Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Social Jetlag Alters Markers Of Exercise-Induced Mitochondrial Adaptations In The Heart, Michael B. Dial, Elias M. Malek, Austin R. Cooper, Greco A. Neblina, Nikoleta I. Vasileva, Graham Mcginnis

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Social jetlag (SJL) represents the behavioral misalignment of sleep and wake times on work days and free days, and potently disrupts the circadian rhythm. SJL affects up to 70% of the population worldwide and is associated with increased risk for many cardiometabolic diseases. Animal models of acute SJL have shown disruption in locomotor activity and expression of clock genes in select tissues, its impact on the heart remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged SJL (6 weeks), on activity rhythms, and the impact on exercise-induced adaptations in the heart. Male mice (n …

Contemporary Views Of Spiritual And Theological Reflection (2013-2023) Compared To Forty Years Ago: Analysis Of 32 Texts, Chris Brouillard-Coyle, Des Mcenaney, Joselin Zak, Thomas St. James O’Connor

Consensus

What are contemporary views on spiritual and theological reflection? We answer this question using a hermeneutical research method analyzing 32 texts from the current situation. The data indicate five themes: 1) experiences as sources for spiritual/theological reflection, 2) meaning making as key component for spiritual/theological reflection, 3) growth in spiritual reflection and overlap with theological reflection, 4. some flexible methods; many without explicit method, and 5) spiritual but not religious. Discussion, limitations, and areas for future research are provided.

Infertility Stigma And Openness With Others Are Related To Depressive Symptoms And Meaning In Life In Men And Women Diagnosed With Infertility, Brennan Peterson, Orit Taubman‑Ben‑Ari, Bonnie Chiu, Douglas Brown, David A. Frederick

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Stigma is the experience of feeling different from socially accepted norms which can lead to personal devaluation or fear of disapproval from others. For men and women experiencing infertility, stigma has been associated with psychological distress, feelings of otherness in relation to people with children, and selective disclosure with others about their infertility challenges. However, there are few studies which examine how infertility stigma and being open with others are related to depressive symptoms and meaning in life for men and women diagnosed with infertility.

Methods

Participants experiencing infertility were recruited for this cross-sectional study during November 2023-January 2024 …

The Quic-Sp: A Spanish Language Tool Assessing Unpredictability In Early Life Is Linked To Physical And Mental Health, Sabrina R. Liu, Natasha A. Bailey, Sara Romero-González, Amy Moors, Belinda Campos, Elysia P. Davis, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Accumulating evidence indicates that unpredictable signals in early life represent a unique form of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) associated with disrupted neurodevelopmental trajectories in children and adolescents. The Questionnaire of Unpredictability in Childhood (QUIC) was developed to assess early life unpredictability, encompassing social, emotional, and physical unpredictability in a child’s environment, and has been validated in three independent cohorts. However, the importance of identifying ACEs in diverse populations, including non-English speaking groups, necessitates translation of the QUIC. The current study aims to translate and validate a Spanish language version of the QUIC (QUIC-SP) and assess its associations with mental and …

A Half Century Of Criminalizing Serious Mental Illness: Observations And Considerations, Arthur J. Lurigio

DePaul Journal of Health Care Law

This article describes the difficulties of working with people with serious mental illnesses (PSMIs) at every stage of the criminal justice process—from arrest to post- incarceration release from prison. The needs of PSMI for mental health and social services are complex and require different case management plans and strategies at various points in the process. Severe mental illnesses (SMIs), such as schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder, stem from abnormalities in the brain structure and neuroprocessing that cause significant distress and dysfunction. People with serious mental illnesses typically suffer from a variety of other related problems (e.g., addiction) that can …

Mental Health Courts: Is There Any Hope For Mental Illness In An Outdated Criminal Justice System?, Brock Imel

DePaul Journal of Health Care Law

Mental health awareness is an ever-growing field of study that has garnered more attention in America after the COVID-19 pandemic. As far back as colonial America, mental illness was considered taboo in society and often reprimanded with punishable crimes. This article seeks to divulge into the history of mental health and its relation to the law, as well as how the creation of mental health courts has led to a decrease in recidivism.

