Mental and Social Health Commons^™

"We're Human": An Analysis Of Formal And Informal Training Methods For Direct Care Staff Working With Dual-Diagnosis Populations, Adam Clay Stephenson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Direct care staff, or DCS, are individuals tasked with providing a number of care services to individuals with disabilities in various settings. This study focuses on a group of direct care staff working at a day habilitation program in central West Virginia. Training techniques used to prepare these workers for a diverse array of roles are reviewed comparatively and through a sociological theoretical lens utilizing perspectives from Bandura (1977), Laubach (2005), Marx (1964), and Wolfensberger (1983). Semi-structured interview results indicate that formal training is driven by a less valorous view of disabled individuals as a class than informal training; that …

Evaluation Of Outcomes For Psychosis And Epilepsy Treatment Delivered By Primary Health Care Workers In Nepal: A Cohort Study., M J D Jordans, L Aldridge, N P Luitel, F Baingana, B A Kohrt

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Most evaluations of task-shifting have focused on common mental disorders. Much less work has been done on severe mental neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders, such as chronic psychosis and epilepsy. Given the high burden associated with severe MNS and the lack of mental health professionals in low and middle income countries, evaluations on the impact of task-shifting for these disorders are important.

Methods: In a rural district of Nepal, a community mental health program, based on World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme guidelines, was evaluated using a cohort study design. People with epilepsy and psychotic disorders …

Addressing Culture And Context In Humanitarian Response: Preparing Desk Reviews To Inform Mental Health And Psychosocial Support., M Claire Greene, Mark J D Jordans, Brandon A Kohrt, Peter Ventevogel, Laurence J Kirmayer, Ghayda Hassan, Anna Chiumento, Mark Van Ommeren, Wietse A Tol

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Delivery of effective mental health and psychosocial support programs requires knowledge of existing health systems and socio-cultural context. To respond rapidly to humanitarian emergencies, international organizations often seek to design programs according to international guidelines and mobilize external human resources to manage and deliver programs. Familiarizing international humanitarian practitioners with local culture and contextualizing programs is essential to minimize risk of harm, maximize benefit, and optimize efficient use of resources. Timely literature reviews on traditional health practices, cultural beliefs and attitudes toward mental health and illness, local health care systems and previous experiences with humanitarian interventions can provide international practitioners …

Addictions Content Published In Counseling Journals: A 10-Year Content Analysis To Inform Research And Practice, Edward Wahesh, S. Elizabeth Likis-Werle, Regina R. Moro

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This content analysis includes 210 articles that focused on addictions topics published between January 2005 and December 2014 in the journals of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and ACA member divisions. Results include the types of addictions content and behaviors studied as well as the populations and data analytic techniques used in the addictions research articles. Whereas most articles discussed addictions counseling techniques, addictions issues among non-clinical populations, and professional practice issues, fewer articles addressed clients in treatment, utilized clinical populations, or analyzed intervention outcomes. Implications for addictive behaviors …

Treating The Most Seriously Addicted Using Elements Of Therapeutic Community: The Importance Of Treatment Vocabulary, Arthur P. Sullivan, Penny Sullivan-Nunes, Edmundo Nunes

Department of Behavioral Science Publications and Research

The inadequacy of individual psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for treating the severely addicted (those addicted to many substances, or if one, opioids) was addressed by the development of the therapeutic community (TC) treatment model. TC treatment was residential and lengthy, but effective: it enabled the most pernicious of addictions to be managed, relapses to be reduced, and the patients enabled to lead enjoyable lives with rewarding relationships, families, education, and employment. Years of budget difficulties have reduced the cost of TC treatment by reducing or eliminating elements of TC treatment, with commensurate loss of treatment gains for the patients. This paper …

Role Emerging Placements In Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Training: A Case Study, Martin Fitzgerald, Abigail Kate Smith, Nazman Rehman, Michelle Taylor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Role-emerging placements in occupational therapy training are contributing to professional and workforce development because of their strong occupational focus and placement of students in emerging practice. This manuscript explores how one role-emerging placement challenged and developed student theoretical and clinical skills, presented new ways of working at the recipient site, and enhanced service delivery. Methods: The background to role-emerging placements in occupational therapy is explored through the use of a case study which reflects on and analyses how the assessment and treatment of occupation enhanced service delivery at a local, non-traditional site. Eight students in England developed and …

