Nursing Commons^™

Implementation Of A Mental Health Screening In A Gastroenterology Office, Kayla Craig

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The growing prevalence of depression in gastrointestinal patients is the reason why outpatient offices, gastrointestinal offices included, need to screen for mental health problems in their appointments. Many outpatient settings don't have a standard tool to screen for depression in patients, and therefore many patients are not being treated or diagnosed with depression in the process. The PHQ-9 has been shown to have strong validity and specificity in diagnosing depression in the outpatient setting.

Identifying Barriers To Keeping Appointments In Mental Health, Shontel Ray

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Accessing healthcare for mental illness is important but has been challenging to resolve. Due to barriers, individuals are missing appointments leading to long-term negative effects of poor patient outcomes, such as homelessness and suicide. Understanding why individuals cancel or do not show up to their appointments is crucial to resolve this nationwide problem. Further investigation is needed to identify what barriers cause individuals to miss appointments so interventions can be created to resolve it and improve patient care. For this study, those who did not attend their first or second appointments were called and given an eight-question survey. The …

Screening For Resilience In Pediatric Primary Care, Kaitlin Phelan, Martha Grant Fuller

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Introduction: Adversity in childhood increases risk for physical and mental health problems. Children who undergo adverse events can still flourish, due to the concept of resilience. Literature shows that resilience influences health more than adversity, and screening for resilience may improve practice.

Method: A valid screening tool for resilience, The CD-RISC, was given to children twelve and above during their well visit during February 2021 at a clinic in Oceanside, CA. Scores were categorized into four quartiles. Children responding in the lowest two quartiles received provider follow up.

Results: 97 surveys were scored: 39 scoring in the lowest quartile, 19 …

The Effects Of Losing A Parent On Teenagers Mental Health, Emily O'Keefe

Nursing | Senior Theses

Losing a parent is one of the hardest losses we experience. For many, the loss of a parent comes too early. Losing a parent as a teenager has lasting effects. This thesis examines the research literature review and proposes a study for further investigation about this important healthcare matter.

The mental health of teenagers who lose a parent experience worsened mental health than those who have two living parents. Bereaved teenagers experience worsened mental health, increased aggression, and an increased risk for self-harm. The research in this literature reviews, supports this, and further emphasizes the negative impact of losing a …

Covid-19’S Psychological Influences: How Have University Students Been Affected?, Julaby Dalman

Nursing | Senior Theses

Undergraduate students are well-known as a vulnerable population prone to stress, anxiety, depression and various other psychological problems during their academic time at university or college. With the introduction and sudden integration of the COVID-19 pandemic into the daily lives of these high-risk students, globally, many people are concerned with how the mental health of this population will be affected, given the presence of the pandemic in addition to the multiple safety measures put in place in an attempt to contain the virus. This includes students having been subjected to prolonged implementation of shelter-in-place mandates and requirements of social-distancing across …

Improving Therapeutic Communication In Mental Health Nursing: A Quality Improvement Project, Patricia A. Nill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Over 46 million adults in the United States (U.S.) live with a mental illness. Locally in Nevada, the psychiatrist to patient ratio is approximately 700:1, and patients are seen primarily in the inpatient setting, if seen at all, due to the wait average of 85 hours in the hospital emergency rooms for access into mental health hospitals or specialty units of a general hospital. Moreover, costs for mental health mood disorders alone are estimated at over seven million dollars annually. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) opined the need for change in healthcare to redesign practice and clinical communication with patients …

Treatment Access For Dual Diagnosis Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders, Pedro Banuelos

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In 2018, of 1.3 million Latinx adults in the United States facing concurrent issues with substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD) 93% remained untreated for either diagnosis. This is concerning since Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data reveals that this population is at greater risk for suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. They also face structural barriers such as employment, housing, legal involvement, and insurability that further impede access to treatment.

This study’s purpose was to examine barriers to accessing treatment for Latinx populations confronting co-occurring SUDs and MHDs. This study used a qualitative design …

Scholarly Manuscript: Deficiencies In Memory And Effective Education Of De-Escalation Techniques In Mental Health Settings, Balraj Bajwa

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Objective: To appraise and evaluate evidence recognizing the lack of effective staff education on de-escalation techniques, the impact that this creates on nursing practice, and staff perceptions on de-escalation methods and techniques in acute care inpatient and/or outpatient mental health settings.

