Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Psychosocial, Mental, And Suboptimal Health Measures Are Not Affected By Provision Of Abdominal Aortic Calcification Imaging Results: A 12-Week Rct, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Jack Dalla Via, Marc Sim, Abadi K. Gebre, James Dimmock, John T. Schousboe, Richard J. Woodman, Kun Zhu, Pawel Szulc, Ben Jackson, Wei Wang, Markus P. Schlaich, Douglas P. Kiel, Wai H. Lim, Amanda Devine, Moira Sim, Robin M. Daly, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: The provision of abdominal aortic calcification imaging results can elicit cardiovascular disease risk–reducing behaviors. However, its impact on psychosocial, mental, and suboptimal health measures is less clear.

Methods: Secondary analyses of a previously reported 12-week, single-blind RCT including 240 community-dwelling older Australian males and females were conducted. Participants were provided with abdominal aortic calcification imaging results and cardiovascular disease risk–reducing educational resources (abdominal aortic calcification+education, n =121) or education alone (control+education, n =119). Psychosocial distress, mental health score, and suboptimal health status were estimated using validated questionnaires. Linear mixed models were used to compare changes between groups across 12 …

Beyond Symptoms: Examining Perinatal Mental Health Care Among Black, Indigenous And People Of Color With Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, Vinaya Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are as a public health concern in the United States. Individuals from minoritized racial/ethnic groups face a significantly elevated risk of maternal morbidity, mortality, mental health disorders, and associated adverse outcomes. Emerging studies also reveal a higher likelihood of experiencing perinatal mental health concerns in individuals with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), currently known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). People who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC) face unique healthcare challenges given the added structural and social burdens. This online survey study aimed to 1) understand the relationship between PMOS …

An Assessment Of Accessibility And Affordability Of Inpatient Psychiatric Care In Tennessee, Kailee Havrda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Access to mental health has seen changes over the past decade, but little research and attention have been given to access to inpatient psychiatric facilities. Inpatient psychiatric care is crucial for patients experiencing mental health emergencies who need immediate access to care. Gaps in spatial accessibility, affordability, and the access and assessment process were identified due to a lack of available information in the field.

Methods: Secondary data from the Tennessee Department of Health were used to assess financial accessibility through payer source charges and patient encounters, as well as through mapping of inpatient psychiatric facilities and conducting drive …

Lessons Learned From A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Digital Intervention Targeting Eating Disorder Symptoms In Cisgender Sexual Minoritized Men, Emma Austen, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Siân A. Mclean, Beth O’Gorman, Katie Bishop, Hannah K. Jarman, Susan J. Paxton, Rachel F. Rodgers, An Dang, Emily A. Harris, Felicity Angelopoulos, Wesley Grey, Suku Sukunesan, Alexandra Parker, Adrian Shatte, Long Khanh-Dao Le, Scott Griffiths

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: There is an unmet need for evidence-based and accessible interventions designed to treat eating disorders in sexual minoritized men, given their heightened vulnerability to developing disordered eating. Digital interventions are a promising avenue for eating disorder treatment because of their accessibility and flexibility in delivery. Here, we present a randomised controlled trial of Seed, a 10-week treatment-focussed digital intervention for eating disorders, among sexual minoritized men.

Methods: Participants (N = 126 sexual minoritized men) with a binge-spectrum eating disorder diagnosis (e.g., bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder) were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: (1) a waitlist control (2) a …

Evaluating A Peer Support Program: Impact On Peer Supporters In A Tertiary Care Children’S Hospital, Lauren R. Anderson, Heather Dekeyser, Sonja I. Ziniel, Michele Loi, Emily Muther, Kami Wolfe Schneider, Christine Waasdorp Hurtado, Jo Vogeli, Jennifer Reese

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Healthcare workers experience emotional distress following poor patient outcomes, which can negatively impact wellbeing and retention. Peer support programs are an evidence-based approach to mitigating distress through provision of confidential counseling by a trained peer. However, data on impact of participation on peer supporters is limited. We aimed to evaluate and describe the peer supporters’ experience at our tertiary children’s hospital.

