Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Cobenfy(Xanomeline/Trospium) Vs. Clozapine For Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia, Harmann Singh, Akash M. Patel, Abdullah Noory, Kush C. Patel, Simran Gandhi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) poses significant therapeutic challenges. Although clozapine remains the gold-standard pharmacologic treatment for TRS, its clinical utility is hampered by severe side effects and intensive monitoring requirements. KarXT (Cobenfy), a combination of xanomeline and trospium chloride, represents a novel antipsychotic approach by targeting muscarinic M1/M4 receptors instead of dopamine D2 pathways.

Hypothesis: KarXT offers comparable efficacy to clozapine with a more favorable safety and tolerability profile, making it a viable alternative for patients with TRS.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify studies from 2015–2025 evaluating KarXT in schizophrenia. Sources included PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, FDA databases, ICER …

Symptomatic Treatment Of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome: A Review Of The Existing Literature, Aria Sen, Dale Shober

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Despite its public reputation as a recreational substance that does not cause physical withdrawal symptoms, cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS) was added to the DSM-5 in 2013. Existing research would suggest that almost half of regular cannabis users will experience symptoms such as mood symptoms, insomnia, and gastrointestinal distress. For more than 20 years, the rates of cannabis use have continued to trend upward due to expanding legislation on the recreational use of marijuana. Currently, there are no FDA approved treatments for CWS. Considering this trend, the lack of a well-formed treatment protocol for CWS will have a growing impact on …

Neuroimaging-Based Variability In Subtyping Biomarkers For Psychiatric Heterogeneity, Duna Abu-Amara

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Neuroimaging-based subtyping is increasingly used to explain heterogeneity in psychiatric disorders. However, the clinical utility of these subtyping efforts remains unclear, and replication has been challenging. Here we examined how the choice of neuroimaging measures influences the derivation of neuro-subtypes and the consequences for clinical delineation. On a clinically heterogeneous dataset (total n = 566) that included controls (n = 268) and cases (n = 298) of psychiatric conditions, including individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and comorbidity of both (PTSD&TBI), we identified neuro-subtypes among the cases using either structural, resting-state, or task-based measures. The …

Maternal Dysbiosis Produces Long-Lasting Behavioral Changes In Offspring, Nagireddy Putluri, Venugopal R Venna, Louise D Mccullough

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Advanced maternal age (AMA) is defined as a pregnancy in a woman older than 35 years of age. AMA increases the risk for both maternal and neonatal complications, including miscarriage and stillbirth. AMA has also been linked to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders in the offspring. Recent studies have found that age-associated compositional shifts in the gut microbiota contribute to altered microbial metabolism and enhanced inflammation in the host. We investigated the specific contribution of the maternal microbiome on pregnancy outcomes and offspring behavior by recolonizing young female mice with aged female microbiome prior to pregnancy. We discovered that pre-pregnancy colonization …

A Co-Design Approach To Develop A Motivational Intervention To Promote Physical Activity Engagement And Maintenance Among Individuals In Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Settings, Sascha Thal, Stephen Bright, Nikos Ntoumanis, Bronwyn Myers, Jocelyn Jones, Eleanor Quested

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Substance use disorders (SUDs) pose a significant public health concern. Preliminary research suggests benefits of physical activity (PA) for individuals receiving SUD treatment. However, current PA interventions have limitations, particularly regarding PA maintenance, due to motivational issues among people with SUDs. Our co-designed intervention is the first to target PA motivation for sustaining PA in individuals with SUDs. We employed the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to co-design an intervention to increase PA motivation and support PA maintenance among people in residential SUD treatment. The BCW process involved semi-structured interviews with people with lived or living experience (n = 5) and …

Opioid Epidemic In Maine: An Analysis Of Increasing Overdose-Related Deaths Following The Coronavirus, Aysel S. Hamlin

Thinking Matters Student Research Symposium

The rate of drug overdose resulting in death doubled in Maine following the COVID-19 pandemic from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019 through 2022. The correlation between increased isolation during the pandemic and overdose death rates sheds a concerning light on the insufficient resources for people struggling with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) throughout Maine. The increasing trade and access to fentanyl following the pandemic accounted for the majority of drug-related deaths in Maine in 2021 and 2022. This study examines the need for long-term access to drug treatment in rural and urban Maine, both environments with varying …

