and skill training for functional performance. There is a need for training and professional development opportunities for OT practitioners treating this …

Collegiate Recovery Programs Are An Effective But Underused Resource On College Campuses, Emily Graham

Population Health Research Brief Series

Substance use disorder is one of the most serious public health issues for young people in the United States. About 30% of full-time college students develop a substance use disorder during their academic careers, and nearly half a million identify as in recovery. Yet, many college campuses lack the resources necessary for college students to access important recovery-based programs and support. This brief explores the barriers to accessing Collegiate Recovery Programs on college campuses and provides recommendations to enhance student engagement and wellbeing.

Investigating And Mitigating The Harmful Impact Of Precarious Employment On The Health And Well-Being Of New York City Food Workers, Emilia F. Vignola

Dissertations and Theses

Much of the United States (US) food chain – from production to processing, wholesale, retail, and services – is characterized by precarious employment, defined as work with little employment security, inadequate income, and limited rights and protections. Studies show that precarious employment is associated with adverse mental and physical health and well-being outcomes. Separate research indicates numerous health issues in certain segments of the food workforce; little scholarly work has explored the contribution of precarious employment as an upstream driver of these health issues. Gaps remain in our understanding of 1) the health needs and status of workers across the …

Alcohol As A Modifiable Risk Factor For Alzheimer’S Disease—Evidence From Experimental Studies, Devaraj V. Chandrashekar, Ross A. Steinberg, Derick Han, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment and memory loss. Epidemiological evidence suggests that heavy alcohol consumption aggravates AD pathology, whereas low alcohol intake may be protective. However, these observations have been inconsistent, and because of methodological discrepancies, the findings remain controversial. Alcohol-feeding studies in AD mice support the notion that high alcohol intake promotes AD, while also hinting that low alcohol doses may be protective against AD. Chronic alcohol feeding to AD mice that delivers alcohol doses sufficient to cause liver injury largely promotes and accelerates AD pathology. The mechanisms by which alcohol can …

Binge Drinking Alcohol And Circadian Misalignment In Night Shift Nurses Is Associated With Decreased Resiliency To Covid-19 Infection, Garth R. Swanson, Benjamin A. Schwartz, Cara Joyce, Ali Keshavarzian

Biostatistics Collaborative Core: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background: Nurses and other first responders are at high risk of exposure to the SARS-CoV2 virus, and many have developed severe COVID-19 infection. A better understanding of the factors that increase the risk of infection after exposure to the virus could help to address this. Although several risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension have been associated with an increased risk of infection, many first responders develop severe COVID-19 without established risk factors. As inflammation and cytokine storm are the primary mechanisms in severe COVID-19, other factors that promote an inflammatory state could increase the risk of COVID-19 in …

Be Kind To Your Mind: The Use Of Mobile Based Applications To Reduce Stress And Improve Health Outcomes, Akira Hanson Finn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Now more than ever mental health is in the spotlight on a global scale. Professionals from a variety of different disciplines are being encouraged to evaluate several different coping techniques in order combat the magnitude of societal crisis being discovered post-pandemic. At the top the list is Mindfulness-based interventions. The concept of mindfulness practices is nothing new. Evidence suggests it has existed for thousands of years; however, it is getting more notoriety in the past decade due to increasing expansion of mobile-based applications. These types of technology driven applications offer an easily accessible, convenient, and trackable way for individuals to …

Implementation Of A Follow-Up Procedure For Patients Treated With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation At A Primary Care Clinic, Brooke Marino

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. In 2020 alone, an estimated 21 million adults experienced at least one depressive episode, representing 8.4% of all U.S. adults. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a cutting-edge option for treatment-resistant depression, and up to 70% of patients treated with TMS will achieve at least a 50% reduction in depression symptoms. For some, these results are long-lasting; for others, depression symptoms may return. For those who experience return of their depression symptoms, more TMS may be necessary. Currently, there is no standardized follow up procedure after …

Implementation Of A Shared-Decision Making (Sdm) Approach In A Community Based Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Alexa Vuylsteke

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purposes/Aims: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is to implement an evidence-based SDM approach in a culturally diverse community mental health clinic in order to increase patient-provider collaboration and improve patient autonomy and engagement in decision making processes of care in a mental health setting.

Rationale/Background: According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), shared decision-making (SDM) is a collaborative communication approach between patient and provider that aims to help people in treatment work together to have informed, meaningful discussions about their health care decisions. SDM is an evidence-based approach to encourage and …