Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons^™

Determinants Of Corporal Punishment And Severe Physical Punishment In Egypt: A Mixed-Methods Analysis For Child Protection Policy, Marwa Moustafa Nassef

Theses and Dissertations

Corporal punishment (CP) and severe physical punishment (SPP) remain a major public health, child rights, and child protection policy concern. In Egypt, despite legislative reforms, survey-weighted analysis of the 2021 Egypt Family Health Survey (EFHS) 2021 (CAPMAS, 2022) reveals prevalence rates of 60.5% for CP and 27.4% for SPP among children aged 1–14 (author’s calculations using EFHS-2021, n=7623), yet evidence distinguishing the determinants of routine corporal punishment from escalation to severe physical punishment remains limited in low- and middle-income contexts. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework, this mixed-methods study identifies key drivers of CP and its escalation to SPP among Egyptian …

Clinician Perspectives On Fistula Mental Health, Victoria K. Leonard

Doctoral Dissertations

Background – Obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury caused by prolonged labor that leads to stillbirth and incontinence, spurring social exclusion and isolation. These layers of trauma put women with fistula at great risk for psychological suffering, which has profound negative socioeconomic impacts on them, their families, and communities. This study captured treatment as usual at Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), the country’s largest provider of fistula care.

Method – Improving holistic fistula treatment requires engaging the clinicians who care for women with fistula. This study aimed to investigate the training, beliefs, and treatment approaches of nurses and …

Be Prepared For Your Nurse Practitioner Clinical Readiness Exam, Elizabeth Heavey, Renee Biedlingmaier, Colleen Burgoyne, Carnel C. Jackson

Milne Open Textbooks

This text contains case studies and review questions for nurse practitioner students; focusing on the 3Ps of nurse practitioner education (Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Physical (Health) Assessment) to help NP students prepare for their clinical courses and pass their clinical readiness exam.  It includes cases commonly seen in entry-level NP practice.  In addition to the three individual sections of the text that focus on cases applying content from each of the distinct courses (Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment), we included summative case studies at the end of the book that connect all three areas in a single case. Because these three …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Standardized Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tool In A Clinical Setting, Dylan Bogucki

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as any act of violence, including physical, sexual, stalking, or psychological aggression by an intimate partner, former or current. Despite being preventable, IPV remains a leading nonobstetric cause of morbidity and mortality among women, which highlights the need for systematic screening in clinical settings. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to identify women who have previously experienced or are currently experiencing IPV and to connect them with appropriate resources. Twenty-one studies were identified, all demonstrating moderate to high methodological quality and supporting the need for routine IPV screening in women’s health settings. …

Enhancing Healthcare Communication With Artificial Intelligence Translation Methods For Improved Patient Healthcare Satisfaction, Mireille Signe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) verbal translation improved communication-related satisfaction during routine nurse–patient interactions.

Background:

In the ICU, brief, frequent conversations with patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) often occur without timely access to professional interpreters, contributing to delays, improvised communication, and lower satisfaction. AI tools offer immediate access for low‑complexity exchanges but require evaluation for feasibility and effectiveness as a supplement to certified interpreter services.

Methodology:

Twelve nurse-LEP proxy patient dyads were evaluated using a mixed-methods design (8/2025-12/2025) in a 16-bed ICU during QI PDSA cycles. Standardized care communication scenarios were completed using the AI tool. Process …

The Effect Of Fall Prevention Programs With Hourly Rounding On Fall Rates Among Adults Patients In Neurological Unit, Oyinlola A. Ogundeji

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this QI project was to evaluate the effect of a structured hourly rounding program on patient fall rates in an adult neurological inpatient unit.

