Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Evaluating The Prevalence Of Postpartum Substance Use In South Jersey, Hebba Ahmad, Joanna Petrides

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of substance use among women who experience postpartum depression. Looking at South Jersey women in particular, we aimed to compare the rates of women who began to engage in substance use after undergoing labor within the past one year who are covered by private health insurance versus those with Medicaid coverage. A retrospective chart review was performed, and although the small sample size limited our attempts at data analysis, it revealed that there is work to be done in this field. There needs to be methods in reducing the stigma …

Biopsychosocial Case Report, David F. Lo, Gaurav Kumar, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Ms. R, a 32-year-old Hispanic female, suffers from severe anxiety exacerbated by a car accident and past struggles with depression and substance use. Evaluation reveals hypothyroidism, mild anemia, and GAD as the primary diagnosis. Factors contributing to her condition include genetic predispositions, medical issues, and social stressors. Treatment involves pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and monitoring her physiological health. Research on wearable data for GAD severity offers potential insights for her treatment. A holistic approach, considering biological, psychological, and social factors, guides her tailored treatment plan for overall well-being.

Brain Connectivity Pattern Changes Associated With Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Prince Patel, Samrat Gollapudi, Brian Joseph Mathew, Bhaumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has shown promising therapeutic benefits for various psychiatric disorders, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of psychedelics on brain connectivity patterns using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using relevant keywords related to psychedelics, connectivity, therapy, and fMRI. Only studies involving major psychedelic compounds (LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) and measuring outcomes via fMRI were included.

The findings from the reviewed studies suggest that psychedelics induce acute disruptions in normal large-scale brain network patterns, leading to a compromised modular but …

The Impact Of Vitamin Supplementation (D, B12, B9) On Behaviors Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rohan Mehra

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: One in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although heritability of the condition ranges from 40 to 80%, other factors such as vitamin levels, may have a significant impact on the risk of development. These vitamins include D, B12, and B9.

Purpose: To assess the impact vitamin supplementation has on behaviors associated with ASD, and to determine which specific aspects of ASD may be improved with vitamin supplementation.

Methods: A literature review was performed. The search was utilized PubMed, JSTOR and Web of Science. Keyword strings included: “Vitamin D B12 B9 folate …

Doxazosin Immediate Release As Alternative Treatment For Nightmares In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report, Danyaal Khan, Christie Richardson, Martin Forsberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Nightmares and flashbacks are common debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can disrupt daily functioning in patients. Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been commonly used off-label for the treatment of PTSD intrusion symptoms, although its short half-life is limiting. Doxazosin, another alpha-1 antagonist, is starting to be investigated in the treatment of PTSD-related nightmares due to its smaller side effect profile and longer half-life. In our case report, we present a case of a patient with PTSD-related nightmares who was successfully treated with doxazosin following relapse of symptoms after discontinuation of prazosin. The success of doxazosin immediate …

Effect Of Food Selectivity On Dyslipidemia In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ankith Rao

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This survey-based study sought to determine whether there is a correlation between food selectivity and blood lipid levels in autistic patients.

Exploring The Connection Between Diabetes Distress And Diabulimia, Stephen Poos, Misha Faerovitch, Celeste Pinto, Nima Jamalkhani, Fahad Chaudhri, Satara Khan, David F. Lo, Kaitlin Mcgowan, Ashaki Martin, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Diabulimia is a disordered eating behavior that involves an individual with type 1 DM withholding insulin injection to lose weight. Diabetes distress, a term used to describe the psychological stress associated with managing diabetes, is believed to be the cause of this condition. This review aims to assess whether individuals with diabulimia have measurable evidence of diabetes distress. Studies that described patients qualitative experiences with Diabulimia were matched and compared to the criteria in the Diabetes Distress Scale. Over 40 of the 185 individuals across twelve studies were found to meet one or more criteria from the Diabetes Distress Scale. …

Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Expression In The Hippocampus Of Patients With Schizophrenia, Shruti Varshney, Ananya Nethikunta, Minjal Patel, Mary Kosciuk, Randel L. Swanson, Venkat Venkataraman, Robert Nagele, Eric Goldwaser, Nimish K. Acharya

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) is a heterogenous psychiatric condition characterized by disruptions in cognition, social activity, affect, and perception often associated with a varied combination of positive and negative symptoms. The pathophysiology behind SZ remains poorly elucidated. Earlier reports have cited the importance of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) in the hippocampus and the receptor’s association with auditory sensory gating and cognitive function. Specifically, variations in the expression and functionality of α7nAChR can be linked to auditory hallucinations experienced by patients with SZ and several therapies have been researched that target α7nAChRs. However, there are very few primary research …

The Association Between Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, And Social Determinants Of Health Among Accelerated Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Students: A Multi-State Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study, Kwanza Thomas

