Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Unplugging For Wellness: Psycho-Behavioral Impact Of Social Media Detox In Medical Students, Hazhmat Ali, Deemah Shalan, Lubna Ahmed, Ahmed Abdulazeez, Bira Ahmed, Mohammed Khamo

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Social media detoxification has emerged as a strategy for enhancing well-being. This study investigates the effects of social media detox on the psychological well-being and academic performance of students. A total of 361 medical students participated in this study. After obtaining formal consent, the participants completed a structured survey administered in a controlled setting. The survey included sections on demographics, patterns of social media use (e.g., time spent, platforms accessed, and primary motivations), and standardized psychological assessment scales. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. Most students (75.9%) reported using multiple social media …

A Brief Self-Help Intervention For Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Dialectical Behavior Therapy Within Correctional Settings, Genevieve L. Ray

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Individuals within incarcerated settings are far more likely to experience symptoms that meet criteria for a mental health disorder compared to the general population. This population is often underserved due to various financial and resource constraints. Self-help interventions have grown in popularity due to their proven effectiveness and accessibility for consumers, particularly for anxiety and depression symptoms. A self-help intervention for those in a correctional setting would not require extensive additional personnel amid financial constraints and would increase access to care. Many self-help interventions that are currently published apply to the community population, but readily accessible resources that reside in …

Diabetter Together: Outcomes Of A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating A Peer Mentor Behavioral Intervention For Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes During The Transfer From Pediatric To Adult Care, Marisa E Hilliard, Charles G Minard, Samantha A Carreon, Wendy L Levy, Sarah K Lyons, Randi Streisand, Tricia S Tang, Siripoom V Mckay, Sridevi Devaraj, Barbara J Anderson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Transition between pediatric and adult health care is complex, with high risk for loss to follow-up and suboptimal health outcomes for young adults with type 1 diabetes. This trial evaluated the efficacy of DiaBetter Together, a 12-month strengths-based behavioral intervention delivered by trained peer mentors. The intervention aimed to help young adults navigate the transfer process to promote optimal glycemic outcomes, shorten time to adult care follow-up, and improve psychosocial outcomes.

Research design and methods: Using a single-site randomized clinical trial design, we compared the 12-month intervention to usual care among n = 100 young adults aged 17-25 years …

Screening And Treatment Protocols Used In Nicus Across Minnesota For Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (Pmads), Rachael Witt

Journal of Justice-Informed Social Work Practice and Research

Parents of infants with prolonged neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalizations are a population that is overlooked in recommended routine screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), yet this population is at greater risk for developing diagnosable mental health disorders. Previous research shows that across the US, PMAD screening and treatment practices vary widely, with many NICUs not providing any routine PMAD screening, psychoeducation, or treatment options to parents. The objective of this study was to explore the current mental health screening and treatment protocols used in NICUs across the state of Minnesota to learn if there are areas …

Building Resilience: Empowering Baccalaureate Nursing Students For Enhanced Well-Being And Success, Jessica Imrie Dnp, Emily Nowak Phd, Roxanne Wilson Phd

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

Providing baccalaureate students with resilience-building modules such as stress management, mindfulness, optimism, socialization, and reflection can increase psychological well-being and success through a nursing program. It can also decrease the number of meetings faculty have with students regarding psychological concerns

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Psychosocial Interventions To Reduce Anxiety After Social Isolation In Adolescent Females, Bailey E. Noble

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

• COVID-19 social isolation linked with higher anxiety risk in adolescents, especially females
• Review examined whether CBT-based psychosocial interventions reduce anxiety after pandemic-related loneliness/social isolation
• Across 6 studies, remote and internet-delivered CBT linked with anxiety improvement 
• Strongest outcomes seen with therapist-assisted CBT
• Common barriers: privacy, motivation, scheduling, and digital access
• Nursing relevance: early screening, referral, and support for treatment participation

Psychosocial Predictors Of Depression And Anxiety In Thai Stroke Caregivers, Chanatip Tongyonk, Sorawit Wainipitapong, Chavit Tunvirachaisakul, Aurauma Chutinet, Michael Maes, Thitiporn Supasitthumrong

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Caregivers of stroke survivors often face significant psychological challenges, yet limited research in Thailand has explored how patient and caregiver characteristics jointly influence caregiver mental health outcomes.

Objective: To identify characteristics of ischemic stroke patients and their caregivers that may predict distress, sadness, and anxiety symptoms in the caregivers.