The Therapeutic Relationship As A Context For Reformation, Kristine Lund

Luther Faculty Publications

Luther’s lifelong struggle with melancholy and anxiety is well documented in his own writings as well as by Luther scholars. Luther notes the importance of his relationship with Johannes Staupitz, his mentor and spiritual advisor in addressing the inner torment he experienced and the significant effect this had on his theology and quality of life. This paper explores Luther’s relationship with Staupitz as an important context for the transformation of Luther’s personal life and the concurrent reformation of Luther’s theology and understanding of grace. Their relationship serves as a framework for understanding the importance of the psychotherapeutic relationship as a …

Childhood Obesity: Physiological And Psychological Implications And Ethical Responsibilities, Connie S. Lewis

Journal of Health Ethics

Childhood obesity continues to be a health concern in the United States with physiological and psychological consequences. Research conducted in schools may address the physiological effects and exacerbate negative psychological effects, including weight bias and stigmatization. In the home, children are dependent on parents/caregivers to provide a healthy diet and exhibit a healthy lifestyle.The ethical theory, ethics of care, emphasizes dependence and interdependence on others, and ethical and moral responsibilities in the parent/child relationship. The assurance of ethical considerations involving children in research and parental provision for healthy dietary provision is of utmost importance. Any action or inaction that results …

Evaluating Internet Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Adults With Depression, Togan Cottrell

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Depression is one of the most prevalent and costly mental health issues worldwide.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been a long-standing treatment for patients with depression. CBT has been proven to reduce or eliminate depression symptoms while increasing quality of life.

• Due to lack of access to care and a deficiency of mental health providers throughout the United States, the frequent and lengthy visits that are required for traditional CBT may not be an option.

• The use of internet based CBT has been studied as an alternative to traditional therapy and may serve to fill a …

Folate As An Adjunctive Therapy For Treatment Resistant Depression, Katherine Mcfarland

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Numerous medications are available to treat depression, yet many patients do not achieve remission or recovery of their symptoms with traditional therapies alone. Folate supplementation has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of depression when used in addition to traditional prescription therapy. A literature review was conducted to determine the effect of low folate levels on depression and if supplementation with either folic acid or L-methylfolate benefits this patient population. Key search terms including folate, folate deficiency, methylfolate, nutrition, and depression were used to perform searches of multiple databases and journals including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and the American …

Opioid Maintenance Treatment: Methadone, Buprenorphine, And Naltrexone, Nicole Lemieux

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Opioid dependence plagues the United States with millions of people suffering from the effects. Throughout recent years, there has been a surge in research in treatment options for patients suffering from opioid dependence. Three medications have stood out: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the three and decipher which provides the best outcomes for patients. Research was conducted by reviewing literature via PubMed, PsychInfo and Cochrane. A review of the literature found that methadone has been used the longest and has been shown to be efficacious, but can be severely limiting for patients due …

Treatment Options For Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Comorbid Depression, Elizabeth Morton

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Irritable bowel syndrome & depression are common comorbidities, however there is a wide variability regarding the appropriate treatment regimens for these patients.

• IBS is classified as a functional bowel disease in which patients suffer from recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort associated with alterations in bowel habits.

• While the cause of IBS is multifactorial, studies have revealed that the dysfunction of the brain-gut pathways are a culprit to disease appearance and progression, as seen in the biopsychosocial model of IBS. This model proposes that abdominal symptoms secondarily impact anxiety & depression symptoms and that psychological factors influence physiologic …

Posttraumatic Growth As It Relates To Family Environment, Brian Keller

Online Theses and Dissertations

The current study sought to explore the relationship between one's family environment and reported posttraumatic growth. Participants were 197 EKU undergraduate intro to psychology students. They voluntarily took an online survey for course credit. Types and frequency of trauma was recorded using the Life Events Checklist. The Posttraumatic Growth Index was used to measure posttraumatic growth, the Family environment scale was used to assess qualities of family life, and the Big Five Inventory was used to control for personality traits. Results did not support the hypothesis, however, significant correlations with the Moral Religious subscale of the FES as well as …

The Effects Of Rape Myth Acceptance, Benevolent Sexism, Characterological Self-Blame, And Behavioral Self-Blame On Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity, Jacob Whitaker Camp

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Roughly 35 to 50 percent of victims of sexual assault begin to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relatively early after the assault (Elklit, Due, & Christiansen, 2009). Many victims of sexual assault who are diagnosed with PTSD continue to experience symptoms long after the incident occurred (Peter-Hagene & Ullman, 2015). Rape has serious effects on the psychological health of the victims. Although no study had been done directly examining the relationship between rape myth acceptance and PTSD symptom severity, studies have shown that benevolent sexism affects rape myth acceptance and that rape myth acceptance affects how individuals attribute blame …