Dissertations

This study investigated the association between emotional intelligence (managing and understanding), empathy, and social determinants of health (SDOH) among accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) students. Despite the exponential increase in ABSN programs in the United States, little is known about the association between these variables among this nursing student population. A cross-sectional, correlational descriptive design was used to survey 104 students completing ABSN programs in Georgia, Mississippi, Philadelphia, and Texas. Participants self-reported their socioeconomic and programmatic characteristics using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Emotional intelligence (managing and understanding) was measured using two instruments, including the Situational Test of Emotional Management …

The Perceptions Of Psychologists And Speech-Language Pathologists On Intervention Methods For Selective Mutism, Abby Olmstead

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: This is a study done to evaluate the perceptions of speech-language pathologists, psychologists/licensed professional counselors and their thoughts on selective mutism intervention. These thoughts will be gathered and analyzed to be compared to speech-language pathologists perceptions to see if there are differences. The goal is to be able to see the overall most-shared opinion to better be able to understand the intervention involving selective mutism. Selective Mutism (SM) is a rare disorder as only 1% of the population is diagnosed with it. The purpose is to provide more education on the disorder and help various kinds of professionals better …

Psychiatric Clinicians' Perspectives On Pharmacogenetic Testing In An Inpatient Setting And A Proposal Of A Guideline For Patients With Extended Hospitalization, Michelle Dickerson, Jessica Lewis

Doctoral Projects

The purpose of this doctoral project is to enhance the understanding and application of pharmacogenetic testing among inpatient psychiatric clinicians. In addition, it proposes a guideline for PGx use in patients who have been hospitalized for a duration exceeding 90 days. In modern mental health care, psychotropic medications are extensively prescribed in the treatment of numerous mental health conditions. However, the use of psychotropic medications raises concerns among patients regarding their effectiveness and possible adverse reactions, leading to a lack of adherence to therapy. Over the past two decades, researchers have been exploring the effects that genetic variants have on …

Program Curricula For Preparing Medical Professionals On Early Childhood Mental Health, Socio-Emotional Development, And Adverse Childhood Experiences In Primary Care Settings: A Phenomenological Study, Jesutomilola O. Olayemi

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Primary care settings serve as the frontline for addressing the holistic well-being of individuals and particularly for children, they play a pivotal role in shaping early childhood experiences. Pediatric primary care physicians are pivotal in addressing the scarcity of mental health resources for children aged zero to five. There is limited knowledge regarding the competence of pediatric primary care providers in providing developmentally appropriate mental health care in early childhood. Therefore, this phenomenological study examined how early childhood mental health, social-emotional development, and adverse childhood experiences and their related screening practices were integrated into the curricula for preparing prospective pediatric …

Regression Discontinuity Designs Within A Latent Variable Framework: Measurement Considerations For The Accuracy Of The Treatment Effect, Sarah Hammami

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Regression discontinuity designs are valuable quasi-experimental designs, especially when randomized control/clinical trials are ethically or practically challenging. Latent variables are prevalent in the social, behavioral, and educational (SBE) sciences—measurement assumptions have to be tested and met when using such variables. Not meeting those assumptions leads to biased results and (likely) erroneous inferential making. One way to minimize the impact of measurement assumption violation is to use latent variable modeling such as structural equation modeling (SEM). Soland, Johnson and Talbert (2022) conducted two simulation studies testing the effect of using a sum score (when the assumptions for using such a score …

Fostering Futures: Serving As The Collegiate Mentor For The Utah 4-H Stem And Agriscience Ambassadors, Cassandra G. Ivie

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Combining principles of community engagement, psychology, and computer science, this project was created to apply academic knowledge to a community based need. Whereas girls have been shown to be less likely to believe they had the necessary qualities to study STEM (Merayo & Ayuso, 2022), report having learned about fewer STEM concepts by the end of high school (Merayo & Ayuso, 2022) and indicate higher rates of avoidance due to feeling incapable (Gallup, 2023), girls involvement in STEM was a primary focus for the project. As rural students also see a drop in STEM interest, have less access to advanced …

Integration Of Adverse Childhood Experiences In Adulthood Through Dance Movement Therapeutic Techniques, Kimberly Hoj

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Expanding knowledge about how to self-regulate when faced with challenging circumstances has the potential to benefit individuals and communities, especially in our post-pandemic environment with increasing needs for mental health support. This thesis provides a psychoeducational basis for use of dance movement therapeutic techniques to integrate adverse childhood experiences. The literature review refines an understanding of big T and little t trauma as it relates to mental illness, polyvagal theory, nervous system regulation, the window of tolerance, body armoring, somatic psychotherapy, trauma- informed care, adverse childhood experiences and post-traumatic growth.

