Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Illness Perceptions Of Hemodialysis Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Their Association With Empowerment, Jaime L. Pula

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Acetaldehyde And Epithelial Junctions: Role Of Pp2a And Occludin Phosphorylation, Mitzi Dunagan

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Chronic alcohol consumption causes health problems including cancers, liver damage, and cirrhosis.These problems are exacerbated by endotoxins from the bacterial population of the colon, which can enter the bloodstream when gastrointestinal tight junctions, protein complexes that prevent paracellular passage of molecules, are compromised. The mechanisms of this barrier disruption are the subject of current study.

Acetaldehyde, produced as a result of ethanol breakdown by intestinal microflora as well as intestinal epithelia, is a known carcinogen. It compromises the barrier function of intestinal epithelial cells by causing irregularities in the phosphorylation of tight junction proteins. It also reacts with proteins, lipids, …

The Traditional Roles Of Caring For Elders: Views From First Nations Elders Regarding Health, Violence, And Elder Abuse, Eileen A. Owen-Williams

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This study sought to respectfully understand Northern British Columbia First Nations Elders' views regarding health of communities, intergenerational relationships, Elder roles, and violence towards Elders. Injuries, both intentional and unintentional, are a leading cause of death for First Nations Peoples. Information regarding Elder abuse in First Nations communities is lacking, though family violence has been identified as a problem within First Nations communities. The goal of this research was to understand the point of view and Elders' reality through the creation of a dialogue with Elders, and to discern the interface between Traditional First Nations' belief systems, healing methods, and …

The Delivery System Design Of A Community Mental Health Center And Provision Of Quality: Cardiometabolic Screening For Persons With A Severe Mental Illness Prescribed Atypical Antipsychotic Medication, Dawn Marie Vanderhoef

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Persons with a severe mental illness (SMI) prematurely lose up to 25 years of life when compared to the general population. This patient population has increased morbidity and mortality due to higher than normal rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Treatment of SMI often includes the use of atypical antipsychotic (AA) medication which has been associated with the development of cardiometabolic illnesses. In response to the higher rates of co-morbid, chronic physical illness, monitoring guidelines for cardiometabolic illness have been published. Despite these guidelines, screening rates for cardiometabolic illness in this population remain low. Neither community mental …

Burnout, Vicarious Traumatization, And Compassion Fatigue Within The Field Of Art Therapy, Megan Parrish

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious traumatization are negative experiences that can pose problems for many health professionals, especially mental health professionals. This study is a preliminary study aimed at identifying the prevalence of these experiences within the field of art therapy. A mixed methods research design consisting of pre-existing measurements and qualitative questions were implemented into an online survey and dispersed through various online media. There were 88 participants who completed the survey. Responses were analyzed with results indicating that there was a presence of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious traumatization within the field. Another aspect of the study was …

A Comparison Of Kinetic Family Drawings By Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Typically Developing Siblings, Rachel Daniels

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on the diagnosed child’s perception of their family. Specifically, the study compared the Kinetic Family Drawings (Burns & Kaufman, 1970) created by children diagnosed with Autism and those created by typically developing children.

Eight participants between the ages of 6 and 12 were recruited, and split into two groups. One group consisted of four children (three boys and one girl) with a mean age of 6.75 and an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis. The second group consisted of four typically developing children (three girls and one …

A Study Of Art Therapy-Based Approaches To Communication Between Physicians And Pediatric Patients, Carrie Carowan

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Miscommunication between physicians and child patients about perceived pain results in problems with diagnosis and treatment of childhood illness. This study used an art therapy-based approach to explore physician perceptions and understanding of child patients’ pain as compared to the pediatric patients’ perceptions of their own pain. Body Outline Forms (BOFs) and Magnified Pain Drawings (MPDs) (Barton, 1995) were completed by participants, and compared using a qualitative content analysis. Visual results reflected a difference in perception of pain by the physician and child participants in areas of color, size, shape, location, and movement. Verbal results collected from the physician participant …

Art Therapy And Quality Of Life In Older Adults: A Case Study, Ashton Sullivan

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This case report describes my exploration of quality of life by implementing art therapy techniques for life review with an elderly individual. The participant was a 72 year old Caucasian female who, at the time of this investigation, resided in a long term care facility. Together, the participant and I created an altered book incorporating phototherapy techniques in order to enhance the life review process. After seven sessions of art making, the participant answered questions in a semi-structured interview in which I asked about her experience in art therapy and about her quality of life. The results of the interview …

Art Therapy Assessment Of Adult Incarcerated Offenders: A Research Proposal For The Assessment Of Locus Of Control, Alecia Perreault

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

There is a lack of research that combines both art therapy assessment and prison inmates as it relates to locus of control. This is a research proposal that attempts to highlight the need for research with art therapy assessments among the offender population. More specifically, it attempts to correlate art therapy assessments with the assessment of specific traits, like locus of control, as they are typically found in offenders. This thesis reviews literature that is related to the field of art therapy assessment, projective drawing assessment, and the offender population, as well as discusses implications for further study.

A Phenomenological Observation Of The Reductive Printmaking Experience: Implications For Art Therapy, Nicholas Alexander

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the phenomenological experience of four students in higher education relating to the involvement in a single reductive relief printmaking session. The indirect process of reductive relief printmaking is set apart from other methods due to the multiple steps and the use of various tools during the experience. It offers a reflective distance from the process, which allows the participant time to consider the meaning of an experience as it occurs. The production of multiple images during the process likewise lessens a participant’s resistance. The printed images are composed of layers; a metaphor for life’s process. Prior …

Emergency Medical Technicians’ Experience With Visual Journaling: A Qualitative Study, Pamela Gandolfi

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of EMTs who incorporate the process of visual journaling each week in response to their professional responsibilities. In particular, this study aimed to understand EMTs’ perceptions of the usefulness of visual journaling and to determine possible themes from visual and written journal content.

