Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Community-Based Program To Support The Occupational Needs Of Middle Eastern Refugee Women Transitioning Into Western Society, Zuha A. Mohammad, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Middle Eastern refugee women resettling in Western societies often experience barriers that disrupt participation in meaningful occupations, including language barriers, unfamiliar systems, financial challenges, and social isolation. These challenges can limit independence and community participation during the resettlement process. Occupational therapy is well-positioned to address these barriers through culturally responsive, occupation-based interventions.

This capstone project developed and implemented a community-based program designed to support Middle Eastern refugee women during early resettlement. The program focused on key areas including system navigation, financial literacy, home safety, stress management, self-advocacy, and community engagement. Educational sessions and practical activities were used to promote skill …

Development Of A Mental Health Program For Work Rehabilitation, Vannida M. Nguyen, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Work-related injuries often result in decreased work performance and extended recovery time. This can lead to mental health challenges and a risk of re-injury. Typical work rehabilitation focuses on physical recovery while overlooking psychosocial factors. This capstone project developed a wellness program to support emotional wellness and improve return-to-work (RTW) outcomes. The program incorporated educational content, coping strategies, and interventions targeting emotional wellness for injured workers receiving physical therapy. Occupational therapy has the ability to address both physical and psychosocial factors and increase interdisciplinary efforts during work rehabilitation. Improved confidence reflected in the self-reported RTW-SE scores suggests that occupational therapy …

Silent Struggles: A Qualitative Study On Mental Health Stigma And Help- Seeking Among African Individuals In The U.S, Ololade Ekwere

Dissertations

Approximately one-third of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks who require mental health services seek and utilize them (Evans & Sheu, 2019). Research has shown that stigma surrounding mental health treatment contributes to lower rates of professional help-seeking among Black Americans (Pederson, 2023). Despite the growing diversity within the Black community, limited research exists on how stigma influences professional mental health help-seeking among Africans living in the United States.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the effect of public stigma on the mental health help-seeking behaviors of Africans living in the United States. Demographic data were collected, …

Preliminary Evaluation Of A Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Based Skills Training Class For High School Students, Jared T. Izumi, Bethany Walczak, Jamie K. Elizalde, Matthew Hayes

Education Faculty Articles and Research

School mental health issues have become an increasingly important issue for our youth. Schools are a vital resource for providing prevention-based services to students. This study evaluated a pilot implementation of a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) based skills intervention in a single high school in the Midwest. The sample included a convenience sample of 39 students from three different teachers across three trimesters. Social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, DBT skill use, dysfunctional coping, fidelity, and intervention attendance information were collected. We used a hybrid fixed effects/multi-level model to evaluate the effects of the intervention (McNeish, 2023). Students increased their use …

Relationships Between Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders, Their Guardians, And Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Sarah K. Unkefer

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review collects the comprehensive, current research around effective treatment of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) and explores ways to provide psychoeducation for the adolescent and their guardians to foster healthy relationships and open communication. This author explores the ways that expressive arts therapy influences treatment and long-term recovery of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) by addressing familial communication and internalized stigma. Previous studies have shown that the current primary reaction from guardians is forcing abstinence, which often damages the adolescent-guardian relationship. Since this is one of the most important relationships in an adolescent’s projected recovery journey, …

Mental Health In Healthcare Workers: Is It Just A Myth Or A Fact, Considering The Abundant Access To Healthcare, Shiwani Ranjitkar

Create@State

Healthcare workers have direct access to healthcare resources, yet many continue to experience significant mental health challenges. This study investigates the factors contributing to this issue and its implications for healthcare systems. Using data analysis and a review of recent literature, national surveys, and public health reports, key factors identified include heavy workloads, emotional strain from patient care, staffing shortages, workplace harassment, and stigma associated with seeking mental health support. Research indicates that healthcare professionals frequently experience burnout, anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue even when support resources are available. For instance, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention …

Implementation Of A Process For Tracking Hgb A1cs In A Community Mental Health Organization, Devin Gill

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, yet are less likely to receive routine screening of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to implement a standardized workflow process to ensure consistent tracking of HbA1cs in adult consumers greater than 18 years of age with SMI receiving services at a rural community mental health (CMH) organization.