Method: To measure caregivers' burden, stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Zarit Burden Interview (22-item ZBI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were utilized. To define a multi-step mediation model, we used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Result: 97 stroke patients and their …

Mental Health Comorbidities And Ibd Outcomes In Patients Treated With Anti–Il-23 Therapy, Jashanveer S. Johal, Archana Salek, Mahmoud Al-Bataineh, Bianca Patel, Om Patel, Yecheskel Schneider, Jason Hyman, Abdallah Hussein

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may adversely influence outcomes. We evaluated the impact of comorbid mood disorders on clinical outcomes among IBD patients treated with anti–IL-23 agents.

Methods: Using a global de-identified electronic health record network, adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis initiating an anti–IL-23 agent were identified. Cohort 1 included patients with a documented mood disorder (depression and/or anxiety) at or prior to treatment initiation; Cohort 2 included those without mood disorders. Propensity score matching (1:1) on demographics and comorbidities yielded 3,546 patients per cohort. Primary outcomes included inpatient/ED encounters, abscess/fistula, …

What Are The Effects Of Exposure To Green Spaces On Attention, Adhd Symptoms, Depression, And Overall Mental Health?, Emily Marie Hackett

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This poster is a literature review examining the relationship between green space exposure and mental health outcomes. Examples of green spaces include nature, hiking trails, city parks, tree cover, and gardens. This literature review finds that green space exposure has positive effects on the symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Nature exposure may serve as a complementary intervention to improve patient well-being.

Mental Health Comorbidities And Ibd Outcomes On Anti-Tnf Therapy, Jashanveer S. Johal, Mahmoud Al-Bataineh, Archana Salek, Bianca Patel, Om Patel, Jason Hyman, Yecheskel Schneider, Abdallah Hussein

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may adversely affect biologic therapy outcomes. We evaluated the impact of comorbid mood disorders on clinical outcomes among IBD patients treated with anti-TNF agents.

Methods: Using a global de-identified electronic health record network, adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis initiating an anti-TNF agent between 2018–2023 were identified. Cohort 1 included patients with a documented mood disorder (depression and/or anxiety) at or prior to anti-TNF initiation; Cohort 2 included those without mood disorders. Propensity score matching (1:1) on demographics and comorbidities yielded 9,605 patients per cohort. Primary outcomes …

A Retrospective Look At Self-Reported Mental Health Prevalence In Division Iii Student-Athletes, Jacob F. Neri

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Mental health concerns among collegiate athletes have gained increased attention, but there has been limited research focus on Division III student-athletes. This study aimed to examine the self-reported prevalence of anxiety, depression, anger, stalking/harassment, abuse/assault, alcohol/substance abuse, self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt to identify contributing factors amongst this population. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted looking at data collected from the student-athlete mental health history & well-being questionnaire that was administered as part of their pre-participation exam (PPE) prior to the beginning of each academic year. A total of 554 Division III student-athletes were included in the study. Results …

Exploring Exercise Motivation And Mental Well-Being In College Students, Elaine M. Lindesmith, Anqi Deng Dr

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined the relationship between physical activity, exercise motivation, and mental well-being among 48 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, the study used survey data to measure depression, anxiety, physical activity, and open-ended exercise motivation responses. Motivation responses were coded as autonomous or controlled.

Results showed that physical activity was weakly and negatively related to depression and anxiety, but these relationships were not statistically significant. There were also no significant differences in mental health between autonomous and controlled motivation groups, and motivation did not significantly predict mental health outcomes in regression analyses. Overall, the …

Feasibility Of Assessing Dietary Patterns And Anxiety In College Students: A Pilot Study Using Nutrition Questionnaires, Gad-7, And Asq, Kylie Ford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is highly prevalent among college students representing a significant public health concern. Research indicates that dietary patterns may influence mental health outcomes; however, the practicality of collecting comprehensive dietary and psychological data in college populations remains unclear. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of evaluating dietary patterns and anxiety using self-report instruments. Participants completed the Nutrition and Eating Habit questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Anxiety Sensitivity Questionnaire (ASQ). Although twenty-one students were recruited, survey completion rates were low, with only seven participants completing the nutrition questionnaire necessary to calculate the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Descriptive analyses …

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 …

The Impact Of A Mindfulness Meditation Program On Phq-9 Scores In Eskd Clients At The Dialysis Center, Christi Collins Weaver

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Patients undergoing hemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) experience high rates of untreated depressive symptoms, which negatively impact quality of life, treatment adherence, and therefore increased hospitalization and higher mortality rates.

PICOT: In adult patients receiving in-center hemodialysis (P), how does the implementation of a structured mindfulness meditation program (I), compared to usual care (C), affect depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (O) over an eight-week period (T)?