Background

Patient falls remain a major safety concern in acute care, particularly among hospitalized neurological patients with impairments in mobility, cognition, and balance. In an adult neurological unit within a Magnet-designated hospital, fall rates exceeded national benchmarks, underscoring the need for a targeted quality-improvement

Methodology

A pre–post QI design, guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, was implemented over 12 weeks in a 28-bed neurological unit. This intervention featured structured hourly rounding using the …

Bridging Ipv And Sud For Pregnant And Postpartum Women: A Case Report Of Interdisciplinary Programming In Mississippi, Catherine Poehling, Masoumeh Karimi, Chinedu Chukwu, Jerome R. Kolbo, Xiaoshan Gordy, Saijun Zhang, Matthew Morris, Andrew Voluse, Erin Dehon, Michelle Brassfield, Danielle Lahn, Lisa Slade, Deanna Howington, Kathleen Rhodes, Tearsanee Davis, Sonja Fuqua, Mary M. Wesley, Lei Zhang

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents in the U.S. South experience disproportionately high rates of bullying, discrimination, depression, and suicidality. Supportive and inclusive school climates are identified as key protective factors that can mitigate these risks and function as primary prevention against violence. This systematic narrative review synthesizes peer-reviewed research and high-quality survey reports published between 2015 and 2024 that assess school climate, mental health, and violence-related outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth with representation from Southern states, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 1,167 records …

Marital Satisfaction And Social Media Use: A Comparative Study Based On Addiction Levels, Fatma Ayhan, Elif Arık, Merve Gülsüm Saçan, Zehra Sevim, Esme Arguç

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

In recent years, the widespread use of social media platforms has raised questions about their impact on marital relationships. This study examined the relationship between marital satisfaction, social media use, and certain sociodemographic characteristics. This descriptive and cross-sectional study comprised 461 individuals residing in Turkey who had been married for at least one year. Data were collected using the Bergen Social Media Addiction and Marital Satisfaction Scales. Statistical analyses included t-tests, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis. Social media addiction was high among 16.5% of the participants. Marital satisfaction was higher among males, those who married at age …

Mental Health First Aid Training In K-12 Schools, Jenna L. Workman, Brianna L. Schierberg, Grace H. Sullivan, Erin Robinson

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among school-aged children has become a rising public health concern. Recent data indicates that nearly 70% of schools report heightened mental health problems among students, with anxiety and depression being most common (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024). The purpose of this capstone project is to raise awareness of mental health issues in K–12 public schools and to increase faculty and staff confidence in recognizing and assisting students experiencing mental health difficulties through nurse-led Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. Using Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory as a guiding framework, this project emphasizes the …

Atypical Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain Preventive Bundle: A Quality Improvement Project, Jocelyn Urbano

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) is a common, clinically significant adverse effect associated with second-generation antipsychotic medications and contributes to increased cardiometabolic risk among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI; Carolan et al., 2025; Hegde et al., 2024). Individuals experiencing homelessness or social instability often encounter additional barriers to maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors and consistent engagement in healthcare, further increasing metabolic risks and treatment issues (Hamel et al., 2024; Kelly et al., 2025). This preventive care bundle, designed to reduce the risk of AIWG, was implemented in an outpatient behavioral health clinic serving an underserved urban Texas population.

As metformin may …

Postpartum Depression Screening Among Hispanic Women: Insights From Epds Literature, Gabriella A. Irizarry Negron, Sara Moyer

Undergraduate Research Posters

Postpartum depression screening among Hispanic women remains an important but complicated issue, as differences in how the EPDS is used and current barriers to care may affect early identification and treatment. This poster, Postpartum Depression Screening Among Hispanic Women: Insights from EPDS Literature, explores how the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been evaluated across studies involving Hispanic populations. Using a literature review approach, eight peer-reviewed articles were organized into an annotated bibliography and matrix to identify key trends in screening practices and outcomes.

