Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Chit-Chat With Hats: Addressing Mental Health Decline Through Art Therapy And Community Engagement, Zoe G. Mendez-Sosa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone addresses the prominent social issue of mental health decline in Central Pacific California driven by lack of support systems for individuals. In partnership with Health Advocacy Team Support (HATS), “Chit-Chat with HATS was developed as a peer to peer group with art therapy techniques to promote emotional resilience and community connection. The primary objective of the program was to provide individuals struggling with mental health with tools to help them manage their feelings and thoughts.

The program was structured with check-ins, mindfulness techniques, and opportunities of creative expression through art therapy techniques to help participants with processing complex …

Cultivating Connection: A Culturally Responsive Mental Wellbeing Curriculum For Latine Youth In Santa Cruz County, Suzzy Landeros

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Latine adolescents experience high rates of stress, depression, and stigma surrounding mental health, in part due to limited access to culturally responsive support and safe spaces for connection. The purpose of this internship project was to develop and implement a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, mental wellbeing curriculum to address barriers related to stigma, limited culturally responsive support, and disconnection, while supporting emotional awareness, connection, and use of grounding strategies among youth. The project was implemented through United Way Santa Cruz County in partnership with Watsonville High School and Soquel High School and served high school-aged youth. Development of the curriculum included …

Digital Outreach For Environmental Equity: Bridging The Nature Gap In Castroville, California Through Social Media, Phoebe C. Deacon

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many low-income residents of Castroville are not spending enough time in nature, causing negative impacts on both physical and mental health. Ventana Wildlife Society provides programs including after-school programs, Single Day Adventures, and summer camps for youth and families in Monterey County, particularly those from underserved communities. This project focused on the Castroville program. Castroville is a low-income, agricultural, isolated pocket of Monterey County, one of the communities where Ventana allocates its resources. This project implemented an outreach and educational intervention through use of social media by updating the Instagram page for Ventana’s North County Outdoor Program and posting …

From Invisible Injury To Measurable Impact: Exploring Associations Between Peripheral Biomarkers Of Neuroinflammation And Mental Health Outcomes After Mtbi, Lauren Leggett Smith

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often referred to as a “silent epidemic,” accounts for the majority of traumatic brain injuries worldwide and is increasingly linked to persistent psychiatric outcomes. Despite its prevalence, mTBI remains understudied due to diagnostic challenges, underreporting, and misperceptions of its clinical significance. The present study examined whether peripheral biomarkers of neuroinflammation and astroglial injury—tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)— mediate associations between mTBI history and psychiatric symptom severity, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were 138 traumaexposed adults recruited from an urban university and surrounding community, with …

A Pilot Study Of A Culturally Responsive Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention For Black American High School Students With Social Anxiety, Hannah Thomas

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Cognitive-behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective for treating social anxiety, yet few have been evaluated for racially and ethnically minoritized youth, including Black American adolescents. These interventions also do not address sociocultural factors, including racial discrimination and mental health stigma, that may shape the experience of social anxiety among Black American youth and serve as barriers to care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a pilot evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of Interacting and Changing Our Narratives (ICON), a culturally-responsive, school-based cognitive-behavioral group intervention for Black American high school students with social …

Associations Between Controlling Coaching Behaviors And Mental Health Help Seeking Attitudes In Collegiate Athletes, Maria C. Cacheiro

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Although correlations between coaching behaviors and mental health have been investigated before, research that extensively analyzes collegiate athletes’ willingness to seek out mental healthcare has not been conducted. Previous research shows that coaching behaviors correlate with athlete mental health and even predict depression levels more accurately than their own personality traits. The current study aimed to analyze the relationship between athletes’ perceived controlling coaching behaviors and their mental health-help seeking attitudes. Participants were surveyed to determine their perception of controlling coaching behaviors, available emotional support, athlete-coach relationship satisfaction, and mental health seeking attitudes. It was found that perceived aspects of …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, And Adaptive Functioning Among Student Veterans With Disabilities. A Resilience Portfolio Model Perspective, Donyeill Mozer

