Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Wellness Research & Programming For Bodybuilders, Victoria Castillo, Karen Park, Kersten Laughlin

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the occupational impact on bodybuilders and wellness & program development for competitive bodybuilders. Phase one focuses on research to understand the occupational impact on bodybuilders during competition. Phase two, which focuses on program development, highlights the alignment to the objectives as they allow for the development of an educational program intended for bodybuilder coaches to help with health prevention and wellness with their bodybuilder clients.

An Exploration Of Self-Reported Training Needs For Anxiety Interventions Among Primary Care Behavioral Health Consultants, Katherine Buckheit, Ryan Willard, Kyle Possemato, Robyn Shepardson, Abigail Lashinsky, Jen Funderburk

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction: Despite the need for greater training in evidence-based interventions for the treatment of anxiety in primary care behavioral health (PCBH), there are limited data on which interventions are desired by behavioral healthcare consultants (BHCs). The objective of this study was to identify which interventions BHCs desired more training in when treating anxiety in PCBH practice, and to examine if this preference was associated with theoretical orientation. Method: We conducted an online survey of PCBH providers regarding their training preferences for treatment of anxiety symptoms. The final sample comprised 291 BHCs recruited from e-mail listservs of national professional organizations. Providers …

Implementation Of A Standardized Suicide Screening Process In A University Student Health Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Addie Grace Strong, Kathryn Dambrino, R. David Phillippi, Linda Wofford

DNP Projects

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among college age students, prompting the need for evidence-based screening tools like the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to enable early detection and timely intervention. Inconsistencies in suicide screening may pose a risk of missed intervention opportunities. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project specifically aimed to improve the quality and consistency of suicide screening in a university student health clinic by implementing the C-SSRS tool into the clinic workflow during mental health appointments. Methods: Employing a quality improvement framework, this scholarly project followed the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement …

A Case Of “Neptune’S Fix Elixir” - The Dangerous Consequences Of Unregulated Use Of Tianeptine In Over-The-Counter Products, Priscilla Lozano, Maya Qutob Do, Eduardo Espiridion

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Police Versus Non-Police Response To 988 Crisis Calls, Miriam A. Maloney-Mattheisen Bsn, Rn, Latrina N. Blakemore Msn, Fnp-Bc, Janelle M. Scullark Msn, Fnp-C, Jacqueline Sharp Dnp, Pmhnp-Bc, Sharon Little Dnp, Fnp-Bc, Margaret Harvey Phd, Aprn, Acnp-Bc, Chfn

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a mental health-specific emergency line that became nationally available in July of 2022. This resource allows callers in crisis to connect with trained mental health professionals. Despite the initiation of this new dispatching service, there is still a significant shortage of trained mental health professionals to respond to these calls when they require emergency intervention. The present scoping review aims to determine whether non-police crisis responses correlate to improved outcomes when compared to police response as evidenced by reduced inpatient admissions, reduced arrests, and decreased presence of intrusive traumatic symptoms following intervention. …

Serum Neuroactive Metabolites Of The Tryptophan Pathway In Patients With Acute Phase Of Affective Disorders, Yanfang Zhou, Baopeng Tian, Wei Li, Xingguang Luo, Li Tian, L Elliot Hong, Chiang-Shan R Li, Yunlong Tan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Many studies showed disrupted tryptophan metabolism in patients with affective disorders. The aims of this study were to explore the differences in the metabolites of tryptophan pathway (TP) and the relationships between TP metabolites and clinical symptoms, therapeutic effect in patients with bipolar disorder with acute manic episode (BD-M), depressive episode (BD-D) and major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS: Patients with BD-M (n=52) and BD-D (n=39), MDD (n=48) and healthy controls (HCs, n=49) were enrolled. The serum neuroactive metabolites levels of the TP were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item (HAMD-17) and Young Mania Rating Scale …

Prevalence And Severity Of Adhd Among Children With Second-Hand Smoke Exposure – A Us Population-Based Study, Saral R. Desai, Edward Lin

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Demographic, Socioeconomic And Clinical Determinants Of Recurrent Suicide Visits To The Emergency Department At A Community Hospital, Paul Scalzo, Nicole Villa, Kristina Shum, Ashini Patel, Madhulika Badri, Stacy Chou, Evan Woods, Charles Wen, Allison Atkinson, Amy Hsu, Eduardo Espiridion

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Every Moment Counts (Emc): Understanding School Stakeholder Perceptions Of Positive Mental Health Promotion In The Elementary School Setting. A Preliminary Report., Madeline Malooly, Angela Blackwell, Lauren Thomas

