Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Get It In Writing: How To Make Medications For Opioid Use Disorder Available During Incarceration, Margaret J. Mcgladrey, Jordan Kelsch, Michelle R. Lofwall, Laura C. Fanucchi, Sharon L. Walsh, Carrie B. Oser

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

In a case example from the Kentucky HEALing Communities Study, extensive resources were deployed to address structural barriers and facilitate the provision of medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) in an urban county jail. However, implementation was unsuccessful, and this case example emphasizes the importance of including evidence-based medication for OUD (MOUD) treatment in the scope of work of jails’ contracted medical providers. The privatization of correctional health care services allows local governments with opioid abatement funds to incorporate requirements into medical provider contracts to screen all people entering jails for OUD and to offer MOUD at intake, throughout incarceration, …

The Development Of A Recovery Coaching Training Curriculum To Facilitate Linkage To And Increase Retention On Medications For Opioid Use Disorder, Trevor Moffitt, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Laura Fanucchi, Sharon L. Walsh, Christopher Cook, Devin Oller, Anna Ross, Molly Gallivan, John Lauckner, Jeremy Byard, Phoebe Wheeler-Crum, Michelle R. Lofwall

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

Introduction: Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) decreases opioid overdose risk and is the standard of care for persons with opioid use disorder (OUD). Recovery coach (RC)-led programs and associated training curriculums to improve outcomes around MOUD are limited. We describe our comprehensive training curriculum including instruction and pedagogy for novel RC-led MOUD linkage and retention programs and report on its feasibility.

Methods–pedagogy and training development: The Kentucky HEALing (Helping to End Addiction Long-termSM) Communities Study (HCS) created the Linkage and Retention RC Programs with a local recovery community organization, Voices of Hope-Lexington. RCs worked to reduce participant barriers …

Screening Incarcerated Women For Opioid Use Disorder, Michele Staton, Martha Tillson, Mary M. Levi, Matthew Webster, Carrie B. Oser, Carl Leukefeld

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

The overall aim of the present study is to examine the utility of the DSM OUD Checklist and the NM-ASSIST screening tools to identify symptoms consistent with OUD among incarcerated women in county jails. This study contributes to the existing literature because research on screening and assessment approaches for incarcerated women has been limited. The focus of the current study is to describe the screening procedures and study recruitment for a larger parent study focused on increasing treatment linkages. Study findings indicate a positive correlation between indicators of OUD using the two screening tools, as well as a high degree …

Extended-Release Injection Vs Sublingual Buprenorphine For Opioid Use Disorder With Fentanyl Use, Edward V. Nunes, Sandra D. Comer, Michelle R. Lofwall, Sharon L. Walsh, Stefan Peterson, Fredrik Tiberg, Peter Hjelmstrom, Natalie R. Budilovsky-Kelley

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Importance: Fentanyl has exacerbated the opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose epidemic. Data on the effectiveness of medications for OUD among patients using fentanyl are limited.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of sublingual or extended-release injection formulations of buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD among patients with and without fentanyl use.

Design, Setting, and Participants: Post hoc analysis of a 24-week, randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted at 35 outpatient sites in the US from December 2015 to November 2016 of sublingual buprenorphine-naloxone vs extended-release subcutaneous injection buprenorphine (CAM2038) for patients with OUD subgrouped by presence vs absence of fentanyl …

Novel Cannabinoid Use Among Young Adults In Lexington, Kentucky, Victoria A. Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to implement a survey to estimate the prevalence of novel cannabinoid use among young adults in Lexington, Kentucky, and to examine modes of use and motivations for novel cannabinoid use. The primary hypothesis of this study was that many respondents would indicate medical reasons for using novel cannabinoids.

Methods: A cross-sectional primary data analysis of 101 young adults in Lexington, Kentucky to determine prevalence of lifetime novel cannabinoid use, past 30-day novel cannabinoid use, mode of use, motivation for use, and related demographic characteristics. Univariate and bivariate analysis were produced using the PROC …

The Unequal Distribution Of Social Risk For Black Men Across The Life-Span. A Novel Framework., Waleed Y. Sami

Adultspan Journal

This conceptual overview offers a comprehensive overview of systemic pathways that negatively impact the mental health of Black Men throughout their lives. Our argument highlights the importance for counselors and mental health professionals to utilize a thorough social risk assessment that considers these pathways in order to effectively address the mental health needs of Black Men while fostering positive working relationships. This overview strongly advocates for the use of context and structural determinants when evaluating mental health symptoms. Without an appropriate understanding of social risk and determinants, counselors may inadvertently perpetuate disparities by decontextualizing symptomology, and reproducing racist discourse.