This thesis culminates in a personal arts-based autoethnography informed by …

Functional Stereotyping Of Women’S Self-Objectification As A Function Of Life History And Body Fat, Vienne Howay

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Individuals prioritize different goals as a function of stability in their environment, oftentimes leading people to prioritize reproduction in hostile ecologies. From this shift in priorities, perceivers could develop heuristics about how women may attempt to attract mates. Previous research suggests that higher levels of body fat are more attractive to men with a fast life history. With this awareness of men’s preferences in body fat, high-fat women from hostile ecologies could be expected to engage in more self-objectifying behavior in the service of mate attraction or attempting present themselves as objects of affection to men. This study tasked participants …

Examining Theoretically Derived Mechanisms Underlying The Relationships Between Sexual Arousal, Alcohol Use History, And Sexual Aggression, Kailey Ann Richner

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Various interventions have attempted to reduce the rates of sexual violence perpetrated by college men; however, meta-analyses suggest interventions need to further evaluate theoretically derived mechanisms to improve outcomes (Malamuth et al., 2018; DeGue et al., 2014; Vladutiu, et al., 2011). To address this concern, the present study utilized the Integrated Theory of Sexual Offending (ITSO; Ward et al., 2016; Ward & Beech, 2008; 2006) to explore mechanisms underlying the relationships between sexual arousal, alcohol use history (AUH), and sexual aggression. Working memory, impulsivity, and affective forecasting paradigms were selected to map onto the ITSO’s neuropsychological mechanisms. The interaction between …

The Impact Of Authoritative Parenting Compared To Authoritarian And Permissive Styles On Long-Term Psychological And Behavioral Function Of Offspring., Brooke Washington

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Different parenting styles produce specific traits in offspring that are of direct relation to the chosen parenting style of the household. The goal of this study is to answer the question: What is the impact of authoritative parenting compared to authoritarian and permissive styles on long term psychological and behavioral function of offspring? This systematic review was conducted to collect and analyze studies relating to the long-term psychological and behavioral effects of offspring who were raised in one of the three most common parenting styles practiced: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. The authoritative parenting style is classified as establishing a warm, …

The C-Terminal Domain Of Minc Inhibits Assembly Of The Z Ring In Escherichia Coli, Gabriel R Fries, Sarah H Sperry, Tamsyn E Van Rheenen, Emma Morton

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Methamphetamine Activates Microglia And Increases Production Of Pro-Inflammatory Chemokine C-C Ligand 2, Colton Bredenkamp

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Methamphetamine (meth) use continues to increase in the United States despite the apparent health risks that involve neuroinflammation and brain damage. Because neuroinflammation underlies several substance-use and neurological disorders, we investigated whether microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, are activated and consequently increase production of pro-inflammatory chemokines such as C- C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in the presence of increasing amounts of meth. To address this, we exposed immortalized microglia cells (IMG) isolated from mature mouse brains to increasing concentrations of meth (0, 10, 50, 100, 500 µM) and analyzed for the expression levels of activation markers (CD11b …

Implementation And Effectiveness Of Stress Management Strategies Among Stem Students At The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dylan Hiser

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

High-stakes exams often induce significant stress among STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students, impacting their academic performance and overall well-being. As the opportunity for careers in STEM grows rapidly, understanding the stressors that students face remains critical in mitigating the effects of this stress and ensuring the success of these students. The objective of this study is to determine how well STEM students respond to recommended interventions that mitigate exam stress and to identify trends in these students’ exam scores. To accomplish this, a set of surveys was sent to undergraduate STEM students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The …

Physical Activity And Depression: Nationwide Evaluation Of Depression And Physical Activity In South Korea, Kwang Jun Kim, Jin Soo Kim, Dong Hyun Yoon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The relationship between depression and physical activity levels in adults in Korea was determined using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (K-NAESE). METHODS: Data collected from K-NAESE between 2014 and 2020, comprising 29,716 (male: 13,416, female: 16,300) participants, were analyzed using a complex sample statistical analysis by applying differential weight to the variables to analyze the relationship between depression and physical activity levels in an estimated South Korean population (50,881,242). Demographic factors were used as control variables while constructing an independent variable-by-variable fit model for the zero-inflated Poison Regression analysis of PHQ-9 depression scores, and a meaningfully …

A Systematic Review Of Mental Health Of Women In Fragile And Humanitarian Settings Of The Eastern Mediterranean Region, Fauziah Rabbani, Aysha Zahidie, Amna Siddiqui, Sanam Shah, Zul Merali, Khalid Saeed, Mohamed Afifi

