Other Mental and Social Health Commons^™

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 …

Beyond Walking: Exploring Functional Use Of Exoskeletons In The Home Environment, Sue D. Dahl-Popolizio, Adam M. Story, Thomas Hartman, Lacee Andrews, Jennifer Radziak, Angela Zhu, Joelly Lobato De Faria Otd, Ms, Otr/L

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This pilot study was completed to determine whether individuals with paraplegia can perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in their homes using a personal exoskeleton. The physiological effects of using an exoskeleton for these tasks were investigated as well. Methods: In this mixed-methods observational study, participants with paraplegia were observed using an exoskeleton to complete ADLs and IADLs in their homes. Performance and satisfaction with performance were measured before and after home exoskeleton use with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The level of importance of completing ADLs and IADLs to the …

Aging With Mercy, Thriving In Place, Emma Layne Katzman, Karen Weis, Jennifer Rugletic Washko

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026

Occupational engagement, spirituality, and quality of life are recognized as important dimensions of aging, however, these factors remain underexplored among older adults residing within faith-based communal living environments. This doctoral capstone experience, Aging with Mercy, Thriving in Place, consisted of two distinct but complementary components: an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved mixed methods research study and a quality improvement initiative. The purpose of the research study was to explore occupational engagement, occupational role transitions, spirituality, identity, and perceived quality of life among older adults residing within a faith-based communal living environment. Quantitative data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality …

Design Solutions For Common Problems In Senior Living Facilities, Mary Schmidt

Senior Honors Theses

With the aging population of the United States, the prevalence of dementia rises along with its challenges for individuals in long-term care facilities. As cognitive function deteriorates, dementia patients face growing difficulties in performing daily activities. Common issues such as wayfinding, wandering, exit attempts, agitation, and a generally low quality of life plague most dementia patients at long-term care facilities. Design features can improve quality of life, safety, and coherence for residents with dementia at assisted living facilities. This paper examines existing research to present various design strategies that can enhance daily life for dementia patients in long-term care facilities. …

Increasing Leisure Activity Participation And The Quality Of Life Of People With Dementia And Their Caregivers, Karla Vela, Rebecca King, Keegan Mckay

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The problems associated with the progression of dementia, such as increased stress, and a decrease in engagement in leisure activities and social participation have a negative impact on the patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. In addition, there is limited research on the long-term impact of occupational therapy leisure activity programs on patients with dementia and their caregivers’ quality of life. A leisure activity program was created for people with dementia and their caregivers to improve their leisure activity engagement and quality of life. Overall, the participant’s and caregivers benefitted from this program and had positive opinions based on the …

Transdisciplinary Collaboration Of Healthcare Professionals And The Emotional Connectedness With Working With Patients Coping With Death And Dying, Princess Nguyen, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores how an integrated approach to care for patients and families by transdisciplinary healthcare teams provides opportunities for a patient-centered care approach to support quality of life throughout one's chronic illness and at the end-of-life. Discussions and conversations about impending death or dying are often challenging and a complex task for healthcare professionals in whatever settings. While there is an understanding of aspects of collaborative care and transitions and processes to support patients and families about how to cope and communicate about death and dying, it is essential to recognize how best to support end-of-life care …

Driving Healthy Behaviors Through Social Support: The Role Of Co-Responsibility In Weight Loss And Maintenance, Melanie Knufinke-Meyfroyt, Carlo Lancia, Yentl Lodewijks, Simon Nienhuijs, Eva Deckers

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: The effectiveness of out of hospital lifestyle interventions in healthcare is likely co-dependent on social support from involved one's. We sought to investigate the interrelationships between patient-partner Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, and Self-efficacy and the mechanisms through which they contribute to health behaviors and outcomes relevant to weight loss and maintenance. Methods: Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, self-efficacy, health outcomes and health behaviors like total weight loss, physical activity, OBESI-Q, and health satisfaction were assessed through a questionnaire among 868 individuals attempting to lose weight. Full and semi-partial correlations were used to understand the association between Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, Self-efficacy …

Health And Quality Of Life Among People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities And Direct Support Professionals During The Early United States Covid-19 Pandemic, Erin Vinoski Thomas, Bridgette M. Schram, Sombal Bari, Rachel Odunlami, Kristina M. Ormond, Sydnie E. Smith

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the direct support professionals (DSPs) who support them have faced unique risks to their health and quality of life (QoL) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to understand how COVID-19 has influenced QoL and overall well-being among these populations. We conducted a Rapid Qualitative Inquiry study with a sample of people with IDD and DSPs (n = 18) to gain deeper perspectives about QoL and well-being during the pandemic. Participants described that changes in QoL were typically negative and influenced primarily by reduced socialization and impacts on health and independence; however, …

Targeting Social Connection In The Context Of Trauma: Functional Outcomes And Mechanisms Of Change, Andrew J. Smith, David Pincus, Bernard P. Ricca

