Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Youth Mental Health First Aid: Educators’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, Aspirations, And Behaviors Change And Differences, Alexis M. Sanchez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine educator outcomes related to Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA) professional development training. Educator outcomes in knowledge, attitudes, skills, aspirations, and behaviors (KASAB) were examined to evaluate the preparedness of educators to provide mental health support and the effectiveness of Y-MHFA. Additionally, this study aimed to assess educator outcomes depending on their role in the schools, including school-based educators, school-based mental health staff, and administration/district staff. The author conducted a secondary analysis of pre- and post-test questionnaires of 459 educators in a southeastern state of the United States. A repeated measures ANOVA, …

Perceived Benefits Matter The Most In Covid-19 Preventive Behaviors: Empirical Evidence From Okara District, Pakistan, Gulzar H. Shah, Ansar Ali Faraz, Hina Khan, Kristie Cason Waterfield

Health Policy & Community Health: Faculty Publications

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected the social determinants of health, worsening health inequities and deteriorating healthcare capacities around the globe. The objective of this study is to investigate the COVID-19 prevention behaviors within the framework of the Health Belief Model in the city of Depalpur in the Okara District of Pakistan in May 2020. Using an observational, cross-sectional, and quantitative study design, a faceto- face field survey was conducted during the epidemic of COVID-19 in district Okara, Pakistan. A sample of 500 adults was selected from the city of Depalpur the in Okara …

Telehealth Best Practice: A Call For Standards Of Care, Donna S. Sheperis, Arielle Smith

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Teletherapy is an approach to working with clients that mental health providers have used in some form for years. However, the onset of COVID forced the provision of therapy into teletherapy almost exclusively for a period of time. Currently, mental health providers conducting therapy virtually are not required to be trained in telehealth and are operating without consistent uniform standards of practice. This manuscript pulls from the current literature and guidelines across counseling, psychology, psychiatry, family therapy, and social work to provide a Proposed Standards of Practice for Telehealth. Such standards benefit mental health counselor by grounding practice in common …

Social Determinants Of Health And Care Outcomes Among People With Hiv In The United States, Timothy W. Menza, Lindsay K. Hixson, Lauren E. Lipira, Linda Drach

Regional Research Institute for Human Services

Fewer than 70% of people with HIV (PWH) in the United States have achieved durable viral suppression. To end the HIV epidemic in the United States, clinicians, researchers, and public health practitioners must devise ways to remove barriers to effective HIV treatment. To identify PWH who experience challenges to accessing health care, we created a simple assessment of social determinants of health (SDOH) among PWH and examined the impact of cumulative social and economic disadvantage on key HIV care outcomes.

Understanding The Stigma And Feasibility Of Opening A Safe Injection Facility In Baltimore City: A Qualitative Case Study, Timothy Dupree, Caroline I. Wood, Andrea M. Brace

The Qualitative Report

Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) are medically supervised facilities designed to provide a hygienic environment in which drug users can consume illicit drugs intravenously. SIFs can be cost saving, help to reduce transmission of disease, and decrease drug overdoses. There are no SIFs in the United States. In this study we used a multiple case study design to understand the stigma surrounding the use of a SIF and the feasibility of implementing the drug prevention strategy in Baltimore City by comparing experiences with opening a SIF in Sydney, Australia. We interviewed one healthcare worker at the Sydney SIF and ten community …

Staying At Home: How Well Did Americans Maintain Their Health Behaviors During Covid-19?, Michael Serrur, James Rose

Population Health Research Brief Series

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on people's sense of schedule. Lack of motivation and the removal of daily routines has negatively affected health behaviors, leading to an increase in snacking and sitting around the house more frequently than before the pandemic. This brief summarizes the findings from a national survey aimed at understanding behavior change and goal setting during the pandemic and provides tips for getting back into healthy habits.

Demographics, Activities, And Environmental Factors Impact Burnout In A National Survey Of Emergency Medicine Residents, Nicole Battaglioli, Tim P. Moran, Simiao Li-Sauerwine

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Burnout in emergency medicine and in residency training has been well-described. The impact of demographic, individual, and programmatic factors on burnout have not previously been determined in a national survey of emergency medicine residents. This study aimed to identify personal and environmental factors impacting resident burnout in a national sample of emergency medicine residents.