Six participants, five male and one female, who were certified EMT-Basic (EMT-B), EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I) and Paramedics (EMT-P) volunteered to be part of this study. In addition to being an EMT, they were all also certified firefighters. All participants were aged 18 to 70 years and had met …

Examining Attachment Styles In Adult Adoptees Using The Bird’S Nest Drawing, Kim Clemens

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine adult attachment styles seen in the Bird’s Nest Drawings of adopted adults, compared to those seen in non-adopted adults. A sample of 17 participants (16 non-adopted adults and 1 adopted adult) in the age range of 21-57 completed a Bird’s Nest Drawing (BND), Bird’s Nest Drawing Story, Adult Attachment Scale Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire.

The BND was devised by Donna Kaiser to assess secure and insecure attachment as seen through graphic indicators in a projective drawing test. Kaiser’s February 2012 updated BND checklist is comprised of 14 hypothesized graphic indicator items, …

What Is The Effect Of Mandala Drawing Versus Art Card Sorting On Mood, Stress, And Anxiety In Individuals With Mood And Anxiety Disorders?, Sara K.M. Young

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The effect of mandala drawing versus art card sorting on mood, stress, and anxiety on a clinical population of adults with a history or diagnosis of DSM-­‐IV-­‐TR mood and/or anxiety disorders is investigated through a randomized study utilizing experiment and control groups, and a single subject case study. Standardized measurements used to collect data were the profile of mood states, the state-­‐trait anxiety inventory, and the Beck depression inventory-­‐II. Statistical significance could not be tested due to a lack of control subjects. Mean and standard deviation are reported and show a decrease in the mean post experiment. The single subject …

A Comparative Analysis Of Stress And Anxiety Reduction Between Working With Clay And Mandala Design Coloring, Sara Julsrud

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

One aim of this study was to help scientifically quantify many art therapists’ belief that artmaking is intrinsically healing. This study explored the effects of mindful art therapy processes (guided clay work meditation and mandala coloring) on stress and anxiety through measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data were collected from 20 undergraduate students from Virginia Wesleyan College and Old Dominion University, both of Norfolk, VA. Ages of subjects ranged from 18 to 40 years old. Through use of repeated measures analysis, the posttest measurements from each subject were compared to their …

A Proposed Art Therapy Group For Survivors Of Suicide Based Upon The Results Of A Survivor Of Suicide’S Self-Study, Crystal Menicola

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

A survivor of suicide’s self-exploration process was explored to investigate the efficacy and applicability of specific therapeutic art and writing tasks proposed in the original methodology for the study of an art therapy group with survivors of suicide. Based on personal reflections throughout the self-exploration process, the researcher improved the original study design by modifying the sequence of tasks and adding supplemental art and writing exercises to sessions in consideration of evocative material that had the potential to elicit a severe trauma response due to recalling traumatic memories. Two standardized measures, the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, and the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40, …

Exploring Hope And Quality Of Life: A Proposal For A Group Art Therapy Hope Intervention For Individuals Diagnosed With Lupus, Paige Scheinberg

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

As a result of the importance of hope and quality of life in disease management for individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus, there is support in the literature for the need for an effective intervention that targets these constructs with this population. The efficacy of art therapy in meeting the physical, mental, and emotional needs of diverse populations is also supported in existing research, making this an ideal form of treatment for lupus patients. In an effort to fill a gap in the literature on the relationship(s) between lupus, hope, and art therapy, this study was created. The original …

Social And Contextual Factors That Influence Hiv Risk Behaviors Among Indigenous Msm In The Peruvian Amazon, Isaac E. Alva, E. Roberto Orellana

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Men who have sex with men (MSM) face a significantly higher risk of HIV infection than the general population around the globe. In Peru, HIV prevalence among MSM range from 14% to 23%, with Lima, the capital, and port cities in the Amazonian region being the most affected. Recent studies found that indigenous MSM who leave their villages for cities along the Amazon River and its tributaries, engage in high risk behaviors such as high alcohol consumption and unprotected sex with mestizo (non- indigenous) MSM. This study examined social and contextual factors associated with risky behaviors among indigenous MSM in …

Motivating Men Who Have Sex With Men To Get Tested For Hiv, Magaly M. Blas, Luis A. Menacho, Isaac E. Alva, E. Roberto Orellana

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Although men who have sex with men (MSM) have the highest HIV prevalence in Peru, they are underserved by traditional preventive programs. Interestingly, in Peru the Internet and cell-phones have emerged as a convenient tool to reach this population.

Military Service Members’ Attitudes Towards Mental Illness And Access To Mental Health Services: A Matter Of Stigma., Virginia Delbusto-Cohen

Nursing Doctoral

It has been clinically observed and the literature concurs that military service members often fail to access mental health services in spite of availability of care. The reasons for failure to access care appear to be that military service members are fearful of accessing mental health services for fear of being stigmatized. Failure to receive care for mental health problems can result in deleterious results, some of which may culminate in inability to function or even loss of life. Additionally, failure to access mental health care can result in massive monetary costs in terms of loss and replacement of personnel …

Medicating America: Exploring Prescription Drug Abuse In A Rural East Texas Community, Christi Courade

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.