Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Reviving Neurodivergent Workplace, Nayeli Gonzalez, Robin Puttock

Symposium of Student Scholars

The post-pandemic era has left the United States with nearly one billion square feet of vacant office space, creating significant economic and social challenges. Alongside this, many employees continue to work from home, often experiencing adverse effects on their physical and mental well-being due to environments that are not conducive to long-term productivity. Addressing these issues, this thesis explores how outdated and underutilized office spaces can be revived, reinvented, and renovated to not only attract employees back to the workplace but also to accommodate the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. Neurodivergent people, representing millions globally, often encounter sensory overstimulation and …

Exploring The Role Of Yoga In Improving The Quality Of Life Among Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia And Intellectual Disability, Laura Tolbaños-Roche

Journal of Applied Yoga Studies

Background and objectives

There is large evidence of the positive effect of yoga in mental health disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. However, the studies on the role of yoga in schizophrenia and intellectual disability are sparse and inconclusive. The objective of this study is exploring the role of a specific yoga intervention, based on the Gitananda Rishiculture Asthanga Yoga Tradition, in improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and intellectual disability in a mental health institution of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (n=5) and patients diagnosed with intellectual disability (n=4) …

The Implementation Of Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy On Healthcare Workers Suffering From Workplace-Related Ptsd Due To Covid-19, Ziluolan Zou

Nursing | Student Research Posters

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers were exposed to a deadly disease with limited knowledge and personal protective equipment, subjected to long hours, forced to ration care due to limited critical care resources and ventilators, and isolated from their families due to fear of spreading the virus. These factors further compounded the occupational stress associated with being a healthcare worker. The literature shows that the physical, mental, and emotional challenges frontline healthcare workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic had lasting impacts on their mental health. The prevalence of mental health illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, among …

Childhood Exposure To Interparental Physical Violence And Adult Cardiovascular Disease, Cancan Cui, Lin Liu, Haibin Li, Yitian Qi, Jiayin Song, Ning Han, Zhijia Wang, Xinyun Shang, Chen Sheng, Lois Balmer, Zhiyuan Wu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Importance: Childhood adverse experiences have been linked with long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the transgenerational associations between interparental behaviors and CVD remain poorly understood. Objectives: To explore the association between exposure to childhood interparental physical violence and the subsequent risk of CVD and to examine whether the association is modified by adult depressive symptoms. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study included data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), an ongoing study recruiting individuals aged 45 years or older, dated between June 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020, with a follow-up duration of 9 …

Connected For Joy: The Power Of Relationships In Cultivating Happiness, Amisha Singh Dds, Edd

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article explores the profound connection between human happiness and meaningful relationships. It discusses the critical role of human connection in promoting health and longevity, the impact of social isolation on well-being and the call to action to mend the social fabric. The piece also reflects on how organized dentistry fosters community, mentorship and connection, offering a vital antidote to loneliness in the dental profession.

Beyond Dentistry: Achieving Personal And Professional Balance, Laura Brenner Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article explores the challenges dental professionals face in balancing personal fulfillment with career obligations. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, aligning career with personal values, and rediscovering identity beyond the profession to achieve true well-being and rekindle passion for dentistry.

Early Referral For Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Therapy For Treatment Of Trauma-Induced Anxiety And Emotional Distress, Christa Jones

Doctoral Projects

Trauma, anxiety, and emotional distress are significant health concerns affecting millions globally and resulting in significant healthcare burdens. Despite the considerable efforts in addressing problems, most high-risk cases often go unidentified or unaddressed promptly. Besides standard trauma diagnosis, treatment, and management protocols, some patients often require specialized support. Recently, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has emerged as a promising alternative for treating anxiety, trauma, and emotional distress conditions, yet many patients who are at high risk are often not identified early for referral. Additionally, many healthcare facilities, especially those in rural settings, fail to include appropriate screening tools.

This …

Investigating The Effects Of Workload Management Strategies On Nurse Practitioner Burnout And Job Satisfaction, Erica G. Smith

Doctoral Projects

Burnout is a critical issue among psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), worsened by excessive workloads, productivity demands, and the emotional intensity of patient care (Chi et al., 2024). The negative effects of burnout included diminished job satisfaction, reduced quality of care, and increased turnover (Chi et al., 2024). As the demand for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) grew, addressing these challenges was essential for maintaining a sustainable workforce and ensuring quality patient care.

This doctoral project aimed to assess the impact of a workload management strategy on reducing burnout and improving job satisfaction among PMHNPs in a hospital …

Improving Outcomes Of Patients Being Seen In The Emergency Room For Mental Health Crisis, Kimberly Hudson

Doctoral Projects

Mental health is a significant problem, especially in males aged 20 to 50 years old (Omary, 2019). Lack of a primary mental health care provider, lack of proper treatment and follow up appointments for this population, and bottlenecking patients in the emergency room are all factors that contribute to the problem. As a result, these patients experience negative outcomes such as not receiving proper care and/or causing harm to themselves or others. In this doctoral project we will explore the option of patients having better outcomes if seen immediately by a psychiatric health care provider.