Methods: Three databases were searched (CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO) to identify articles/reviews which focused on de-escalation techniques and training. Additionally, five journals were also reviewed to help with the search process. Specific inclusion criteria were used to streamline the search process and to help identify articles/reviews which were primarily focused on the desired objective. Five different articles …

Examining Health Disparities Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, And Queer/Questioning Adults In Davidson County, Tennessee, Samantha Anticuar

DNP Projects

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals experience increased risks for health disparities and discrimination compared to non-LGBTQ individuals, yet there is limited research in southern populations. Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to examine if LGBTQ individuals had increased health disparities compared to non-LGBTQ individuals in Davidson County, Tennessee (TN). Methods: A quasi-experimental design (N = 1,704) used the 2019 Nashville Community Health and Well-being Survey for analysis. Results: Findings suggested LGBTQ individuals had increased odds of not having health insurance (p = .009, adjusted odds: 6.84), poor mental health (p …

Implementing Best Practices To Improve Veteran’S Primary Care: A Pilot Project For Suicide Screening, Assessment & Referral, Nathaniel Held

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Problem Description: Suicide is an increasing problem within the United States, but an even greater problem among the veteran population. Veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide than individuals within the civilian population. El Paso County, Colorado has the highest veteran population in the state and the highest number of suicides. Despite numerous military mental health programs available. Studies have found that many veterans will visit a civilian primary care clinic (for various reasons) within a month of taking their own lives but rarely are mental health concerns noted. This can be due to a lack of awareness and …

When Covid-19 Enters In A Community Setting: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Of Community Perspectives On Covid-19 Affecting Mental Well-Being, Naureen Akber Ali, Anam Shahil Feroz, Noshaba Akber, Rida Feroz, Salima Nazim Meghani, Sarah Saleem

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased level of anxiety and fear among the general population related to its management and infection spread. Considering the relevance of present circumstances, we explored perceptions and attitudes of community members towards their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Setting: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using a purposive sampling approach, at two communities of Karachi, Pakistan.
Participants: In-depth interviews were conducted with community members including, young adults, middle-aged adults and older adults of both genders. Study data were analysed manually using the thematic analysis technique.
Primary outcome: The primary outcome is …

Recommendations For Perioperative Care Of Adolescents At Risk For Suicide, Rachelle Huber Dustin Rn, Bsn, Blaine A. Winters Dnp, Acnp-Bc

Student Works

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for the adolescent population, and as such, should be addressed when adolescents have any contact with the healthcare system, including perioperative appointments. Although some surgical facilities screen patients with a history of suicide attempt or severe mental health conditions, many adolescents who have died by suicide do not have official mental health diagnoses or history of previous suicide attempt. Because of the impact surgery can have on mental health, each adolescent should be screened for suicide risk during pre-surgical consult appointments to assess suicide risk and take proper precautions, as needed. …

Increasing Mental Health Competency In School Nurses, Jennifer M. Walsh Msn, Cpnp, Cne

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Mental health concerns in the pediatric population have increased over recent years, even more so due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Time from onset of symptoms to treatment is over eight years, leaving less than 25% receiving care. Virginia ranks 47th for pediatric mental health care. School nurses spend a significant amount of workload on MH issues but often report being untrained to deal with these issues. Aims: Implement a quality improvement pilot program for school nurses designed to increase competency of identification, management, and referrals for students with mental health concerns. Outcomes measured domains of knowledge, attitude, and competency …

Mental Health Of Children And Adolescents Amidst Covid-19 And Past Pandemics: A Rapid Systematic Review, Salima Meherali, Neelam Punjani, Samantha Louie-Poon, Komal Abdul Rahim, Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Zohra S. Lassi

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: The COVID‑19 pandemic and associated public health measures have disrupted the lives of people around the world. It is already evident that the direct and indirect psychological and social effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic are insidious and affect the mental health of young children and adolescents now and will in the future. The aim and objectives of this knowledge-synthesis study were to identify the impact of the pandemic on children's and adolescent's mental health and to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions employed during previous and the current pandemic to promote children's and adolescents' mental health.
Methodology: We conducted …

Negative Marital Interaction, Purpose In Life, And Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged And Older Couples: Evidence From The Health And Retirement Study, Elliane Irani, Sumin Park, Ronald L. Hickman Jr.