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with long-term psychological, physical, and behavioral outcomes; however, limited research has examined their relationship with multidimensional college adjustment among student veterans with disabilities, particularly those attending Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Guided by the Resilience Portfolio Model, this study examined associations among ACEs, perceived resilience, and multidimensional college adjustment within an understudied population of student veterans with disabilities enrolled at an HSI. Using a cross-sectional secondary analysis of survey data, the analytic sample consisted of 129 student veterans. ACEs were measured using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, perceived resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale, …

A Qualitative Exploration Of How Spanish-Speaking Latino Parents Communicate With Their Adolescent Children About Substance Use, Diana Karina Diaz

Doctoral Dissertations

Substance use during adolescence remains a significant public health concern, particularly within Latino communities where cultural values, family dynamics, and communication patterns play a central role in youth development. This qualitative study explored how Latino parents communicate with their adolescent children about substance use, the strategies they use for prevention, and the cultural and contextual factors that shape these conversations. Using a focus group design, data was collected from four focus groups consisting of two groups of Latino mothers (n = 10) and two groups of Latino fathers (n = 9). A thematic analysis revealed six primary themes: (1) parent–child …

Lost In The Fine Print: A Phenomenological Inquiry Of Adhd, Student Loans, And Scarcity, Gaurav R. Sinha, Lakshya Kadiyan, Leon Banks, Kannappa V. Shetty

Journal of Student Financial Aid

The primary objective of this phenomenological study was to explore the cognitive and affective challenges faced by individuals experiencing ADHD and their student loans, particularly through the lens of “scarcity theory”. We analyzed 250 posts (~86 pages/67,000 words) from an online community on Reddit, where individuals experiencing ADHD shared experiences related to student debt. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes in these posts. Four key themes emerged: (1) ADHD and baseline mental bandwidth, highlighting preexisting executive functioning challenges that limit cognitive and affective capacity; (2) demands of student loan debt, which intensify stress through complex repayment systems and …

Family Perspectives: A Qualitative Examination Of College Athlete Suicide During The Spring 2022 Semester, Elaine M. Anton-Lotruglio, Sophia M. Burke, Kimberly H. Mcmanama O'Brien

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Objective: Suicide among college athletes remains largely underexplored despite rising rates. This qualitative study aimed to explore family members' perspectives on why their loved ones died by suicide. Participants: The study included family members (N=10) of three college athletes who died by suicide in the spring 2022 semester. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and July 2024. ATLAS.ti and Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis were employed to analyze the data and identify themes. Results: The data revealed three primary themes: factors contributing to the suicide crisis, presence of a suicide crisis, and university crisis response. The themes suggested a …

Raising The Barb: Evaluation Of Phenobarbital Use For Alcohol Withdrawal In Patients On General Medicine Floors, Seth Arakawa, Jason Frederick, Anthony Le

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Abstract: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) can present as a spectrum of symptoms such as a mild headache, gastrointestinal issues, and diaphoresis. However, if not treated properly, it can progress to severe hallucinations, seizures, or delirium tremens. Current guidelines from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) recommend benzodiazepines as first line agents for alcohol withdrawal with phenobarbital recommended as an adjunct agent or replacement to benzodiazepines by providers who are familiar with its use. Although most evidence supporting phenobarbital in AWS comes from critical care settings, emerging data suggest it may also be safe and effective in general ward patients. …

Abortion Politics And Policy: Stigma And Access In The Silver State, Celene Fuller

Lincy Institute Events

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) overturning Roe V. Wade, states have taken divergent paths in regulating access to abortion services. In 2024, Nevada voters overwhelmingly passed Question 6 proposing to codify abortion rights into the state constitution. In November 2026, Question 6 will again be on the ballot for final confirmation. If it passes, these rights will be protected from future legislative action.

