Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Covid-19 And Mental Health Disparities In The Black American Population, Israel Taylor

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The current COVID-19 pandemic has amplified health disparities that have long existed for minoritized groups in the United States. There have been disproportionate effects on the mental and physical health of the Black American population, specifically because of longstanding racial, social, and economic injustices. To fully understand the current state of Black mental health and the extent to which COVID-19 has impacted it, we examine historical examples of unjust mental health practices throughout generations. We then explore why depression, suicidality, and other mental illnesses may have a profound effect on a community that has been made vulnerable to socioeconomic shifts. …

Through The Cracks: The Disposition Of Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders In The Post-Asylum Era, Briana Tillman, Erin Smith, Alicia Cho, Colt Kennington, Alexandra Kreis

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

This paper aims to explore current disposition options for patients with psychosis in light of shifts toward community care and changes in mental healthcare funding in the post-asylum era and to propose systemic-level improvements based upon local successes. It evaluates critiques of long-term psychiatric care programs, claims of transinstitutionalization to incarceration, shelters, and emergency rooms, and programs initiated to address deinstitutionalization. The authors conclude that while Assertive Community Treatment, Partial Hospitalization Programs, intermediate-level care, and housing interventions can improve outcomes for many persons with psychotic illness, a significant portion of these patients would still be best served in long-term psychiatric …

Psychological Well-Being In Childhood And Cardiometabolic Risk In Middle Adulthood: Findings From The 1958 British Birth Cohort, Julia K. Boehm, Farah Qureshi, Laura D. Kubzansky

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Childhood adversity is linked to poor cardiometabolic outcomes, but less is known about positive childhood factors. Using data from 4,007 members of the 1958 British Birth Cohort, we investigated whether children with greater psychological well-being had lower adulthood cardiometabolic risk. At age 11, participants wrote essays about their future. Two judges rated each essay for nine psychological well-being items (Finn’s r = .82–.91), which were combined into a standardized overall score (Cronbach’s α = .91). When participants reached age 45, nurses assessed their blood pressure, heart rate, lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein, which were standardized and summed for …

Profession Related Intra-Correlation Satisfaction Levels In Palestinian Physiotherapists: An Exploratory Study, Yousef Al Hamdan, Mosab Amoudi, Wael Abuhassan

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

Aim of Study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of job satisfaction of physiotherapists in Palestine and to how much extent those levels are intra-correlated.

Methods: Researchers used the cross-sectional descriptive analytical approach, where data was collected through a questionnaire. The target population was physiotherapists in Palestine. A sample of 60 physiotherapists was conveniently selected. Program of SPSS was used to analyze data, where means were extracted, in addition to percentages and standard deviations to answer study questions.

Results: The research results showed that the overall mean of the sample responses on …

Homoeopathy As An Add-On Treatment For Schizophrenia - A Case Series, S Karunakara Moorthi, Radhika P, Mohan N. Devasia

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a complex, progressive and severe mental disorder characterised by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behaviour. Conventional medication and cognitive behaviour therapy are used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Homoeopathy can also offer promising results in schizophrenia as evident from the previous studies. Case Summary: Five patients reported at the outpatient department of National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kerala, India, with symptoms of schizophrenia were treated with individualised homoeopathic medicine as an add-on therapy to conventional medicines. Assessment of the patients was done using three scales: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, …

Phq-2 Scores In Broward County’S Homeless: Prevalence, Barriers, And Proposed Solutions To Mental Health Disparities, Jeena A. Kar, Reeja Raj, Ariba Hashmi, Tahia Hossain, Joshua Berko, Joseph S. Degaetano, Patrick Hardigan

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

Introduction: Florida ranks 9th in states with highest prevalence of mental illness among homeless individuals. The state also ranks 43rd of 52 states in providing adequate access for mental health concerns in homeless individuals. This study surveyed people experiencing homelessness in Broward County to investigate utilization of healthcare and mental health resources and accessibility of the target population to adequate care.. Aims included a collection of demographics concerning homelessness such as age and gender, prevalence of mental illness, history of substance use and emergency department, and then correlating these with scores from a standardized depression rating scale (PHQ-2). Methods: The …