Having psychiatric healthcare providers in …

Investigating The Role Of Hopelessness In The Stress-Performance Relationship Among College Students, Vidushi Sabnani

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

As college students pursue higher education as a pathway to success, they face pressures that threaten their well-being and academic success. Balancing academic, financial, and social demands has led to a mental health crisis on campuses, with emotional stress cited as the leading cause of students discontinuing their education (Gallup, 2023). This study investigates the relationship between academic stress, perceived stress, and academic performance in college students. It also examines the Yerkes-Dodson law of a curvilinear relationship between stress and performance and the role of hopelessness as a mediator. A sample of 321 participants completed surveys assessing academic stress, perceived …

Effect Of Pilot Mental Health On Passenger Willingness To Fly, Isabella L. Deloach, Sara E. Bergamini, Dowon Choi, Brooke Wheeler, Vivek Sharma

Aeronautics Student Publications

This study explored how passengers' willingness to fly is affected by the mental health condition of pilots, providing insight into public perception of the mental health condition of pilots. Results showed significant differences between all scenarios except the medication scenario vs. therapy scenario.

The Benefit Of Creative Arts-Based Interventions For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Marissa Patrick, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that significantly affects emotional regulation, social communication, and executive functioning. Addressing emotional regulation in children with ASD is essential for enhancing mental health, quality of life, and functional independence in occupations such as social participation. Despite evidence supporting the use of creative arts-based interventions to improve mental health, limited research exists on their specific application for emotional regulation in this population.

This project aimed to implement and evaluate a creative arts-based intervention program designed to improve emotional regulation skills in children with ASD within occupational therapy (OT) practice. Conducted over five weeks …

Occupation-Based Programming For An Addiction Recovery Program, Mckenna Howard, Susan Macdermott Otd, Otr/L

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Addiction can impact engagement in many different occupations and occupational therapists can assist in returning to engagement in meaningful occupations. This capstone project focused on creating occupation-based programming for an addiction recovery program. This program aims to enhance engagement, skills, and confidence in daily occupations to promote overall well-being during recovery.

The Role Of Trauma-Related Shame In Ptsd And Dissociation, Alexis Stokes

Bakerman Student Research Awards

Dissociation commonly occurs in response to traumatic events, and a dissociative subtype of PTSD is now recognized in the DSM-5. However, researchers have not established a clear consensus as to what factors separate individuals with general PTSD and PTSD with dissociative symptoms (PTSD-D). Negative affect—specifically shame—has been increasingly examined in psychotraumatology research. There is ample evidence that shame predicts and maintains symptom severity in PTSD patients, as well as that it can induce and maintain dissociative symptoms. The clear connection of shame to PTSD and dissociation suggests that it may be an important factor for conceptualizing PTSD-D; however, there is …

Family Members’ Experiences With Depression Through The Lens Of Frank's Illness Narratives, Amanda Cole, Julie Ann Pooley, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Depression impacts around 300 million people worldwide and places significant strain on families who care for relatives with chronic mental health conditions. This strain can lead to substantial burdens and affect the mental health and well-being of family members. Aim: This study explores family members’ experiences with depression through the lens of Frank's illness narratives. Methods: Employing a narrative inquiry approach, interviews were conducted with eight family members of adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The data were analysed through the lens of Frank's illness narratives. Findings: Family members’ experiences revealed a complex interplay of narratives that reflected the …

Exploring Psychotic Symptoms Among Substance-Naïve Individuals And Recent Abstainers Without A Psychosis Diagnosis: A Cross-Country Study Across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, And South Africa, Isaac Babu Kisiang'ani, Mohammed Aden, Henry R. Mwangi, Dickens Akena, Melkam Alemayehu, Julius Barasa, Bizu Gelaye, Stella Gichuru, Lukoye Atwoli, Symon M. Kariuki

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Psychotic symptoms are of increasing interest in mental health due to their predictive value for future psychotic disorders. While these symptoms are prevalent in the general population, their occurrence varies globally. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and factors associated with psychotic symptoms among individuals identified as substance-naïve and recent abstainers without a history of psychosis. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 11,686 participants who reported no lifetime substance use, no substance use in the previous three months, and did not have a diagnosis of psychosis. The study utilized the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire to estimate the one-year prevalence of …

The Dark Cloud : A Creative Exploration Of Anxiety Through 3d Animation, James Applegate

Postgraduate

Fear and anxiety are mundane and innately human experiences, and ones that everyone struggles with on occasion. However, approximately a third to a quarter of all adults will suffer from clinical anxiety disorders at some point in their lives. Of these, many will go undiagnosed, and of those that do, only a fraction receive proper treatment.