Despite Nevadans’ strong support for abortion rights, the state’s dearth of abortion providers limits access to these services. As this lecture explores, both providers and individuals seeking abortions, …

Heart Rate Variability In The Context Of Mental Health And Substance Use, Sage M. Lopez

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been linked to various areas of cardiovascular disease and mortality in previous research. Within this area, certain mental illnesses and use of psychoactive substances have been associated with low HRV and its health implications. Little research exists that examines the combined effects of mental illness and psychoactive substance use. The current research aims to understand if there is a compounding negative effect of these two factors when studied in tandem. Using a three-phase study design, HRV was analysed at baseline and at physiological relaxation, with participants being included under certain mental health, substance use, or …

Beyond Symptoms: A Narrative Counseling Interpretation Of First-Year Student Anxiety In Indonesian Higher Education, Azizah Abdullah, Rizky Andana Pohan, Ramtia Darma Putri, Triyono Triyono, Marimbun Marimbun, Rahmi Dwi Febriani

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The transition to higher education is a critical period in which first-year students face new academic demands, financial pressures, social adjustment challenges, and uncertainty about the future. However, limited research has examined how freshmen make sense of and narrate their anxiety, particularly in the Indonesian context. This study aimed to explore the main domains of anxiety among first-semester students in Indonesian public universities and to interpret these experiences through a narrative counseling lens. The study employed a qualitative online survey design with an interpretivist orientation. Data were collected from 199 first-semester students through open-ended questions addressing anxiety-provoking situations, sources of …

Governing Addiction: An Anthropological Comparison Of Care In The United States And The Netherlands, Kiren K. Bagga

Bates College Journal of Political Studies

This article examines addiction care as a form of moral governance through a comparative anthropological analysis of the United States and the Netherlands. Drawing on a Foucauldian theory of biopolitics alongside this study argues that approaches to addiction treatment reveal how states differentially value life, citizenship, and vulnerability. Joan Tronto's relational definition of ethical care is used to move beyond a solely moral context, towards an ethical understanding of both caretakers and those who require care. In the United States, addiction policy has historically functioned as a punitive and moralizing project, shaped by racialized drug criminalization, neoliberal ideals of individual …

Handgrip Strength, Handgrip Endurance And Bmi: A Comprehensive Approach To Health Assessment Among The General Population Of Madikeri, Dr Asha S. Das, Dr Ravikiran Kisan, Dr Suhas Y. Shirur, Dr Narasimha Rai K, Dr Sanjay Bhagoji

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction: Being physically fit is essential for lowering the risk of illness and enhancing longevity. While Body Mass Index (BMI) is frequently used to evaluate body composition, Hand Grip Strength (HGS) and Hand Grip Endurance (HGE) are important indicators of general well-being. Goal: To assess BMI, HGS, and HGE and ascertain how they correlate in a selected group of subjects. Methods: Fifty participants between the ages of 20 and 40 years participated in a comparative cross-sectional study at the Department of Physiology, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Madikeri. Participants were divided into three BMI groups after anthropometric measurements were taken. …

Improving Identification And Referral Of Xylazine‑Associated Wounds In Homeless Healthcare, Ramon A. Gambino

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Xylazine-adulterated fentanyl is linked to distinctive necrotic wounds and complex care needs in unsheltered populations. This quality improvement (QI) project implemented a brief survey and referral log at Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) to track suspected xylazine-associated wounds and referrals to advanced care. Methods: Final data were exported from Qualtrics, cleaned to retain finished responses, standardized categories, and de-identified. The analytic sample included 18 encounters. Results: Results showed that 55.6% (n = 10) documented suspected xylazine-associated wounds; 5.6% (n = 1) reported no suspicion; 38.9% (n = 7) were uncertain. Referrals were rarely documented overall at AHCH …

Peace Counseling For Grief Recovery: A Study Of Its Effectiveness In Families Of Coal Mine Drowning Victims In East Kalimantan, Siti Nurul Hajirotul Qudsiyah, Wahyu Nanda Eka Saputra, Hardi Santosa

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study examines the psychological impact of prolonged grief among families of coal mining pit drowning victims and evaluates the effectiveness of peace counseling as an intervention strategy. The study aims to assess whether structured counseling can reduce grief loss and support adaptive psychological adjustment. A quantitative quasi-experimental approach was employed using a Single Subject Research (SSR) A–B–A design involving two participants who were mothers of the victims. Data were collected using the Grief Losing Scale administered repeatedly across baseline (A1), intervention (B), and post-intervention (A2) phases. The intervention consisted of six structured peace counseling sessions focusing on emotional processing, …