Experiences Of Women In The Labour Room: The Untold Story, Emmanuel Dziwornu, Belinda Kpodo, Ophelia Anarfi, Enyonam Afi Adzato, Anita Fafa Dartey

Patient Experience Journal

Background: Childbirth experiences are some of the most sensitive indicators of the utilisation of health facilities. Women who go through the child-birthing process are reported to be faced with a range of experiences. Aim: This study described women's experiences in the labour room. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research approach with a descriptive design. Purposive sampling was used in this study and data saturation was reached after the 18^th participant. In-depth interviews were used to obtain information from recently delivered women. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis (TCA) was done and the results were …

Evaluating Referral Rates For Positive Postpartum Depression Screenings At Telehealth And Well-Child Visits: A Scoping Review, Rachel Macklin Barber, Mph, Bsn, Rn, Damaris Amber Brooks, Bsn, Rn, Ashli-Emeria Gary, Bsn, Rn, Margaret Harvey, Phd, Acnp-Bc, Chfn, Kate Fouquier Phd, Aprn, Cnm, Pmh-C, Facnm

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects one in nine women. It has distressing impacts, including behavioral and attachment issues and toveruse of healthcare services. PPD occurs within 4 weeks to 12 months postpartum. A scoping review was conducted to compare referral rates to mental health providers after PPD screenings were conducted via telehealth versus those completed at well-child visits.

Methods

Peer-reviewed articles published within five years before the initial search, beginning September 2022 and ending November 2024, were selected. Articles were sourced from several publications using an online library database with various MeSH terms and Boolean operators. Search results were narrowed …

Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Expert Opinion Of Revised Trauma Quality Of Life Questionnaire (Rt-Qol): Malay Language Version, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Shamsinar Ibrahim, Malina Zulkifli, Azimatun Noor Aizuddin, Hanizah Mohd Yusoff

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study examines the cross-cultural adaptation and expert validation of the Revised Trauma Quality of Life (RT-QOL) questionnaire, translating it from English to Malay.

Methods: The study employed Beaton’s adaptation guidelines and Takasaki’s framework for expert opinions, involving 51 road traffic injury patients recruited from the Emergency and Trauma Department (ED) of a public hospital in Kedah, Malaysia, from March to June 2022. Participants were contacted via telephone 30 days after their hospital visit regarding their involvement in the study. Three independent experts, comprising academicians in healthcare and emergency department clinicians, reviewed and reconciled the RT-QOL Malay …

Fatigue Level Associated With Quality Of Life For Prostate Cancer Patients: Results From The All Of Us Research Program, Hui-Yi Lin, Masuma Mannan, Yu-Wen Chiu, Ya-Hsin Li, Rajasree P. Chowdry, Tung-Sung Tseng

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer (PCa) patients frequently experience extended survivorship, highlighting the importance of quality of life (QoL) in cancer care. QoL has been shown to influence survival and PCa progression. For PCa patients, fatigue is a common issue due to cancer itself or its treatments. However, many QoL studies on PCa patients are limited by small sample sizes in clinic settings and often overlook the impact of fatigue and health-related behaviors. To fill this gap, this study aims to evaluate fatigue associated with QoL and related health measures among PCa patients. METHODS: This study used the All of Us cohort …

Use Of Interdisciplinary Rounds For The Identification Of Hospitalized Adults In Need Of Palliative Care, Brenda A. Blunt

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Palliative care (PC) is specialized care that aims to provide relief from the stress and symptoms of living with a serious illness (Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2022). PC services are often underutilized in the hospital, leaving a significant number of patients with unmet needs (Haranis et al, 2023; Kawashima & Evans, 2023; Smith et al, 2019). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to improve processes for identifying hospitalized patients for referral to specialty inpatient PC. The intervention involved interdisciplinary rounds (IDR) for adult inpatients on two medical-surgical (MESG) units in an 84-bed community hospital in suburban Milwaukee, …

Exploring The Correlation Between Self-Esteem And Academic Success Among Special Needs Students In Kwara State, Nigeria, Florence Famolu