Findings revealed three major themes: (1) EPDS cut-off scores for postpartum depression vary widely across …

Dementia In Downs Syndrome – A Case Report, Clarita Shynal Martis Ms, Elsa Sanatombi Devi Dr, Panambur Venkataraya Bhandary Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Down syndrome, is a chromosome 21-related genetic condition, frequently manifests as intellectual difficulty, growth retardation, and distinctive facial traits. People with Down’s Syndrome usually develop Dementia, a major cause of cognitive impairment, impaired judgment memory loss in their midlife. The present report describes a case study of a female diagnosed with dementia in Down’s Syndrome. The report explores the challenges her parents faced in securing appropriate care when diagnosed with dementia and Down's syndrome. It aims to inform caregivers about the best practices for home care in such cases. It follows the woman's history from birth until her dementia was …

Association Between The Diet Of Adolescents In America And The Prevalence Of Depression Found Within This Population, Mary Hoffman, Belinda Asamoah, Fadeyemi Okewusi

Student Scholar Symposium

Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity increase the risk of chronic mental and physical health conditions such as depression and obesity in American adolescents. Depression is the leading mental illness found in adolescents across the United States and less than 1 in 10 children eat their recommended vegetables, only 16 % of adolescents meet U.S. physical activity guidelines, 36.3% consume fast food on a given day, and as many as 20% are obese. These numbers show a rapid rise along with the availability of fast food. Multiple studies examine the relationship between healthy nutrition and the signs and symptoms …

Moving Toward Healthy Ageing: The Role Of Physical Activity In Cognitive Function And Self-Esteem Among Older Adults In Türkiye, Canan Birimoglu Okuyan, Müjde Kerkez

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between religious attitudes and breastfeeding attitudes and the effect of this relationship on breastfeeding practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 251 older adults. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Spearman’s correlation and chi-square tests were employed for statistical analysis.

Results: Physical activity levels were positively correlated with both cognitive function (r = 0.546, p < 0.001) and self-esteem (r = 0.168, p < 0.05). No significant association was observed between cognitive function and self-esteem. Physical inactivity, cognitive decline, and low self-esteem were more prevalent among women, participants with lower educational attainment, those with chronic diseases, and individuals engaged in polypharmacy.

Conclusions: The findings emphasize the importance of integrating physical activity promotion into national healthy ageing policies, particularly in Mediterranean contexts such …

Standardizing Care: Strengthening Dka Protocol Implementation Among Emergency Department Nurses, Toni Joy Angelique Biliran Miculob

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The objective of this project was to address the inconsistent understanding and utilization of the Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol in a high-acuity emergency department within a large hospital system, where baseline survey results showed that 84% of nurses found the DKA order set confusing and only 15% felt “very comfortable” applying it.

Aim: The aim was to improve nurse clarity, confidence, and consistency in using the DKA protocol to support timely, evidence-based management of this high-risk, time-sensitive condition.

Methods: The intervention consisted of brief, targeted education delivered during pre-shift huddles across day and night shifts, focusing …

From Fear To Familiar: Decreasing Technology Anxiety Among Older Adults In A Senior Community, Regina Rayz

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Older adults (defined by the WHO as those 65 and older in developed countries) are more susceptible to technophobia than younger adults (Song et al., 2025). The fear and anxiety occurs with use of smartphones, tablets, social media, and telehealth and is associated with higher rates of social isolation and reduced autonomy. Technology-use anxiety is a preventative obstacle that inhibits both technology acceptance as well as overall health (Kim et al., 2023). Aim: To reduce technology-related anxiety among older low-income adults living in a senior residential facility in Richmond, CA by at least 25% using a brief, individualized technology …

Mental Wellness: Breaking Down Barriers To Mental Health Treatment For Veterans, Merita Dallta

Capstones

No abstract provided.

Compassion Fatigue And Burnout In Community-Based Psychiatric Staff, Faith Carini-Graves

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Community-based psychiatric staff, such as the Youth ACT teams that are being initiated across New York State, are at risk for compassion fatigue due to their proximity to the trauma of their patients. This literature review explores current evidence that is available on the topic and grapples with what can be done to support psychiatric staff who work in the community with patients who experience trauma.