The Impact Of Elder Abuse Training On Subacute Health Providers And Older Adults: Study Protocol For A Randomized Control Trial, Marina G. Cavuoto, Simona Markusevska, Catriona Stevens, Patricia Reyes, Gianna Renshaw, Micah D.J. Peters, Briony Dow, Peter Feldman, Andrew Gilbert, Elizabeth Manias, Duncan Mortimer, Joanne Enticott, Claudia Cooper, Josefine Antoniades, Brenda Appleton, Sigrid Nakrem, Meghan O’Brien, Joan Ostaszkiewicz, Marion Eckert, Cheryl Durston, Bianca Brijnath

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Elder abuse often goes unreported and undetected. Older people may be ashamed, fearful, or otherwise reticent to disclose abuse, and many health providers are not confident in asking about it. In the No More Shame study, we will evaluate a co-designed, multi-component intervention that aims to improve health providers’ recognition, response, and referral of elder abuse. Methods: This is a single-blinded, pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial. Ten subacute hospital sites (i.e. clusters) across Australia will be allocated 1:1, stratified by state to a multi-component intervention comprising a training programme for health providers, implementation of a screening tool and use …

Understanding And Intervening In Children's Tick Risk Perceptions And Protective Behaviors: A Grounded Theory, Ariel Dawdy

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Children, ages 8 years and younger, are at a particularly high risk of contracting a tick-borne disease. This is partially due to the misconceptions spread about tick protective behavior and a poor understanding of how antibiotic treatment can help. Because most communities and families believe that tick control is the individual’s responsibility, looking at the interaction between ticks and human children is essential to understanding the individual’s motivations to protect themselves. To help alleviate the number of individuals contracting tick-borne diseases, misconceptions must be addressed, intervention programs implemented, and a behavioral change must occur. This study used a qualitative research …

Addressing The Public Health Concern Of Maternal Mortality In Houston, Texas, Lucy Couture

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Maternal mortality remains a pressing public health concern in the United States, with disproportionate consequences for marginalized communities. Despite being a developed nation, the U.S. reports one of the highest maternal mortality rates among its peers, with approximately 80% of maternal deaths deemed preventable. Texas reflects this national crisis, particularly affecting Black women, whose maternal mortality rate is significantly higher than that of other racial and ethnic groups. This thesis explores maternal mortality trends in Houston, Texas, analyzing the roles of systemic inequities, social determinants of health, and disparities in access to quality care. Drawing on data from the Texas …

Prevalence And Management Of Depressive Symptoms In Coronary Heart Disease Patients And Relationship With Cardiovascular Prognosis: A Prospective Cohort Study, Yewei Pan, Yequn Chen, Shenglin Wu, Pengxiang Ying, Zishan Zhang, Xuerui Tan, Jinxiu Zhu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: Depressive symptoms are comorbid with coronary heart disease (CHD). There is a controversial debate about whether screening and intervention for depressive symptoms could improve cardiovascular prognosis. This study characterizes the prevalence, characteristics, cardiovascular prognosis and management need of depressive symptoms among CHD patients. Methods: CHD patients were recruited between November 18, 2020 and November 26, 2021. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). During the 12-month follow-up, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the endpoint. Time-to-event data were estimated by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models. Results: Of 582 patients (25% women), 21.0% had mild depressive symptoms, and 7.5% …

Protocol To Implement And Evaluate A Culturally Secure, Strength-Based, Equine-Assisted Learning Program, "Yawardani Jan-Ga" (Horses Helping), To Support The Social And Emotional Wellbeing Of Australian Aboriginal Children And Young People, Juli Coffin, Sharmila Vaz, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, Helen Milroy, Craig Olsson, Meg Kirby, Lesley Nelson, Rob Mcphee, Donna Cross

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australian Aboriginal people experience stressors from inequalities across crucial social determinants, including deep and entrenched disadvantage and exclusion. The impact of unaddressed historical issues is pervasive and intergenerational. The disproportionate rates of Aboriginal youth suicide, juvenile detention and imprisonment highlight the inadequacy of existing social and emotional wellbeing programs and services for Aboriginal children and young people. There is increasing recognition in Australia that aligning social and emotional wellbeing interventions with Western values and conceptions of mental health is one of the main barriers to service uptake among Aboriginal people. This suggests fundamental questions remain unanswered about what type of …

The Effects Of First Responder Stress & Trauma On Spouses And Romantic Partners, Eden Thiess

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

First responder jobs pose unique difficulties due to the sheer number of traumatic events that they witness and personally experience. Research has demonstrated some effects of stress and trauma on family relationships, but the literature lacks an understanding of the ways that first responder trauma and stress affects their marriages and romantic relationships. The current study’s purpose was to investigate the experiences of first responder spouses and partners within the Las Vegas area in regards to stress, trauma, and relationship dynamics as influenced by the first responder role. In this study, 11 participants who were in a marriage or romantic …