Anxiety Symptoms Among Extension Professionals' During The Covid-19 Pandemic With The Gad-2, Glenn D. Israel, Colleen E. Gariton, Harsha E. James

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are a common mental health disorder but often remain undetected and undertreated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Extension professionals have worked hard to address emerging issues that communities face, possibly impacting the amount of anxiety they experience. This study determined the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among Extension professionals in the United States. Participants from 24 states completed a survey containing the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item (GAD-2) screener. Almost one-quarter of Extension professionals had a GAD-2 score greater than three, an indicator of anxiety with a possibility of generalized anxiety disorder, which …

A Review On Psychosocial Distress Among General Population Of Pakistan During Covid-19 Pandemic, Anosh Arshad Chaudhary, Iqra Arooj, Amina Elahi

Journal of Bioresource Management

The COVID-19 crisis in 2019 significantly impacted human life all over the globe. Psychological health of general population has been affected by the unpredictable circumstances and impulsion of living in isolation, if suspected positive for coronavirus. During COVID-19 outbreak, escalation of various types of psychosocial distresses such as anxiety, sleep disorders and depression has been observed in the general population globally. Thus, there is an urgent need to combat these issues through well planned strategies. The focus of this review is to conduct a thorough evaluation of the available research on the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental status …

The Impact Of Trauma Subtypes On Ptsd Severity In Syrian Child And Adolescent Refugees, Liza Hinchey, Lana Grasser, Bassem Saad, Kathleen Gorski, Arash Javanbakht, May Chammaa

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background:

Child and adolescent refugee populations are at increased risk for psychiatric disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. Recent studies have demonstrated different symptomatology based on the type(s) of traumatic events experienced. Cluster analyses based on the Life Events Checklist (LEC) indicate three trauma subtypes: accidental/injury, victimization, and predominant death threat. Extending this line of research from adults to youth may lead to better understanding of the unique impacts of trauma subtypes on symptoms for improved prediction of risk and resilience.

Methods:

Refugee participants were recruited within 1 month of their resettlement in the U.S. Data used were …

Norepinephrine Regulation Of Spatial Memory Using The Barnes Maze In Male And Female Rats, Serena Simpson, Ali Gheidi Phd, Nareen Sadik, Cameron J. Davidson Phd, Shane A. Perrine Phd

Medical Student Research Symposium

The role of norepinephrine (NE) in learning and memory has been extensively studied, yet its contribution remains to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate the role of NE on spatial learning and memory in female and male rats using a Barnes maze assay. We used N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4), a specific noradrenergic neurotoxin that can cross the blood brain barrier, to deplete NE stores. We hypothesized that brain NE ablation would attenuate spatial learning and memory in rats. Loss of NE by DSP-4 was determined by measuring NE (and dopamine and serotonin) levels in several brain regions using HPLC. For the …

Individual Differences In The Criminogenic Effects Of Discrimination: An Exploration Of The Role Of Impulse Control And Callous-Unemotional Traits, Toni Walker

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The association between perceived discrimination and engagement in criminal offending has been well studied, especially in samples of minority (predominantly Black, Hispanic, and Latinx) adolescents. Several theories have been developed (Social Schematic Theory) and adapted (General Strain Theory) in an attempt to explain how harmful, discriminatory experiences may have an effect on an individual’s behavior. There may be variability in how an individual responds to perceived discrimination, however, but the moderating role of personality characteristics has not been explored. Impulse control and callous-unemotional (CU) traits are both established predictors of offending and may also relate to the mechanisms that theories …

Mobile Health Applications For Postpartum Depression Management: A Theory-Informed Analysis Of Change-Use-Engagement (Cue) Criteria In The Digital Environment, Alexandra Zingg, Laura Carter, Deevakar Rogith, Sudhakar Selvaraj, Amy Franklin, Sahiti Myneni