Resonant Disruptions: Understanding Canadian Nurses’ Practice With Youth Survivors Of Sexual Exploitation, Danielle E. Giebelhaus, Andrew Estefan Phd, Rpn

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

The sexual exploitation of youth is a global concern. Youth survivors of sexual exploitation present to and require healthcare services, but most nurses do not feel effectively equipped to care for this population. There is currently little nursing literature to guide nurses in their practice with youth survivors. In this article, we report on a qualitative, hermeneutic study undertaken to explore nursing practice with youth survivors of sexual exploitation. Hermeneutics is concerned with understanding, and is a helpful way to conduct research when little is known about a topic. In this study, we asked the research question, “How might we …

The Impact Of Mindfulness Therapy To Reduce Disruptive Behavior In High School, Wendy Peters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this project was to determine the impact and effectiveness of Gina Biegel’s mindfulness techniques for stressed teens method on adolescent anxiety and the disruptive symptoms that lead to high school adolescents being assigned to detention. This project described a quantitative correlational design research project that investigated a small adolescent sample size, with a goal of decreasing the number of local high school adolescent students who are repeat detention offenders, by implementing Gina Biegel’s mindfulness techniques for stressed teens method on those high school adolescents who were assigned to detention. This was achieved by collecting demographic data from …

Screening For Bullying In A Middle School Setting, Paige Bernau

Dissertations

Problem: Bullied youth are two and a half times more likely to experience depression and three times more likely to experience anxiety and suicidal ideation than their peers (Li et al., 2024). Schools represent a key access point for mental health support and treatment for youth (Duong et al., 2020). Despite this, schools typically do not have formal bullying screening integrated into student support services.

Methods: This program evaluation used a descriptive, observational design to evaluate a bullying screening program in a suburban middle-school. This program used the California Bullying Victimization Scale (CBVS) to assess for bullying victimization (BV) followed …

Motivational Interviewing For Weight Loss: A Review Of Evidence-Based Outcomes In Overweight And Obese Adults, Marian Dover

Dissertations

Obesity is a significant clinical problem affecting 41.9% of adults in the United States, with profound implications for individual health and healthcare economics. Standard weight loss interventions, often limited to pharmacological treatments and dietary guidance, frequently fail to achieve sustained adherence and meaningful longterm outcomes. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated the integration of motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centered counseling strategy, into routine clinical practice at Innovafusion, a medically supervised weight loss clinic in Aubrey, Texas. The aim was to enhance adherence to lifestyle modifications, promote intrinsic motivation, and improve weight loss outcomes among adults aged 18–65. Using a retrospective …

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention And Intervention At A Primary Care Clinic, Atticus Madrid

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a massive health concern in the Spanish-speaking community. There is a high rate IPV, worsening by factors such as language barriers, cultural stigma, and the constant fear of deportation. Resent data underscores the need for standardized IPV screening and trauma-informed care, thus supporting early recognition and intervention. The aim of this Quality Improvement (QI) project is to increase IPV detection rate by 25% from March 10, 2025, to April 15, 2025, in an San Francisco community clinic using an electronic tool called a HITS (Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream) and by trauma-informed staff training. Methods …

Perceptions Of Perinatal Depression Among Immigrant Mothers: Screening Practices In Nurse Home Visitation, Silvia E. Arabia

Doctoral Projects

Screening for perinatal depression is a recommended strategy aimed at prevention and timely management of mood disruption in pregnancy and the postpartum (ACOG, 2024). Screening for perinatal depression is often integrated in evidence-based home visitation curriculums. The aim of this qualitative descriptive quality improvement project was to explore perceptions of perinatal depression among immigrant mothers engaged in nurse home visitation to identify barriers, if any, to disclosure and treatment of perinatal depression among a group at increased risk of developing perinatal depression (Gennaro, S., et al, 2016). Immigrant mothers residing in a large urban county in the San Francisco Bay …

What Is The Impact Of An Education Program Designed To Remove The Healthcare Professional As A Barrier To Care For The Transgender And Gender Diverse Community?, Richard D. Dansereau

