Mental Disorders Commons^™

Comprehensive Community Medicine, Alexander Walther

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Comprehensive Community Medicine (CCM) is a theoretical framework designed to address the complex needs of individuals with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance use disorders (SUDs). Dual diagnosis is highly prevalent, particularly among populations experiencing homelessness, and is associated with poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare service utilization. Structural inequities, including a fractured healthcare system, exacerbate the challenges faced by this vulnerable group. Research indicates that effective care for dually diagnosed individuals requires a layered approach addressing clinical, systemic, legal, and housing barriers.

The development of CCM has been informed by interviews with local stakeholders, including County EMS board …

Bridging The Gap: Fostering Open Dialogue On Resource Access And Service Needs, Cameron Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project investigates whether there are additional resources desired by clients or are needed to better support said clients in their recovery at the Interim, Inc. organization. This agency is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to build community connections through providing services to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. While there is a wide range of programs available, there may still be clients with unmet needs. The purpose of this project was to identify any service gaps by conducting separate surveys of clients and staff members. Through the use of open-ended questions, the expectation of receiving …

Psychometric Properties And Use Of The Indonesian Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Christiana L. Ticoalu, Samsunuwijati Mar'at, P. Tommy Y. S. Suyasa, Eric A. Storch, Wayne K. Goodman, Steffi Hartanto, Riangga Novrianto, Edo S. Jaya

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Presently, in Indonesia, the lack of a validated measure for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) hinders diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The current study evaluated the reliability, validity, and optimal cut-off score of the Indonesian Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (FOCI) in predicting OCD presence. The participants included 384 adults: 157 with OCD, 80 case controls with anxiety or mood disorders, and 147 healthy controls. Assessments were conducted using FOCI, Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Test–retest reliability of the FOCI was evaluated for over 2 weeks in 30 OCD patients. The internal consistency within OCD samples for the FOCI …

Effectiveness Of Interventions To Address Nursing Students' Mental Health: An Integrative Review, Aimee Dickson, Shelby Carter

Master's Projects

Background:

The rigors of the nursing school curriculum are associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, resulting in unhealthy habits and ineffective coping strategies that lead to initial difficulties in the academic environment and burnout as professional nurses advance into their careers. This phenomenon further burdens the already taxed workforce, leading to ongoing turnover and compromising care. This integrative review aims to look at what coping strategies have proven most successful in fostering nursing students' well-being, leading to lifelong practices that promote strength while addressing the rigors of academia and, later, the workforce.

Methods:

The literature review search …

Predictors And Diagnosis Of Adjustment Disorder In A Middle-Aged Patient With Cholangiocarcinoma, Zoya Gurm, Abbie R. Bauer

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical decision report using:

Hund B, Reuter K, Härter M, et al. Stressors, Symptom Profile, and Predictors of Adjustment Disorder in Cancer Patients. Results from an Epidemiological Study with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Adaptation for Oncology (CIDI-O). Depression and Anxiety. 2016;33(2):153. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22441

for a patient with recently diagnosed solid tumor malignancy.

Is Warmer Better? Examining Counseling Student Responses To Syllabus Tone, Angela I. Sheely-Moore, Leeann Cardaciotto, Krista Malott, Megan Krell, Carlos A. Flores

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Researchers in this quantitative study explored the impact of syllabus tone on master-level counseling students (N = 124). Findings indicate statistically significant differences between students’ reactions to syllabi language, with greater student retention of the content within the warm syllabus condition and more favorable perceptions of the instructor and their grading practices. Implications for counselor educators are included.

Acute Stress Activates Basolateral Amygdala Neurons Expressing Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Type 1 (Crhr1): Topographical Distribution And Projection-Specific Activation In Male And Female Rats, Robert J. Aukema, Gavin N. Petrie, Samantha L. Baglot, Nicholas W. Gilpin, Matthew N. Hill

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Although the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type I (CRHR1) signaling are both central to the stress response, the spatial and circuit-specific distribution of CRHR1 have not been identified in the BLA at a high resolution. We used transgenic male and female CRHR1-Cre-tdTomato rats to topographically map the distribution of BLA neurons and identify whether they are activated by acute stress. Additionally, we used the BLA circuits projecting to the central amygdala (CeA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) as a model to test circuit-specific expression of CRHR1 in the BLA. We established several key findings. First, CRHR1 had …

The "Ableism'' Behind Mental Health Professionals' Perceptions Of Support, Hideki Muramatsu

Patient Experience Journal

This paper presents the personal narrative of the author, an individual who has experienced personal and clinical recovery from mental health difficulties. Diagnosed with a mental disorder (NEUROTIC; ICD-10) during my university years, I endured cognitive dysfunction, panic disorder, derangement of ego, suicidal ideation, and depression. Despite these challenges, I have actively engaged in social skills training, supervised virtual reality content, led self-help groups, and published papers on my experiences. I will discuss my own experiences as an expert-by-experience and describe the tendencies of professional ableism consciousness that I encountered during my journey of recovery. Through the lens of my …

Kratom: A Narrative Review Of The Possible Clinical Uses And Dangers Of This Opioid-Like Plant, Amber N. Edinoff, Sarah E. Kaufman, Taylor C. Mahoney, William C. Upshaw, Jay Gong, Elyse M. Cornett, Kevin S. Murnane, Adam M. Kaye, Giustino Varrassi, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The term "kratom" refers to a plant species formally known as Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom is composed of over 40 alkaloids, a type of organic compound that contains nitrogen. These compounds work primarily via binding to opioid receptors expressed on neurons, where they stimulate signal transduction mechanisms involving the activation of G proteins. Kratom has been shown to cause both a stimulant-like effect and a sedative effect in humans. These studies have shown that use is highest among European-American, middle-class men living in suburban areas. Additionally, individuals who have a history of opioid misuse are also more likely to take kratom. …

The Personality Profile And Leadership Style Of U.S. Vice President And 2024 Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris, Aubrey Immelman, Anne Marie Griebie, Elise Vomacka

Psychology Faculty Publications

The paper presents the results of an indirect personality assessment of U.S. vice president Kamala Harris, Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, from the conceptual perspective of personologist Theodore Millon.

Psychodiagnostically relevant data about Harris were collected from biographical sources and media reports and synthesized into a personality profile using the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5-TR.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed in accordance with interpretive guidelines provided in the MIDC and Millon Index of Personality …

‘Foundations Of The Mind, Brain, And Behavioral Relationships’: A Combined Faculty And Student’S Perspective Of A New Textbook On Clinical Neuroscience, Richard J. Addante, Jahdiel Perez Caban, Sarah E. Smith

Psychology Faculty Publications

The textbook, ‘Foundations of the Mind, Brain, and Behavioral Relationships’ (Moini et al., Citation2023), is one of the newest textbooks in neuroscience to arrive. The market for textbooks in the field of neuroscience is competitive among several excellent comparators, but critical market gaps still remain to be filled, notably the area of clinical neuroscience that is both advanced in content but accessible to students. One of the reasons that this gap has existed in the field is precisely because it can be a very difficult a mark to hit: how does one present neurobiological content that is …

Psychosis And Personality Changes Following Traumatic Brain Injury, David Hanna, Sonya Priven, Nathan Carroll, Heba Ekladios, Adriana Fitzsimmons

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Psychotic disorders following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are a significant concern in psychiatry, with chronic sequelae often overlooked. The pathophysiology of post-TBI psychosis involves neuroplasticity and neuronal remodeling, potentially exacerbating vulnerabilities to chronic psychotic disorders. Differentiating post-TBI psychosis from primary schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions is crucial for appropriate treatment. This case report discusses a 63-year-old male with a history of TBI from a gunshot wound sustained in adolescence, who later developed schizophrenia. The report explores the patient's psychiatric symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, personality changes, and imaging findings. The report examined the complex relationship between TBI and psychotic symptoms, considering genetic, …

Neural Correlates Of Socially Rewarding Memories In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Kyle P. Blidy

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Significance. Memory disturbances for emotional content are central to PTSD, yet most research focuses on trauma memories. Recent evidence suggests that enhancing access to positive memories could improve mood, affect regulation, self-esteem, and integration of trauma memories. However, the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying positive memory encoding in PTSD are poorly understood. No study has examined memory for positive social items in PTSD, which is important because PTSD entails social withdrawal and reduced accessibility to positive memory. Additionally, positive memories embedded in a social context have enhanced subjective value and strengthening their accessibility may confer greater benefits to wellbeing compared to non-social …

The Role Of The Basolateral Nuclear Complex & Central Nucleus Of The Amygdala In Fear-Conditioned Responses To External Stimuli And Anxiety Responses, Oluwaseyi A. Adelakun

Senior Theses

This thesis reviews the role of the amygdala, particularly the basolateral nuclear complex (BLA) and central nucleus (CeA), in fear-conditioned responses and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). By investigating the neurological and physiological mechanisms that influence the amygdala’s fear and anxiety responses, further connections can be made between this region and other notable brain regions, like the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We review both human and rodent models to explore the overlap between the two and explore various therapeutic interventions that regulate amygdalar activity and therefore mitigate anxiety symptoms. Key research into the patient SM, who lacks fear responses due to bilateral …

Accuracy Of Nine-Item Patient Health Questionnaire Against Psychiatric Diagnosis For Depression Among People With Hiv, Marcela Yotebieng, Natalia Zotova, Charlotte Bernard, Suzanne Goodrich, Ajeh Rogers Awoh, Dana Watnick, Dominique Mahambu Nsonde, Elodie Flore Tchiengang Moungang, Moussa Seydi, Lukoye Atwoli

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) against psychiatrist diagnosis in people with HIV (PWH).

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected between January 2018 and July 2022 across five sites in Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, and the Republic of Congo. Participants were ≥18 years and receiving HIV care at the participating site. PHQ-9 was administered by study staff followed by a psychiatrist's evaluation within 3 days.

Results: Overall, 778 participants with complete data were included: 297 (38.2%) in Cameroon, 132 (17.0%) in Congo, 148 (19.0%) in Cote d’Ivoire, …

A Brief Review Of Zuranolone, Aubrey A. Jackson

Transformative Medicine

Zuranolone, a novel analog of allopregnanolone, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first oral medication approved for the treatment of postpartum depression in adults. Developed by Sage Therapeutics under the brand name Zurzuvae, zuranolone was approved by the FDA on August 4^th, 2023.¹ Zuranolone is a modified version of brexanolone (sold under the brand name Zulpresso), an intravenously administered allopregnanolone formulation that was previously the only FDA-approved medication for postpartum depression. Zuranolone offers a more accessible treatment option for patients with efficacy established in clinical trials. Its approval expands the …

Perceived Anxiety Disorder Stigma: A Predictive Analysis, Shawn Nabors, Richard J. Cicchetti, Gary Michael Szirony, Craig R. Blum, Sri Banerjee

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Anxiety remains one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders. Systemic barriers to mental health treatment persist. Research on anxiety is robust, although research on perceived anxiety disorder stigma is limited. The purpose of this quantitative analysis was to determine whether factors including age, gender, level of education, and presence of a diagnosable anxiety disorder condition would predict perceived anxiety stigma in a population of adults from the Midwestern region of the United States who were in treatment for anxiety. Based on Goffman’s framework, we used the Generalized Anxiety Stigma Scale (GASS) to determine the presence and level of …

Providing End-Of-Life Counseling: A Narrative Inquiry, Carol Hecht, Sibyl West

Adultspan Journal

This qualitative study aimed to address the gap in the research related to end-of-life counseling by exploring the experiences of counselors working with clients at end of life. While counseling literature and education are lacking regarding end of life, many counselors will work alongside clients approaching death. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to better understand the nuanced experiences of counselors providing end-of-life counseling and (b) to explore the supports and preparations helpful for counselors to provide end-of-life counseling. A narrative approach, using the Listening Guide (Gilligan, 2015), was employed to analyze and present the stories of three …

Considerations Of Medicare Telehealth Services With Older Adults, Sonah Kho, Amanda Dediego

Adultspan Journal

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic set in motion a rapid expansion of mental health services offered via telehealth. With this rapid expansion came the need to examine how policy and practice should be shaped in a future where telehealth is considered common in counseling practice. For counselors to understand how to support older adult clients in using telehealth services, they must understand telehealth policy. Following the eligibility of licensed counselors to participate in Medicare, counselors need to stay abreast of regulatory changes regarding restrictions and regulations on use of telehealth for mental and behavioral health services, including video and …

Association Of Right Ventricular Dysfunction With Risk Of Neurodevelopmental Impairment In Infants With Pulmonary Hypertension, Rossana Romero Orozco, Tazuddin Mohammed, Kerri Carter, Shaaron Brown, Stephen Miller, Roy Sabo, Meredith Campbell Joseph, Uyen Truong, Megha Nair, Victoria Anderson, Jie Xu, Judith Voynow, Karen Hendricks-Muñoz

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

(1) Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) increases pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular (RV) afterload. Assessment of RV systolic function in PH using RV fractional area change (RV FAC) as a marker directly correlates with mortality and the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, few studies have assessed neurodevelopmental outcomes. We hypothesize that cardiac RV systolic dysfunction with lower RV FAC is associated with worse neurodevelopmental impairment (NI).

(2) Methods: Retrospective study of 42 subjects with PH to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes in the first two years of life based on (i) subjective assessment of RV systolic function and (ii) RV …

Interoception In Pregnancy: Implications For Peripartum Depression, Paul W. Savoca, Laura M. Glynn, Molly M. Fox, Misty C. Richards, Bridget L. Callaghan

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

"In this perspective piece, we propose a novel mechanistic framework for peripartum depression in which improved interoceptive functioning in pregnancy and postpartum typically protects against depressive symptoms, but when there is a failure to improve interoception, the result is an inability to maintain metabolic efficiency, which ultimately poses risk for depression. First, we will review an emerging theory that links the modeling and predictive regulation of metabolic resources as central to the expression of many depressive symptoms. Then, focusing on the period of pregnancy to articulate the framework, we will discuss the physiological changes induced by pregnancy that place an …

The Performance Relationship Between The Eq-5d-5l Composite "Anxiety/Depression" Dimension And Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In A Large, General Population Sample, Emily Stella Scott, Erica I. Lubetkin, Mathieu F. Janssen, John N. Yfantopolous, Gouke J. Bonsel, Juanita A. Haagsma

Publications and Research

Purpose

This cross-sectional study aims to understand the relationship between responses on the Anxiety/Depression (A/D) dimension of the EQ-5D-5L and symptoms of anxiety and depression on the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 instruments. In doing so, we investigate the comparative performance of the dimension between diagnostic groups (i.e. anxiety (GAD-7); depression (PHQ-9); anxiety & depression versus none). We additionally investigate the discriminatory performance between sub-populations based on gender, age, education and self-reported chronic conditions.

Methods

19,902 general population participants completed a health survey in May/June 2020, from five European countries and the United States. Performance of A/D was calculated using the Area …

Postpartum Depression Screening In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit At A Tertiary Pediatric Hospital, Abbie Bates

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCREENING IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT A TERTIARY PEDICTRIC HOSPITAL

By

Abbie Kim Bates

Razel Bacuetes Milo, PH.D. DNP., FNP-C

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a treatable mood disorder with an onset at 1-3 months after childbirth. In the United States, PPD occurs at a rate of 1 in 8 women and as high as 1 in 5 women in parts of the country. In unique populations such as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), PPD rates can be as high as 40%. The treatment rate for PPD is 50% with a sizable percentage of …

Prevalence And Associated Risk Factors Of Current Hepatitis C Infection Among U.S. General Population And Injection Drug Users Aged 20-59 Years: Nhanes 2009-2018, Harun Mazumder, Md Faruk Hossain, Pratibha Shrestha, Sultan Mahmud, Maidul Husain, Rebeka Ahmed

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: The people who inject drugs (PWID) are attributed to high-risk groups for transmission of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of current HCV infection (CHI) among U.S. general population and PWID of ages between 20 and 59 years old. METHODS: This study utilized cross-sectional data from the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducting separate analyses for the U.S. general population, including PWID and non-PWID, as well as specific analyses focusing solely on PWID. The analytical methods included the estimation of CHI prevalence, Rao-Scott chi-square test to compare CHI-positive and CHI-negative …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Effects On Delinquency, Katherine Lank

Master of Arts in Human Services

Youth involved in delinquent acts are seen interacting with the juvenile justice system at an alarming rate. Adverse childhood experiences influence the development of behavior and chances of taking risks. Children who grow up in a household with an unfit parent, substance abuse, or mental health disorders are seen turning to delinquent acts for gratification. This can have a higher chance of poor educational performance, unemployment, increased law enforcement interactions, and long-term mental and physical disabilities. Searching literature consisted of finding external factors and their control on brain development and future adult behaviors. Research was conducted on the school-to-prison pipeline, …

Using Fink’S Taxonomy In Counseling Practicum And Internship Courses, Kailey Bradley, Emily Horton Phd

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Fink’s Learning Taxonomy expanded upon Bloom’s Learning Taxonomy to provide concrete suggestions on development of significant learning experiences. Limited research exists on implementation of Fink’s learning Taxonomy in counselor education curriculum. As such, this conceptual article illuminates how the integration of Fink’s Learning Taxonomy could be used by educators to develop significant learning experiences within counseling internship and practicum courses.

Stigma Reduction And Resiliency Training For First Responders (Srrt-Fr): A Feasibility And Initial Efficacy Evaluation, Thalia P. Nicholson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First responders, especially law enforcement, frequently encounter individuals experiencing substance use concerns. Previous research has documented that a greater understanding of substance use disorders promotes a decrease in stigmatizing perspectives. We present a novel approach to training law enforcement officers to improve their interactions with community members exhibiting substance use disorders, while also promoting their professional well-being. The present study sought to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Stigma Reduction and Resiliency Training for First Responders (SRRT-FR) in a sample of law enforcement officers, as well as its efficacy in decreasing stigmatizing perspectives towards substance use disorders and increasing …

General Psychology 2e, Will Stutterheim

All Open Educational Resources

General Psychology 2e offers an insightful exploration into the complexities of the field of psychology and all that it has to offer. This book provides a thorough introduction to the foundational principles of psychology, covering essential theories, research findings, and applications that illustrate the intricate workings of the mind.

The text begins with a historical overview of psychology, tracing its evolution from philosophical roots to its establishment as a scientific discipline. It then delves into essential topics regarding stress and mental health disorders and concludes with therapy and treatment approaches. It then covers research in psychology, biopsychology, consciousness, and perception. …

Exploring Complete Mental Health Screening Using Adolescent Self-Reports, Stephanie A. Vinal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study comprises two separate papers that ultimately aim to create and support the use of a new school screening tool to identify student risk for a variety of school-based problems as well as identify their individual strengths. Complete mental health screening refers to a process by which the entire student body of a school is administered a screening tool in order to cast a wide net and increase the likelihood of identifying any student at risk for behavioral, social, emotional, or academic difficulties. By identifying student strengths as well as their risk for problems, schools are better aimed at …

Genomic Data Science Approaches For Understanding Human Diseases, Snehal Shah

All Dissertations

The intricate interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and lifestyle acts as the multifactorial landscape of diseases. Understanding this complexity presents a significant challenge. Molecular insights into disease mechanisms, particularly the interactions of DNA, RNA, and proteins with environmental and lifestyle factors, have revolutionized disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. High-throughput technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, generate large amounts of molecular data, holding a wealth of knowledge. These datasets unveil the roles of genes and their interactions with various factors through analysis, shedding light on previously unknown molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, they facilitate the discovery of biomarkers crucial for …