Evidence: Current literature demonstrates that depression is highly prevalent among individuals with ESKD and is associated with increased morbidity and decreased treatment adherence. Evidence supports mindfulness …

Wellness Connection Newsletter March 2026, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Implementing An Anxiety Management Bundle In Long-Term Nursing Facilities, Sundan G. Bryson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

There is currently a gap in accurate screening and treatment of anxiety in Long-Term Care (LTC) nursing facilities. The question for this quality improvement project was: Will implementing interventions for long-term care residents aged 65 and older improve anxiety screening, non-pharmacological interventions, and mental health referrals by 10% compared to current practices? Interventions to enhance anxiety screening included the Geriatric Anxiety Scale-Long Term Care (GAS-LTC) tool to assess and score anxiety. In addition, a Non-Pharmacological Intervention (Non-PI) tool was created to evaluate interventions performed by facility staff. Referrals to the mental health care provider were submitted if a resident scored …

Enhancing Self-Acceptance And Reducing Anxiety Through Tree Ring Self-Portraits In Art Therapy: A Mixed-Methods Study, Stacey Kamp

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

This mixed-methods dissertation examined the therapeutic potential of the Tree Ring Self-Portrait, a novel art therapy intervention designed to enhance self-acceptance and reduce anxiety through symbol-based, life-phase self-portraiture grounded in narrative meaning-making and image-based processing (White & Epston, 1990; Moon, 2010; Hinz, 2020). Adults who self-identified with anxiety-related concerns were recruited through community and clinical referral sources and completed a standardized three-session intervention involving reflective mapping of life phases, a watercolor-based concentric-ring self-portrait process, and a guided review of the completed artwork with semi-structured interviews. The final sample (n = 20; ages 22–74) included participants with varied engagement in psychotherapy …

The Caregiving Experience: Comparing Stress And Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Children With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mona Khayal

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This comparative cross-sectional study investigated caregiving burden, quality of life, and anxiety among primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder compared to caregivers of typically developing children. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, 66 caregivers (31 autism, 35 comparison) of children aged 6-18 completed the Zarit Burden Interview-12, WHO Quality of Life-BREF, and GAD-7. According to the results, autism caregivers reported substantially higher burden (M = 31.26 vs. 13.23, d = 2.42) and anxiety (M = 9.13 vs. 4.63, d = 1.04), with 90% exceeding clinical burden thresholds compared to 26% of comparison caregivers. Quality of life was lower across …

Bridging Worlds Of Care: A Qualitative Exploration Of Integrating Non-Western Healing Modalities With Mental Health Counseling, Douglas Valdez

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of practitioners who treat individuals presenting with depression and anxiety using culturally integrative non-Western healing modalities. Participants included 15 experienced practitioners (minimum five years of practice) who identified as Traditional Chinese Medicine providers (e.g., acupuncturists, herbalists) and/or Curandero/x/as. The approach was qualitative, utilizing open-ended survey responses collected electronically and analyzed with thematic analysis. Results indicated six primary themes: (a) Philosophies in Healing, highlighting culturally grounded conceptualizations of depression and anxiety; (b) Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions, including acupuncture, botanical, nutritional, manual, and movement-based practices; (c) Curanderismo Pláticas and Integrative Western Healing …

"Why Don't I Talk To A Therapist?": Motivations And Reflections Of Female-Identifying Chinese Immigrants Seeking Psychotherapy For Depression, Qiuyi Wei

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Chinese immigrants and temporary residents struggling with depressive symptoms and their process of seeking and accepting psychotherapy support. The study aimed to describe the factors that motivated participants to enter therapy for depression while also addressing their internal concerns about treatment. Nine female-identified Chinese immigrant adults with such experiences were recruited. Participants’ perceptions of their depressive symptoms and the factors contributing to their decision to seek professional therapy were explored through in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted in Mandarin. The interview transcripts were analyzed in Mandarin using interpretative phenomenological analysis, through which four …

Socioeconomic Stressors And Their Association With Anxiety And Depression In Undergraduate And Graduate Students, Shreyaashri Selvakumar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a social determinant of mental health that may influence the prevalence of anxiety and depression in undergraduate and graduate students. Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often encounter financial, academic, and social stressors, which may contribute to poorer mental health outcomes. This study investigates the association between SES-related factors and symptoms of anxiety and depression in undergraduate and graduate students. Data were collected from a large national survey of students in various degree programs and included measures of financial circumstances, food and housing insecurity, access to mental health services, and other demographic variables. Symptoms of depression and …

The Kids Aren’T Alright, Amy B. Levin

Arkansas Law Review

It is not new that students struggle in law school. Research has shown for decades that, while students generally begin law school with healthy well-being, the competitive nature of law school combined with the stress of the Bar and securing post-Bar employment causes increased anxiety, depression, isolation, and related symptoms among students, especially women and underrepresented groups. What is new is the sheer number of law students struggling with serious mental health challenges today—a number that has reached crisis proportions.

