Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Before And After The World Turned Virtual: Examining Intimate Partner Violence And Problematic Alcohol Use Before Versus During The Covid-19 Pandemic In A Couple's Based Sample, Ishita Munshi

ETD Archive

About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men report experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. For several decades, problematic alcohol use is a consistent predictor of IPV perpetration. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the romantic lives of people, it is crucial to investigate how it may have altered the prevalence of IPV perpetration and the link between IPV perpetration and problematic alcohol use. Among a sample of dating young adult couples, this study compared the IPV prevalence pre-COVID-19 pandemic (Wave 1) to during COVID-19 conditions (Wave 2). Furthermore, the study examined if problematic alcohol use …

Associations Between Attachment Style, Emotion Regulation And Well-Being Among Informal Caregivers Of Person With Dementia: A Stress Process Perspective, Meghan V. Paulo

ETD Archive

The negative outcomes for a caregiver for a person with dementia (PWD), such as burden and depression, are well-studied and established. However, the individual differences that may buffer against negative outcomes are still to be explored. Attachment orientation and emotion regulatory abilities have been shown to influence health and well-being outcomes within this population. Secure attachment is considered a protective factor in the development of psychopathology and physical health outcomes. Emotion regulation is an important part of a caregiver’s daily functioning for managing challenging care tasks. With a theoretical model of caregiving as the foreground of this work, these variables …

Animal-Assisted Therapy: Exploring Practitioners' Perspectives And Experiences, Brianne Markley

ETD Archive

To date, most animal-assisted therapy (AAT) research has examined potential outcomes for clients. Though client outcomes are important to study, only a portion of the intervention can be understood when only one piece of the process is examined. For AAT to become a more credible intervention, there needs to be a more holistic and thorough understanding of the practice. Because practitioners’ experiences in providing AAT have yet to be specifically examined, there is a need for this work at the foundational and exploratory level. Additionally, competency models in psychology training and training of other mental health providers identify many important …

Psychometric Evaluation Of Phq–9 And Gad–7 Among Community Health Volunteers And Nurses/Midwives In Kenya Following A Nation-Wide Telephonic Survey, Sabina Odero, Paul Mwangi, Rachel Odhiambo, Brenda Nzioka, Constance Shumba, Eunice Ndirangu, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Nurses/midwives and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are exposed to chronic stressors putting them at risk of developing mental health problems. This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited empirical evidence of the burden of mental health problems among health care workers partly due to the lack of adequately standardized and validated measures for use among health care workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to perform the psychometric evaluation of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 administered to nurses/midwives and CHVs across 47 counties in Kenya.

Methods: Between June and November 2021, a national survey on mental well-being …

Program Evaluation: Utilizing Health Department’S Community Health Needs Assessment Data To Improve Emergency Preparedness Plans, Kathleen Gottschalk

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Public health officials conducting emergency response plans must know how to easily identify the vulnerable populations in their community or jurisdiction. It is beneficial for access and functional needs appendices to include information and resources directed at the identified vulnerable groups before an emergency event to improve health outcomes. Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) can provide population-level statistics and information needed to easily identify vulnerable or at-risk groups. This report aims to evaluate the use of the CHNA data to guide the development of inclusive emergency response plans that account for vulnerable populations in local health department jurisdictions. The 2021 …

Does Cultural Immersion Around The World Create Stronger Students? A Study Of The Benefits Of Studying Abroad On Students’ Mental Health And Wellbeing., Hanna Lynn Strombom

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mental illnesses have been increasing throughout the population of the United States. College-aged students are being affected by mental illnesses at alarming rates. This is a pivotal age range for people as they transition towards more adult responsibilities. Universities provide its students a lot of opportunities to prepare them for the real-world. One of these opportunities that has become popular amongst students is studying abroad. This research focuses on the effects of study abroad on students’ mental health and wellbeing. 104 students from the summer 2022 CIMBA study abroad program participated in this study. This set of respondents encompassed ten …

Therapeutic Approaches To Working With Perinatal Loss Clients: A Grounded Theory Study, Heather H. Olivier