This article aims to provide the reader with an understanding of the evolving field of mental health courts and provide state legislatures foundational knowledge for creating and …

Mental Health In Preprofessional And Professional Circus Artists: A Narrative Review, Melanie I. Stuckey, Stephanie Greenspan, Joanna Nicholas, Veronique Richard, Janine H. Stubbe, Fleur E.C.A. Van Rens

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mental health has received little attention in preprofessional and professional circus despite the performance demands, cognitive skill, and emotional labor required. This review aimed to consolidate the literature, identify research gaps, and guide practice priorities for mental health in preprofessional and professional circus artists. A narrative review of the literature was conducted based on the International Olympic Committee’s 2019 consensus statement for mental health in elite athletes. Articles reported on mental health symptoms and disorders (n = 13) and interventions (n = 3) in preprofessional and professional circus contexts. Circus artists may experience more symptoms of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and …

Fos Expression In The Periaqueductal Gray, But Not The Ventromedial Hypothalamus, Is Correlated With Psychosocial Stress-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior In Rats, Nicole M Hinds, Ireneusz D Wojtas, Desta M Pulley, Stephany J Mcdonald, Colton D Spencer, Milena Sudarikov, Nicole E Hubbard, Colin M Kulick-Soper, Samantha De Guzman, Sara Hayden, Jessica J Debski, Bianca Patel, Douglas P Fox, Daniel F Manvich

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Psychosocial stressors are known to promote cocaine craving and relapse in humans but are infrequently employed in preclinical relapse models. Consequently, the underlying neural circuitry by which these stressors drive cocaine seeking has not been thoroughly explored. Using Fos expression analyses, we sought to examine whether the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) or periaqueductal gray (PAG), two critical components of the brain's hypothalamic defense system, are activated during psychosocial stress-induced cocaine seeking. Adult male and female rats self-administered cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/inf IV, fixed-ratio 1 schedule, 2 h/session) over 20 sessions. On sessions 11, 14, 17, and 20, a tactile cue was present …

The Benefit Of Green And Blue, Maddie Fitzgerald

D.U.Quark

No abstract provided.

Case Report On Endocrine Induced Paralysis - " Unraveling The Impact Of Thyrotoxicosis On Potassium Homeostasis.", Srujith Pullipudi, Basava Chethan, Srinath K. M, Savitha Vijayakumar, Meghna B.S.

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism, marked by episodes of muscle weakness and hypokalaemia. Although it predominantly affects young Asian men, it can also occur in females and individuals from non-Asian ethnic groups. TPP is a treatable form of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis and can often be the first indication of thyrotoxicosis. Triggers such as a high-carbohydrate diet, strenuous exercise, emotional stress, and steroid use can provoke TPP attacks. During an acute episode, the key diagnostic indicators are hypokalaemia along with elevated levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Treatment consists of two phases: promptly correcting hypokalaemia …

Are Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) And Resilience Associated With Breastfeeding Rates And Neonatal Growth?, Lily Zheng, Krystal Hunter, Hsiao-Wei M. Banks, Leslie Abraham, Alla Kushnir

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have shown to have a negative impact on health outcomes. There is evidence of how negative childhood events adversely affect self-esteem in adulthood. Not only do ACEs have an impact on one's own life, but maternal ACEs have shown to have consequences on infants’ development as well, indicating a negative intergenerational impact.

Objectives: To analyze the relationship between maternal ACEs on infant outcomes, breastfeeding adherence, and maternal self-perception

Design/Methods: Between 2020 and 2023, 120 mother-infant pairs from a New Jersey urban hospital were approached between their 2nd trimester and the 2-month well …

Successful Application Of Craniosacral Therapy In A Case Of Self-Harming And Low Mood In A 13-Year-Old Female., Caro O’Neill, Angie Butterfield

Journal of Transformative Touch

This case reports on the effectiveness of CranioSacral Therapy (CST) for a 13-year-old female presenting with self-harming by cutting, self-starving and poor sleep. Seven treatments of 45 minutes each, over a period of 9 months between September 2023 and June 2024 took place and monthly treatments are still ongoing. An improvement in symptoms was recorded after the first treatment and over the period of the treatments the client did not self-harm or self-starve and her sleep improved. At the first session the client scored 24 with the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9); at the seventh session her score was …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of The Mazi Umntanakho Digital Tool In South African Settings: A Qualitative Evaluation, Catherine E. Draper, Caylee J. Cook, Elizabeth A. Ankrah, Jesus A. Beltran, Franceli L. Cibrian, Kimberley D. Lakes, Hanna Mofid, Lucretia Williams, Gillian R. Hayes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

To address the need for interventions targeting social emotional development and mental health of young children in South Africa, the Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool was co-designed, and piloted with caregivers and 3–5-year-old children involved in home visiting programmes promoting early childhood development. The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this tool in four urban and four rural low-income communities, from the perspective of home visitors and caregivers. Focus groups were conducted with home visitors (n = 117) and caregivers (n = 72). Issues relating to the feasibility of …

Perceived Stress And Coping Mechanisms Observed In Professional Master’S Athletic Training Students, Emily Madrak, Jennifer L. Volberding, Emily Madrak