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

For children and adolescents, the prevalence of psychological disorders associated with mental illness continues to rise in North America and is now considered to be the leading cause of disability for this population (Bitsko et al., 2022). It was estimated that between 25 and 50% of adult mental illnesses could be prevented through early intervention and preventative measures in childhood (Kim-Cohen et al., 2003). In an effort to address mental health promotion in schools, Dr. Susan Bazyk founded and created EMC, which is a “multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative to help all children to be mentally healthy in order to …

Multicultural Gerotranscendence: A Theoretical Approach To Working With Older Adults, Whitney George, Danielle Schlittler

Adultspan Journal

With the growing number of the aging population, the call for counselors to understand the developmental processes of all clients is essential. The theories of gerotranscendence and multicultural counseling and therapy are central to the understanding of adult development in later life. The use of these two theories together provides a theoretical basis for counselors wishing to provide services to diverse older adults.

An Ot Needs Assessment For Children And Families Residing In Shelters, Jessie Siono, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This study created a needs assessment is to determine the unique occupational deficits of children and their families in California experiencing homelessness within a shelter setting via recording their lived experiences. A local family shelter was analyzed via observation and interviews with staff and residents of the shelter. The results were compiled into a facility assessment to identify supports and barriers to occupation. Results were also utilized to complete an occupational needs assessment for families and children living in homeless shelters. The study determined the occupational needs and occurrences of occupational deficits that were experienced by residents of the family …

The Effect Of Massage Therapy On Test Anxiety Experienced By Traditional-Aged Undergraduate Business Students, Jorge A. Pazmiño

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Test anxiety impacts traditional-aged undergraduate business students and influences their academic performance and overall well-being. This study explored the efficacy of massage therapy (MT) as a means of mitigating test anxiety within this demographic. Building on existing literature that addresses the consequences of anxiety and alternative coping mechanisms, this research study focused on MT as a potential strategy for test anxiety management. The study employed the Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale–College Version (AMAS-C) to gather data from participants at a private liberal arts institution in the East South-Central region of the United States. An experimental group received an MT intervention, while …

Exercise Is Medicine- On Campus, Ryssa Schlaefli

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) envisions a campus culture where all members, across various fields, embrace and implement its principles to transform chronic disease prevention and management. Exercise is Medicine-On Campus fosters collaborative relationships and leadership within the campus community by advertising a healthy lifestyle through fun activities to those studying other Majors/Concentrations. Through a series of events, EIM-OC addresses multiple aspects of health promotion. Events focus on promoting healthy nutrition, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, strength, and mental health. These initiatives are designed to tackle barriers to exercise such as time constraints, lack of knowledge, and lack of resources for …

Mental Healthcare Differences Between The United States, Costa Rica, And Sweden, Michaela Diehm

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Countries such as the United States, Costa Rica, and Sweden differ in the ways that they approach treatment of mental health disorders, which is due to the structure of their healthcare as well as the culture, affordability, accessibility, and type of treatment that is available to the people of that country. A literature review did not reveal a comparison of the three countries related to the topic of mental healthcare, nor use of the three selected countries to review their structures to determine the best approach to combating mental disorders before. Costa Rica and Sweden are both countries with universal …

Mir-574-5p Activates Human Tlr8 To Promote Autoimmune Signaling And Lupus, Dianqiang Yang, Yida Xing, Shulin Bi, Yan Zhang, Tao Hu, Yunyun Zhang, Shuang Dai, Zhiqiang Shao, Dahan Chen, Jinpao Hou, Esteban Ballestar, Jianchun Cai, Feng Zheng, James Y Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Endosomal single-stranded RNA-sensing Toll-like receptor-7/8 (TLR7/8) plays a pivotal role in inflammation and immune responses and autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the initiation of the TLR7/8-mediated autoimmune signaling remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that miR-574-5p is aberrantly upregulated in tissues of lupus prone mice and in the plasma of lupus patients, with its expression levels correlating with the disease activity. miR-574-5p binds to and activates human hTLR8 or its murine ortholog mTlr7 to elicit a series of MyD88-dependent immune and inflammatory responses. These responses include the overproduction of cytokines and interferons, the activation of STAT1 signaling …

Effects Of Time-Restricted Eating Patterns On Cardiometabolic Parameters And Mental Health Status In Young Adults., Mohammad Aleef Mohd Bakri

Student Works (2020-2029)

Cardiometabolic diseases, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, along with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, are closely linked to disruptions in circadian rhythm. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is an eating pattern that aligns with the circadian rhythm by restricting food intake to an 8–12-hour eating window during the daytime. Ramadan fasting, a form of TRE characterized by a nighttime eating window from dusk to dawn, offers a unique perspective as it contrasts with the typical diurnal eating pattern. However, no studies have directly compared TRE protocols with diurnal (daytime) and nocturnal (nighttime) eating windows within a single …