Literature Review: Trauma Care For Psychological Strengthening Of Adolescent Survivors Of Sexual Violence, Ahmad Tubagus Darodjat, Otto Fajarianto, Awalya Siska Pratiwi

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Sexual violence, both physically and psychologically, can be a traumatic stressor that triggers trauma in an individual's life. Trauma is a common condition that has a complex impact on an individual's life. This study aims to collect and analyze articles related to trauma care for psychological strengthening of adolescent survivors of sexual violence. The method used is a literature review. The author summarizes, makes a critical and in-depth analysis of previous literature. Based on the articles collected, it was found that sexual violence can leave a severe traumatic impact on victims. Victims may experience stress due to traumatic events, both …

Questionnaire For Eudaimonic Well-Being: Psychometric Validation Among Malaysian Youth, Mohd Ahsani A. Malek, Nurulwahida Saad, Suzana Mohd. Hoesni, Muhamad Ariff Ibrahim, Nurul Shafira Adi, Mohd Nazir Mohd Nazori

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The rising prevalence of mental illness underscores the need to understand how individuals can live and flourish under such conditions. In Malaysia, research has largely emphasized diagnosis and treatment, with limited focus on positive psychology and few validated instruments. This study aimed to translate and validate the questionnaire for eudaimonic well-being (QEWB) among Malaysian youth.

Methods: The QEWB was translated into Malay using back-to-back translation and administered to undergraduates from four public universities through a cross-sectional survey design. Convenience quota sampling was used, resulting in 229 respondents completing the online form to measure sociodemographic characteristics, eudaimonic well-being, …

Ai-Based Facial Expression Detection As A Support Feature For Cybercounseling: A Systematic Literature Review, Zahid Zufar At Thaariq, Hengki Tri Hidayatullah

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The rapid expansion of digital mental health services has increased the use of cybercounseling, while simultaneously introducing challenges in interpreting nonverbal cues, particularly facial expressions, within technology-mediated interactions. This study aims to systematically examine the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in facial expression detection as a support feature in cybercounseling. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, drawing from multiple indexed academic databases. The included studies covered AI-based facial expression recognition, micro-expression analysis, depression detection, and relevant multimodal approaches. The findings indicate that deep learning–based models are capable of identifying facial patterns associated with emotional and psychological …

Smartphone Use, Social Media, And Academic Procrastination In Secondary Education: A Multi Method Approach Investigation With Implications For School-Based Interventions, Haslee Sharil Lim Abdullah, Riza Amalia, Henny Indreswari, Im Hambali, Ronal Surya Aditya, Rusnila Rusnila

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Academic procrastination has become a significant challenge in digital learning environments, particularly among adolescents with high smartphone and social media usage. This study examines the relationship between mobile phone use and academic procrastination among 262 high school students in Indonesia using a cross-sectional survey, narrative review, and network analysis. Results show 75.6% of students exhibit medium and 20.2% high procrastination levels, with "alternative activities" like digital distractions as the main form (M = 15.87, SD = 2.92). No significant differences were found by gender (p = .067) or age (p = .412), but strong positive correlations emerged between gadget use …

The Role Of Group Guidance With Psychodrama In Promoting Self-Adjustment: Does It Really Work For Adolescents?, Hanifa Salsa Bila, Dian Ari Widyastuti, Sri Tutur Martaningsih, Agungbudiprabowo Agungbudiprabowo, Taquddin Abd Mukti

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group guidance using psychodrama techniques in improving self-adjustment among students. The study employed a quantitative approach with an experimental research design, specifically a pretest–posttest control group design. The participants consisted of ten students, divided into an experimental group of five students and a control group of five students. The experimental group received group guidance with psychodrama techniques, while the control group received treatment as usual. The research participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-adjustment scale, which had been analyzed for validity and reliability using …

Beyond The Numbers: Supporting Young Adults With Diabetes In The Transition To Adulthood, Alexis Salkovick