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: With the shift in level of athletic training education, studies regarding undergraduate students, especially regarding stress and coping, are quickly becoming obsolete. Because of this shift, we sought to investigate level of perceived stress (PS) in professional master’s athletic training (PMAT) students, coping skills used to mitigate PS, and what coping skills form a relationship to alter PS. We observed these variables by gender, age, year in program, and curriculum delivery model. Method: We used a quantitative cross-sectional study online survey to recruit students who were currently enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited …

How Did Covid-19 Impact Physiology Research Globally? – Lessons Learned And Future Recommendations, Jeet Patel, Santanu De

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

The Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused massive changes in the medical field across the globe. As the whole world moved from in-person to remote activities, students found themselves in a predicament where they were compelled towards schooling and work online from home. This would mean that all projects, research, tests, and meetings were conducted over Zoom or other online meeting platforms. Laboratories were shut down or only a limited number of people were allowed to enter to conduct the necessary research. This paper discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic affected research process and experiments within various aspects of the …

Parallels Between Internet And Stimulant Drug Addiction, Yashica Bhuvane

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

This analysis explores how stimulant addictions—specifically cocaine, methamphetamines, and nicotine—impact the brain's reward system, comparing these effects with those seen in Internet Addiction (IA). Drawing from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, it assesses changes in key brain regions involved in reward processing, craving, and cognitive control related to these addictive behaviors. The analysis investigates how each stimulant affects dopaminergic transmission and disrupts reward circuitry, highlighting both similarities and differences in brain activation patterns linked to addiction. By comparing these patterns with those seen in IA, the analysis aims to identify which stimulant most closely resembles the neural disruptions associated …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Healing Through Storytelling And Mindful Narrative Therapy, Julie Kemp

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This study presents research about the nature and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental and physical impacts to individuals exposed to ACEs, and incorporating mindfulness practices into therapeutic approaches to treating them, particularly Mindfulness-Based Narrative Therapy (MBNT). It is important because ACEs have become a global crisis, with the potential for interfering with psychological and physical development, early mortality, and other harmful life outcomes. This thesis provides critical information for mindfulness teachers and practitioners, therapists, educators, regulators, parents, and individuals subjected to ACEs.

The methodology includes extensive literature searches for narrative therapy and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in peer-reviewed …

Mental Health Conditions Of Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Comorbidities, Amanda M. Hinson-Enslin, Luis E. Espinoza, Jennifer L. Talleff

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Although the association is not well understood, people with COPD are likely to suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Due to this occurrence, the aim of the present study is to better understand the mental health experience and COPD comorbidities of U.S. adults with a COPD diagnosis. The final sample comprised 1,676 U.S. adults who were surveyed in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey adult public file. Logistic and ordinal regression were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios for comorbid conditions predicting depression, anxiety, and the number of mental health issues, respectively. Depressive symptoms were more …

How To Help New Nurses Deal With Anxiety And Stress, Jared Modzelewski Bsn, Rn

Posters

Background

New graduate nurses need to reduce their stress and anxiety to improve patient outcomes. Every nurse has some anxiety and stress, but new graduate nurses have been talking about it more. This change is necessary because improvement in mental health for nurses can improve their wellbeing and the overall quality of care they provide their patients.

Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Iii Program, Ty Aller

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

More Police Spending Is Linked To Higher Opioid Overdose Mortality Rates, Michah W. Rothbart, Zoe Lindenfeld, Amanda I. Mauri, Diana Silver

Population Health Research Brief Series

In the United States, over 100,000 people die from drug overdoses every year. County fiscal policies, particularly police spending and revenue generated from fines and forfeitures, not only shape the resources available for health interventions but may also influence how those resources are used to prevent overdoses. This brief highlights findings from a study that used data from the U.S. Census of Governments to examine how counties use of extractive policing practices (fines and forfeitures) as well as spending on health and policing were related to opioid overdose deaths from 2017 to 2020. Findings show that higher county-level police spending …

Disrupted Relatedness And Shifting Perceptions Of Others: Changing Moods Over Time For People Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder, Joanna Farr, Jonathan A. Smith, John E. Rhodes

The Qualitative Report

For people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the relationship between mood episodes and interpersonal life is critical. Yet little is known about how their experience of other people changes during and between episodes of depression and mania. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the experience of interpersonal change during depression, mania and euthymia (stability). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three women at two time points and were analysed using longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis. One longitudinal theme, “Changing sense of others impacts relatedness,” demonstrates profound changes in participants’ experiences of other people within and between episodes. During depression, participants experienced other people …

The Wright Brothers And Their Genetic Susceptibility To Typhoid Fever, John D. Bullock, H Bradford Hawley

Population and Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Importance: Typhoid fever gravely sickened Orville Wright in 1896 and the disease killed his older brother, Wilbur, in 1912. The occurrence of typhoid fever among other Wright family members has never been explored.

Objective: To investigate the number of cases of typhoid fever in the Wright brothers’ family and determine if they had a predisposition to typhoid fever that might have had a genetic basis.