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common childbirth complication, with approximately 15% of postpartum women experiencing depression symptoms. Mobile applications have potential to expand delivery of mental health interventions. However, our understanding of how these tools engage women with PPD and facilitate positive behavioral changes is limited. In our paper, we analyze 15 commercial PPD applications to understand their role as facilitators of change, engagement, and sustained use. Applications reviewed contained an average of four theory-based behavioral change techniques, and highest patient engagement level reached was to empower patients through patient-generated data. Heuristic violations were identified in areas including user …

The Role Of Reported Affective Symptoms And Anxiety In Recovery Trajectories After Sport-Related Concussion, Bernadette A. D'Alonzo, Abigail C. Bretzin, Douglas J. Wiebe, Ivy League–Big Ten Epidemiology Of Concussion Study Investigators, Arthur C. Maerlender, Cary R. Savage

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Background: There is growing awareness and clinical interest in athletes with affective symptoms after sport-related concussion (SRC), as these symptoms may contribute to overall symptoms and represent a modifiable risk factor of longer recovery. However, evidence of their effects on the entire return-to-play (RTP) trajectory, particularly among women and men, is limited.

Purpose/Hypothesis: To examine the relationship between affective symptom reporting and RTP progression after SRC among a cohort of Division 1 student-athletes. We hypothesized that those endorsing affective symptoms, specifically nervous-anxious symptoms, spend more time in RTP progression and recovery.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: …

Age-Dependent White Matter Disruptions After Military Traumatic Brain Injury: Multivariate Analysis Results From Enigma Brain Injury, Heather C. Bouchard, Delin Sun, Emily L. Dennis, Mary R. Newsome, Seth G. Disner, Jeremy Elman, Annelise Silva, Carmen Velez, Andrei Irimia, Nicholas D. Davenport, Scott R. Sponheim, Carol E. Franz, William S. Kremen, Michael J. Coleman, M. Wright Williams, Elbert Geuze, Inga K. Koerte, Martha E. Shenton, Maheen M. Adamson, Raul Coimbra, Gerald Grant, Lori Shutter, Mark S. George, Ross D. Zafonte, Thomas W. Mcallister, Murray B. Stein, Paul M. Thompson, Elisabeth A. Wilde, David F. Tate, Aristeidis Sotiras, Rajendra A. Morey

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Mild Traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a signature wound in military personnel, and repetitive mTBI has been linked to age-related neurogenerative disorders that affect white matter (WM) in the brain. However, findings of injury to specific WM tracts have been variable and inconsistent. This may be due to the heterogeneity of mechanisms, etiology, and comorbid disorders related to mTBI. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is a data-driven approach that detects covarying patterns (components) within high-dimensional data. We applied NMF to diffusion imaging data from military Veterans with and without a self-reported TBI history. NMF identified 12 independent components derived from fractional …

Is The Phq-9 A Unidimensional Measure Of Depression? A 58,272-Participant Study, Renzo Bianchi, Jay Verkuilen, Sharon Toker, Irvin Sam Schonfeld, Markus Gerber, Elmar Brähler, Kurt Kroenke

Publications and Research

The PHQ-9 has become a measure of reference in depression research and clinical practice. However, the issue of the PHQ-9’s unidimensionality has not been fully elucidated, and the usability of the PHQ-9’s total score requires clarification. In this study, we examined the dimensionality, scalability, and monotonicity properties of the PHQ-9 as well as the scale’s total-score reliability. We did so based on exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) bifactor analysis and Mokken scale analysis (MSA). We relied on a total of 58,272 participants (63% female; Mage = 43, SDage = 13) from 29 samples involving seven different countries (e.g., Germany, the …

Stress And Resilience Among Resettling Refugee Youth: An Illustrative Review And New Applications For The Family Stress Model, April S. Masarik, Hailey Fritz, Vanja Lazarevic

Psychological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Some of the world's 84 million forcibly displaced persons (approximately half are youth under the age of 18) obtain legal refugee status, which allows them passage to resettle in new communities. Although much has been documented about experiences of stress and trauma among refugees, we know less about their resilience and coping abilities. Furthermore, a lack of an overarching theoretical framework hinders our understanding of the complete refugee experience, which includes stressors, but also significant strengths and resources. In this paper, we offer a unified conceptual model inspired by family stress, ecological systems, and resilience science that outlines hypothesized stress …