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Perinatal loss (i.e., miscarriage, stillbirth, termination, and infant death) is commonly referred to in the literature as an invisible loss, non-loss, and even medical event. It is an ambiguous loss exhibiting the dialectical contradiction between the physical absence and psychological presence of the baby accompanied by disenfranchised grief, a reaction to a loss that is unacknowledged by society. Despite the likelihood of mental health clinicians working with clients who have experienced perinatal loss, there has yet to be a therapeutic model designed specifically for the unique grief and trauma reactions presented in this population. Existing grief models do not address …

Daughters Of Depression : A Critical-Hermeneutic Phenomenological Examination Of Adult Black Women’S Experiences With Strong Black Woman’S Role When Mothered By Women With Perceived Depression, Christin D. Haynes

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Black American women are experiencing chronic depression at alarming rates. Major racial/sex disparities in disease prevalence indicates Black American women are at increased risk for depression onset due to exposure to poverty and traumatic life events. With the rise of single, female-headed households, children are at increased risk for exposure to maternal mental illness which is defined as an adverse childhood experience impacting their development through adulthood. Black American mothers have the additional burden of racially socializing all children to learn how to manage systematic racist structures embedded in American society, yet daughters require the additional socialization for gender biases. …

Therapists’ Observations In Reduction Of Unpleasant Emotions Following Advanced Integrative Therapy Interventions, Gregory Brown, Kavita Batra, Suzie Hong, Robert Sottile, Raveena Bakhru, Emily Dorin

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Energy Psychology has evolved into a general field with hundreds of research studies to support efficacy: these range from RCTs to functional brain imagery, to physiological correlates, to meta-analyses. The vast majority of research within EP has been focused on the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) authored by Gary Craig, PhD.

Advanced Integrative Therapy: Origins, Research, Theory, And Practice, Gregory P. Brown, Elizabeth V. Pace, Tabatha Bird Weaver

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) is a novel therapy grounded in Energy Psychology combined with cognitive and somatic therapy techniques. As more research is being conducted into the efficacy of AIT and other trauma-based therapies, there is a need to define the modality more clearly for researchers, the clinical community, and potential clients. This article aims to discuss the theory behind AIT and its mechanism of action, compare it with other somatic trauma and Energy Psychology techniques, and explore the gap in the available data and knowledge of AIT. Additionally, a case study will be discussed to report on the potential …

The Impact Of Flight On Cabin Crew Wellness: A Literature Review, Ashleigh Roderick

Senior Honors Theses

Since its conception in 1903, aviation has captivated the attention of people across the globe and has been utilized in many sectors of society. Aviation related occupations pose a unique set of risks to those working in the field, health risks being one of the most prominent. Cancer, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal ailments, and genetic damage have all been studied as potential consequences of working in the aviation industry, as some studies indicate a higher prevalence of these issues in aviation employees. Apart from physiological issues, mental health issues have also been observed in those working in aviation. Mental health issues …

Naloxone Education To Improve Distribution In Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project, Joanna Boback

DNP Projects

Significance and Background: Opioid overdose is a major public health problem in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed guidelines for prescribing opioids which have not been widely integrated into practice. These guidelines specify co-prescribing naloxone with opioids as a form of harm reduction. A policy to reflect these recommendations was needed to guide prescribing at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Connecticut to increase low naloxone prescribing rates. Evidence supported the use of provider education to increase prescribing rates.

Purpose: Deliver education to providers across the health system on best practices related to …

Mental Health And Psychological Well-Being Of Kenyan Adolescents From Nairobi And The Coast Regions In The Context Of Covid-19, Gideon Mbithi, Adam Mabrouk, Ahmed Sarki, Rachel Odhiambo, Mary Namuguzi, Judith Dzombo, Joseph Atukwatse, Margaret Kabue, Paul Mwangi, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background Despite the high burden of mental health problems during adolescence and its associated nega- tive consequences, it has remained neglected especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has placed additional stress on adolescent mental health. However, there are few studies docu- menting the burden of mental health problems and even fewer mental health services in the region. In relation to the limited body of knowledge, the present study aims to determine the psychological well-being of adolescents and to assess the risks and associated factors of mental health problems among adolescents in the context of COVID-19 …