Methods: Biographical information concerning the Wright brothers was examined and a family tree was constructed. Using an estimated untreated case fatality rate of 20%, typhoid fever mortality data from decennial U.S. censuses (1850-1920) was converted …

Us Military Veterans’ Perceived Concordance With Their Providers Regarding Persistent Physical Symptoms Prospectively Predicts Satisfaction With Care And Adherence To Care Plans, L Alison Phillips, Laura M Lesnewich, Katharine Bloeser, Yong Lin, Rachel L Boska, Justeen K Hyde, Peter J Bayley, Helena K Chandler, Matthew J Reinhard, Susan L Santos, Rachel Stewart, Drew A Helmer, Lisa M Mcandrew

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: Medically unexplained, persistent physical symptoms and syndromes are commonly seen in primary care. These are debilitating for patients and difficult to treat, causing frustration for patients and providers.

Purpose: This study investigates how well US military veterans with multiple persistent physical symptoms (PPS), called Gulf War illness (GWI), agree with their healthcare providers about their illness. This agreement, called perceived concordance, is hypothesized to influence veterans' satisfaction with care, adherence to care plans, and disability levels.

Methods: Participants were 230 veterans with GWI deployed to the 1990-1991 Gulf War who were recruited from Veteran Affairs primary care and War …

Chronic Heavy Alcohol Intake And Liver-Specific Lrp-1 Reduction Increase Amyloidosis In Alzheimer’S Disease Mice, Devaraj V. Chandrashekar, G. Chuli Roules, Ross A. Steinberg, Urvashi R. Panchal, Nataraj Jagadeesan, Adenike Oyegbesan, Trinh Roselyn, Joshua Yang, Sharda R. Bhagwat, Hiya Rakholia, Rutvi D. Mevawala, Moom Roosan, Derick Han, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Chronic heavy alcohol drinking may be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but studies in rodent AD models more closely mimic chronic moderate alcohol drinking in humans and largely focus on the brain. The role of the liver, which is significantly impacted by chronic heavy alcohol intake, in driving brain changes in alcohol-dependent AD remains unexplored. Our study using intragastric-ethanol feeding, which mimics chronic heavy alcohol intake in humans, in C57BL/6J mice showed significant AD-relevant changes in the brain and liver. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how hepatic changes using this model of chronic heavy drinking drive …

Psychological Impact Of Ulcerative Colitis On Pregnancy And Postpartum Period, Stephanie C. Carver

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) poses significant challenges during pregnancy, affecting both physical and mental health. While the physiological effects of UC during pregnancy are well documented, less is known about its impact on maternal mental health. This study aims to investigate the psychological effects of UC on pregnant women, focusing on stress levels, postpartum depression (PPD) incidence, and the role of multidisciplinary care in improving mental health outcomes.

Objective

The primary objective of this research proposal is to evaluate the psychological impact of UC during pregnancy and determine whether disease activity increases the risk of PPD and stress. A secondary …

Improving Maternal Mental Health: The Role Of Specialized Support For Queer Women With Postpartum Depression, Dan-Tam Pham

Nursing | Senior Theses

Queer women face disproportionately high rates of postpartum depression compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals. Studies showed that queer women face heightened mental health challenges, including higher rates of depression and anxiety due to factors like discrimination, limited support systems, and negative healthcare experiences. There is a need for culturally competent, LGBTQ+-affirming interventions to improve maternal mental health outcomes; despite the health disparities faced by this population, research on specialized postpartum interventions is limited, revealing gaps in effective mental health care for queer mothers. The key search terms for the articles used in the study included: postpartum depression, queer women, …

Art And Design As Tools For Memory Care Navigation And Connection Building, Vidhi Mishra, Muskan Malik, Rhea P. Nawaz, Erin E. Partridge

Art Therapy | Project Reports

Memory care environments present unique challenges for residents experiencing cognitive decline. This white paper explores the role of art-centered design and innovative UX research to develop tools that enhance navigation autonomy and foster social connections. The proposed solutions prioritize resident well-being while offering scalable frameworks for implementation across senior living communities.

Arts In Medicine: Created To Heal, Gbemisola Johnson, Dusk Gosney, Jessica Klingensmith, Akil Augustus

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Stigma As A Barrier To Care, Whitney Grant

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Abstract

Mental health stigma is a major barrier to care. The mental health stigma as a problem is relevant due to its influence on increasing the burden of mental health issues due to a lack of help-seeking, contributing to increased healthcare costs, and increasing adverse health outcomes. Currently there is no action consistently taken to assess or address this stigma in the primary care setting. Healthcare professionals can help to reduce the perceptions of stigma and lessen stigma as a barrier to care. A quality improvement project was implemented to evaluate if an education intervention by a primary care provider …