Mental and Social Health Commons^™

The Effects Of Controlled Breathing And Physical Postures On Anxiety And Stress In Mental Health Patients, Kristen Killingsworth

DNP Research Projects

Objective: Anxiety and stress are debilitating disorders that have been on the rise in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Medication alone has not been shown to be successful in mitigating the disorders, necessitating research into other alternatives for anxiety and stress management. The purpose of this project was to assess if a single complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relaxation session had an impact on stress and anxiety levels. Method: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify strategies for reducing stress and anxiety. Guided by the Holistic Care Model of Self-Regulation, the nurse-led CAM relaxation session was developed. The …

Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones, But Words Can Hurt Me Too: Psychological Safety And Microaggressions, Theresa Reichert, Janelle Maciej, Julia Vang

Nursing Posters

To foster a healthy work environment, address reports of microaggressions, and improve psychosocial safety within the SCH Telemetry team

Impact Of The Methamphetamine Epidemic On Healthcare, Amanda Brumfield

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The surge in methamphetamine use in the U.S. has presented various challenges for individuals and healthcare systems. Research has shown high relapse rates, oral health issues, and increased susceptibility to blood-borne viruses among users, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Furthermore, the absence of approved pharmacological treatments and systemic barriers to effective treatment highlighted the pressing need for holistic approaches to address this epidemic successfully.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to identify the challenges faced by treatment providers specializing in substance use disorder treatment amid rising instances of methamphetamine abuse, including managing heightened relapse …

A Mindfulness Approach To Regulate Depressive-Associated Emotional Eating, Jillian G. Montefusco

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Background: Depression affects 350 to 500 million people globally, with depressive-associated emotional eating (DAEE) impacting approximately 43.5% of these individuals. Depressive-associated emotional eating contributes to obesity through poor dietary choices and weight gain, leading to the projection that by 2048 all United States citizens will be overweight or obese.

Local Problem: At a Chicago weight loss center, the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire screened 75 patients, revealing that 56% (N = 42) ate more during sadness, boredom, and loneliness, and 50.7% (N = 38) ate more during depression, indicating significant DAEE.

Methods: This quasi-experimental quality improvement project uses a pre- and post-evaluation …

Promoting Parental Comfort To Facilitate Conversations On Adolescent Sexual Health And Behaviors, Angelina Jolie Banes, Lauren Liddell

Nursing | Senior Theses

This thesis proposal will investigate the impact of a comprehensive digital sexual health education program on the comfort levels of parents and teens when discussing sensitive topics such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The research is guided by Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, which emphasizes the need to assess and address individuals’ self-care deficits, including the ability to engage in safe and informed sexual behaviors. The research design is a quantitative, quasi-experimental study with a one-group pre and post-test design. The sample consists of 50 parents and 50 teens from Marin County, who will participate in an online …

Icu Nurse Mental Health: Telehealth Versus In-Person Therapy Effectiveness, Ariel Mach

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background Nurses working within high-stress specialties, such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), often face a lack of resources aimed at supporting their mental health. The expectation for the nurses is to independently manage their psychological well-being based on their knowledge and educational background. However, many times it is difficult to manage persistent stress, anxiety, or depression and this could adversely affect the quality of patient care and eventually lead to burnout. Telehealth therapy has become more readily available and used since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two forms of treatment delivery. Currently, there is limited research on the effectiveness of …

Spaced Out: Exploring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Through Animation, Alyssa R. Klapka

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Spaced Out is about a 16-year-old high school student named Penny, who arrives home from school after a long day. She has astronomy homework that is due, and she is determined to sit down and get it done as fast as possible so that she can have some evening time to herself. This all goes awry when Opal, a dragon who is a manifestation of her ADHD, shows up to distract her. Penny must find a way to finish her assignment, not by ignoring Opal and pretending she isn't there, but by embracing the fact that she is a part …

Maine Provider Attitudes Towards Contingency Management For Substance Use Disorders, Evelyn Ali, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