Methods: The primary intervention is a workflow process, with focus on the clinical information systems and organizational system. This quality improvement project was guided utilizing the …

Eating Vs. Competing: Comparing Pressures Of Disordered Eating In Lean And Non-Lean Sports, Brielle G. Newland, Meredith Meyer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

In the current study, I compared the risk factors of disordered eating between athletes in weight dependent and non-weight dependent sports, specifically the motivating pressures to pursue this behavior. Weight dependent or “lean athletes” participate in sports with emphasis on weight, size, or bodily appearance. Non-weight dependent or “non-lean athletes” participate in sports without emphasis on weight or aesthetics, which tend to be team sports. While there are many different disordered eating risk factors in athletics, the current study focused on sport based pressures and societal based pressures. Participants included undergraduate student athletes on female athletic teams or dance minors …

Infective Endocarditis Hospitalizations In Kentucky, 2008-2018: Spatial And Temporal Trends, Meera Marji, Steve Browning, W. Jay Christian, Richard Charnigo, Steve W. Leung, Anna Kucharska-Newton

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) hospitalization rates have increased significantly in the last decade, primarily due to the opioid epidemic. In 2016, Kentucky (KY) ranked among the top ten states for opioid-related overdose deaths, but limited data exist on IE trends in KY.

Purpose: This study seeks to examine county-level spatial and temporal trends in IE hospitalization rates in KY.

Methods: Hospital inpatient discharge data from 2008–2018 for KY residents aged 18 and older were analyzed. IE admissions and drug use status were identified using ICD-9 & 10 diagnosis codes. U.S. Census data calculated yearly IE hospitalization rates per 100,000 residents. …

Starting With Story, Not Symptom: Narrative Collapse And Cultural Repair In Appalachia, Wayne Coombs Ph.D.

Journal of Appalachian Health

Appalachia’s opioid crisis reflects uneven burdens, especially in distressed coalfield counties, and it cannot be solved by symptom tracking alone. This commentary argues for a narrative shift, starting with story and cultural repair alongside clinical care. Narrative collapse is defined here as the loss of shared, dependable public meaning across groups, not the absence of storytelling in families, churches, and recovery circles. Trauma science suggests that chronic threat reshapes nervous systems across generations, making safety a prerequisite for renewed trust. Drawing on narrative identity research, the piece proposes peer story work as infrastructure that can reduce shame, support treatment engagement, …

Clustering Of Internet Behaviors And Associated Mental Health Outcomes Among U.S. Adolescents, Aakansha Singh, Timothy Grigsby, Miguel Fudolig, Ying Guo, Clariana Ramos De Oliveira

School of Medicine Research Poster Showcase

Poster: Clustering of Internet behaviors and associated mental health outcomes among U.S. adolescents

Relationship Between Supplement Use And Eating Disorder Symptoms, Hannah Segura, Lisa Menegatos, Danielle Morabita, Maegan Nation

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Background: Eating disorders encompass a spectrum of cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms related to eating and compensatory weight management behaviors. Supplement usage is becoming increasingly common, especially among younger populations. Using supplements has been shown to put adolescents at an increased risk for body dysmorphia, disordered eating behaviors, as well as other potentially harmful health effects, like electrolyte complications, heart issues, or even death. However, there is less research done on supplement usage in the college student population, especially in men. Across the past 10 years, supplement use in college students has increased 19.5%. Overall, there is a lack of …

Highway To Help: Increasing Access To Mental Health Occupational Therapy, Abbigail Hill

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA) specifically TNOTA’s mental health chair. TNOTA’s mission is to “advance Occupational Therapy in Tennessee through education, advocacy, communication, and legislative involvement to support the provision of high-quality occupational therapy services and promote the benefits of our profession to consumers, stakeholders, and legislators in Tennessee (TNOTA, 2026). The project focused on increasing awareness of the benefits of occupational therapists in mental health settings as well as providing education for occupational therapists to increase knowledge of how to treat clients experiencing mental health challenges. This was achieved …

Perceived Stigmatization Of Mental Health Problems And Utilization Of Academic Accommodations Among College Students, Sabrina Williams, Robert E. Davis Ph.D., Kristin Bogda Ph.D.

