Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Animal-Assisted Therapy Among Children With Mental Health Disorders, Alysa Amelio

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Abstract

Background: Mental health illness is on the rise amongst children in the United States. Research is still underway about alternative forms of therapy to provide to this vulnerable population. One of the alternative therapies utilized is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of AAT on children whom have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

Method: An integrative literature review was conducted to include primary research that was peer reviewed, and completed within the last ten years. Data synthesis and analysis was completed to identify themes within the literature. The themes …

Strategies For Delivering Sexual Health Education To Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Megan Harris

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurobiological condition leading to cognitive and social deficits within individuals on the spectrum. Adolescence is a time of intense physical and psychosocial changes that prove difficult for youth with ASDs. As families work through this transition they try to navigate teaching sexual health to their adolescent with an ASD. Teaching should be done to promote health, healthy relationships, and to prevent victimization. Yet, parents report that they lack the knowledge and support to complete this task. The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize research on strategies for teaching sexual health education to …

Food Addiction And The Effective Treatment Of Adult Food Addicts: An Integrative Review Of Literature, Sara Bourque

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Abstract

Background: In a survey conducted between the years of 2011 and 2014 it was suggested that 36% of adults in the U.S. were obese with over 40.2% being middle aged adults. Obesity is associated with a number of comorbid conditions including diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Due to this it is one of the major factors driving up our annual medical care costs. It is also one of the leading causes of death not only in the U.S. but worldwide. With one third of the adult population in the U.S. being obese food addiction may very well be a …

Factors Contributing To Weight-Gain In Pediatric Psychiatric Patients: An Integrative Literature Review, Holly Ann Douglas Charles

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Obesity and excess weight occur more frequently in the psychiatric patient population. Inappropriate weight gain during in-patient treatment indicates long-term increases in weight. Children are particularly vulnerable to the ill effects of obesity with an increased risk of premature mortality and adult morbidity. Thus, it is imperative to minimize weight gain during psychiatric treatment. The purpose of this review was to identify factors contributing to weight gain in youth psychiatric patients, effective strategies to control modifiable risk factors, and the population that would benefit most from these strategies. An intensive review of literature was conducted. The search utilized multiple databases, …

Coping Strategies Associated With High Quality Of Life In People Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis: An Intagrative Literature Review, Alyssa Fitzhugh

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Background: People suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) face many challenges including physical disability, financial strain, and cognitive changes. While the coping mechanisms used to address these stressors can greatly impact one’s quality of life, limited studies are conducted to understand positive coping strategies used by this population.

Objectives: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to examine the types of coping strategies that have a positive impact on quality of life in individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted. The keywords “coping, coping strategies, quality of life, multiple sclerosis, and MS” were used to …

Evaluating The Role Of Community Advisory Boards: With Persons Who Inject Drugs In Photovoice Research, Nicole Pallas

Grace Peterson Nursing Research Colloquium

Background: The use of community advisory boards (CABs) is a source of leadership in community-based participatory research (CBPR); however, not all researchers have incorporated CABs, and others have restricted CAB involvement for feasibility purposes. Although there is literature about utilizing CABs in a variety of CBPR studies, less is known about the challenges and successes of working with persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) as CAB members in photovoice methodology, as well as their perceptions throughout the process.

Objectives: The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the role CABs play in photovoice research while determining PWIDs’ capacity to fulfill …