Methods: A web-based survey was developed with input from key partners. Content was reviewed via cognitive interviews. The survey was administered to 167 trained peer supporters during the spring of 2022. Demographic comparison data were gathered from an …

How Should Sincerity Be Measured? A Rasch-Based Validation Of The Adolescent Sincerity Scale, Cicca Kusumawardani, Wahyu Nanda Eka Saputra, Rohmatus Naini, Agus Ria Kumara, Agus Supriyanto

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Although various instruments for measuring sincerity have been developed, limitations remain regarding comprehensive construct validity, sample diversity, and the application of Rasch analysis in psychometric evaluation among student populations in Indonesia. Sincerity is a multidimensional spiritual value that contributes to personal integrity, psychological well-being, and positive social relationships. This study aims to develop a sincerity instrument with adequate psychometric characteristics using the Rasch Analysis approach. The study employed an instrument development method involving 759 high school and vocational high school students in Yogyakarta, selected through stratified random sampling. The analysis results showed a person measure of 1.18 logits, indicating that …

A Correlational Study Of Work Stress And Marital Stability Among Married Female Police Personnel In Kwara State, Nigeria, Haruna Ibrahim

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study investigated the relationship between job stress and marital stability among married female police personnel in Kwara State, Nigeria. A Descriptive Research Design of correlational type was adopted. The sample size (Target Population) of the study comprised all the 112 married female police personnel in Kwara State, Nigeria. Based on the relatively small sample size, population census (Total enumeration) was adopted for this study, where all the married female police personnel were sampled. The Operational Police Stress Questionnaire and Dyadic Adjustment Scale were used for data collection. Findings revealed a significant correlation between the independent variables and the dependent …

Analysis Of The Dental Emergency Visits At Fqhcs In Michigan And Recommendations For Change, Xuesi Hua, Martha Mccomas, Elizabeth Hatfield

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This mixed-methods study evaluates emergency dental operations across Michigan's Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Utilizing clinician interviews, surveys, and state usage data, the authors examine care delivery models, identify clinician and patient barriers to access, and analyze reasons why patients utilize hospital emergency departments rather than community health centers. System-level recommendations are proposed to optimize emergency triage, expand capacity, and improve outcomes for underserved populations.

Insomnia As A Risk Factor For Depression: Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia, Derrick Bouldin

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

This review evaluates insomnia as an independent, modifiable risk factor for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) within primary care, while assessing the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in improving outcomes, preventing onset, and reducing relapse risk of depression. A literature search conducted between January and April 2026 across PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and APA PsycINFO yielded 42 articles published between 2015 and 2026. Applying inclusion criteria focused on adult populations, comorbid insomnia and depression, and clinical outcomes of CBT-I, 26 articles were selected for synthesis. Findings demonstrate that insomnia is a predictive risk factor for MDD onset, persistence, …

Juvenile Delinquency In Alaska, 2019 And 2023, Gabriel Garcia

AJiC Fact Sheets

This fact sheet examines juvenile delinquency in Alaska, documenting changes in substance use and weapon-carrying among high school students and identifying associated risk and protective factors using weighted data from the 2019 and 2023 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).

Use Of The Well-Star Model And Well-Star Graphic In Healthcare, Fidan Korkut-Owen, Zubeyde Akpakir, Dean W. Owen

Journal of Wellness

No abstract provided.

Youth Experience Of Violence In Alaska, 2019 And 2023, Gabriel Garcia

AJiC Fact Sheets

This fact sheet examines youth experiences of dating violence and sexual violence in Alaska, identifying patterns and factors associated with victimization among high school students. Using weighted data from the 2019 and 2023 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), it compares the prevalence of physical dating violence, sexual dating violence, sexual violence by anyone, and forced sexual intercourse.

“It Feels Like Your Life Hinges On Me”: Lived Experience Of Being Next Of Kin To Someone Who Self-Harms, Kenneth Haugjord, John-Kåre Vederhus, Tore Dag Bøe, Kristine Dahl

The Qualitative Report

Through previous research, attention has been drawn to the burden experienced by next of kin to someone struggling with self-harm, yet less attention has been given to how they experience and make sense of the relational and existential complexity of this role in their everyday lives. We asked how next of kin experienced and made sense of caring for a loved one who self-harmed. We conducted in-depth interviews with fourteen next of kin, including parents, partners, and siblings, and analyzed the data through reflexive thematic analysis within an interpretive qualitative framework. Our analysis generated an overarching theme, "It Feels Like …

Interpretative Repertoires Of Resilience Among Beginning Teachers In Chile, Paula Villalobos-Vergara, Diego Palacios, Joel Alvarez Ruf, Rodrigo Vergara Ortuzar