Methods: A prospective Emergency Medicine Resident Wellness Survey was administered in 2017. We surveyed respondents on demographic, personal, and environmental factors; each respondent also completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. Linear regressions were used to identify variables associated with the Maslach Burnout …

Longitudinal Trauma Treatment Outcomes In An Immigrant And Refugee Sample, Shuen-En Ho

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Refugee and immigrant populations are at an increased risk of having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exhibit a significant amount of variance in trauma treatment outcomes that may be impacted by sociocultural factors. This study examines the impact of demographic variables on treatment outcome and trajectory of PTSD symptoms in a clinic setting with trauma-focused treatments in refugee/immigrant and general populations. Data was collected from the electronic medical record at the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress. A total of 817 participants completed intake, 58 of which self-identified as immigrant/refugee. One-way ANOVAs were conducted to examine group differences …

A Systematic Review Of Mental Illness, Criminogenic Risk, And The U.S. Prison System, Eliza Esquibel

Student Works

The incarceration rates in the United States are the highest in the world. Within the U.S. prison population, mental illness is overrepresented as compared to the general population. The present study examined existing literature that researched the connection between the prison system and mental illness, and the potential solutions to this crisis. The studies looked at focused on psychiatric disorders, substance disorders, and trauma. They also focused on the intersection between race, mental illness, and the prison system, and the intersection between mental illness, gender, and the prison system. These studies revealed a high prevalence of untreated mental illness in …

Relationships Between Coping Mechanisms And Perceived Stress Of Portland State University Community Members Amidst Covid-19, Julie Goldman

University Honors Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the coping mechanisms used by the Portland State University (PSU) community and their relationships to perceived stress.

Methods: A virtual survey composed of demographic questions, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10), the Brief COPE, and two open-ended questions was distributed to the community. Data were collected from 231 respondents, mostly PSU students. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to compute mean PSS score, adaptive coping score, and avoidant coping score. Pearson correlations and t-tests were run to explore the relationship between perceived stress and coping data.

Results: Perceived stress …

Coping With Medical School: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study, Sebastian C K Shaw, John L. Anderson

The Qualitative Report

Anecdotal evidence suggested that hopelessness and helplessness (HH) were often reported by undergraduate medical students. It is known that medical students are more susceptible to high levels of stress and depression than other student groups. There is currently concern about suicide rates in students and high drop-out rates in junior doctors. But what can be said of HH within this population? This study was aimed at eliciting medical students’ experiences of HH. An interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Participants were recruited from a single medical school. Loosely structured, audio-recorded interviews were carried out. Recordings were then transcribed verbatim, then underwent …

Pregnant Women With Substance Use Disorders Deserve Plans Of Safe Care, Alexandra E. Punch, Monika Taylor

Population Health Research Brief Series

Substance use among women who are pregnant is a growing U.S public health issue. Approximately 340,000 infants are affected by prenatal exposure to illicit drugs annually, leading to an increase in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), and Child Protective Services involvement. This issue brief describes the current state of prenatal substance use and provides guidance on the use of federally mandated Plans of Safe Care to help mothers prepare for the arrival of their baby while navigating their substance use disorder.

Assessment Of Pathogenic Changes In The Gut-Liver Axis In Plwh With Heavy Alcohol Drinking And Gut Dysbiosis Marked By Decreased Butyrogenic Potential., Smita Ghare, Vaughn Bryant, Richa Singhal, Sabina Gautam, Chanakya Charan Tirumala, Andrea Reyes-Vega, Craig J. Mcclain, Ronald Cohen, Varand Govind, Robert L. Cook, Shirish Barve

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Purpose: People living with HIV infection (PLWH) experience increasing risk for non-AIDS diseases including liver dysfunction and injury. Both HIV-infection and heavy alcohol drinking (HAD) are known to cause gut microbial dysbiosis and systemic inflammation that may potentially contribute to altered Gut-Liver axis. However, the specific pathogenic features associated with combinatorial harmful effects of alcohol and HIV infection on gut-liver interactions are not completely understood. This study evaluate the pathogenic changes in the Gut-Liver axis in PLWH with HAD.

