Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Simplicity Is The Ultimate Sophistication: Ume Lessons From Trauma-Focused Simulation, Victoria-Marie Berlandi-Short, Kelsey Yang, Jonmark Dolendo, Grace Hwang, Brianna Kuhse, Samuel Blees, Sherli Koshy-Chenthittayil, Brad Haubrich

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Simulation-based training has become essential in preparing medical professionals to manage high-stakes situations effectively before encountering them in real-life clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Cut Suit Week (CSW), a high-stress, trauma-focused simulation training for second-year military medical students hosted by Rocky Vista College of Osteopathic Medicine in San Diego, California. As members of the 2024 cohort, our team from Touro University Nevada (TUN) and Touro University California (TUC) sought to address three questions: (1) Does CSW improve confidence in managing stressful situations? (2) Does it enhance clinical and leadership skills? (3) Would similar training …

Quantifying The Impact Of Circadian Rhythm On Cognitive Domains: An Objective Assessment, Christian Mccormick, Angel Oliver, Neha Doppalapudi, Austin Gibson, Micah Kwallek, Bardia Movafagh, Samuel Park, Jutta Ward, Deborah Bell-Pedersen

Annual Research Symposium

This poster presentation explores the relationship between an individuals circadian clock and its effects on cognitive performance and overall cognitive function. By assessing the rhythms of multiple physiological parameters, this study aims to draw a connection with cognitive function in order to provide potential avenues for individualized treatments for those with disorders affecting cognitive function.

Investigating The Impact Of Shift Work On Circadian Rhythms And Health In Healthcare Workers, Dominique Gillette, Grace Godfrey, Jacob Godfrey, Angela Nguyen, Hannah Gewaid, Carissa Salamatin, Sharon Sengphanith, Samuel Park, Colin Burton, Neha Doppalapudi, Daniel Oraee, Deborah Bell-Pedersen

Annual Research Symposium

This poster presentation aims to discuss how working the night shift contributes to health risks through the disruption of circadian rhythm in healthcare workers. We hope to gain insight on the relationship between these disturbances and the circadian clock in order to establish strategies that optimize healthy lifestyles for healthcare workers.

Religion And Attitudes Toward Xenotransplantation: Results Of A Nationwide Survey In The United States., Daniel J Hurst, Luz A Padilla, Amanda Zink, Brendan Parent, Laura L Kimberly

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Religious viewpoints have been shown to influence the ways in which many persons approach medical decision-making and have been noted as a potential barrier to xenotransplantation acceptance. This study sought to explore how attitudes toward xenotransplantation differ among various religious beliefs. A national Likert-scale survey was conducted in 2023 with a representative sample in the United States. Religious belief was self-reported. Regression analysis was used to identify associations with religious belief and hesitations about xenotransplantation. Five thousand and eight individuals across the United States responded to the survey. The two biggest concerns about xenotransplantation across religious groups were the current …

Mindfulness-Based Interventions And Stress, Jacqueline Parker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose: Stress within the nursing profession is a substantial issue. Staff shortages, poor leadership, and even COVID-19 have contributed to an increase in nursing stress. Stress can negatively impact a nurse’s ability to perform at an optimal level while at work. The purpose of this project is to reduce perceived stress by implementing mindfulness-based interventions (MBI).

Background: The project was implemented in a twenty-three-bed unit that cares for the post operative pediatric population in Houston, Texas.

Methodology: A series of in-person and virtual educational lessons (eight total) on MBIs (with flyers) were implemented throughout this project. The Perceived Stress Scale …

02.17.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

SOP Research Day

Framework, Design, And Baseline Data Of A Collective Impact Initiative To Strengthen The Community Health Worker Workforce Ecosystem In Texas, Shreela V Sharma, Heidi Hagen Mcpherson, Jemima John, Rosalia Guerrero, Sisan B Tennyson, Deborah Banerjee, Nadia Siddiqui, Sheila Savannah, Peter Durand, Amanda Gao, Sean A Haley, Elisa Garcia, Jennifer Cofer, Adrick Harris

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The Health Equity Collective (HEC), a multi-sector systems-level collective impact coalition in the Greater Houston region, partnered with the City of Houston Health Department (HHD) to launch a 2-year effort to implement a comprehensive approach towards strengthening the regional Community Health Workers (CHW) workforce infrastructure as a pathway to advancing health equity. Our paper presents the logic model, methods, and baseline qualitative and quantitative data from this initiative.