Benzofuran Derivatives Substitute For The Discriminative Stimulus Effects Of 3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Mdma) In Male Sprague-Dawley Rats, Candace Johnson

Masters Theses

4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is currently under evaluation in phase III clinical trials as medication-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is expected to be approved by the FDA for clinical use in the near future. MDMA is also a popular abused substance with risks for cardiovascular toxicity and neurotoxicity, particularly when misused at higher doses. Characterization of the behavioral and neurochemical effects of novel psychoactive substances is an essential step in the development of safer alternative therapeutic agents. Drug discrimination is a preclinical behavioral assay with pharmacological specificity for characterizing in vivo drug actions in the central nervous system. This …

Utility Of The Motivation To Change Lifestyle And Health Behaviors For Dementia Risk Reduction Scale (Mclhb-Drr) Based On A North American Sample, Angelina E. Witbeck

Dissertations

As the population ages, the prevalence rates of dementia continue to increase. Without a cure or promising treatment for dementia, the best course of lowering the prevalence rates of dementia is through preventative measures. Through an electronic survey, the study utilized the MCLHB-DRR scale to determine whether (1) gender, age, educational background, and socioeconomic status will impact the motivational factors to change lifestyle and health behaviors to reduce the risk of developing dementia and (2) direct experiences with individuals that have a dementia diagnosis are likely to impact one's motivational factors to change lifestyle and health behaviors to reduce the …

Preexisting Sexual Trauma And The Impacts On Psychological Well-Being Of College Students, Victoria Johnson

Dissertations

Childhood sexual abuse appears to be a taboo topic with a long history of being left out of the discussion regarding mental health in adulthood despite the varied and devastating consequences. The overall lack of research on this topic, especially regarding the college student population, can be considered a barrier to treatment for those individuals. The current literature review attempts to fill the research gap by discussing the epidemiology, prevalence, and description of preexisting sexual trauma in college students. The potential negative effects of preexisting sexual trauma and how they occur with college students were explored to highlight how pervasive …

Effects Of Chronic Stress On Safety Processing And Physiology In The Medial Prefrontal-Amygdala-Basal Forebrain Circuit, Itamar S. Grunfeld

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Chronic stress increases generalization of fear to non-threatening cues, a key symptom in numerous psychiatric mood disorders. However, the mechanisms through which stress impacts safety learning remain poorly understood. To probe the relationship between stress and safety learning, this dissertation employed multiple behaviors, in conjunction with in-vivo multisite physiology during explicit safety and fear discrimination learning. In Chapter 1, I outline the role of chronic stress in driving neurological adaptations that result in generalized fear and highlight how this occurs because of impaired safety cue encoding. In Chapter 2, I show that chronic stress in the form of social defeat …

The Life Story Analysis Of Those Suffering From Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Azalea Di Nardi

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the pervasive impacts of autoimmune thyroiditis, specifically Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease. To accomplish this, the life story methodology was utilized to gather individual experiences from 11 participants diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. The participants completed a background and general health questionnaire and 45- to-100-minute virtual interview disclosing their journey from the onset of symptoms, through diagnosis, to their most recent state. Themes were compiled from the interviews, which allowed identification of the largest areas of impact, needs, and future implications for practitioners and providers. Major themes identified were decreased quality of …

Psychedelic Psychiatry, Neil Harjai

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

We are amidst a 'Renaissance' in the field of psychedelic psychiatry. For several decades, following a period of promising research, governmental barriers and regulations halted any research into the utility of these substances in psychiatry. Over the past few decades, however, we are seeing a revival of these studies due to an abundance of positive findings as well as the need for improved psychiatric treatments. Studies have established substances such as psilocybin and LSD to be effective in treating depressive disorders, sometimes even more so than current 'gold standards'. MDMA is being recognized as a powerful tool, in conjunction with …

Making The Case For The Accelerated Withdrawal Of Aducanumab, Peter J. Whitehouse

Faculty Scholarship

U.S. Food and Drug Administration-s (FDA) approval of aducanumab (Aduhelm® in the US) as a treatment for mild cognitive impairment of the Alzheimer type and Alzheimer-s disease has raised such major concerns about efficacy, safety, FDA processes, and regulatory capture that Biogen-s license to market this biologic should be immediately withdrawn. Aducanumab has not demonstrated benefit to patients, failed to meet regulatory guidelines, and is likely to cause both individual and societal harm.