Mental Health Resources For Low Income Individuals, Jasmine G. Marin

Whittier Scholars Program

There are many barriers that low income individuals and populations face in accessing mental healthcare, including lack of health insurance that makes it hard to afford care, distance from clinics especially for people who live rurally, lack of transportation, inability to take time off work, and the stigma of mental illness coupled with poverty. Systemic racism in medical settings also plays a significant role in low income minority groups’ lack of access to quality care, as doctors prioritize those with insurance. Unfortunately, poverty itself can cause major stressors which puts families at higher risk for mental illness and substance abuse, …

A Meta-Analysis Of The Correlation Between Historical Trauma And Health Outcomes In The Native American Population, Taylen Day

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Native Americans experience significant health disparities such as increased rates of
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental illness. Recent research has suggested that historical trauma may be a contributing factor. This meta-analysis examined the association between historical trauma and health outcomes in Native Americans in the United States and Canada. Data from 14 studies (N = 14,698, 35 effect sizes) examining the physical health, mental health, and substance use domains and using the Historical Loss Scale were collected for analysis. Possible moderating factors were also examined. Overall, a small, significant association (r =.124) was found between historical trauma and health outcomes. …

Does Family Size Moderate The Relation Between Resource Transfers And Intimate Partner Violence Rates?, Paul Gramling

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to physical, sexual, or psychological abuse within an intimate relationship. It is a global issue, particularly for women in developing countries where data show higher rates of IPV for these women than in developed countries. IPV can lead to physical harm, chronic health problems, and even death. It also has negative effects on mental health, economic stability, and the overall well-being of the woman and their children. Family size has been shown to be a predictor of IPV risk; women from larger families face a higher risk. Cash transfer programs in developing countries have been …

Measuring Awareness Of Spd And Interprofessional Collaboration And Practices Among Professionals In An Elementary Public School Setting, Kyra Resende

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to sensory information, which can lead to sensory dysregulation (Rodden, 2023). Because everyone constantly receives sensory input, having SPD can impact a child’s life in numerous ways, such as academic and social success. Research indicates that 5% to 16% of students may have this neurological condition (Bunim, 2013), which is significant enough to expect that school professionals have appropriate awareness about SPD. Additionally, there is usually an overlap of professionals who serve students experiencing SPD, resulting in a need for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) …

Rated T For Therapy: How Video Games Portray Mental Illness And Their Effects On Social Stigmas, Christine Wendell

All Theses

Mental illness has always been a tricky subject for us to tackle as a society due to the social stigmas surrounding it. Historically, people with mental illness were seen as violent and unstable and would often need to be committed for public safety; however, a large majority of people with mental illness do not fit that bracket and often don’t reach out for help due to that fear of being “othered” by society. As time went on, these tropes faded to purely entertainment mediums but the stigmas still remain. Many video games specifically hold onto these tropes for shock value …

The Moral Hygiene Movement In The United States, 1840s—1920s, Marissa Seib

History Theses

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the mental health care system in the United States underwent a series of reforms in an effort to better care for some of the country’s frailest citizens. This period, called the moral hygiene era of mental health care, emerged from a further understanding of psychiatry and psychology which led to structural changes in the mental health care system.

This thesis examines the beginnings of the Kirkbride system, which sought to reform the whole of American mental health care through landscaping and architecture as well as the specific treatment plan for each individual. Using case …

Reducing Medical Errors For Patients With Substance Use Disorders With A Medical Information Card, Michael V. Hughes

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background

Approximately 98,000 Americans perish annually due to medical errors and adverse events associated with the limited access to or incomplete pertinent patient health information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022; Obrien et al., 2021). Pertinent patient health information includes patients’ allergies, current medications, current medical diagnosis, blood type, insurance, and emergency contact. The purpose of this project was to examine the efficacy in using File of Life cards in reducing medical errors among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), and the perception of patients and healthcare providers ease of use, satisfaction of using the File of Life …

Longitudinal Assessment Of Pharmacy Student Attitudes Towards Mental Illness, Jessica Dillon

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Mental health stigma in providers is one of the greatest barriers in effective care in psychiatric patients. When patients feel stigma towards them, they have lower levels of self-esteem and lower medication adherence. When training healthcare providers, specifically pharmacists, it is important to assess the effectiveness of training at reducing stigma levels. Previous studies have shown that didactic teaching does not significantly decrease stigma in pharmacy students. However, other studies have shown that students who participated in psychiatric rotations have less stigma surrounding mental health following the rotation. Currently there are no studies that assess the same students’ stigma …

Support For Social Workers Treating Adolescent Substance Abusers, Monica Delucia, Kethura Solano

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines the barriers social workers experience when working with adolescent substance users. Research has not fully explored if intervention techniques are effective or suggest other approaches that may support substance use disorder professionals including supervisor support, training, and intervention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if social workers who provide interventions to adolescent substance users have the adequate resources to be successful in their field. The literature review provides a better understanding of the common themes social workers experience when working with adolescent substance users.