The Qualitative Report

In this study, we analyze how beginning teachers in Chile construct meanings around resilience during their first year of professional induction, within a context of intensified teachers’ work and limited institutional support. Drawing on a socioecological perspective and Critical Discursive Psychology, we developed a qualitative design focused on interpretative repertoires. Ten beginning teachers from various subject areas, educational levels, and regions participated, with each being interviewed at two time points, six months apart. Through an abductive analysis, we identified three affective–discursive repertoires. The first construct enters the profession as a generational tension, in which innovation is associated with youth, while, …

Calm, Connection, Or Just Compensation: A Qualitative Investigation Of Subjective Adolescent Experiences With Behavioral Health Interventions Within A Clinical Trial, Talia Thompson, Katherine Thompson, Sarah Perzow, Holly Spinner, Bentley Porterfield-Finn, Lauren D. Gulley, Rachel G. Lucas-Thompson, Isabel Thorstad, Laura Pyle, Molly Basch, Megan J. Moran, Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Megan M. Kelsey, Eleanor R. Mackey, Lauren B. Shomaker

The Qualitative Report

Adolescent mental health and cardiometabolic concerns are at an all-time high, necessitating the development of acceptable, feasible, and effective interventions. Investigations of behavioral health interventions with teenagers must incorporate a means of understanding how adolescents perceive and engage with an intervention, and the relevance and meaning they ascribe to its therapeutic goals, as these potentially modifiable factors may ultimately influence future uptake, sustainability, and effectiveness of the interventions. Qualitative research methods provide well-established, rigorous frameworks for addressing these questions, but are underutilized in pediatric research. This qualitative study is part of a multisite, pilot, and feasibility randomized controlled trial of …

Perancangan Dan Implementasi Sistem Skrining Risiko Penyakit Berat Berbasis Web Dengan Fitur Rekomendasi, Mood Tracker, Dan Chatbot Pendukung, Septiawan Hadi Prasetyo, Restu Utami, Daniel Hulio Saptianus, Mirza Arya Herdiansyah

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

Skrining kesehatan dini berperan penting dalam upaya pencegahan penyakit dan peningkatan kualitas hidup masyarakat. Namun keterbatasan akses layanan kesehatan serta rendahnya kesadaran masyarakat masih menjadi tantangan utama. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang dan mengimplementasikan sistem skrining risiko penyakit berat berbasis web yang dilengkapi kecerdasan buatan sebagai pendukung rekomendasi dan respon hasil skrining kesehatan. Sistem SagaHealth dikembangkan menggunakan arsitektur aplikasi yang terdistribusi dengan perbedaan antara antarmuka pengguna, server aplikasi, dan basis data. Proses skrining dilakukan berdasarkan data kesehatan pengguna dan menghasilkan kategori risiko penyakit. Selanjutnya, kecerdasan buatan digunakan untuk menyajikan narasi rekomendasi kesehatan yang informatif dan mudah dipahami. Verifikasi sistem dilakukan …

Testing Personalization In Llm-Based Mental Health Support: A Proposed Experimental Design For College Students, Tchalim P. Agninoube, Greg Williams

Annual DBA Scholars Conference

Rising student mental health demand has outpaced campus counseling capacity. This paper proposes a 2x2 between-subjects experimental design to test whether a personalized LLM-based chatbot, grounded in just-in-time adaptive intervention principles and cognitive load theory, provides better short-term anxiety reduction than a standard chatbot across stress and neutral contexts. The personalized chatbot uses wearable stress data, sleep quality, self-reported overwhelm, and support preferences to select between low-load and elaborative support paths. The design contributes a practical framework for evaluating personalization in AI-driven mental health tools and informs scalable, responsible institutional deployment.