Screening For Suicide Risk In The Outpatient Electroconvulsive Therapy Population, Cerah Nagata

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

TITLE: Screening for suicide risk in the outpatient electroconvulsive therapy population

BACKGROUND: Reducing risk for suicide continues to be a national hospital patient safety goal. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and suicide rates have increased 33% in the last decade. It has been found that 83% of those who die by suicide received healthcare services in their last year of life, thus healthcare providers are uniquely suited to play a role in identifying suicidality. The Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is a validated tool developed by Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, and the …

Implementation Of Nola Pender’S “Clinical Assessment For Health Promotion Plan” To Increase Patient Self-Efficacy, Weight Loss And Health Promoting Behaviors Such As Improving Nutrition And Increased Physical Activity In Obese Women In A Weight Loss Clinic, Christine Ngwazini

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to review research-based studies on Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model for weight loss and implement the evidence. The goal was to increase patient self-efficacy, weight-loss, and health promoting behaviors such as improved nutrition and increased physical activity among obese women in a weight loss clinic.

Background: Obesity leads to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and premature death (CDC, 2020). From 2016 to 2017, 42.4% of people in the United States were obese (2020). Worldwide, over 650 million people were obese …

A Description Of Impostor Phenomenon In Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists, Jeffrey R. Darna

Dissertations

Background: Imposter Phenomenon (IP) is an evolving, multidimensional construct defined as self-perceived intellectual phoniness and professional ineptitude frequently experienced by individuals working in high performance or competitive environments. IP consequences include psychological distress, role under-optimization, and professional paralysis. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists (CRNAs) are at risk for impostorism; however, IP presence, intensity, and career effects are unknown.

Purpose: The study measured IP in CRNAs and determined the relationship between IP and select sociodemographic and practice variables.

Methods:

Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional correlation design measured IP using an Internet-based survey from a random sample of 170 members of the American …

Increasing Mental Health Literacy In The Black Church, Jonathan Allotey

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to increase mental health literacy, assess stigmatizing attitudes, and increase help seeking behavior in leadership within an African American church.

Background: The Black church has historically been a central institution for community support and leadership within these churches are often ill equipped to address the mental health needs of congregants. African Americans underutilize mental health services and are reported to have more chronic mental illnesses. Lack of mental health literacy may result in difficulty recognizing the risk factors, signs, symptoms, and treatments related to specific mental illnesses.

Evidence Based Intervention and Methods: Participating …

Female Sex Offenders: Double Standards, Sofia Enes

Kean Quest

This paper will discuss female pedophiles, rapists, and sex offenders, also known as female sex criminals, the double standards, of how they are viewed in the criminal justice system, how the medical fields view them, the psychological effects of their actions on their victims, and how the public views them. Unlike male pedophiles, rapists, and sex offenders of that gender; female pedophiles are not as readily identified as male pedophiles. Since female sex criminals do not always conform and fit the stereotypes that are more commonly found in male sex criminals, it is much more difficult for authorities to detain …

The Impact Of Exercise On The Mental Health Of College Students In The United States, Maryam Eltomy

Kean Quest

Student mental health and well-being are a significant and growing concern on college campuses across the United States. As a result, to better meet students' mental health demands and decrease strain on existing services, the current quantitative research focused on exploring the impact of exercise on a college student’s mental health. An online survey involving Kean University students was conducted and information was primarily gathered through an online questionnaire. Approximately, 40 students were randomly selected to participate in this research study. The results of the study revealed that participants felt that consistent exercise was beneficial in helping reduce their mental …

Shaul's "The Asd And Me Picture Book: A Visual Guide To Understanding Challenges And Strengths For Children On The Autism Spectrum" (Book Review), Susanah J. Wilson Hanson

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.