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The current study presents and preliminarily tests a brief, theory driven intervention designed to target social connectivity as a transdiagnostic mechanism of health. We tested four hypotheses to examine whether and how explicitly targeting social behavior engagement (activating values-led behaviors towards specific network members) may improve other downstream aspects of social connectivity (i.e., social cognitions measured as loneliness, interpersonal closeness, perceived social support) and functioning (quality of life [QOL] and posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTS]). Methods. Participants included 15 patients (10 veterans, 5 firefighters) who completed the six-session intervention. Demographics: age (M = 46, SD = 17), 87% male, race (80% …

Understanding Quality Of Life In Patients With Acute Leukemia, A Global Survey, Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, Samantha Nier, Jan Geissler, Sophie Wintrich, Bregje Verhoeven, Rita O. Christensen, Sam Salek, Esther Natalie Oliva, Tatyana Ionova, Jennie Bradley

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: The Acute Leukemia Advocates Network (ALAN) sought to determine which factors are most associated with poor quality of life (QoL) in patients with acute leukemia and to determine key issues and unmet needs through administration of an online survey distributed worldwide via partner patient organizations.

Methods: ALAN developed a questionnaire informed by literature review and based extensively on the hematological malignancy-specific patient-reported outcomes (HM-PRO) measure to assess the impact of acute leukemia on QoL and its relationships with patients’ demographics, disease state, disease impact, and support from health care professionals. Univariate and multivariable statistical analysis was used to investigate …

An Exploration Of Quality Of Life Perceptions Of Cochlear Implant Recipients And Their Frequent Communication Partners, Jessica L. Bishop, Ashley G. Flagge

Ashley Flagge Publications

Purpose: Quality of life (QoL) after cochlear implantation has been investigated using a variety of QoL questionnaires. However, few studies have examined the perceived QoL of cochlear implant (CI) recipients compared between the recipient and a frequent communication partner (FCP) using both hearing-related (hearing-specific), and health-general (health-general) measures.

Method: For this multiple case study, five participant pairs were recruited, consisting of five adult recipients who were implanted at least six months prior to the time of evaluation, and five adult frequent communication partners who lived with the recipient at the time of evaluation. All ten participants (five pairs) completed a …

Using Social Media To Examine Disabled Veterans’ Adaptive Sports Lived Experience At The National Veterans’ Wheelchair Games, Heather Harding

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Considered the world’s largest annual rehabilitative wheelchair games event for Veterans in the United States, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG or the Games), co-hosted annually by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, is a long-standing event that offers a view into how adaptive sports and recreational activities can impact Veterans with disabilities. This hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study sought to discover if the Veteran athletes, who participated in the NVWG between 2017 and 2021, described their lived experiences through the lens of their public social media posts on Instagram, and if so, what can be gleaned …

The Social And The Psychological Impact Of Endometriosis On The Romanian Urban Population, Iulia Baciu, Alecsandra Irimie-Ana, Anca Maria Panaitescu, Gheorghe Peltecu, Corina Gica, Nicolae Gica

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Objectives. Our study assesses the social and psychological impact of the symptoms of endometriosis. Materials and methods. This crosssectional study was conducted from January 2014 to January 2016. The research involved two groups. The study instrument, the EHP-5 questionnaire, was completed by the respondents on the admission date or on the routine gynecological visit day. Results. Endometriosis has a negative social and psychological impact on women’s life, the most affected areas being work, fertility and sexual activity. Moreover, pain and the negative perception of self-image are major sources of distress. Conclusion. The symptoms and effects of endometriosis, especially chronic pelvic …

How Can Art Therapy Be Utilized To Improve The Mental Health And Quality Of Life Of Pediatric Oncology Patients?, Emily Golubowski

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Pediatric oncology patients and survivors endure multiple obstacles related to physical health and recovery during and after their treatment time. In addition, mental health complications related to adjustment, anxiety, depression, and stress can complicate the overall quality of life and functioning of individuals who have endured this diagnosis and treatment. As an intervention, art therapy can provide relief from physical symptom management, relieve mental health symptoms and stressors, and improve overall quality of life. Art therapy directives and professional work can assist in teaching appropriate coping skills, enhance emotional intelligence, improve communication, restore a sense of control, and improve overall …

Quality Of Life And Psychological Distress In Cancer Survivors: The Role Of Psycho-Social Resources For Resilience, Craig A. Harms, Lynne Cohen, Julie Ann Pooley, Suzanne K. Chambers, Daniel A. Galvao, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between scores on the Protective Factors for Resilience Scale (PFRS) (as a measure of a person's psycho-social resources for resilience) and quality of life as well as symptoms of psychological distress for adult cancer survivors.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 295 cancer survivors (59% female) provided background demographic information and completed the PFRS as well as measures of quality of life and psychological distress previously validated with cancer survivors. Most of the survivors were diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer.

RESULTS: Analysis of the data confirmed the factor structure for the PFRS …

A Good Old Age: Experiencing A Satisfying Life, Kaitlin Thimann

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The definition of successful aging has been changing, however, there is a lack of current studies on existing aging trends and how to experience a good old age. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe themes and factors that can lead to an individual experiencing a good old age. This study is a qualitative, exploratory ethnography in which interviews were used to gather information on a good old age from adults aged sixty-five and older. The study revealed that there were several common factors throughout the interviews. Physical and mental health, social support, and financial stability are …