Faculty Scholarship

Objective: Negative marital interaction and purpose in life have been associated with depressive symptoms. Yet, these associations have not been fully explored in a dyadic context. This study examines the actor (intra-individual) and partner (cross-spousal) effects of negative marital interaction on depressive symptoms in couples and the potential mediating role of purpose in life. Methods: Data came from 1186 heterosexual married couples who participated in the 2016 (T1) and 2018 (T2) waves of the Health and Retirement Study and completed the psychosocial questionnaire in 2016. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the direct and indirect associations among T1 negative …

Rural Young Adult Health: Drivers And Barriers To Accessing Care, Maggie Thompson

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Adolescents and young adults are developmentally inclined to seek autonomy and take risks. This propensity for risk and challenging boundaries is essential for personal identity formation and belief systems development. During the transition to adulthood, adolescents and young adults often place a high value on peer group acceptance and adhering to perceived social norms. As a result, adolescents and young adults are more likely to engage in pleasure-seeking behaviors despite the associated risks.

The potential for harm often grows in young adulthood, as newfound freedoms present more significant opportunities to engage in risk-taking behaviors. Despite some enduring controversy, age-specific, preventative …

Letters To Ladies: An Exploration Of Nursing Leadership, Jasmine Choe

Nursing Leadership in Community Engagement Projects

This project was created by a group of five nursing students at Seattle Pacific University’s Lydia Green School of Nursing with the goal of collecting 100 handwritten letters to distribute to Angeline’s Day Center. The members of this day center have experienced changes in mental health and a lack of connectedness to their community due to COVID-19 related changes. The aim of this project was to encourage and connect with the women of the shelter during COVID-19 restrictions. Several on campus departments and clubs as well as local churches participated in writing letters that were collected and delivered to the …

The Effect Of Physical Activity On The Mental Health Of Pre-Nursing Students And Undergraduate Student Nurses, Larinda J. Fandrich

DNP Research Projects

Abstract

Mental health concerns are on the rise among the college-aged student. College students face a great deal of stress, which can lead to depression and anxiety. Nursing students, as a sub-group of college students, are under even greater stress related to rigorous course work and the responsibility of caring for other people, which can lead to greater depression and anxiety. This study aimed to determine what effect, if any, physical activity has on depression and anxiety scores using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 instruments in pre-nursing and nursing students. In this study, physical activity is defined as is “any bodily …

Intervention Of Mindfulness With Students To Identify Mental Health Problems And Enhance Coping Strategies, Aileen M. Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

When mental health care is delayed, a young person may have more difficulty in academia and social situations. Therefore, it is important to reach young people to provide them with the skills to deal with stressors and mental health issues. The purpose of this project is to use mindfulness techniques to increase mental health literacy (MHL) and strengthen coping skills which can possibly assist students in building resilience to cope with stressors. By utilizing available mental health resources and learning coping skills, there can be a drastic change in the trajectory of a young persons’ life who struggles with stressors …

The Effect Of School Return During The Covid-19 Pandemic On Children’S Physical And Mental Health, Kaitlynn Craig

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Flashback to midnight on January 1st, 2020. It was New Year’s Day, the beginning of a new decade. Many were filled with excitement and hope to make this year the best one yet. Little did they know that their entire world would be turned upside down a short two months later with a worldwide pandemic, the coronavirus. COVID-19 has affected people in many ways. Some lost their jobs, others struggled to maintain their education virtually, and unfortunately, too many lost their lives. As a nursing student, fear grew while imagining the role of becoming one of the frontline workers battling …

Education On My Healthevet To Increase Access To Psychiatric Healthcare For Veterans, Roxann Hackbarth

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

Introduction: Access to mental health care can be challenging for many veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed the patient portal My Healthevet (MHV) to increase access to healthcare services. Despite this program, many veterans still do not take advantage of the portal. The goal of this literature review was to gain knowledge on benefits and barriers of using patient portals, identification of patients who use and do not use patient portals, and interventions to increase the use of patient portals.
Evidence Summary: The use of patient portals, including the VHA portal MHV, helps to increase interactions between clinicians and …

Using A Psychopharmacology Education Program To Increase Primary Care Provider Comfort With Treating Basic Psychiatric Disorders, Latesha Reed

DNP Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND: Almost 1 in 5 people have been diagnosed with a mental health illness but the supply of psychiatric providers does not meet patient’s needs. Multiple reasons contribute to this shortage and nurse practitioners are part of the solution. Even with nurse practitioners specializing in psychiatric mental health there is still a shortage. Primary care is where most patients first present their mental health issues.