METHODS: In the fall of 2022, the Health Equity Collective brought together a Network of CHW-employing or training organizations in the Greater Houston region. This Network was the working group of …

Perceived Healthfulness Of The Environment Of Communities With Low Income: Focus Groups And Interviews With Extension Nutrition Educators, Elder Garcia Varela, Jamie Zeldman, Jade Mcnamara, Jesse S. Morrell, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Melissa D. Olfert, Tandalayo Kidd, Kendra Kattelmann, Geoffrey Greene, Karla P. Shelnutt

Journal of Extension

This study explored Extension nutrition educators’ (NEs) perceptions of community members’ challenges and opportunities for achieving a healthy lifestyle. NEs represented various communities with low income across nine states. NEs across locations identified similar barriers (i.e., lack of access and availability of healthy and affordable foods; access to transportation; and financial insecurity) and opportunities (i.e., trustworthy and free nutrition education resources and programs; and access to food banks, food pantries, and health care professionals) that prevented or facilitated a healthful lifestyle. Future research should explore key community stakeholder and community member perceptions to guide the development of community-driven interventions.

Findings From A National Assessment To Support Implementation Of Cooperative Extension’S 2021 National Framework For Health Equity And Well-Being, Diana Charbonneau, Kerry Gabbert, Latoya O'Neal, Dawn E. Burton, Maggie Jones, Kate Katzman, Roger Rennekamp

Journal of Extension

Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-Being provides a roadmap for improving the health of communities. Core concepts include installing health equity a systemwide value and catalyzing community-level changes that ensure all people have an opportunity to be as healthy as they can. This article presents findings from a national readiness assessment for implementing the Framework across Extension. Results from a literature scan, national survey, and regional listening sessions identified internal facilitators and barriers to adoption. The article provides ideas for how Extension practitioners can engage in this work and shares an action plan developed from assessment results.

Blunt And Penetrating Trauma In Resource-Limited Settings: Challenges, Innovations, And Opportunities For Improvement​, Tallon Muhlestein

Annual Research Symposium

This literature review explores key challenges with innovative solutions to managing blunt and penetrating trauma in resource-limited settings. Healthcare gaps can be closed in resource-limited settings through technology advances and these innovative solutions.

The Development Of Teacher Identity In Counselor Education Doctoral Students, Wes Allen, Joel F. Diambra, Rebecca Gaylor

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Abstract

Counselor educators (CE) prepare counselor education doctoral students (CEDS) to work as counselors, scholars, leaders, supervisors, and teachers. While we have a firm understanding of how CEDS develop in general (Limberg et al., 2013; Moss et al., 2014), there is little known about how they develop specifically as teachers. The goal of this research study was to gain insight into how teacher identity develops for CEDS. We interviewed 10 participants using transcendental phenomenology methodology to gain insight into their teaching preparation experiences and identities as teachers. We identified three primary themes from the data: (1) Connection, (2) Confidence, or …

The Impact Of Medical Training On Student Health: A Pilot Study Of Physical Wellness, Nick Hill, Matt Hill, Braxton Bingham, Sara Beaudry-Wiltse

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Familiarity Of Psychiatric Terms Among College Students, Julia Pekala

CAFE Symposium 2025

Recently, there has been an increase in the usage of psychiatric terminology used among internet users. Terms such as autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are thrown around without an understanding of these words and their true meaning. These words are picked up and used in a similar context as any other internet lingo, in an ironic, joking manner, without proper consideration of their origins and meaning. Due to most content on the internet being unmoderated and seemingly endless, users are often faced with misleading information about real clinical disorders. The use of these words follows the …

How The Common Cold Impacts Learning, Catherine Mastroly

CAFE Symposium 2025

When someone gets the common cold, their ability to learn declines. As we know, symptoms such as coughing, congestion, and tiredness are present. However, many people may not know the extent of the effects of having a cold. In this paper, we look at how brain inflammation causes cognitive decline. Taking the functions of the brain while learning happens and linking it to the impact of immune response to the common cold in the brain, we are able to understand why and to what extent learning is impaired. As a college student, having this information is important in order to …

Increased Suicidality Risk Among Adolescents With An Active-Duty Sibling Or Parent In The United States, Andrew S. London, Kevin M. Antshel