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Special education has shifted from a position of delivering professional services to students with disabilities to a system that seeks to encompass the broad concept of promoting quality education for students. This study examined the correlation between self-esteem and academic success among special needs students in Kwara State, Nigeria. the study adopted a descriptive survey research type. special needs students in the three local government areas in Ilorin, Ilorin South, East, and West Local Governments Area constituted the total population for this research. The researcher designed questionnaire was entitled: self-esteem as correlate of academic success among special needs students’ questionnaire” …

Evaluation Of Depression Screening Tools For Utilization In Adolescents: A Scoping Review, Helen Whitaker Bsn, Rn, Jade Bray Bsn, Rn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Hget-C, Ebp-C, Jacqueline Sharp Dnp, Aprn, Pmhp-Bc, Sharon Little Dnp, Fnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Anxiety and depression are prevalent mood disorders among the adolescent population with significant impacts on academic performance, social interactions, and mental well-being. With depression rates continuing to rise and suicide among the leading causes of death in adolescents, there is an urgent need for effective screening and intervention. While depression screening is recommended in the primary care setting, many adolescents do not have regular access to healthcare, complicating early identification and treatment. The purpose of this scoping review is to compare the effectiveness of two depression screening tools, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), …

Publication Trends In Counselling And Artificial Intelligence: A Bibliometric Analysis, Musthofa Hadi, Rachma Bhakti Utami, Ratnaning Palupi, Farika Nikmah, Eko Boedi Santoso

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Current developments in counseling show significant improvements, especially with the increasingly deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This research focuses on analyzing research development trends in counseling and artificial intelligence, with data collected from Scopus-indexed publications from the beginning of 1982 to 2024. From this period, 470 relevant articles were identified for further analysis. The analysis process is carried out using bibliometric methods with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, with the help of R-Biblioshiny software, which allows in-depth analysis of patterns and trends in the literature. The analysis results show that this topic has experienced …

Improving Access To Mental Health Care Using Telehealth, Lavern Palmer

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

More than half of adults with mental illness in the United States live in mental health deserts—geographic areas with limited access to mental health services and persistent barriers to care. This study investigates the impact of telehealth implementation on patient no-show rates at a rural community clinic in Georgia. The aim was to determine whether the use of telehealth for psychiatric care would decrease the no-show rate of mental health appointments. A retrospective analysis was conducted using patient attendance logs collected 12 weeks before and after the implementation of telehealth services. Quantitative data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation to …

Design Solutions For Common Problems In Senior Living Facilities, Mary Schmidt

Senior Honors Theses

With the aging population of the United States, the prevalence of dementia rises along with its challenges for individuals in long-term care facilities. As cognitive function deteriorates, dementia patients face growing difficulties in performing daily activities. Common issues such as wayfinding, wandering, exit attempts, agitation, and a generally low quality of life plague most dementia patients at long-term care facilities. Design features can improve quality of life, safety, and coherence for residents with dementia at assisted living facilities. This paper examines existing research to present various design strategies that can enhance daily life for dementia patients in long-term care facilities. …

Enhancing Schizophrenia Treatment Outcomes: Integrating Cbt With Medication Therapy To Reduce Hospital Readmission, Kamauri Fleming Msn, Rn, Grace Adeniji-Ilesanmi Fnp-Bc, Zillah Anagho Tah Fnp-C, Alex Cook Msn, Rn, Margaret Harvey Phd, Acnp-Bc, Chfn, Sharon Little Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Jacqueline Sharp Dnp, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that disrupts cognition, emotion, and social functioning, imposing significant personal and societal burdens. While antipsychotic medications are effective in alleviating psychotic symptoms, they are often associated with side effects, poor adherence, and relapse risk. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown promise as an adjunct to medication, addressing persistent symptoms and improving outcomes. This scoping review examines the integration of CBT with medication therapy to reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of life for adult patients hospitalized with schizophrenia.