This study used a qualitative design and interviewed 8 professional social …

Examining The Marketing Strategies Of Campus Mental Health On A Minority Student Population, Rochelle Bernarte

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Public health, particularly mental health services aimed at making a positive impact can be difficult to market to populations. Promoting mental health services to a target demographic of predominantly minority students at a university comes with its own set of unique variables making the task especially tough. This can be concerning as studies have shown that minority students experience greater amounts of stress than their White counterparts but are less likely to seek mental health services (DeFreitas et al., 2018; Duffy, 2019; Lipson, et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to gauge the Attitudes and Practices …

Characterization Of Differential Rearing And Sex On 5-Ht2ar Receptor Activation, Kelsey Lowe

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) continues to rise while the number of medications to combat this deadly disorder remains stagnant. Entirely new thinking about what exemplifies a possible therapeutic is needed. Hallucinogens are continually being studied more as possible treatments for many psychological conditions, including SUDs. Classic hallucinogens engage many serotonin and monoamine systems, but the hallucinogenic effects are driven by serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor (5-HT_2AR) activation. Forced social isolation induces chronic stress, increases 5-HT_2AR expression in the cortex and have been suggested to play a role in the comorbidity between stress, maladaptive coping, …

Tiny Tusk Internship: Barriers To Effective Breastfeeding Within Low Socioeconomic Populations, Catherine Johnson

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusk Breastfeeding and Infant Support is a program created to facilitate safe and quiet places for mothers to breastfeed at various events at the University of Arkansas. It serves as a platform to spread important and essential information about breastfeeding to mothers and reach various women all from different backgrounds and populations. The purpose of this review of literature is to identify barriers that women within low socioeconomic populations face that influence their decision to breastfeed. These barriers included lack of social support from family, friends, and healthcare providers; latch difficulty; and concerns of milk supply. Altogether, low-income women …

On Versus Off-Campus Living: An Exploration Of College Students' Mental Well-Being, Sameer Siddiqui

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community” (“Mental Health,” 2022). Risk and protective factors can be used to predict mental health outcomes. Both positive and negative outcomes can be predicted, respectively. The categories of these include individual, relationship, community, and societal. When examining college students, it is most reasonable to study the relationship and community factors. This study examined whether living on or off campus impacts predicted mental health outcomes in …

Art And Rehabilitation: An Analysis Of Art In The Treatment Of Individuals Recovering From Substance Use Disorders, Cheyenne Weis

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Substance use has been a huge problem in the United States for a long time. Typically, techniques such as behavioral therapies or 12-Step Programs are used regarding treatment for those trying to recover from substance use disorders. While these treatment options are useful for many people, it is also important to look at nonnormative options for treatment to help the greatest number of people. One of these treatment options is the use of art, either as art therapy or as therapeutic art-making. Previous research on art therapy and people with substance use disorders demonstrates that there are many benefits of …

Reducing The Mental Health Treatment Gap In Kashmir: Scaling Up To Maximise The Potential Of Telepsychiatry, Arshad Hussain, Bhupinder Kumar, Manasi Kumar, Fazle Roub

Brain and Mind Institute

No abstract provided.

Considerations And Strategies For Incorporating Lived Experience In Mental Health Research, Elizabeth Bernier, Elias Peirce, Elizabeth M. Mutina, Saras Yerlig, Kristen A. Woodberry

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2023

Introduction: Incorporating lived experience in mental health research deserves special focus due to the unique stigma faced by those with lived experience and the unique gap between the experience and expression of mental health struggle.

Pathways To Care Of Maine Youth With Psychosis, Elizabeth M. Mutina, Rebecca Jaynes, Dave Weiss, Elizabeth Bernier, Kristen A. Woodberry

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2023

Study clinicians conducted semi-structured interviews to identify the timing and steps of each person’s Pathway to Care (PtC).