Doctoral Projects

Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals, often due to implicit biases among healthcare providers. This study examines the impact of an educational intervention designed to address these biases and improve care for TGD patients. Using the Biased Care Model as a guiding framework, the intervention targeted three critical phases of bias: pre-visit assumptions, in-visit interactions, and post-visit decisions. Conducted in the intensive care unit of a mid-sized hospital in Northern California, the study employed a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design involving multidisciplinary healthcare workers. Participants completed a modified Jefferson Scale of Empathy survey to assess changes in cognitive and …

Psychoeducational Training For Community Health Workers To Improve Confidence In Providing Mental Health Services To Migrants, Nimota M. Akintoye

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

There is a higher prevalence of mental health illnesses among migrants. This minority group is faced with challenges in accessing healthcare due to poverty, stigmatization, and fear of discrimination. Research has shown that community health workers (CHWs) bridge the gap between the health and social service sectors and the patients by improving patient access to care and healthcare outcomes. A translational project was implemented to evaluate how psychoeducational training improved the CHWs’ confidence and knowledge level in providing mental health support to the patients and community members. Sister Calista Roy’s Adaptation Model was used to guide the study by incorporating …

Addressing Gaps In The Continuum Of Care: A Quality Improvement Project Focused On Adolescent Youth With Depression Symptoms At A School-Based Health Clinic, Leah Nigon

Theses and Graduate Projects

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to address gaps in the continuum of care for adolescents experiencing depression symptoms at a school-based health clinic (SBHC) within an alternative learning community school (ALCS) in southeast Minnesota. Adolescent depression rates are on the rise and are only exacerbated by systemic barriers and social determinants of health, requiring improved mental health care access. Guided by Madeleine Leininger’s Culture Care Theory, the project focused on improving follow-up care for students with elevated depression scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9-M). A tracking system was developed, and the SBHC nurse contacted …

Gad-7 Screening In Middle School Students: Evaluating The Effectiveness On Referral Rate Scoping Review, Bailey Hall, Cara Dennis, Kayla Drennen-Ferguson, Pamela B. Taylor, Laura Reed Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Cne

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The prevalence of anxiety disorders among adolescents, mainly middle school-aged students, highlights the critical need for practical screening tools to support early detection and intervention. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale is widely utilized in various settings, but its efficacy in this specific population remains underexplored. This scoping review examines the use of the GAD-7 in middle school-aged students, evaluating its reliability, validity, and impact on referral rates to mental health services. The review also considers factors influencing anxiety and identifies gaps in current research.

Methods

Ten articles, published in peer-reviewed journals within the past decade and involving human …

To Heal A Mind: A Comparison Of Functional And Conventional Treatments In Major Depressive Disorder, Gillian Chambers

Senior Honors Theses

Incidence of major depressive disorder is increasing year over year, with little able to be done to halt the spread of the condition. However, there are many treatment possibilities considered unconventional by the healthcare system. This thesis examines the respective benefits and risks, in comparison to one another, between conventional pharmacological treatment and functional, holistic treatment of depression. This was done via integrative review of available clinical literature, synthesizing evidence on both conventional and functional treatments for depression, as dictated by Whittemore and Knafl (2005). Exploratory search methods revealed 758 records fulfilling inclusion criteria, which were screened and narrowed down …

The Effectiveness Of Gad-7 Screening In High School Students, Tamara L. Smith, Allison Darnell, Margaret Harvey, Phd, Acnp-Bc, Chfn, Jacqueline Sharp Dnp, Aprn, Pmhp-Bc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

Adolescent mental health is a growing concern, with anxiety disorders being particularly prevalent among high school students. Left untreated, anxiety can significantly impact academic performance, social functioning, and long-term mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, highlighting the critical need for effective screening and intervention strategies. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a validated tool for identifying anxiety disorders, yet its application in high school settings is limited. This scoping review explores the effectiveness of GAD-7 in increasing mental health referrals and improving anxiety outcomes in high school students.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across …