METHODS: Literature review informed the development of the educational intervention presented to the primary care providers using a digital, asynchronous learning format. A gap analysis of organizational needs and weaknesses was used to determine the …

Hallucinogenic And Sedative Drug Treatment And Its Impact On Mental Health Nursing, Meredith Cherry

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Mental health nursing is a complex and radically changing discipline that must continuously adapt to evidence based practices, including the use of alternative options for the treatment of mental illness. There has recently been increased research into the use of hallucinogenic and sedative drugs for the treatment of mental illness. Hallucinogenic and sedative drugs were examined as potential treatment options for a variety of mental illnesses in the 1960s, although these trials were ceased by the government due to human safety concerns. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved trials to study the use of hallucinogenic …

Social Media And Mental Health In Adolescents And Young Adults: A Systematic Review, Dawn Ritter, Kimberly Ray, Celia Keefe

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of our project is to increase understanding of the link between social media use and mental illness in teens and young adults. Our objective is to write a systematic review of the literature to answer the PICOT questions: (1) In teens and adults, younger than 25 years, what is the relationship between social media use and mental illness? (2) In teens and adults, younger than 25 years, what is the effect of interventions, such as social media as a resource, on mental health promotion and well-being? The motivation for our project comes from the increased use of social …

The Effects Of Postpartum Depression On Children's Social Development, Delaney Besse, Margaret Williams, Danielle Spencer, Brooke Walters

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The increased incidence of postpartum depression has had significant effects on children’s social development. The purpose of this systematic review is to bring attention to the growing problem in such a vulnerable population. In addition, it was designed to shed light on the lack of research in this area of healthcare. The methods used to conduct the study include various peer reviewed, scholarly and evidenced based articles from databases such as Academic Search Complete, PsycNet, and Pubmed. Each article has been critically evaluated based on the following guidelines: a population group of children under the age of four, specifically maternal …

Anxiety Screening In Children & Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Using The Gad-7 Tool, Allison B. Reynolds

DNP Projects

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) can encounter a variety of factors that affect proper management of their diabetes, including mental health. Youth with diabetes have significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and mental health problems compared to the general population. Anxiety is especially prevalent. PURPOSE: The objective of this project was to evaluate anxiety screening of children and adolescents with T1DM during their routine diabetes visits. Specifically, to assess for any trends in anxiety levels and patient characteristics including demographics, insulin regimen and A1C levels. METHODS: A cross- sectional, retrospective review of ambulatory electronic health records …

Workplace Violence: An Urgent Call For Integrated Staff Education In Acute Care Hospitals, Nicole Bellisario

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Type II workplace violence (WPV) in acute care hospital settings has become an epidemic of costly proportions in the United States. Regulatory mandates and healthcare accreditation standards increasingly require healthcare employers to provide a safe and healthy healing environment for patients and a safe work environment for staff. Implementation of a comprehensive WPV prevention program depends largely on organizational culture, participation and commitment from key stakeholders, and readiness for change.

Context: The patient-clinician relationship has drawn urgent attention, as healthcare organizations around the world implement key components of WPV prevention programs. The clinical management of patient aggression …

Increased Discharge Compliance Through Mental Health Follow-Up, Robert H. Kirby

MSN Capstone Projects

Emergency departments are being strained to their breaking points as a result of the recent COVID pandemic. These departments are in need of programs that can help to reduce stress on not only limited budgets but also reduce the strain on their overwhelmed staff. One such strain on emergency departments and their limited resources is the readmittance of mental health patients as a result of non-compliance of the discharge instructions. The change project looks to address whether following up 10 days post discharge can increase discharge instruction compliance and ultimately reduce readmissions. The aim of the project is through the …

Promoting Positive Birth Experiences: Supporting Pregnant And Lactating Women During The Covid-19 Crisis, Marina Baig, Shelina Bhamani, Zohra Kurji, Lumaan Sheikh, Rozina Karmaliani

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, in January 2020. While international organizations and governments strive to strengthen the world’s emergency response mechanism to combat the pandemic, the public in general faces anxiety and fear. One of the most vulnerable groups is pregnant and lactating women. The pandemic has given rise to many apprehensions about the state of their health and well-being as well as that of their unborn or newly born child. A live Facebook session was conducted by a group of experts from a private university in Karachi, Pakistan, …

Knowledge Of Mental Health And Mental Illness Among Students Of Selected Health Professional Colleges, Henshaw Ekanem N S A Ms, Tessy Treesa Jose Dr, Asha K. Nayak Ms

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Introduction: For the effective delivery of mental health care, knowledge and awareness regarding mental illness has to be increased in the general population. Mental health has to be a concern for all of us, rather than only for those who feel pain from a psychological disorder. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of mental health and mental illness among students of selected health professional colleges. Methods: The research approach was quantitative and descriptive survey design was used. The population in this study comprised of 385 first year students of selected health professional colleges who were selected through convenience sampling. …