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: The increasing emergencies and humanitarian challenges have worsened the mental health condition of women in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Aim: To assess the prevalence, determinants and interventions to address mental health among women in fragile and humanitarian settings in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines, we reviewed 59 peer-reviewed published studies (PubMed, IMEMR) and grey literature (WHO/IRIS) from January 2001 to February 2023, focusing on women's mental health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. We then conducted a descriptive analysis of the sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: Among …

Illness Perceptions And Health-Promoting Behaviors: The Buffering Role Of Resilience In Adults With Congenital Heart Disease, Taylor Rose Eldridge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are one of the most prevalent genetic abnormalities, impacting the lives of millions of children, teens, and young adults. Conservative diagnoses estimate that 2.4 million children and adults are living with CHD in the United States (Gilboa et al., 2016). CHD requires consistent cardiac support with multiple surgeries and hospitalizations expected throughout the lifetime, which significantly impacts psychological health. Specifically, patients present with a host of extra-cardiac conditions that impact their quality of life. With advancements in medical technology, mortality rates continue to improve for this population; however, individuals face a number of consequences that impact …

Standing Posterior Trunk Rotation With Adaptive Proprioceptive Toss, Jennifer Elvir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a remarkably individualized disease. Nearly every person’s trajectory is unique. One person may experience tremor at an early stage of the disease, while another may experience tremor at a later stage or even not at all. For all PD patients, for certain can expect increasing difficulty as the disease progresses. Parkinson’s disease is responsible for the loss of dopamine which displays itself most notably through motor and cognitive symptom disruption. Although Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive condition that is irremediable, significant strides have been facilitated to help control and manage the trajectory of the disease. …

My Daily Grounds: A Journal Of Creative Alchemy, Kathleen A. Donovan

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

My Daily Grounds: A Journal of Creative Alchemy is a project intended to renew artistic confidence and prepare a mindset for a writing retreat in Ireland in June 2024 by revisiting childhood memories and exploring the impact of early domestic abuse through a visual journaling process. This endeavor aims to stir up the creative voice and find authenticity in creation by gathering and clarifying personal data visually, following the Creative (CPS) approach to unlock new insights and ideas for writing. The resulting essays will illuminate the unseen effects of trauma and are intended for publication, reflecting a co-creative process between …

Examining The Effects Of Menstrual Cycle Phase And Hormonal Contraceptive Use On Women's Sleep, Charles Ethan Coombs

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Women overrepresent men for sub-optimal sleep, a consequence of hormone fluctuation in the menstrual cycle affecting sleep regulatory pathways. While research has examined the prevalence of sub-optimal sleep through cycle phases, little research has examined how hormonal contraceptives (HC’s) could similarly affect women’s sleep, while also neglecting to utilize subjective sleep measures. In this study, we examine subjective sleep quality among naturally cycling (NC) women, women using different HC types, and between active and inactive phase pill users by subjecting 463 women to a subjective sleep battery. We hypothesized that HC users would report more sub-optimal sleep than NC women. …

Comparative Analysis Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy’S Effectiveness In An Intensive Outpatient Program Setting, Efrain Frank Ellin Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a comparative analysis of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and treatment as usual (TAU) within an intensive outpatient program setting, evaluating their effectiveness in enhancing various dimensions of psychological well-being. Guided by two main research questions, the study investigates whether ACT demonstrates greater or equal effectiveness compared to TAU and if it provides more immediate effects on psychological well-being within three weeks. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, the research incorporates a comprehensive array of measurement tools to assess outcomes related to anxiety, depression, stress, psychological flexibility, cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, mindfulness self-efficacy, and life satisfaction among participants. The …

Examining The Effects Of Acute And Chronic Stress On The Interrogative Suggestibility Of Young Adults, Claudia Cota

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

High-stress situations, like police interrogations, can hinder an individual's decision-making and critical-thinking ability (Liston et al., 2009), making them more susceptible to suggestive or leading messages during questioning. While research on suggestibility mainly focuses on children and adolescents, young adults may also be vulnerable to suggestion because of their sensitivity to social feedback (Blakemore & Mills, 2014; Redlich & Goodman, 2003). Since the legal consequences of suggestibility for young adults are more severe than for children or adolescents, it is essential to examine the role of stress in young adults' suggestibility. The present study used objective and subjective methods to …

Wrath, Happiness, And Sorrow: The Impact Of Mood On Verbal Working Memory Capacity, Tyler Tyler Outlaw-Bradley

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study explored the effect of mood on memory. The experiment tested how emotional states (happiness, anger, and sadness) influence working memory capacity. There were a total of 33 participants (11 in each mood condition). The participants underwent a seven-minute mood induction process that required participants to write about a personal experience that was either happy, angry, or sad (matched to their mood condition). Then, each participant was instructed to complete a complex working memory task, which involved learning a set of words (varying in length from 3 to 7 words), completing a math problem, and then verbally recalling the …