Psychological Distress Among Family Caregivers Of Persons With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias In Uganda, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) present growing global health challenges, especially in aging populations, such as Uganda. In Uganda, familial caregiving, predominantly undertaken by female relatives, is the primary form of support provided to patients with ADRD. Cultural stigma around dementia and limited access to support services amplify caregivers' challenges. This study examined psychological distress, depression, and quality of life (QoL) among family caregivers of patients with ADRD in Wakiso District, Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 caregivers from three sub-counties in Wakiso, selected through purposive sampling to capture diverse experiences. Participants included caregivers aged 18 years …

Obesity: Influencing Behavioral Consumption Through Meal Kit Distribution, Alejandro Hernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Founded in 2002, Everyone’s Harvest is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to providing access to healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables through certified farmers markets and community food programs. Its key initiatives—Fresh Rx, Market Match, Edible Education and Farms Together —focus on alleviating nutrition insecurity and combating diet-related health conditions by providing vulnerable populations the resources to purchase, or receive, fresh produce and gain nutritional knowledge. This study explores a new intervention: the distribution of farmers' market meal kits as a complementary strategy to the current Edible Education program. These meal kits, which feature seasonally available produce and pre-measured ingredients, aim to …

Opioid Knowledge And Experiences In Nebraska College Students, Natalie Holding

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This study investigated opioid-related knowledge and experiences among 83 Nebraska college students, with an emphasis on awareness, perceived risks, and educational needs regarding opioids and the overdose-reversing drug, naloxone. For participants who have used opioids outside of a doctor’s orders, questions were asked regarding motivations, comorbidities, coping mechanisms, and treatment experiences. Data were collected via an anonymous survey featuring closed- and open-ended questions. Results showed that 41% of participants reported feeling moderately knowledgeable about opioid risks, while 34% felt only slightly knowledgeable. Although 80.7% of participants were aware of naloxone, most were uncertain either about (22.9%) or did not know …

Guidelines For The Standardization Of Pre-Analytical Variables For Salivary Biomarker Studies In Alzheimer's Disease Research: An Updated Review And Consensus Of The Salivary Biomarkers For Dementia Research Working Group, Ted K. S. Ng, Chinedu Momoh, Mei-Ann Lim, Helena Sophia Gleerup, Wayne Leifert, Catherine Ajalo, Nicholas Ashton, Henrik Zetterberg, Robert A. Rissman, Charisse N. Winston

Brain and Mind Institute

There is a pressing need for accessible biomarkers with high diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis to facilitate widespread screening, particularly in underserved groups. Saliva is an emerging specimen for measuring AD biomarkers, with distinct contexts of use that could complement blood and cerebrospinal fluid and detect various analytes. An interdisciplinary, international group of AD and related dementias (ADRD) researchers convened and performed a narrative review of published studies on salivary AD biomarkers. We critically appraised the current state of the literature, examining both consistencies and discrepancies in existing pre-analytical variables and methodologies. We discussed how various pre-analytical variables …

Assessing The Short-Term Outcomes Of Erase And Replace: A Series Of Health & Wellness Activities, Gabriela Murza, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Melanie Dabb, Cris Meier

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah State University Extension faculty addressed Utah's high rate of poor mental health with activities that improved participants’ connections, confidence, and abilities. These efforts positively impacted adults' mental health and quality of life and offered an additional resource to address self-care needs while encouraging connection and skill-building.

Preventing Depression In Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: An Educational Video Series, Sabrina Casares, Steven Gerardi, Meghan Skidmore

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Grandparent caregivers often face increased risk for depression, yet access to mental health resources—particularly self-help approaches—is limited. Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (TXGRG), a non-profit organization supporting grandparent caregivers, lacked a specific mental health resource to address this need. This capstone project developed and implemented a self-help, occupation-based educational video series to provide practical strategies for preventing and managing depression. Designed for accessibility and ease of use, the video series offers tools grounded in daily occupations to promote mental well-being. This project fills a critical gap by equipping TXGRG and its caregivers with a proactive, occupation-focused mental health resource to support …

Life Review And Reminiscence In Occupational Therapy Practice: An Educational Video Series, Andrea Garza, Steven M. Gerardi Phd, Otd, Mss, Otr

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that impacts millions of people, leading to cognitive decline and functional impairment. Life review therapy and reminiscence therapy are effective treatment approaches that have been used with people with dementia to stimulate cognitive processes and provide emotional support by reflecting on past experiences. Although therapeutic occupations based on reminiscence and life review have been used in occupational therapy (OT) practice, there is limited literature on the topic to guide clinical practice. Problem: There is a lack of guidance on the integration of occupation-based life review and reminiscence into OT practice for people with dementia. …