Medicine and Health Commons^™

Gen Z Perspectives On Mental Health Service Interaction: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Reddit Discourse, Victor A. Aguiar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Compared to prior generations, Generation Z engages with mental health and mental health service interaction in distinct ways, frequently using social media platforms to share experiences, concerns, and opinions. Previous research has examined mental health discourse on Reddit; however, much of this work relies on inductive thematic approaches and offers limited focus on mental health service interaction and the factors influencing utilization. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examines how Generation Z discusses mental health service use through online discourse. Public Reddit posts authored by users identifiable as Generation Z, based on self-reported age, school enrollment, …

Socioeconomic Stressors And Their Association With Anxiety And Depression In Undergraduate And Graduate Students, Shreyaashri Selvakumar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a social determinant of mental health that may influence the prevalence of anxiety and depression in undergraduate and graduate students. Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often encounter financial, academic, and social stressors, which may contribute to poorer mental health outcomes. This study investigates the association between SES-related factors and symptoms of anxiety and depression in undergraduate and graduate students. Data were collected from a large national survey of students in various degree programs and included measures of financial circumstances, food and housing insecurity, access to mental health services, and other demographic variables. Symptoms of depression and …

The Knowledge, Experiences, And Attitudes Of Nurses Regarding Trauma-Informed Care For Sexually Abused Intrapartum Patients, Kayleigh Mcgraw

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Labor and delivery nurses care for women from diverse backgrounds who are preparing for a life-changing event, often marked by fear, excitement, sadness, and joy. However, 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape, and for these survivors, labor can become re-traumatizing. Many report flashbacks, dissociation, and a sense of “being back in the rape” during childbirth. Research further links prior sexual assault to unplanned cesareans, traumatic births, and childbirth-related PTSD. Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a framework to reduce these risks by encouraging providers to understand trauma, recognize signs of distress, and act to …

Sexual And Reproductive Health Access Among Racial/Ethnic Minority College Students, Srithanvi Pasunuri

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is critical for individual well-being, yet significant disparities in access persist among racial and ethnic minority college students in the United States. These inequities, driven by systemic barriers such as financial constraints, cultural stigmas, and inadequate campus resources, contribute to higher rates of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and poor health outcomes within these populations. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize existing literature on the barriers to SRH access for racial and ethnic minority college students, explore how cultural, social, and institutional factors influence service utilization, and assess interventions proven effective in …

Barriers To Postpartum Depression Treatment: Availability And Accessibility Of Maternal Behavioral Health-Inclusive Support Groups For Low-Income Populations, Radhika S. Venkatesan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The maternal health crisis is a prevalent and concerning issue in the United States. The lack of efficient availability and accessibility to health care services plays a significant role in augmenting this problem. One health care service that is often understudied is support groups, for prevalent issues like postpartum depression. Considering the socioeconomic burdens of low-income mothers, this paper analyzed the accessibility and availability of maternal health support groups across counties in Florida, with varying amounts of individuals below the federal poverty level (%BPL). Essentially, Florida counties were divided into one of four categories depending on their %BPL. A Fisher’s …

Toward Inclusive Care: Enhancing Lgbtq+ Adolescents’ Experiences In Primary Care, Rutwa Shah

Honors Undergraduate Theses

LGBTQ+ adolescents face significant inequities in healthcare access and health outcomes, yet little is known about how they engage with routine pediatric care, where parental presence and clinician dynamics often influence their ability to access affirming services. While prior research has emphasized the importance of inclusive environments and clinician communication, few studies center the voices of LGBTQ+ youth in clinical settings. This study explored how LGBTQ+ adolescents manage sexual/gender identity disclosure, trust, and communication with primary care clinicians. This study draws on data from The VIBES Study: Viewpoints on Improving Bonds Between Health Experts and Sexual and Gender Minority Youth. …

Barriers To Healthcare Utilization Among Undergraduate Students: A Gender Identity Perspective, Akhila Damarla

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The transition to college can be a crucial period of one’s life as one gains new and increased responsibilities, including managing their own healthcare. Although campus health services are available, undergraduate students have been found to often underutilize these resources due to barriers such as financial instability, lack of insurance, and identity-based disparities. While examining the current literature on this topic,there is a gap in exploring how the role of gender identity interacts with these barriers. This study addresses this gap by analyzing secondary data from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA). Results revealed that transgender …