This report summarizes healthcare provider attitudes toward Contingency Management (CM), including barriers and facilitators to its implementation. A 17-question electronic survey, including the Contingency Management Beliefs Questionnaire (CMBQ), was distributed to providers across Maine. Of 131 eligible respondents, 80% reported treating SUD, yet only 27% had experience with CM. While training and organizational support were cited as barriers, overall attitudes toward CM were favorable. Providers expressed strong willingness to implement CM, citing its potential to engage clients and support treatment adherence. The report concludes that positive perceptions of CM outweigh concerns and suggests that training and organizational support could enhance …

Treatment And Recovery Beliefs Of Rural Vermont Family Members Of People With Opioid Use Disorder, Kate Peasley-Miklus Phd, Julia Shaw Mph, Katie Rosingana Ba, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, S. Sigmon, Sarah H Heil Phd, J. Jewiss, Andrea C Villanti, Valerie S Harder

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

Purpose: Few studies have addressed beliefs about treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) among family members of people with OUD, particularly in rural communities. This study examined the beliefs of rural family members of people with OUD regarding treatment, including medication for OUD (MOUD), and recovery. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with rural Vermont family members of people with OUD. Twenty family members completed interviews, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four primary themes related to beliefs about OUD treatment emerged: (1) MOUD is another form of addiction or dependency and should be used short-term; (2) essential …

Healthy Acadia Downeast Community Opioid Response Program: Year 3 Summary, Tyler Egeland Ba, Gordon Mcintire Ba, Evelyn Ali, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

The Downeast Substance Treatment Network is a group of diverse organizations working to improve integration and access to treatments and services for people with substance use disorder. The consortium’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant project aims to: (1) expand the reach of their treatment network, (2) increase awareness and practice of harm reduction, and (3) facilitate transitions of care to improve partner efficacy. This project included a mixed-methods evaluation led by Catherine E. Cutler Institute’s Substance Use Research and Evaluation Team (SURE). This final year 3 summary presentation includes feedback from program partners, key informants, and program clients, in …

Cbt And Me: A Beginning Therapist's Journey Utilizing Client Feedback, Haley Scruggs

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Cognitive behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) is a model of therapy targeting cognitions, emotional responses, and behavioral interactions between couples experiencing relationship distress. Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) is a tool that clinicians can use to track the progress of their clients in therapy from the perspective of the client. This study aimed to use MFT-PRN, a type of ROM, to gather client progress throughout CBCT treatment. Prototypical change trajectories were created in Microsoft Excel for examination of presenting problem progress, couple satisfaction, and overall relationship functioning. It was found that small data sensitivity affected the trajectories immensely, though ROM outcomes revealed …

Routine Outcome Monitoring In Emotionally Focused Therapy: A Clinical Perspective, Lillian Dunn

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The field of couple and family therapy has a foundation in systems theory and recognizes the intricate dynamics of relationships. Therapists often navigate complex webs of connection, aiming to enhance communication, foster healthy interaction patterns, and cultivate emotional well-being to strengthen relational bonds. This thesis focuses on the integration of routine outcome monitoring (ROM) within Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and aims to shed light on its role in achieving therapeutic goals. ROM tools offer insights into the therapeutic process, facilitating tailored interventions to meet clients' needs. The findings suggest that integrating ROM into EFT benefits therapists and clients, enhancing our …

Examining The Social Determinants Of Seeking Help For Postpartum Mental Health, Antonni Mikela Agustin, Daryl John Briones, Miguel Alberto Mallari, Cristyanna Minda Ong, Annielov Paboroquez, Neki Lora Rufino, Janna Mikaela Sanchez, Genejane M. Adarlo

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Postpartum is a vulnerable period for women's health, and postpartum mental health issues, including postpartum depression, are growing concerns. Despite the increased awareness of mental health, several factors hinder women from seeking help for mental health concerns during the postpartum period. Hence, this qualitative study used the World Health Organization’s Social Determinants of Health Framework to examine the structural and intermediary determinants that shape women’s help-seeking behaviors regarding mental health during the postpartum period. A thematic analysis of interviews with 12 new mothers revealed that the structural determinants of help-seeking behaviors for postpartum mental health include employment status and working …

Bridging The Gap: Evaluating The Impact Of Buprenorphine-Based Prenatal Care On Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome And Maternal Health, Whitney-Lanae Crofcheck-Glenn, Jennifer Nethercutt