Methods A systematic search of databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library, was conducted …

Solution-Focused Brief Group Counseling As An Effort To Reduce Phubbing Behavior Among High School Students, Awalya Siska Pratiwi, Arbin Janu Setiyowati, Im Hambali, Siti Syazwani Zulkuple

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The act of phubbing has been observed to disengage from their surroundings, often finding greater comfort in solitude with their mobile phones. The research objective was to ascertain the efficacy of solution-focused brief group counseling to reduce phubbing behavior in high school students. This study employed a quasi-experimental quantitative research methodology with a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 10 students, exhibiting a high level of phubbing behavior, were divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The results of the Two-Independent-Sample Test-Mann-Whitney U test are presented in the Asymp .sig column, with a value of …

The Impact Of High Deductible Health Plans On Mental Health Treatment, Kristian D. Dambrino, Laura Gray, R. David Phillippi

DNP Projects

Background and Rationale: High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are designed to reduce overall healthcare spending by shifting more upfront costs to patients to discourage overutilization of care, yet HDHPs often increase financial burden, particularly in outpatient mental health care. Patients covered by HDHPs often face substantial out-of-pocket costs before reaching their deductible. This can lead to potential delays or discontinuation of psychiatric treatment. Financial transparency interventions by the mental health provider may mitigate these barriers through more-informed patient decision-making regarding payment options. This project evaluates the impact of a financial transparency intervention on reducing payment responsibility for HDHP patients in …

Rational Emotive Behavior Group Counseling To Reduce Toxic Masculinity In The Patriarchal Culture Of High School Students, Bakhrudin All Habsy, Rukhil Amania, Michael Adeniyi Omoyemiju

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Toxic masculinity is a social construct in patriarchal societies, characterizing male attitudes that dominate and accentuate gender inequality with women in lower positions, influencing detrimental behavioral patterns. This research aims to examine the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Group Counseling in reducing toxic masculinity behaviors among high school students within the context of patriarchal culture. The study employed an experimental design with a pretest and posttest control group arrangement. From the Toxic masculinity inventory measurements, twelve students with high levels of toxic masculinity characteristics were identified. Subject selection was randomized, with six students in each experimental and control group. Data …

Social Media Usage And Peer Pressure As Predictors Of Substance Abuse Among In-School Adolescents In Kwara State, Nigeria, Mariam Bukola Alwajud-Adewusi, Olayemi Zainab Oduola, Bolanle Ifabiyi

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Substance abuse among youngsters in Nigeria is worrisome. Its consequences include acute, chronic diseases as well as social and psychological ailments. Immediate intervention is essentially paramount to prevent the future of the younger generation. Thus, this study investigated social media usage and peer pressure as predictors of substance abuse among in-school adolescents in Kwara state, Nigeria. The study was a survey research. The population of this study comprised all in-school adolescents in Secondary Schools in Kwara State which estimated at 247,845. The sample size of 403 participated in the study. An instrument entitled “Social Media Usage, Peer Pressure and Substance …

Appreciation Ally, Robert H. Rice, Phoebe Brajdic

Fisher Showcase 2025

Appreciation Ally is an innovative gratitude-focused app developed from evidence-based mental health research.

It uniquely blends visual positivity and reflective journaling, guiding users toward enhanced self-discovery, mood and appreciation.

Factors Associated With Quality Of Intrapartum Care In Kenya: A Complex Samples Analysis Of The 2022 Kenya Demographic And Health Survey, Lilian Nuwabaine, Earnest Amwiine, Quraish Sserwanja, Joseph Kawuki, Mathius Amperiize, Angella Namulema, Ahmed Sarki, John Baptist Asiimwe

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

The provision of quality intrapartum care increases women’s utilization of skilled birth attendants in health facilities and improves maternal and newborn health. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the quality of intrapartum care using the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS).