Determining The Differences Of Racial Microaggressions Faced By Multiracial Versus Monoracial Minority Patients Within Healthcare Settings, Elizabeth S. Ommi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the disadvantages that multiracial patients face when seeking healthcare in the United States in comparison to the disadvantages encountered by monoracial minority patients. Specifically, this study mainly focuses on the impacts of racial microaggressions within such medical settings. This was explored using a critical discourse analysis, analyzing discourse presented from past research published from 2014 to 2023. Discourse was collected based on its relevancy to the given topic and was analyzed to identify general disadvantages presented for each subpopulation. It was found that multiracial patients face different disadvantages when receiving medical care in comparison to monoracial minority …

Effects Of Language Differences On Healthcare Barriers Experienced By Arab Americans, Abigail Yazdiya

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study analyzes the effects of language differences on healthcare services for Arab Americans. The research specifically investigates the subpopulation of ESL (English Second Language)/bilingual Arab Americans, in order to learn about the effect of a lack of interpretation services and therefore the use of family translators on healthcare treatment. There has been a lack of research on this growing population in the United States. Language barriers can hinder the already difficult process of healthcare. These barriers, combined with other barriers, such as cultural factors, can negatively affect healthcare treatment and outcomes. This study uses surveys to reach people in …

Ivermectin On Twitter: Investigating Early Advocacy For Covid-19 Vaccine Alternatives, Daniel Gabriel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

An emerging pattern of public doubt in scientific and political authorities has been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where numerous alternatives to vaccinations have gone viral. Ivermectin's growth from a relatively known specialist drug to a political controversy is a striking example of the amplification that social media can provide. Doubt in the dangers of illness has occurred in regard to previous diseases with limited impact, including the Zika virus, Ebola, and H1N1. However, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact in the United States is a much larger example of the gaps in current risk assessments and methods of public health authorities. …

An Analysis Of The Role Of Fentanyl In Fatal Overdoses In Orange County, Logan Michalski

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Fentanyl is a potent narcotic analgesic that leads to countless overdoses each year. Past studies have shown that fentanyl use has been growing substantially in counties within Florida. However, little research has been done to quantify and analyze rates of fentanyl overdose within Orange County, particularly over multiple year periods of time. The goal of this study is to provide information and analysis on the rates of fentanyl overdose within Orange County, Florida from 2019 to 2021, and to explore demographic factors that correlate with fentanyl overdose. It is hypothesized that the rate of fentanyl overdoses will have significantly increased …

Provider Perceptions On The Usage Of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy To Influence Behavior Change In Individuals With Substance Use Disorders, Leia T. Rausch

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Recent research studies and clinical trials have suggested that psychedelic therapy with psychological support can offer beneficial and synergistic effects in reducing or eliminating substance use disorder (SUD) patterns and symptoms. However, very little is known about SUD healthcare providers' perceptions of the usage of psychedelic-assisted therapy in SUD treatment. The present study assesses biomedical SUD healthcare providers' perceptions and concerns to better understand potential barriers to the effective implementation of psychedelic-based therapies and formulate further recommendations for research efforts surrounding them. This study collected data through a short survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews from nine participants involved in SUD …

Advocacy With Context: The Role Of Pediatricians In Breastfeeding Success, Sanya Bansal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Although the importance of breastfeeding is almost universally accepted, the rates of breastfeeding are improving very slowly. The current literature provides much insight as to how medical professionals such as obstetricians and lactation specialists could improve the rates of breastfeeding. The pediatrician could encourage breastfeeding at a prime opportunity: during post-natal visits. Unfortunately, there is limited research on what role the pediatrician plays in breastfeeding success. This study used in-depth, qualitative interviews from four pediatricians to gather data on the true role of the pediatrician in breastfeeding. These pediatricians were selected based on the diverse patient population they serve, considering …

Addressing Medical Mistrust Within The Black Community To Improve Their Health Ourcomes, Jillian Weathington

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mistrust of the healthcare system is increased among the Black population compared to other race/ethnicity groups. Medical mistrust can lead to intensified health inequities and negative health outcomes among this population. Currently, there is limited research that explores ways to address medical mistrust, especially among the Black population. This study investigated medical mistrust to find ways to improve the quality of life amongst the Black population. Twenty-one participants in this study completed a Group Based Medical Mistrust Survey and five of those participants participated in a semi-structured interview. Descriptive and correlation analyses were conducted. The GBMMS was separated into three …

Healthcare Access And Experiences Among Transgender University Students, Micah Reisner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background

As transgender identification rises in younger generations, it is imperative that colleges and universities account for the health and wellbeing of this growing subset of the student body. Previous research indicates that transgender populations experience unique barriers to accessing healthcare, including socioeconomic barriers and a lack of healthcare providers experienced in transgender medicine. These barriers contribute to low rates of healthcare utilization and significant health disparities in transgender populations.