Beyond Screening In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Domain-Standardized, Measure-Flexible Framework For Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment, Etiane Navarro

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder in which cognitive, behavioral, language, and social-cognitive changes may occur across clinical phenotypes, including the ALS-frontotemporal spectrum. Neuropsychological assessment is important for characterizing nonmotor manifestations and identifying changes relevant to autonomy, everyday functioning, and clinical management. This systematic review examined literature identified through APA PsycINFO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and supplementary searching to characterize neuropsychological domains, measures, phenotype-related findings, and disease-specific limitations relevant to comprehensive assessment. Two hundred records underwent title and abstract screening, 150 reports were reviewed in full text, and 61 resources were retained for synthesis. ALS-specific screening instruments, including …

Building Resilience: The Role Of Extension In Enhancing Mental Health And Well-Being Through Preventive Approaches, Lakshmi Mahadevan

Journal of Extension

In 2023, 58.7 million U.S. adults experienced a mental illness, yet nearly half did not receive treatment (SAMHSA, 2023). Building Resilience is a single-session, evidence-informed program delivered through Cooperative Extension to address mental well-being using practical, nonclinical strategies. Grounded in Antonovsky's (1979) Sense of Coherence framework, the program centers on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stress management within each participant's lived experience. Evaluation data from 347 participants showed high satisfaction, with 88% planning to apply strategies and 77% anticipating improved well-being. A 2-hour facilitator training supports national scalability, positioning Extension as a key partner in resilience-based mental health promotion.

Clinic White Paper: Usd Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic, Nicholas Boyd, Lauren Bruaski

Community Engagement

California is home to over 1.8 million veterans and 18,000 National Guard members, representing one of the largest military-connected populations in the United States. Despite substantial demand, over 50% of veterans experiencing mental health symptoms do not seek treatment, while those seeking care within federal systems frequently face significant wait times. This academic white paper evaluates the operational framework, clinical effectiveness, and workforce expansion model of the University of San Diego (USD) Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic – Veterans Initiative. Utilizing a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth model paired with a tiered supervision structure, the clinic provides evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) at no cost …

Health Insurance And Moud: Predicting Oud Treatment Success, Amy S. White, Jennifer I. Manuel

Publications and Research

Background

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic condition with low rates of treatment success; use of medication for OUD (MOUD) is inconsistent across treatment settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the independent and interactive associations of MOUD and health insurance status with successful treatment completion across residential and outpatient treatment settings.

Methods

We conducted multilevel random-effects logistic regression analyses of the 2022 Treatment Episode Dataset–Discharge (TEDS-D) to estimate associations among MOUD receipt, insurance status (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, uninsured), and treatment completion. Models adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics and stratified by treatment setting. The sample …

The End Of Unmeasured Exploitation: How A.S.M., C.A.S., And S.I.A. Challenge Digital Attention Capitalism, Delante Clark

Graduate Scholarship and Creative Works

Digital attention capitalism generates value through the capture and monetization of human attention, yet it has historically lacked standardized mechanisms for measuring attention-related harm. This paper argues that the Attention Safeguard Models (A.S.M.), Cognitive Attentional Standards (C.A.S.), and Sociological Impact Assessment (S.I.A.) collectively challenge this system by introducing an integrated framework for classifying, measuring, and evaluating digital attention harm and its societal consequences. C.A.S. provides standardized measurement of digital attention harm, A.S.M. identifies and classifies patterns of attentional disruption and manipulation, and S.I.A. evaluates broader impacts on institutions, communities, civic engagement, education, social cohesion, and inequality. Together, these systems transform …

Beyond Screening In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Domain-Standardized, Measure-Flexible Framework For Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment, Etiane Navarro

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder in which cognitive, behavioral, language, and social-cognitive changes may occur across clinical phenotypes, including the ALS-frontotemporal spectrum. Neuropsychological assessment is important for characterizing nonmotor manifestations and identifying changes relevant to autonomy, everyday functioning, and clinical management. This systematic review examined literature identified through APA PsycINFO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and supplementary searching to characterize neuropsychological domains, measures, phenotype-related findings, and disease-specific limitations relevant to comprehensive assessment. Two hundred records underwent title and abstract screening, 150 reports were reviewed in full text, and 61 resources were retained for synthesis. ALS-specific screening instruments, including …

Translation And Comprehensive Validation Of The Neurological Outcome Scale For Traumatic Brain Injury (Nos-Tbi) Into Brazilian Portuguese, Karina T. Weber, Luciana B. M. Alves, Monica C. Braga, Suleimy C. Mazin, Brunna R. Pileggi, Millene R. Camilo, Viviane A. Guimaraes, Clara M. A. Barreira, Frederico Alessio-Alves, Aline S. Carvalho, Aline C. Pacheco-Castilho, João P. Leite, Dylan J. Edwards, Octavio M. Pontes-Neto, Taiza G. S. Edwards

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability in Brazil and worldwide. National and multinational clinical trials in TBI require global standardization of outcome measures. The original English version of the Neurological Outcome Scale for TBI (NOS-TBI) is a valid and valuable neurological assessment tool. However, NOS-TBI has not yet been validated in Brazilian Portuguese.