Population Health Research Brief Series

Adolescents who have a parent currently serving in the U.S. military face distinctive social stressors and developmental challenges, and have higher rates of internalizing and externalizing disorders, substance use, and suicidality than adolescents who do not have an active-duty parent. Additionally, adolescents with siblings who enter the military are at increased risk of experiencing a major depressive episode relative to adolescents who do not have an active-duty sibling. This brief summarizes findings from a study that used data from the 2016-2019 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to examine whether having a sibling and/or a parent on active …

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation As A Treatment Modality For Functional Bowel Disorder And Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Possible Correlations With The Gut-Brain Axis: A Review, Lauren Draper, Devin Pfister, Ethan Zaugg

Annual Research Symposium

Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD), including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), are highly prevalent gastrointestinal conditions classified as Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions (DGBIs) under the Rome IV criteria. These conditions, marked by abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and significant psychological comorbidities, present substantial challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. Conventional therapies primarily target gut-centric mechanisms but often yield limited efficacy, underscoring the need for approaches that account for the complex interplay of the gut-brain axis in DGBI pathophysiology.

Anesthesia And Pain Management In Conflict-Affected Regions: Addressing Global Health Barriers To Access And Quality Of Care​, Naeel Uddin, Sierra Brown, Maria Easler, Ayanda Mkhize, Marwa Hamdam, Chandu Goli, Lauren Draper

Annual Research Symposium

This poster examines how to deliver safe, effective anesthesia and pain control in areas with limited resources and ongoing security threats. Focusing on portable technology, ketamine-based protocols, and telemedicine, we highlight ethical considerations, training needs, and global collaborations. Our findings outline a pathway to reduce suffering and improve surgical outcomes in vulnerable populations by addressing challenges unique to conflict settings.

02.10.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Community Engagement Recognition

Trends Of Opioid Use Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study Of The Veterans Health Administration, Andrew M. Gabig, Paymon G. Rezaii, Sean C. Clark, Bela P. Delvadia, Olivia C. Lee, William F. Sherman, Mathew Cyriac

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The United States Veteran Health Administration (VHA) cares for a substantial group of patients who are at higher risk of substance abuse in comparison to the general population. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine opioid consumption in the veteran population both pre- and postoperatively to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and (2) understand the risk factors that are associated with sustained postoperative opioid use. METHODS: A retrospective database study was conducted using the Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure database. Patients who underwent ACDF between 2010 and 2020 were identified and stratified into 3 groups …

Modeling Area Deprivation Index Using Non-Gaussian Fixed Rank Kriging, Edwin Kutsushi Mutimba

SDSU Data Science Symposium

The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) plays a vital role in identifying and addressing socioeconomic challenges, forming the basis for fair public health policies and resource distribution. This study explores the capabilities of both linear and non-linear statistical models, with a focus on Fixed Rank Kriging (FRK), to analyze ADI using data on U.S. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). The model’s predictive capability is compared with Generalized Additive Models (GAM) and Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS). The non-gaussian FRK provides a more comprehensive spatial analysis, albeit with higher computational requirements.

Exploring The Incidence Of Synthetic Versus Non-Synthetic Cannabinoid-Induced Psychosis: A Scoping Review, Ruaa Al-Juboori, Zachariah Francois, Precious Patrick Edet, Marie Barnard

Faculty and Student Publications

Cannabinoids, including synthetic and non-synthetic variants, are associated with diverse mental health outcomes including the development of psychotic symptoms. While non-synthetic cannabinoids such as THC are well-studied, the stronger affinity of synthetic cannabinoids for cannabinoid receptors may lead to more severe and unpredictable health outcomes, including acute psychosis. Therefore, the objective of this scoping review is to investigate if the literature reported differences in the incidence of synthetic cannabinoid-induced psychosis versus non-synthetic cannabinoid-induced psychosis and quantify these differences if present. Following the JBI guidelines for scoping reviews, we will conduct a literature search across multiple databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, …

Inclusive Space For Everyone Door Sign (Printable 8.5 X 11 Inch), Joan H. Robinson

Open Educational Resources

This is a printable 8.5 x 11 inch door sign for faculty, staff, and administrators to let people know it is an inclusive space for everyone. For improved visibility, print with a color printer and cut along the dotted line.

See also: 11 x 17 inch door sign.

Experiences Of Health And Mental Health Services For Immigrant Mothers From The Northern Triangle Of Central America, Lisa Dianne Vega

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of immigrant mothers from the Northern Triangle of Central America with access to health and mental health services in the Southern United States. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism developed by Lev Vygotsky in 1968, as it will seek to understand the greater contexts of the experiences of the participants, both currently, as well as the stories and experiences of their immigration journey. Central American immigrant mothers from the Northern Triangle face many types of traumatic events in their lives. These events began in their home …

The Effects Of The Repetitive Use Of A Position-Specific Loading Pattern On Lower Limb Asymmetry In Nfl Offensive Tackles, Kavan B. Latham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

American Football is a fast-paced, high-impact, collision sport associated with high frequency of injuries occurring through contact or non-contact, acute impact, or repeated stresses. This purpose of this short-term longitudinal study was to examine development of musculoskeletal asymmetries through a specific loading pattern used by the offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, strength and asymmetry changes in five NFL offensive tackles were analyzed pre- and post-training camp, with a focus on three key isometric strength tests: the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Test (IMTP), the Isometric Staggered Stance Pull Test (IMSSP), a Force Frame …

Wellness Literature Review - 2024, Bidhu Sharma, Martin Huecker, Brian A. Ferguson

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The Journal of Wellness has moved to a single calendar year editorial review of wellness literature. This annual review includes studies published in 2024.

Methods: Authors conducted a PubMed and Google Scholar keyword search, narrowing results to interventional studies / clinical trials in humans.

Literature in Review: We conducted a thematic review of a selection of relevant papers from the literature search. COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the rate of burnout and impacted well-being of healthcare providers. Need for intervention in this area has arisen significantly since the pandemic. Post pandemic, working conditions have been normalized to some extent, however, …

Investigating Mental Health Disparities In Rural Sexual And Gender Minority Adults: Protocol For The Rural Exploration And Approaches To Lgbtq + Mental Health (Realm) Prospective Cohort Study, Shoshanna L. Fine, Kalai Willis, Iaah L. Lucas, Kirsten F. Siebach, Jennifer L. Glick, Mariah Valentine-Graves, Savannah Winter, Michael Smith, Thomas Waltz, Gina Bailey Herring, Marissa Hannah, Holly C. Wilcox, Travis Sanchez, Stefan D. Baral, Sarah M. Murray

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) persons experience substantial mental health disparities throughout the life course, including increased vulnerability to depression and suicide. Few existing studies, however, have explored how pervasive experiences of SGM-related stigma, discrimination, and trauma (i.e., minority stress) contribute to adverse mental health outcomes among diverse sub-populations of SGM adults living in rural areas of the United States. This paper describes the protocol for a prospective cohort study, "Rural Exploration and Approaches for LGBTQ + Mental Health (REALM)," that will explore minority stress in relation to mental health conditions and suicidal behaviors among rural SGM adults. METHODS: …

Priming For Practice: A Teaching Strategy, Jennifer Tomesko, Diane L. Rigassio Radler

Journal of Dietetic Education

Authors present a brief educational teaching strategy.

Use Of Simulation In Dietetic Internships: A Qualitative Exploration Of Program Director Attitudes And Motivations, Theresa B. O'Reilly, Amy J. Nwora, Megan Whelan, Mary-Pat Maciolek

Journal of Dietetic Education

The use of simulation holds promise for the future of dietetics education for its use as an alternative for up to 30% of the 1,000 supervised practice hours for the training of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. Even more so, simulation is a teaching tool. When done well, simulation can challenge students in a safe environment where they can receive constructive feedback from expert guides and meaningfully reflect on their learning. The purpose of this study was to interview dietetic internship (DI) program directors on their attitudes and motivations on the use of simulation in their programs, targeting the heavily program-congested states …

Cover, Editor's Message, Table Of Contents, Diana Cuy Castellanos

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

Behavioral Science-Based “Nudges” Could Increase Physical Activity Among Adolescents With Adhd, Hannah Patnaik, Andrew S. London, Kevin M. Antshel

Population Health Research Brief Series

Children and adolescents with ADHD are more likely to exhibit difficulties in school, have higher rates of injuries and accidents and more family conflicts, and are at higher risk of depression and anxiety. Given the prevalence of ADHD and associated difficulties, there is a substantial need for effective ADHD treatment and symptom management. This brief summarizes findings from a recently completed pilot study testing the efficacy of behavioral interventions aimed at encouraging daily physical activity (i.e., steps measured with an activity tracker) among adolescents with ADHD in the Syracuse, NY area between March 2023 and June 2024. Results show that …