Methods

A community health assessment of transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) students at the University of Central Florida was conducted in order to assess: (1) students' access to and experiences with …

Diabetes Mellitus Among Black/African Americans: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Epigenetic Research, Eliana Jacobs

Honors Undergraduate Theses

During their lifetime, Black/African Americans have a higher likelihood of developing the diabetes mellitus metabolic disorder than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. While research indicates that socioeconomic status, diet, and obesity factor into race disparities, the epigenetics field additionally identifies historical and contemporary racism as contributors to race disparities. This study is a qualitative analysis that examines a sample of health science research articles that use an epigenetics approach to understand diabetes among Black/African Americans. I analyzed the extent and mechanisms through which articles subtly reproduce dominant stereotypes of Black/African Americans and diabetes through representations of …

Success Among Incarcerated Mothers Seeking Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder, Brinna Desai

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a type of substance use disorder characterized by repeated use of opioid drugs. These drugs are known to be rapidly addictive with severe withdrawal symptoms, making death due to overdose a rising concern. In this study, we took a closer look at a specific population of women, all of whom had children and were incarcerated for opioid use. Our goal was to better understand the factors that would impact success among this group seeking medication-assisted treatment for OUD. We developed a set of questions focused on a variety of factors including stigma surrounding the disorder, …

Sense Of Support: The Impact Of Healthcare Encounters On The Breastfeeding Experiences Of African American Mothers, Olivia M. Rauls

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Although many studies have found a substantial racial disparity in infant feeding habits, the factors contributing to this unique disparity and potential solutions remain unknown. The general importance of social interactions and medical interventions in successful breastfeeding has been studied, but little research addresses the specific experiences of breastfeeding Black mothers interacting with their medical providers. This paper examines the perspectives of Black women with breastfed infants on their encounters with healthcare providers during prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods. Using qualitative data from 22 in-depth interviews addressing infant feeding decisions and experiences, this paper analyzes the link between healthcare interactions …

The Impact Of Emotional Support On Identity In Breast Cancer Survivors, Sakinah Dewji

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact that breast cancer has on identity and how emotional support affects identity formation in women after cancer diagnosis and treatment. While there is much research on the medical treatment of breast cancer and the impact it has on women, there is a gap in research on the identity construction of women who have gone through breast cancer and the impact of emotional support for them during and after treatment. This is an important aspect of research as demonstrated by the rising number of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year. …

Does Medical Racism Influence Medical Mistrust In The Black Community?, Danielle Forrest

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mistrust in the medical field can be generated through experiences of racism and discrimination during interactions with members of the medical community. Black and African American individuals find themselves facing increased rates of morbidity including heart disease, and diabetes, and increased rates of mortality as compared to White individuals yet are treated less frequently and to a lesser extent. This thesis examines the mistrust black people have towards the medical field, as well as differences within the black community in terms of experiences with medical racism. In order to collect this information, I created a survey that enquires about race …

Social Stigma, Public Health, And Addiction In Albania, Ediola Malkouari

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Drug use is considered in many countries the plague of today's society. Researchers from medical, psychological and sociological fields, as well as lawmakers, are interested in finding more answers to this widespread phenomenon. All over the world there are known conflicts related to drug producing, transportation routes and distribution, that harm the economy and social standing of the involved communities or countries. Policies towards drug use vary from country to country, but this research focuses on how stigma affects the lives of individuals suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) in Albania. Substance use disorder is not often considered a disease, …

African American Mothers' Narratives Of Breastfeeding Support From Healthcare Providers, Tessa Treadwell

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Research indicates that African American women breastfeed at the lowest rates of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. Breastfeeding has shown to have numerous health benefits for both mother and baby, making the lower rates of breastfeeding among African Americans a public health concern. Racial disparities in healthcare may contribute to these discrepancies. This research will analyze the perceptions of information and social support for breastfeeding provided by healthcare providers among a sample of African American mothers who breastfed their babies. The study asks: Do participants regard their healthcare providers as supportive of breastfeeding? Data were collected through in-depth qualitative …

Vitamin D Clinical Relevance In The Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injury Among The Military Population, Yuisa M. Colón

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) still remains a difficult disorder to treat. TBI has been associated to chronic neuroinflammation and a high risk for neurodegenerative disorders. Since 2001 between ten to twenty percent of all deployed military members have suffered a combat-related TBI. Nearly twenty to thirty percent of those will experience chronic cognitive, behavioral and somatic symptoms after suffering a TBI.
Methods: The objective of this review is to evaluate current literature examining vitamin D as a neurosteroid with protective properties and its clinical relevance after traumatic brain injury. Vitamin D is known to participate in neurobiological …