Objective: To perform the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the NOS-TBI in a Brazilian cohort of individuals with TBI.

Methods: We conducted the translation and cultural adaptation of the NOS-TBI scale to Brazilian Portuguese, followed by an analysis of psychometric properties: …

Financial Recovery Capital: Exploring The Role Of Extension Education In Promoting Substance Use Recovery, Alex Elswick, Nichole L Huff, Omolola A. Adedokun, Leslie Workman

Journal of Extension

Substance use is a widespread and complex public health challenge. Financial stress (e.g., unemployment, inadequate housing, transportation access, poor financial literacy) is pervasive among people with substance use disorder (SUD). However, few educational interventions exist to address financial stress for this group. Through the theoretical lens of recovery capital (an asset-based approach that describes the totality of resources that support SUD recovery), we summarize the association between financial stress and substance use, offering implications for Extension educators by highlighting PROFIT, an exemplary program that leverages Extension education as a tool to promote financial recovery capital among people with SUD.

Intimate Partner Violence And Child Wasting Across Countries: An Ecological Cross-Sectional Study, Wanri Lumbanraja, I Ketut Kasta Arya Wijaya, Ruben Cornelius Siagian

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue that can affect the well-being of women, their families, and the child-rearing environment. Meanwhile, wasting in under-five children reflects acute malnutrition linked to food insecurity, infectious diseases, poverty, and access to healthcare services. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the prevalence of IPV among women in the past 12 months and the prevalence of wasting in children under the age of five at the national level. This study addresses the gap in cross-national research, which remains limited in linking IPV as an indicator of social vulnerability with wasting as …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Inpatients’ Experiences, Priorities, And Health-Related Quality Of Life During High- Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy, Cintamani H. Ellsworth, Rebecca S. Bartlett

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an oxygen delivery method with numerous benefits for severely ill patients. There is a paucity of research focused on the perspectives of patients receiving HFNC oxygen therapy. This study aimed to engage with patients to gain a clearer understanding of their experiences, priorities, and health-related quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study was completed with 10 adult inpatients who had received HFNC oxygen therapy during their hospital admission. Semi-structured interviews and the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health Scale were used to identify participant perceptions of their physical and …

The Implementation Of Sel-Based Interactive E-Modules To Enhance Mental Health Literacy, Muhammad Arif Budiman Sucipto, Mulyani Mulyani

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The mental health crisis among Generation Alpha students is concerning, marked by stagnating life purpose and digital academic pressure. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an interactive SEL-based E-Module in enhancing students' mental health literacy, offering an innovative solution responsive to the digital era. Employing a Classroom Action Research design integrated with ADDIE. Thirty-two tenth-grade students with low initial literacy scores (mean pre-test = 42.3) participated through purposive sampling. The two-cycle intervention utilized a digital module featuring Private Mode (encrypted emotional journal) and Emergency Button (direct link to counselors). Data were collected through literacy scales, observations, interviews, and …

Good Grief: Finding Hope & Achieving Growth In The Face Of Loss, Daniel D. Cowell M.D.

Open Access Books

Grief has profoundly shaped Dr. Dan Cowell's life both professionally and personally. A board-certified psychiatrist, he spent 26 years in the U.S. Public Health Service, including leadership roles across federal health systems, before serving for 15 years as professor and chairman of psychiatry at the Marshall University School of Medicine, and was the Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education when he retired in 2009.  Throughout his career, he has accompanied individuals and families through some of life's most difficult losses. In his personal life, he has been touched by these losses himself, including the tragic deaths of an infant …

Gender Differences In The Association Between Marriage And Epigenetic Age, Theo O. Moran, Alina M. Kushner, Theodore F. Robles, Jennifer W. Robinette

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction:

Being married is related to better health, but many studies reveal greater health benefits among men relative to women. Some research has indicated that married individuals exhibit decelerated epigenetic age relative to individuals who are not married, but questions remain regarding gender differences therein. The purpose was to investigate gender differences in associations of marital status to epigenetic age (ing) assessed on three clocks/algorithms (PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE).

Methods:

Data from 762 participants in the national Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS II; men N = 382, women N = 380) were used. Weighted linear regressions were conducted …