Developmental Effects Of Child Abuse: The Relevance Of Timing, Laura Luz Alvarez Pineda, Karla Susana Saldaña

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Early physical, sexual, and emotional child abuse has been associated with long-life cognitive, emotional, and physical health repercussions. Purpose: The current paper, in addition to a literature review, proposes a research design to examine the emotional outcomes of physical, emotional, and sexual child abuse on Hispanics when a psychosocial therapy program is implemented. Methods: Participants will be recruited from children’s hospitals, daycares, and preschools around the Bay Area. Parental-informed consent will be obtained prior to participation. This longitudinal quantitative quasi-experimental study will be comprised of three phases to measure posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms, and suicidal …

Unleashing Wellness: Exploring The Impact Of Pet Therapy On Anxiety Reduction, Quality Of Life, And Treatment Adherence In Pediatric Oncology Patients, Karina Brouwer

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Pet therapy is a complementary type of therapeutics in which a person and animal have a guided interaction with the purpose of helping someone cope with physical and/or mental illness. Animal-assisted therapy is used in numerous settings and has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and decrease anxiety and depression (Husson University, 2022). In particular, pediatric oncology patients have enormous amounts of stress in their lives, which leads to increased anxiety and decreased quality of life (Children's Cancer Cause, 2023). While evidence shows that integrating pet therapy in pediatric oncology patients produces significant benefits on …

Evaluating The Mental Health Of Newly Graduated Nurses In Transition From Undergraduate Training To Professional Practice, Victor Louis C. Alinas Iv

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: There is an increasing demand for nurses worldwide as healthcare systems slowly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, there is a high turnover of registered nurses and an even higher turnover in the demographic of newly graduated nurses. Newly graduated nurses (NGNs) are constantly faced with high levels of stress upon starting out in the professional environment and as a result of mental burnout and inadequate preparation, there is a notably high turnover of newly graduated nurses within their first year of employment. Purpose: This research aims to use existing information on the transition from undergraduate training to professional …

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

Nursing | Student Research Posters

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 …

Specialized Support For Queer Women With Postpartum Depression, Dan-Tam Pham

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Queer women face disproportionately high rates of postpartum depression compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals. Studies showed that queer women face heightened mental health challenges, including higher rates of depression and anxiety due to factors like discrimination, limited support systems, and negative healthcare experiences. There is a need for culturally competent, LGBTQ+ affirming interventions to improve maternal mental health outcomes; despite the health disparities faced by this population, research on specialized postpartum interventions is limited, revealing gaps in effective mental health care for queer mothers. The key search terms for the articles used in the study included: postpartum depression, queer …

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

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Postpartum depression (PPD) can occur in mothers after birth. PPD affects one in seven women during their first year of postpartum. PPD does not have a definitive cause, but underlying contributions include hormonal changes, metabolic pathway changes, and a new onset of stressors. After birth, the drop in estrogen and progesterone levels can trigger or worsen the depressive episodes seen in PPD. PPD risk factors encompass the following determinants: psychological, obstetric, social, lifestyle, and family history (Carlson et al., 2024). Postpartum depression is more common in adolescents than adult mothers (Phipps et al., 2013). Research shows adolescents who don’t have …

Reducing Levels Of Compassion Fatigue Among Generation Z Hospital Nurses, Kailani Yee

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Although qualities such as empathy and compassion are commonly regarded as essential traits in a caregiver, continuous exposure to the hardships and suffering of others creates a risk of developing compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue (CF) is the emotional, physical, and mental toll that builds up over time in individuals in caregiver roles. It develops from the prolonged expression of compassion and empathy while caring for individuals experiencing death, trauma, suffering, or grief (Delaney, 2018).