Health Care Professionals’ Stigma Toward People With An Opioid Use Disorder: Preliminary Findings On The Effect Of Amount Of Contact Has On Stigma, Gabriela Murza, Cris Meier, Lily Ward, Sydney O'Shay, Rachel Myrer

Transforming Communities

Opioid-related deaths are the leading cause of injury deaths in Utah. Individuals who seek treatment for opioid misuse report stigma from healthcare professionals as the leading barrier to accessing treatment. Health professionals provide a variety of treatment options in efforts of combating high rates of opioid misuse. However, these professionals may not be properly trained in stigma reduction strategies, thus leading to poor client care and outcomes. The current study examined the association between contact with individuals who misuse opioids and stigma perceptions among healthcare professionals. A one-time survey was administered to healthcare professionals who practice in Utah using convenience …

Unlv Mental Health Initiatives: Unifying Through Innovation And Collaboration, The Lincy Institute, Unlv Practice, Behere Nv, Unlv Department Of Psychology

Lincy Institute Events

Nevada persistently ranks at or near the bottom in the country for overall access to mental health services despite the need (Mental Health America, 2015-2023). UNLV faculty are developing initiatives to change this unacceptable situation. The Lincy Institute, in partnership with UNLV PRACTICE, BeHERE Nevada, and researchers from the Department of Psychology, offered a community forum showcasing three mental health initiatives harnessing faculty collaboration and innovation to drive overdue changes in Nevada’s mental-health landscape. Following the presentations policymakers engaged in open discussion with UNLV presenters and the audience. The three main initiatives showcased in this forum …

Human Brain Glycoform Coregulation Network And Glycan Modification Alterations In Alzheimer's Disease, Qi Zhang, Cheng Ma, Lih-Shen Chin, Sheng Pan, Lian Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite the importance of protein glycosylation to brain health, current knowledge of glycosylated proteoforms or glycoforms in human brain and their alterations in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is limited. Here, we report a proteome-wide glycoform profiling study of human AD and control brains using intact glycopeptide-based quantitative glycoproteomics coupled with systems biology. Our study identified more than 10,000 human brain N-glycoforms from nearly 1200 glycoproteins and uncovered disease signatures of altered glycoforms and glycan modifications, including reduced sialylation and N-glycan branching and elongation as well as elevated mannosylation and N-glycan truncation in AD. Network analyses revealed a higher-order organization of brain …

Graphic Medicine For Library Outreach, Chanda Briggs, Claire Sharifi

Gleeson Library Faculty and Staff Research and Scholarship

According to a National Academy of Sciences working group investigating the mental health crises in higher education, student wellbeing is an issue that needs to be addressed at the campus level, not siloed in specified departments and units. University libraries can be an integral part of student wellness initiatives, and this poster presentation will present one academic library’s engagement in student wellness initiatives. This poster will:

• Highlight the ways campus partnerships facilitated streamlined library engagement in student wellness

• Identify student centric initiatives and acquisitions

• Identify funding sources used for those initiatives and acquisitions

• Discuss outcomes of library wellness initiatives.

Lingering Effects Of Covid-19 On Mental Health In College Students, Morgan Bodker

Scholars Week

This study examined whether severity of an individual’s COVID symptoms is predictive of a long-term risk for depression in college students. An online survey was completed by 123 students (M = 19.45; SD = 4.23) who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at any time since the pandemic. Severity of COVID symptoms at the time of diagnosis was assessed using seven questions on a 4-point Likert scale. Current depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Participants who had a COVID diagnosis reported significantly higher levels of depression than participants who have never had COVID. A linear regression restricted …

Knowledge And Implementation Of Tobacco Control Practices In Rural Louisiana Community Health Centers, Michael D. Celestin Jr, Ty-Runet Bryant, Tung Sung Tseng, Krysten Jones-Winn, Qingzhao Yu

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Association for Clinical and Translational Science 2024; April 3 - April 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV

Effect Of Aspirin Versus Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Thromboprophylaxis On Medication Satisfaction And Out-Of-Pocket Costs: A Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Clinical Trial, Gerard P Slobogean, Joshua L Gary, William T Obremskey, Rachel B Seymour, Joseph Cuschieri, C Daniel Mullins, Robert V O'Toole, Metrc

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend low-molecular-weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis after orthopaedic trauma. However, recent evidence suggests that aspirin is similar in efficacy and safety. To understand patients' experiences with these medications, we compared patients' satisfaction and out-of-pocket costs after thromboprophylaxis with aspirin versus low-molecular-weight heparin.

METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of the PREVENTion of CLots in Orthopaedic Trauma (PREVENT CLOT) trial, conducted at 21 trauma centers in the U.S. and Canada. We included adult patients with an operatively treated extremity fracture or a pelvic or acetabular fracture. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 30 mg of low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin) …

Does An Early, Balanced Resuscitation Strategy Reduce The Incidence Of Hypofibrinogenemia In Hemorrhagic Shock?, Mariela Sandoval

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: Some centers have recommended including concentrated fibrinogen replacement in massive transfusion protocols (MTPs). Given our center's policy of aggressive early balanced resuscitation (1:1:1), beginning prehospital, we hypothesized that our rates of hypofibrinogenemia may be lower than those previously reported.

METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients presenting to our trauma center November 2017 to April 2021 were reviewed. Patients were defined as hypofibrinogenemic (HYPOFIB) if admission fibrinogen

RESULTS: Of 29 782 patients, 6618 level 1 activations, and 1948 patients receiving emergency release blood,

CONCLUSIONS: Low rates of hypofibrinogenemia were found in our center which treats hemorrhage with early, balanced …

In Silico Identification Of Small Molecule Agonist Binding Sites On Kcc2, Kenyon Mitchell, Alfred Amendolara, Ruth Hunter, Jaden Miner, Andrew Payne

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Potassium-Chloride Cotransporter 2 (KCC2) is a neuronal membrane protein specific to the central nervous system. It is responsible for removing Cl- ions from the intracellular space, maintaining a normal Cl- gradient essential for proper function at inhibitory synapses. Dysregulation causes an upward shift in the Cl- reversal potential resulting in a hyperexcitable state of the postsynaptic neuron. Existing literature indicates that KCC2 may be involved in the addiction pathway of a variety of drugs of abuse, including opioids and alcohol. This makes KCC2 an attractive potential drug target when treating substance use disorders. A novel direct KCC2 agonist, VU0500469, …

Testing A Clinic-Based Program To Reduce Risky Behaviors Among Teens, Reach Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Risky behaviors, including eating poorly, not getting enough sleep or exercise, using drugs, and not wearing a helmet or seatbelt often emerge during the teen years.

Is A Patient Navigation Program More Helpful Than A Referral Program For Reducing Depression And Improving Quality Of Life Among Women Living In Neighborhoods With Few Resources?, Reach Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

The research team compared two programs designed to help women with feelings of depression who live in neighborhoods with few resources. Both programs lasted four months.

Health Leadership Perspectives On Challenges To Providing & Expanding Withdrawal Management Capacity In Maine, Sarah Mclaughlin Mph

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

Currently, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Maine DHHS) and the Cutler Institute’s Substance Use Research and Evaluation Team (SURE) are working together through the SUPPORT for ME Cooperative Agreement to monitor and assess Maine’s behavioral health system. As a part of this Cooperative Agreement, Maine DHHS and the SURE team have identified withdrawal management (WM) as an area of interest and have determined that more information is needed to understand the landscape of WM in Maine, especially as it pertains to non-opioid substances. Therefore, this project will involve collecting data through interviews with health care leadership from …

Qualitative Brief: Baseline Needs Assessment Treatment Experiences In Rural Vermont, Katie Rosingana Ba, Evelyn Ali Mph, Tyler Egeland Ba, Karen Pearson Mlis, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, C. Peasley-Miklus, J. Shaw

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

This qualitative data brief provides findings from the Vermont baseline needs assessment, conducted in collaboration with research staff at the University of Southern Maine's Catherine Cutler Institute, with the goal to identify current and future opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment needs and barriers in rural Vermont. This data brief aims to identify current and future addiction treatment needs and barriers in Vermont with direct input from practitioners, community partners, and people impacted personally by opioid use. Preceptions included in this data brief are informed by semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with people with lived experience (PWLE) with OUD, as well as …

Hooked On A Feeling: The Importance Of Fostering Emotional Intelligence In Adolescents, Annika Wirkkala

Classical Conversations

In the summer of 2023, CNN reported on a 14-year old girl who claimed to have several mental health issues. These included ADHD, depression, autism, and various phobias. After a specialist examined her, however, she was officially diagnosed not with her extensive list of illnesses but with severe anxiety. How did this 14-year old girl become so convinced that she suffered from all of these problems? Social media. Sadly, this girl is not the only victim of social media self-diagnosis. According to the CNN report, “A growing number of teens are turning to social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok …