Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Hands-On Healing: The Role Of Creative Art And Clay In Happiness And Stress Reduction, Aria Mokhtari, Mahdi Ghasemi, Melika Eshaghian, Kat Bishop, Brittany Turner, Ryan Golshir, Ana De Faria Lima, Kaylee Stone, Soojin Lee, Jennifer Cooper

Symposium of Student Scholars

Stress and mental health concerns are increasing among students at Kennesaw State University. Creativity has gained recognition for their therapeutic benefits. This research investigated the impact of clay sculpting on stress reduction and emotional well-being. Through qualitative and quantitative assessments, we analyzed participants' self-reported stress levels before and after participating in clay sculpting. A pre-and post-event survey measured the impact of engagement in these activities. After evaluating feedback and statistical trends, this study can provide evidence supporting clay sculpting as an effective tool for enhancing mental well-being among students. Stress levels were assessed using numerical rating scales (a form of …

Assessing Healthcare Students’ Self-Efficacy In Disaster Response: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Aydın Şenol, Abdülkerim Adıyaman, Canan Birimoglu Okuyan

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Assessing healthcare students’ self-efficacy in disaster response is crucial for preparing them to effectively manage real-world disaster situations. This study aimed to assess the self-efficacy status of healthcare students in disaster response.

Methods: The data for this cross-sectional analysis were gathered from 498 healthcare students between November 18, 2023, and February 14, 2024, using an individual diagnostic form and the disaster-response self-efficacy (DRSE) scale. This scale is used to assess an individual’s self-efficacy in responding effectively to disasters, including on-site rescue competency, disaster psychological nursing competency, disaster role quality, and adaptation competency.

Results: The mean age …

Is Love A “Pathological Condition Of The Soul”? Joyce Carol Oates's Beasts And Rape: A Love Story, Nicolas P. Boileau

Bearing Witness: Joyce Carol Oates Studies

This paper seeks to address the question of Oates’s relation to feminist and gender theories by looking at two novellas published consecutively, Beasts and Rape: A Love Story in the beginning of the 2000s. The short texts share a common storyline based on rape, which is far from uncommon in Oates’s fiction. However, I argue that there is something very specific in these two novellas in the way Oates chooses to handle the testimony of the rape, both overtly and covertly, both in graphic details and in repressed forms of expression, giving way to a reflection on women’s vulnerable position …

Psychological Treatment Behind The Walls:Insights From The Inside, Rogelio Serrano

Psychology Division Scholarship

Repeated eras of mass incarceration, criminalization of marginalized communities, and substance use policies have created a revolving door of justice involved populations. The ever-increasing prison population has repeatedly become the largest contingency of mental health clientele for an overburdened mental health system. Those who work with formerly incarcerated individuals in the community often don’t know the unique set of challenges faced by practitioners within the system. Increased understanding and coordination of care can offer opportunities for sustained recovery and reduced levels of recidivism. In this presentation participants will learn about the unique insights on mental health treatment that can be …

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders, Hazem Alata, Hussein Bazzi, Saleh Al-Juburi, Angie Achkar, Liam Browning, Nicole Oska, Adam Chaban, Arash Javanbakht

Medical Student Research Symposium

Assessing Middle Eastern American Attitudes Towards Substance Use Disorders

Introduction:

Substance use disorders (SUD) among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations remain largely understudied, despite evidence of high prevalence rates and lower rates of treatment engagement. Unique cultural conceptualizations and beliefs surrounding substance use disorders may perpetuate stigma, further contributing to disparities in access to and utilization of treatment services. This study aims to explore the attitudes and perspectives of individuals from MENA communities regarding substance use disorders, with the goal of identifying and addressing barriers to treatment.

Methods:

An anonymous bilingual Qualtrics survey was administered, gathering responses from …

From Theory To Practice: A True-Crime Podcast, Lauren V. Peckham

Senior Honors Projects

The Criminal Element is an innovative, victim-centered podcast that bridges the gap between criminological theory and real-world criminal cases. The podcast is designed as an educational resource for undergraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice students, alongside general audience members interested in learning more about criminological theory. Through the lens of true crime, this podcast is an engaging exploration of foundational and advanced theories while avoiding sensationalism and exploitation, a prevalent problem among true crime media. Each episode connects criminological theoretical concepts – such as strain, social learning, and social disorganization – to contemporary and historical cases, providing listeners with accessible and …

Psychedelic Psychotherapy And The Mental Health Crisis: A Historical And Scientific Review, Dylan Kunkel, Neil Levens, Charles Schumpert

Senior Theses

The global mental health crisis continues to expose the limitations of traditional psychiatric treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As conventional antidepressants offer modest remission rates and delayed efficacy, interest has grown in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds. This thesis explores psychedelic psychotherapy through both a historical and scientific lens, tracing its roots from ancient ceremonial practices to modern clinical trials. It also provides context behind the neurobiological mechanisms by which psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, and DMT affect mood and cognition. These compounds appear to reduce default mode network (DMN) connectivity, increase …

The Weekly Assessment Of Child Behavior: Psychometric Properties Of A Behavior Problem Screening Tool, Matthew Young, Michael Moradi, Hans Kersten, David Bennett

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Role Of Eye-Tracking Technology And Software Algorithms In Enhancing Adhd Detection And Diagnosis: A Systematic Literature Review, Lauren E. Perkins

Honors College Theses

This systematic literature review explores the role of eye-tracking technology and software algorithms in enhancing the detection and diagnosis of ADHD. ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults, is traditionally diagnosed through behavioral assessments, which may lack objectivity. Recent studies suggest that eye-tracking, specifically focusing on saccades, fixations, and blink rates, offers the potential for more accurate and objective measures of ADHD. The review examines clinical trials, observational studies, and machine learning research to assess the correlation between ADHD and eye movement patterns. Results indicate that individuals with ADHD exhibit distinct eye movement patterns, which can be quantified …

Examining The Impact Of Depression And Anxiety On The Trajectory Of Executive Functioning And Processing Speed In Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci), Luke Vaartstra

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediary state between normal aging and dementia which is growing in prevalence in the older adult population. Trajectories for MCI are variable and can result in a variety of outcomes including a rescinding of the MCI diagnosis, progression to dementia, or a new state of cognition. The current study examined the impact of depression and anxiety on the cognitive domains of executive functioning and processing speed in MCI trajectories. Data was used from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set and included a sample of 2886 participants with and MCI diagnosis. Hierarchical linear …

Identifying Common Patterns In The Time Of Day Of Mindfulness Meditation Associated With Long-Term Maintenance, Ryan Fowers, Aurel Coza, Yunro Chung, Hassan Ghasemzadeh, Sara Cloonan, Jennifer Huberty, Vincent Berardi, Chad Stecher

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Forming a habit of practicing mindfulness meditation around the same time of day is one strategy that may support long-term maintenance and in turn improve physical and mental health. The purpose of this study was to identify common patterns in the time of day of meditation associated with long-term meditation app use to assess the importance of temporal consistency for maintaining meditation over time. App usage data were collected from a random sample of 15,000 users who had paid for an annual membership to a commercial meditation app in 2017. We constructed three measures of temporal consistency in the time …

Sources Of Well-Being And Cardiovascular Health: A Mixed Methods Investigation From The Midus Study, Julia K. Boehm, Monica Adams, Jennifer Morozink Boylan

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective

Methods

Investigating Biomarkers Of Anxiety Amelioration With Heterodyned Whole-Body Vibration Using Eeg​, Jaxson Bowen, Aaron Andrews, James Barber, James Fini, Erik Gardner, Lorissa Thorpe, Braden Ashcraft, Christina Small, Kyle Bills

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Probing For Intentions: The Early Readiness Potential Does Not Reflect Awareness Of Motor Preparation, Jake Gavenas, Aaron Schurger, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Voluntary actions are typically preceded by the readiness potential (RP), a negative midfrontal electroencephalography (EEG) deflection that begins ~2 s before movement. What cognitive and neural process the RP reflects and how it relates to conscious intention remain unclear due to conflicting findings. We investigated the neural basis and cognitive significance of the RP in a novel probe-based paradigm. Contrary to prior reports, we found that pre-probe RP buildups were not related to reported awareness of motor preparation. Computational modeling suggested that the best explanation for these results is via metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation. Reported preparation was also related …

A Compelling Case Of The Use Of Electroconvulsive Therapy In Severe Treatment Resistant Depression With Suicidality, Neha Narayanan, Ryan Tam, James Mead

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Treatment-resistant depression is a condition that occurs when an individual, experiencing major depressive disorder episodes, has failed the first line of treatment with medication therapy of adequate dose and duration. This is important to be addressed as there is a high likelihood of progression to having thoughts and an intended plan for suicide. Electroconvulsive therapy is a recommended option for those who have failed medication therapy, but it has been controversial in its use due to its stigma and side effects of memory impairment. Here, we present a case of a patient who had undergone several sessions of ECT with …

Clozapine Induced Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion With Peripheral Eosinophilia After Two Years: A Case Report And Literature Review, Emiliya Boriskina, Christopher J. Etterle

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

There has been a steady increase in reports of clozapine causing eosinophilic pleural effusions (EPEs). For an effusion to be classified as eosinophilic it must have greater than 10% eosinophils, and is commonly associated with peripheral eosinophilia. Numerous etiologies exist for EPEs, and symptoms include dry cough, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, and acute to chronic sputum production. The effusions are usually exudative and unilateral. When considering medication-induced EPEs, an extensive work-up should be done as it is a diagnosis of exclusion. If suspected, then the Naranjo probability scale can be applied. Despite the growing list of implicated medications, …

The Quic-Sp: A Spanish Language Tool Assessing Unpredictability In Early Life Is Linked To Physical And Mental Health, Sabrina R. Liu, Natasha A. Bailey, Sara Romero-González, Amy Moors, Belinda Campos, Elysia P. Davis, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Accumulating evidence indicates that unpredictable signals in early life represent a unique form of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) associated with disrupted neurodevelopmental trajectories in children and adolescents. The Questionnaire of Unpredictability in Childhood (QUIC) was developed to assess early life unpredictability, encompassing social, emotional, and physical unpredictability in a child’s environment, and has been validated in three independent cohorts. However, the importance of identifying ACEs in diverse populations, including non-English speaking groups, necessitates translation of the QUIC. The current study aims to translate and validate a Spanish language version of the QUIC (QUIC-SP) and assess its associations with mental and …

Perceived Stress And Coping Mechanisms Observed In Professional Master’S Athletic Training Students, Emily Madrak, Jennifer L. Volberding, Emily Madrak

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: With the shift in level of athletic training education, studies regarding undergraduate students, especially regarding stress and coping, are quickly becoming obsolete. Because of this shift, we sought to investigate level of perceived stress (PS) in professional master’s athletic training (PMAT) students, coping skills used to mitigate PS, and what coping skills form a relationship to alter PS. We observed these variables by gender, age, year in program, and curriculum delivery model. Method: We used a quantitative cross-sectional study online survey to recruit students who were currently enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited …

Scheduling, Stress, And Satisfaction: How Alternative Methods Of Staff Scheduling Can Stop Nurse Burnout And Increase Nurse Satisfaction, Cythia Anicette Adn, Rn

Posters

●Traditional scheduling modalities have been identified by YNHH staff members to have a negative impact on work-life balance, eventually leading to burnout. ●Studies have shown that burnout may lead to poor patient outcomes and increased turnover rate among nurses. ●In traditional scheduling modalities, management is often in charge of creating the schedule for the entire unit with varying input from staff. ●In contrast, self-scheduling has staff collaborate with each other to create a schedule with final approval made by management. ●Self-scheduling has been found in several studies to create positive outcomes in nursing satisfaction and work-life balance. ●Due to its …

1st Place Research Paper: Increasing The Accessibility Of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Tf-Cbt) For Adolescents With Developmental Language Disorder: A Pilot Study, Lauren A. Fillet

Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Library Research Prize

Research has demonstrated that adolescents with developmental language disorder (AWDLD) perform more poorly compared to typically developing peers on measures of narrative production.This limitation may not only impact education and social life, but also possibly post-traumatic stress recovery, as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) involves a Trauma Narrative production activity (D’Amico et al., 2022). A limited amount of research has been conducted on adapting TF-CBT for children with intellectual disability, developmental disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (D’Amico et al., 2022; Anderson & Cook, 2015). However, there is currently no available research explicitly addressing how TF-CBT can be individualized to …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Developing Staff Training Modules To Enhance Neurodiversity-Affirming Care In An Inpatient Psychiatric Setting, Haley Morris

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are admitted to psychiatric hospitals at higher rates and for longer durations compared to neurotypical individuals (Kuriakose et al., 2018). Externalizing behaviors, such as aggression and self-injury, significantly increase hospitalization risk, yet standard psychiatric interventions (e.g., traditional process groups) are often ineffective for this population. A key barrier is the lack of ASD-specific training among hospital staff (Siegel & Gabriels, 2012). This capstone project aimed to address this gap by developing and implementing an educational training program to improve patient-centered, neurodiversity-affirming care across all inpatient psychiatric units. The primary aims were to: …

Understanding The Experience Of Survivorship: Self-Efficacy, Emotional Wellbeing, And Post-Traumatic Growth Across A 6-Month Period In Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer, Shannon N. Hiscock

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Diagnosis and treatment can be traumatic, leading to declining physical and psychological health, but also a process of psychological evolution known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Self-efficacy is a factor that is associated with positive outcomes in breast cancer, including emotional well-being and post-traumatic growth. The purpose of this study was to examine changes across 6-months in biopsychosocial variables (self-efficacy, PTG, and emotional well-being), as well as the relationships between these variables, in an effort to identify areas for intervention early in breast cancer treatment to promote positive mental …

The Critical Role Of External Involvement In Supporting Adolescent Mothers Facing Postpartum Depression, Samantha Campopiano

Nursing | Senior Theses

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health concern for adolescent mothers, especially those without a reliable support system. The current research demonstrates the importance of a support system, effective interventions, and prevention strategies for easier navigation of postpartum depression. Some effective interventions researched were therapy groups, personalized home visits, and using social media platforms to deliver therapy. This research proposal aims to examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led educational intervention for postpartum adolescent mothers without support. A quasi-experimental design will be used, with pre-and post-test assessments using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to measure PPD symptoms in 100 …

Nightmare, Phoebe E. Bowen

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Psychological Impact Of Denied Blood Transfusions By Jehovah's Witness Parents In Pediatric Patients, Jaelyn Capablanca Braganza

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it is against God's will to receive blood from someone else, or to tamper with their own blood, influencing them to deny blood transfusions for themselves and for their children. Since minors are legally not allowed to make healthcare decisions on their own until they reach 18 years of age, this decision made by the parents to deny transfusions on the pediatric patient's behalf may create significant emotional and psychological challenges, potentially influencing family dynamics, mental health, and overall well-being. Understanding these effects, especially for the pediatric patient, is crucial for healthcare providers, social workers, and …

Forgiveness Of Self And Others: A Group Approach To The Treatment Of Ptsd And Other Trauma Related Experiences, Jarrod A. Mask

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Forgiveness is often misinterpreted as the act of forgetting what happened or offering one’s offender the ability to redeem themselves for their wrongdoings. This is simply not the case. Rather, forgiveness is the process of the individual making the unprovoked choice to release their resentment in their own voyage towards living a free and happy life without being imprisoned from the emotions un-forgiveness produces. Forgiveness, as it may be a necessary process for the individual is to attain a sense of peaceful acceptance and liberation from their pain, is not an easy process. Providing a peer-based support system in the …

A Happy Medium?: Using Image Generators To Explore Solution-Focused Art Therapy’S Miracle Question, Daniel A. Hernried

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This mixed methods, randomized, single-session study tested whether integrating text-to-image generations into Solution-Focused Brief Art Therapy alters therapeutic rapport and short-term outcomes relative to traditional artmaking materials. Participants were assigned by coin flip to create using either a text-to-image generator or convention media (23 per group), completing immediate and three-day follow-ups. Alliance was measured using DREAM (Dimensions of Regard, Empathy, and Authenticity Metric), and problems were rated pre/post; groups did not differ significantly on DREAM total or facets, and both modalities produced reliable pre-to-post reductions in problem severity. At the same time, process differences were pronounced: the AI condition showed …

Feasibility Testing Of A Web-Based Phq-9 Test For Student Depression, Israel Oluwagbenga Odugboye

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Feasibility Testing of a Web-Based PHQ-9 Test for Student Depression

Israel Odugboye

Student depression stands as a critical public health issue because it affects numerous young adults who experience academic decline, disability, absenteeism, productivity reduction, and suicidal thoughts. The general population shows a 10% to 15% lifetime risk of developing depression which leads to a twentyfold elevation in suicide risk for depressed individuals [3]. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) serves as a popular tool for detecting depressive symptoms and determining severity levels among students from different cultural backgrounds. The assessment contains 27 possible scores which follow DSM depressive symptom criteria …

Ketamine Infusion Treatment For Depression, Isabella Schwing

Capstone Showcase

Depression remains a significant public health challenge in the U.S., affecting millions of adults and contributing to both psychological and financial burdens. Major depressive disorder impacts approximately 14.5 million U.S. adults, with about 30% of cases classified as treatment-resistant depression. Traditional antidepressant therapies, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, often have delayed onset and limited efficacy, leaving a substantial portion of patients without adequate relief. Given these limitations, there is an urgent need for alternative treatment options.

Recent research has highlighted ketamine as a promising intervention for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment Resistant Depression. Initially identified as …