Nurses are among the populations most impacted by CF as they are typically at the forefront of patient-care, bearing responsibility for the physical, psychosocial, and emotional …

Nurses’ Perception On The Gut-Brain Axis And Its Implications On Mental Health, Geethika Manoj, Celine Bautista

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Most medical interventions recommended for patients with anxiety and depression include pharmacological treatments and psychotherapy. Thus, undermining the existence of modifiable risk factors, such as diet. Despite being an area of growing research, the gut-brain axis is a very broad topic among the healthcare field. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate registered nurses’ perceptions and understanding of the gut-brain axis and its implications for mental health management. Methods: This proposed exploratory descriptive study will conduct research among fifteen registered nurses, each with at least two years of experience in specialties such as gastroenterology, psychiatry, or hospital …

Evidence Synthesis Methodology: Promoting Reproducible Methodology Through Modified Assignments, Laura Lipke, Neyda Gilman

Library Created Resources

Initially, systematic reviews in healthcare served to synthesize findings from clinical studies, aiding comprehensive access to the most effective treatments within evidence-based practice. Over time, their scope has broadened beyond treatment effectiveness, leading to a surge in publication. Consequently, many health science faculty now assign systematic reviews in classrooms without a full grasp of the standardized process, leaving students ill-equipped due to insufficient guidance and resources.

While mastering systematic review techniques is crucial for evidence-based practice, faculty can opt for modified assignments to foster a deeper understanding of the review process. These modified tasks, can be completed within a semester, …

Pressing Toward Progress: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Perceptions Of Wellness Among Black Female Non-Traditional Students, Stacey Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

Black female nontraditional student enrollment is increasing. Black women have higher rates of preventable stress related health issues than their white counterparts. While they have shown endurance and resilience to pursue their degree, it can jeopardize their wellness. This study provides an understanding of how this population perceives their wellness and what can be done to help them matriculate higher education without violating their wellness.

Understanding Emerging Adult Mental Health And Attachment: The Roles Of Parental Factors In Childhood, Trauma, And Gender, Christiana A. Howell

Dissertations

Problem

The experience of the parental environment growing up, parental psychopathology in childhood, exposure to trauma throughout the lifespan, insecure adult attachment, and social support have been established as factors that influence mental health in adulthood. These factors have not yet been studied together as a complex model of emerging adult mental health and attachment. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretically and empirically supported model of these factors to understand how these factors interact to influence mental health in emerging adulthood. Additionally, the purpose was to understand if these factors interact differently based on gender.

Method …

Coping With Eco-Emotions, Cassandra O. Berg, Sylvia Wood, Sylvia Luceno, Kaitlyn M. Blume, Siena Cysewski, Jack Person, Alis Auch

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

"Coping with Eco-Emotions” was an initiative aimed at tackling the growing challenges of emotional distress brought about by the impacts of climate change, specifically eco-grief and eco-anxiety. Despite the complex and widespread nature of the issue and the limited training of the group in the field of mental health, the goal was to raise awareness about eco-emotions and provide a supportive space for individuals to process their feelings related to the climate crisis. Through hosting a week-long series of events, each tailored to a different strategy for addressing eco-emotions, the project aimed to create a platform for individuals at the …

An Integrative Somatic Art Therapy Approach: Emdr & Body-Based Practices For Traumatic Stress, Alexis Sorbara

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

This research project used a mixed method, within subject design to explore how trauma-informed somatic art therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy impacts symptoms of trauma and burnout. There is limited qualitative research on integrating art therapy with EMDR in a group setting. Art therapy can act as a container, or safe holding environment (Winnicott, 1971) for the limitations of EMDR therapy. This research addressed the implications of integrating art therapy and EMDR therapy as a trauma treatment for healthcare professionals. This research study followed the eight phases of EMDR treatment, using a combination of resourcing, a series …

Rural And Urban Clinician Views On Covid- 19’S Impact On Substance Use Treatment For Individuals On Community Supervision In Kentucky, Carrie B. Oser, Maria Rockett, Sebastian Otero, Evan Batty, Marisa Booty, Rachel Gressick, Michele Staton, Hannah K. Knudsen

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

Background The COVID-19 pandemic produced system-level changes within the criminal legal system and community-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment system with impacts on recovery efforts. This study examines rural and urban clinicians’ perspectives of COVID-19 on SUD treatment delivery for people on community supervision.

Methods Virtual qualitative interviews were conducted between April and October 2020 with 25 community supervision clinicians employed by Kentucky’s Department of Corrections (DOC), who conduct assessments and facilitate community-based treatment linkages for individuals on probation or parole. Transcripts were analyzed in NVivo using directed content analysis methods.

Results Clinicians were predominantly white (92%) and female (88%) …