Methods

Secondary data from the 2022 KDHS of 11,863 participants, who were selected by multistage stratified sampling, was used. Based on literature and the availability of indicators within the 2022 KDHS, the quality of intrapartum care was operationalized as receiving all the three clinical components of intrapartum care including a mother having a facility-based …

How Is The Psychological Well-Being Of The Prospective Counselor: The Perma-Profiler, Yessika Nurmasari, Moh. Khoerul Anwar, Muhsin Muhsin, Do Mai Lam

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Well-being is one of the factors that prospective counselors continue to develop themselves and their profession. The research aims to provide an overview of the psychological well-being of prospective counselors. The study used the PERMA-Profiler measurement, distributed to Islamic Counseling Guidance students at UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung. The data were analyzed by quantitative descriptive with simple random sampling. The attachment indicator (E) is the largest at 7.48, followed by the positive emotion indicator (P) at 7.44, the meaningfulness indicator (M) with a score of 7.39, the relationship indicator ® with a score of 7.21, the achievement indicator (A) with …

Social Program For Adults Living In Group Homes, Kailee Oram, Mary Jan Greer

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) living in group homes have lower quality of life outcomes, particularly for the domain of social inclusion, compared to adults with IDDs who live alone or with family. This capstone experience aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a social program for this population to promote community engagement and interpersonal relationships. The 8-week social program was planned for participants living in group homes led by Trinity Services in suburban IL. A needs assessment included interviews with clients and staff about supports and barriers to social participation and ideas for community activities. The program was …

Factors Influence Homeless People’S Psychological Well-Being And Suicidal Ideation, Pi-Ming Yeh

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Introduction/Significance: About 582,462 individuals are experiencing homelessness in America. Homelessness is devastating, regardless of age. But for children, it can have serious physical, emotional, and psychological implications.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of spiritual well-being, coping strategies, family interaction, and personality on psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation among people with homelessness.

Methods: Sixty people with homelessness were recruited in the Eastern Tennessee Downtown Day Center, USA. IRB was approved. This was a cross-sectional descriptive research design. Questionnaires were used to do data collection. SPSS 28.0 was used to do the data analysis. Descriptive …

Breaking Down Mental Health Barriers And Overcoming Generational Stigma In Black America, Ayana White

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Cultural beliefs, historical trauma, and societal pressures shape the stigma surrounding mental health in African American communities. Mental health struggles are often seen as a sign of weakness, deepened by mistrust of medical professionals due to past abuses, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the exploitation of Henrietta Lacks. This mistrust, combined with societal expectations and stereotypes, discourages open conversations about mental health. African Americans are less likely to seek professional help, with studies showing only 25% of Black individuals pursue mental health treatment compared to 40% of their Caucasian counterparts. Some of these barriers include the criminalization of …

Peer Education On Alcohol Misuse For Fraternity Students At Lindenwood University, Ashley Herd, John Herron, Layaly Ramadan, Jenna Leong, Amy Estlund

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Alcohol misuse presents a troubling problem across all college campuses in the United States. Our project works to educate Lindenwood University male fraternity students on the dangers of alcohol misuse and the larger effect of alcohol on one’s life. Over several weeks, the peer educators researched alcohol subjects and developed content to present to the fraternity members. Content featured in these sessions included general alcohol information, the dangers of mixing alcohol with prescription drugs, safe drinking tips, how neurodivergent individuals can have different reactions to alcohol, and alcohol's role in impacting their education, career, and relationship outcomes. The sessions were …

Age–Period–Cohort Effects Of Adult Cigarette Smoking In The United States, 1971–2020, Dinko Kranjac, Ashley W. Kranjac

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

The rates of cigarette use among American adults have dropped substantially throughout the last six decades, yet smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. It is crucial to identify the putative time-varying population-level factors of age, period, and cohort that influenced the decrease in smoking prevalence so we can maintain the downward trend. We used 49 years of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and hierarchical age–period–cohort (HAPC) analysis to examine lifecycle, historical, and generational distribution of smoking among Americans aged 18–74 years old. The prevalence of smoking has …

Resource Toolkit Development For Mental Health Awareness In School-Aged Children, Jessica L. Newton

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice

Introduction: Mental health challenges are on the rise, and school-aged children often lack mental health services and education at an early age, which can lead to mental illness. Therefore, it is important to increase awareness of mental health challenges in school-aged children by educating individuals to reduce the stigma. Providing school and community-based resources to improve overall health and well-being is essential to combat the rise in mental illness in our communities.

Methods: A quality improvement (QI) design for product development and education was aimed at addressing this rising problem. The needs assessment results, current literature, evidence-based practices, and conceptual …