A Conversation Analysis Of Therapist-Client Interactional Patterns In Single Session Therapy: A Researcher's Interpretation, Nozomu Ozaki

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

In response to the growing awareness of the issue of accessibility to mental health services (World Health Organization, 2013), single session therapy (SST) has been implemented in various settings throughout the world. (Hoyt &Talmon, 2014b; Miller, 2008; Miller & Slive, 2004; Talmon, 2014). Although there has been much advancement in the knowledge and application of SST, an understanding of therapist-client interactional patterns that enfold in SST is extremely scarce. In this study, I investigated how therapists collaboratively improved the talk in SST turn by turn in such a way that promoted therapeutic improvement. I utilized conversation analysis (Sacks et al., …

The Roles Of Perceived Stress, Coping Styles, And Perceived Social Support On The Alcohol Consumption Among American College Students, Jesse Wynn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intention of this study was to better understand how certain aspects in a college student's life (i.e., perceived stress, styles of coping, and social support) or how combinations of these variables may contribute to higher levels of alcohol consumption. The present study examined the relationship between perceived stress, functional coping strategies, dysfunctional coping strategies, and perceived social support using Lazarus and Folkman's model of stress, appraisal, and coping. A sample of (N = 201) University of Denver undergraduate students between the ages of 18-25 complete measures of perceived stress, coping strategies, perceived social support, and alcohol use. Results …

Patterns Of Hiv Testing, Drug Use, And Sexual Behaviors In People Who Use Drugs: Findings From A Community-Based Outreach Program In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Gitau Mburu, Chanrith Ngin, Sovannary Tuot, Pheak Chhoun, Khuondyla Pal, Siyan Yi

Background: People who use drugs are an important priority for HIV programs. However, data related to their utilization of HIV services are limited. This paper reports patterns of HIV testing, drug use, and risk and service perception among people who use drugs. Study participants were receiving HIV and harm reduction services from a communitybased program in Phnom Penh, comprised of itinerant peer-led outreach and static drop-in centers.

Methods: This was a mixed-methods study conducted in 2014, comprising of a quantitative survey using a structured questionnaire, followed by two focus group discussions among a sub-sample of survey participants. Participants …

Preclinical Assessment Of Immunocal® As A Preventative Treatment For Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi) In A Mouse Model Of Closed Head Injury, Elizabeth Eugenia Ignowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past three decades, traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been considered a "silent epidemic" and recognized as an emergent public health problem by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TBI is defined as a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Due to the debilitating effects and prevalence of TBI, novel preventative treatment regimens are highly desirable in at risk populations. According to the CDC groups disproportionately affected by TBI include athletes, people aged 75+, and service men and women, among others. Here, we investigated a unique whey protein …

Is It Possible To Change The Way College Students Think About Stress? The Benefits Of A Stress Management Course, Jennifer Wegmann, Rachel A. Moshman, Lily Rubin

Research Days Posters 2016-2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a stress management course on college students’ stress mindsets. Stress mindset encompasses the beliefs one holds about stress. Those who view stress as beneficial have a stress-is-enhancing mindset, while those who view stress as detrimental have a stress-is-debilitating mindset. Subjects enrolled in a physical activity course (control group, n=25) and a stress management course (n=24) possessed a neutral stress mindset at baseline. Students in the intervention group showed a significant shift to a more stress-is-enhancing mindset by the end of the semester. Students in the control group did not …

Addressing Culture And Context In Humanitarian Response: Preparing Desk Reviews To Inform Mental Health And Psychosocial Support., M Claire Greene, Mark J D Jordans, Brandon A Kohrt, Peter Ventevogel, Laurence J Kirmayer, Ghayda Hassan, Anna Chiumento, Mark Van Ommeren, Wietse A Tol

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Delivery of effective mental health and psychosocial support programs requires knowledge of existing health systems and socio-cultural context. To respond rapidly to humanitarian emergencies, international organizations often seek to design programs according to international guidelines and mobilize external human resources to manage and deliver programs. Familiarizing international humanitarian practitioners with local culture and contextualizing programs is essential to minimize risk of harm, maximize benefit, and optimize efficient use of resources. Timely literature reviews on traditional health practices, cultural beliefs and attitudes toward mental health and illness, local health care systems and previous experiences with humanitarian interventions can provide international practitioners …