2026 Honors Symposium

Background: Higher education is seeing an increase in students utilizing mental health services. Studies on students with disabilities suggest students often have reservations about accessing these accommodations due to anticipated social stigmatization. Purpose: This study aimed to assess relationships among stigmatization and indicators of psychological distress among a sample of students who qualify for accommodations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of students at a large university in the central United States. Data collection measures included previously validated screening instruments for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and adapted versions of the validated scales to assess specific aspects of stigma related to …

Pages Of Despair: Economic Policy Uncertainty And Mental Health, Kori Massner

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Policy uncertainty threatens access to affordable medical care, yet few studies have examined how it shapes what people search for online. This study examines whether economic policy uncertainty predicts mental health information-seeking behavior by analyzing daily Wikipedia pageviews from July 2015 to April 2026 using a time series model. Results show that as economic policy uncertainty increases, there is an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. When there is an increase in those searching for information on pages about depression and pages about anxiety, there is also an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. …

Health Data And Policy Related To Methamphetamine-Use Suicide In Mississippi, Mary C. Drane

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to investigate how methamphetamine use in Mississippi, especially in its rural areas, intersects with public health, policy, and suicide outcomes in the state. Mississippi's methamphetamine crisis has evolved significantly, shifting from locally produced drugs to cartel-supplied crystal methamphetamine, while state and federal policies have struggled to keep pace with the scale and complexity of the problem. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, this research analyzed CDC Wonder multiple causes of death data and SAMHSA Treatment Episode Data Set Admissions (TEDS-A) data from 2018 to 2024 alongside four qualitative key informant interviews with stakeholders across …

Designing Eco-Islamic Memory Palace Media To Reduce Math Anxiety And Enhance Academic Resilience, Annas Solihin, Neni Mariana, Budi Purwoko

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Math anxiety continues to hinder students' performance and emotional well-being in elementary mathematics education. This study aimed to develop and test the effectiveness of Eco-Islamic Memory Palace Media in reducing math anxiety and strengthening academic resilience. Employing the Plomp development model, the study involved three phases: preliminary research to identify psychological needs, prototyping of the media design, and a formative evaluation with expert validation and empirical testing on students (N = 24). The media integrated environmental imagery and Islamic values into visual-spatial mnemonic structures to create meaningful, calm, and emotionally safe learning experiences. Quantitative data analysis showed a significant decrease …

Mindset Transformation In School Counseling Services After The Training Program 7 Jurus Bk Hebat: A Mixed Method Study, Mulawarman Mulawarman, Farida Aryani, Aldila Dyas Nurfitri, Najma Sana Nadhirah Hilman, Galuh Nadhita, Erna Dwi Nugraini, Abi Fa’Izzarahman Prabawa, Eni Rindi Antika

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

School counseling services have shifted from a remedial approach to one of development and prevention, requiring school counselors to possess a reflective and adaptive professional mindset. This study aims to analyze the transformation of counseling mindsets among guidance and counseling teachers after participating in the 7 Jurus BK Hebat training program, as well as to identify supporting and inhibiting factors. Using a mixed methods approach with a convergent design, the study involved 411 participants selected through convenience random sampling. Data were collected using a mindset transformation scale (α = .939) and open-ended questionnaires, then analyzed descriptively and thematically. The …

Career Adaptability Of Prospective Teachers With Disabilities In Indonesia: A Phenomenological Study, Rr Dwi Umi Badriyah, Erfan Ramadhani, Ramtia Darma Putri, Syska Purnama Sari, Amândio De Araújo Sarmento, Kadek Suhardita

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Pre-service teachers with disabilities face career transitions shaped by personal aspirations, accessibility barriers, stigma, and limited role models. In Indonesia, little is known about how they build career readiness for teaching within inclusive unequal educational contexts. This study explores the career adaptability of pre-service teachers with disabilities in Indonesia. Grounded in Career Construction Theory, it examines concern, control, curiosity, and confidence, while extending the framework by considering resilience and flexibility as relevant dimensions. A qualitative phenomenological design was used. Twenty-five students with disabilities enrolled in Primary School Teacher Education and Special Education programs at an Indonesian university participated in semi-structured …

Parental Awareness And Response To Cyberbullying: A Qualitative Study Of Nigerian Parents, Adaobi Jennifer Iloakasia, Nneka Anthonia Obumse

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The problem of cyberbullying has been gaining momentum in modern society because of the dynamic development of digital technologies and the extensive use of social media by adolescents. This paper thus examined the parental cognition and reaction to cyberbullying of Nigerian parents with a particular emphasis on Anambra State. The research design in the study was a qualitative one, based on a phenomenological approach to reflect the experiences of parents. Purposive selection of parents with children in secondary schools was done (30 parents). The collection of data was done via semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the …