Effects Of Social Technology On Older Adults In A Residential Living Facility, Katherine Bennett, Mia L. Gonzalez, Sydney L. Harper, Madison N. Logan, Kaeli M. Jeffers, Alexandrea C. Springer, Jeanne Sowers

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Personal connection and social interaction are vital components of health throughout the lifespan. Loneliness and social isolation among the older adult population impacts both physical and mental health negatively. Analysis of published research demonstrates the importance of considering the use of different social technology platforms to foster opportunities for social support among family and friends. Researchers noted an increased relevance of the need for social technology in residential living facilities with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing. The study aims to investigate the impact of social technology, via Sherish℠ Connect on older adults’ reported levels of loneliness …

Association Between Stroke Health Literacy And Insurance With Stroke Severity And Post-Stroke Depression, Callista Clairmont, Amelia Adcock, Lea Colantonio

Mountaineer Undergraduate Research Review

Health literacy and insurance are important aspects of healthcare, yet few studies assess the roles that each play in relation to strokes. The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship that stroke health literacy and insurance coverage have on the development of post-stroke outcomes such as post-stroke depression and stroke severity. In this study, 47 patients receiving inpatient care for acute ischemic stroke were given a modified version of the Stroke Knowledge Test in order to assess their understanding of strokes. Stroke severity and depression levels were also measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale …

Exercise And Chronic Pain, Maren Wright Voss, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Casey Coombs, Gabriela Murza, Cindy Nelson, Elise Withers

All Current Publications

Chronic pain is perhaps the most pervasive medical issue in the United States. The long-term impacts of chronic pain often cause individuals to reduce or eliminate physical activity. Chronic pain can impact physical, mental, and emotional well-being, which can limit daily activity and quality of life. The purpose of this fact sheet is to address the common barriers to being physically active with chronic pain and provide suggestions for safe ways to be physically active even when chronic pain is present.

An Occupation-Based Program To Promote Mental Health Of At-Risk Youth In An After-Care Setting, Alexa Smith

Student Capstone Papers

The disproportionate tendency for young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to shift from schools to the juvenile justice system is referred to as the “school to prison pipeline”. Treating and preventing mental health difficulties is within the scope of occupational therapy, and while the school system assists in mental health treatment, there is a lack of mental health supporting services in after-care settings. The purpose of the program development project is to increase the supportive mental health services provided to at-risk youth in the after-care setting. The project ran mental health group sessions using Cole’s Seven Step Model with participant groups …

Patients' And Providers' Needs And Preferences When Considering Fertility Preservation Before Cancer Treatment: Decision-Making Needs Assessment, Aubri Hoffman, Laura Crocker, Aakrati Mathur, Deborah Holman, June Weston, Sukhkamal Campbell, Ashley Housten, Andrea Bradford, Shilpi Agrawala, Terri L Woodard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: As cancer treatments continue to improve, it is increasingly important that women of reproductive age have an opportunity to decide whether they want to undergo fertility preservation treatments to try to protect their ability to have a child after cancer. Clinical practice guidelines recommend that providers offer fertility counseling to all young women with cancer; however, as few as 12% of women recall discussing fertility preservation. The long-term goal of this program is to develop an interactive web-based patient decision aid to improve awareness, access, knowledge, and decision making for all young women with cancer. The International Patient Decision …

Perceived Stress And Self-Care In Graduate Students Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic, Devona M. Stalnaker-Shofner, Cathy Lounsbury, Sadie Collagan, Sean Keck, Ryan Roberts

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: This study examines the perceived stress and self-care behaviors of graduate students as impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who participated had varying degree concentrations, with the majority of participants having a Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Couples and Family Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, or Clinical Psychology focus. This study is particularly relevant to health care workers, especially those whose focus is mental health. Markedly elevated prevalence of reported adverse mental and behavioral health conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the broad impact of the pandemic and the need to prevent and treat these conditions. This study sought …

Serious Mental Illness In Nursing Homes: Quality Concerns, Dylan J. Jester

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objective: This dissertation is made of two academic papers followed by a chapter discussing policy implications of the findings. The objective of this dissertation is to better understand if high-serious mental illness (SMI) nursing homes (NHs) provide poorer quality of care (e.g., operationalized as staffing levels, NH Compare quality star ratings, and health deficiencies) and whether quality in high-SMI NHs is confounded by payer mix (e.g., the proportion of residents who are Medicaid-reimbursed). A modified Donabedian Structure, Process, Outcome (SPO) Model was used as the main theoretical framework.

Methods: Data came from the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) …