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), now known as Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) by government authorities, is a severe postnatal withdrawal condition caused by opioid exposure during pregnancy. NAS is diagnosed every 25 minutes in the United States. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine was used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and NAS. The MOTHER trial found that utilizing buprenorphine to treat mother OUD during pregnancy led to significant decreases in LOS and length of therapy.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a prenatal care program that integrates buprenorphine-based Medication-Assisted Treatment …

Burnout For General Surgeons, Luke Edwards, Lindsay Mckelvey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In the healthcare sector, burnout among surgeons has emerged as a critical issue, impacting both the well-being of medical professionals and the quality outcomes of patient care. Research has consistently shown that long hours, high workloads, demanding results, and mental fatigue make physicians more vulnerable to experiencing burnout than others. Studies have revealed alarming statistical rates, with a significant percentage of surgeons reporting physical exhaustion and mental health repercussions. This trend is further enhanced by the demanding nature of the medical environment, where work-related stress and burnout have become common concerns.

Purpose of the Study: The negative effects of …

Qualitative Brief: Perspectives On Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Access And Engagement From Rural Family Members And People In Treatment, Katie Rosingana Ba, Evelyn Ali Mph, Tyler Egelund Ba, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Kate Peasley-Miklus Phd, J. Shaw

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

"This qualitative data brief provides findings from the Vermont baseline needs assessment, conducted in collaboration with research staff at the University of Southern Maine's Catherine Cutler Institute, with the goal to identify current and future opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment needs and barriers in rural Vermont. This data brief aims to identify current and future addiction treatment needs and barriers in Vermont with direct input from practitioners, community partners, and people impacted personally by opioid use. Preceptions included in this data brief are informed by semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with family members of people with lived experience (PWLE). For more …

Time To Ask Program At Redington-Fairview General Hospital: Summary Of Participant Feedback, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Tyler Egeland Ba, Evelyn Ali Bs

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

The goals of the Time to Ask (TTA) education and quality improvement program are to increase the capacity of the interprofessional care team to effectively, efficiently and compassionately discuss alcohol use with their patients through screening, brief intervention, and referral (SBIRT) as well as to expand regular screening and monitoring of unhealthy alcohol use at the practices. This infographic is a summary of a participant feedback following the TTA program at Redington-Fairview General Hospital. For more information, please contact Lindsey Smith at [email protected]

Healthy Acadia Downeast Community Opioid Response Program: Year 2 Summary, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Evelyn Ali Bs, Katie Rosingana Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

The Downeast Substance Treatment Network is a group of diverse organizations working to improve integration and access to treatments and services for people with substance use disorder. The consortium’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant project aims to: (1) expand the reach of their treatment network, (2) increase awareness and practice of harm reduction, and (3) facilitate transitions of care to improve partner efficacy. This project included a mixed-methods evaluation led by Catherine E. Cutler Institute’s Substance Use Research and Evaluation Team (SURE). This year 2 summary presentation includes feedback from program partners, key informants, and program clients, in addition …

The Rural Health Action Network Enhanced Outreach Initiative: Year 2 Interim Evaluation Report, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Evelyn Ali Bs, Tyler Egeland Ba, Katie Rosingana Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

Healthy Community Coalition (HCC), in coordination with the Rural Health Action Network (RHAN) of greater Franklin County, is implementing a multi-faceted outreach program to improve health outcomes among the rural poor living with chronic conditions in greater Franklin County, Maine. The goals of the Franklin County Rural Health Action Network Enhanced Outreach Initiative (RHAN-EOI) include: (1) Expand access to quality services; (2) Expand training for community health extenders; (3) Decrease hospital admissions, emergency department use, and costs; and (4) Improve communication and care coordination across project partners. This report highlights the implementation and progress of HCC RHAN in Year 2. …

Do You See It, Do You Feel It?, Trevan Freeman

Writing Beyond the Prison Living Archive

Essay on Racism; Mental health; Self-identity; Prison life; Drugs; Gangs; Gun violence; Families of the incarcerated; Religion/morality; Injustice