This Article is divided into four parts. In Part I, I explore the mental health landscape for high school, college, …

Work-Life Conflict, Anxiety, And Depression In Collegiate Athletic Trainers With Children Under 5, Jordan Helton, Glenn R. Penny, Seth Swary

Student Dissertations

The research problem for this study was that collegiate athletic trainers with children under 5 years old experience significant work-life conflict and negative mental health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore how collegiate ATs with young children describe their experiences of work-life conflict and to how these experiences relate to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Guided by interrole conflict theory and work-life conflict theory the study posed two research questions: (1) How do collegiate ATs with children under 5 describe their experiences of work-life conflict? (2) What is the relationship work-life conflict experiences on the symptoms …

Exercise As A Treatment For Depression And Anxiety Symptoms In College Students, Ashley J. Fountain

ATU Honors Projects

Anxiety and depression have become increasingly prevalent among college students, with rates rising to levels that demand urgent and accessible treatment alternatives. Traditional interventions such as psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments, while effective for many, present limitations including high cost, side effects, and barriers to access. This paper examines exercise as a holistic, evidence-based treatment modality for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in college students. Recent research demonstrates that aerobic exercise, resistance training, and yoga each produce meaningful physiological and psychological benefits through mechanisms involving neurotransmitter regulation, reduced cortisol levels, and enhanced self-esteem. Studies comparing exercise with antidepressant medications show …

Associations Between School Experiences And Mental Health Outcomes By Gender Identity In Sexual And Gender Minority Youth In Texas And California, 2022 - 2024, Andrea Susana Yanez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Depression and anxiety affect populations differently, with diagnoses disproportionately higher among sexual and gender minority groups, including LGBTQ+ youth. School experiences shape mental health; negative environments, bullying, and lack of support worsen outcomes, while affirming policies, peer support, and inclusive curricula are protective. Methods: This secondary analysis of the Family, Housing, and Me (FHAM) Project followed 83 LGBTQ+ youth from South Texas and California's Inland Empire (2022-2024). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, school experiences, and mental health outcomes were collected at baseline and at Waves I and II over 25 months. Analyses included descriptive statistics, monthly comparisons, and bivariate and …

Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Quality Of Life, Anxiety, Connections To Friends, And Access To Resources Among People With Hiv: Using The Social Ecological Model, Carol Dawson-Rose, Christine Davey, Emily Huang, Laura Cox, Phillips Craig, Motshedisi Sabone, Lufuno Makhado, Emilia Iwu, Kathleen Fitch, Sheila Shaibu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and mitigation efforts on health and social outcomes for people with HIV at the individual, social, and structural levels of the Social Ecological Model. The International Nursing Network for HIV collected data for a cross-sectional survey of people with HIV in Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States from August 2021 through June 2023. Among 1,400 participants, 47.5% experienced decreased quality of life, 40.9% experienced increased anxiety, 33.0% had reduced connection with friends, and 38.8% had …

Transdiagnostic Correlates Of Family Accommodation In Anxious Youth, Whitney S Shepherd, Erika S Trent, Orri Smarason, Hannah N Sansone, Daphne M Ayton, Amanda Palo, Abigail E Candelari, Wayne K Goodman, Andrew G Guzick, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Anxiety disorders are common in children and cause significant impairment. Family accommodation, which refers to behavioral changes that family members make to temporarily alleviate a child’s anxiety, has been linked to child anxiety symptom severity. Although emotional vulnerabilities for anxiety such as emotion dysregulation, anxiety sensitivity, and distress intolerance have been associated with family accommodation, research concerning the relationship between these constructs among anxious youth is limited. We hypothesized that these variables would be uniquely and positively associated with family accommodation and would moderate the relationship between anxiety symptom severity and family accommodation. Treatment-seeking child–parent dyads (N = 90; …

An Epidemiological Exploration Of Binge Eating Disorder And Its Emotional Roots Among Youth In Greater Jakarta, Henny Kurniati, Yudha Asy'ari, Tri Amelia Rahmitha Helmi, Tonny Sundjaya

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

The rising prevalence of mental disorders among youth, including depression, anxiety, stress, and binge eating disorder (BED), has become a major concern in the context of global mental health. BED, as a form of eating disorder, often occurs with psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression, complicating diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and association between depression, anxiety, stress, and BED among youth in Greater Jakarta. Using a cross-sectional online design, data were collected from 231 participants aged 18-25 years through the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Statistical analysis involved bivariate …