Honors Projects

This project focuses on the transition to adulthood for young people with diabetes, a chronic medical condition. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are included. The main research focus is two-part: first examining this transition including barriers to health care, changes in lifestyle, and mental health, and then creating a new, innovative tool to support young adults with diabetes. An independent literature review was conducted to investigate diabetes management, barriers to health care, how transitioning to adulthood impacts diabetes care, and the importance of patient support systems. Then, a board game was developed with the dual purpose of educating …

Occupational Therapy For Maternal Pelvic Floor And Mental Health: A Holistic Approach To Recovery, Diana S. Theodore

Student Capstone Papers

Maternal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is highly prevalent yet often underrecognized in occupational therapy practice, despite its significant impact on mental health, daily function, and quality of life. Many postpartum women experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pain with intimacy, and pelvic organ prolapse, which are frequently normalized or left untreated. Occupational therapy practitioners often have limited training in addressing the complex relationship between pelvic floor function and maternal mental health, contributing to gaps in care. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a comprehensive handbook for occupational therapy students and practitioners integrating pelvic floor function and maternal …

Community-Based Program To Support The Occupational Needs Of Middle Eastern Refugee Women Transitioning Into Western Society, Zuha A. Mohammad, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Middle Eastern refugee women resettling in Western societies often experience barriers that disrupt participation in meaningful occupations, including language barriers, unfamiliar systems, financial challenges, and social isolation. These challenges can limit independence and community participation during the resettlement process. Occupational therapy is well-positioned to address these barriers through culturally responsive, occupation-based interventions.

This capstone project developed and implemented a community-based program designed to support Middle Eastern refugee women during early resettlement. The program focused on key areas including system navigation, financial literacy, home safety, stress management, self-advocacy, and community engagement. Educational sessions and practical activities were used to promote skill …

Development Of A Mental Health Program For Work Rehabilitation, Vannida M. Nguyen, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Work-related injuries often result in decreased work performance and extended recovery time. This can lead to mental health challenges and a risk of re-injury. Typical work rehabilitation focuses on physical recovery while overlooking psychosocial factors. This capstone project developed a wellness program to support emotional wellness and improve return-to-work (RTW) outcomes. The program incorporated educational content, coping strategies, and interventions targeting emotional wellness for injured workers receiving physical therapy. Occupational therapy has the ability to address both physical and psychosocial factors and increase interdisciplinary efforts during work rehabilitation. Improved confidence reflected in the self-reported RTW-SE scores suggests that occupational therapy …

Silent Struggles: A Qualitative Study On Mental Health Stigma And Help- Seeking Among African Individuals In The U.S, Ololade Ekwere

Dissertations

Approximately one-third of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks who require mental health services seek and utilize them (Evans & Sheu, 2019). Research has shown that stigma surrounding mental health treatment contributes to lower rates of professional help-seeking among Black Americans (Pederson, 2023). Despite the growing diversity within the Black community, limited research exists on how stigma influences professional mental health help-seeking among Africans living in the United States.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the effect of public stigma on the mental health help-seeking behaviors of Africans living in the United States. Demographic data were collected, …

Preliminary Evaluation Of A Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Based Skills Training Class For High School Students, Jared T. Izumi, Bethany Walczak, Jamie K. Elizalde, Matthew Hayes

Education Faculty Articles and Research

School mental health issues have become an increasingly important issue for our youth. Schools are a vital resource for providing prevention-based services to students. This study evaluated a pilot implementation of a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) based skills intervention in a single high school in the Midwest. The sample included a convenience sample of 39 students from three different teachers across three trimesters. Social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, DBT skill use, dysfunctional coping, fidelity, and intervention attendance information were collected. We used a hybrid fixed effects/multi-level model to evaluate the effects of the intervention (McNeish, 2023). Students increased their use …

Relationships Between Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders, Their Guardians, And Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Sarah K. Unkefer

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review collects the comprehensive, current research around effective treatment of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) and explores ways to provide psychoeducation for the adolescent and their guardians to foster healthy relationships and open communication. This author explores the ways that expressive arts therapy influences treatment and long-term recovery of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) by addressing familial communication and internalized stigma. Previous studies have shown that the current primary reaction from guardians is forcing abstinence, which often damages the adolescent-guardian relationship. Since this is one of the most important relationships in an adolescent’s projected recovery journey, …