Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons^™

Reproductive Health Needs Among Women In Treatment For Substance Use Disorder, Jaanki Bhakta, Elizabeth Morse, David Phillippi

DNP Projects

Integrated care models for substance use disorder (SUD) and reproductive health care have been proposed as a strategy to increase access to reproductive health care for women in treatment for SUD. This cross-sectional, survey-based study measured how women of childbearing age in residential treatment report their demand for and access to reproductive health care, their pregnancy intention, contraceptive utilization and preference for integrating reproductive health care with their current SUD treatment milieu. Eighty-five percent of the women interviewed (N=108) expressed a desire to prevent pregnancy in the next year, although only one-third (33.6%) were using a form of contraception at …

Creating Opportunities For Personal Empowerment: A Project Evaluation, Ann L. Cudney

Doctoral Projects

Introduction: 66% of individuals in the United States who experienced a major depressive episode in the last year saw a general practitioner or family doctor and not a psychiatrist or psychotherapist (Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2018). Many primary care providers treat with medication, however, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is associated with better results (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, n.d.). A Midwestern faith-based healthcare organization implemented a pilot cognitive behavioral therapy program at a family medicine residency clinic to improve mental health care.

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to evaluate if the implementation …

The Effect Of The Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral To Treatment (Sbirt) Model On Adult Depression In An Outpatient Setting, Genevieve E. Sweeney

Doctoral Projects

Depression is one of the most common chronic conditions in the world. Despite this, depression continues to be under-screened, inaccurately assessed and diagnosed, and poorly treated in outpatient settings. Many providers solely rely on clinical judgement instead of a screening tool or evidence-based toolkit when a patient presents with depression symptoms, resulting in underdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Utilization of resources can help a provider appropriately screen, diagnose and treat an individual with depression. Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based model intended to improve these measures. Studies from the literature support the efficacy of the SBIRT model …

The Mental Health Experience Among Parents Of Children With Autism, Thao Tran

Doctoral Projects

Parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face challenges, stress, and mental health issues than parents of children without autism. Mental health experience of parents in underserved communities are not adequately studied. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to understand the mental health experience of eight parent caregivers residing in San Joaquin Valley, California. All parents reported the journey was stressful but not all parents described the point when they received the diagnosis as being more stressful than before and after the ASD diagnosis. Parents’ responses to the semi-structured interview that assesses for the degree of ambiguous …

Effect Of Nursing Guidelines On Coping Of Infertile Couples Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization, Mona Hassan Abdelaal

Nursing

Context: Infertility is defined as not being able to conceive after one year of unprotected sex. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process of fertilization where an ovum is combined with sperm outside the body, in vitro. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is psychologically and emotionally stressful. Coping strategies are needed to master, tolerate, reduce, or minimize stressful events. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nursing guidelines on coping of infertile couples' undergoing In Vitro Fertilization. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to achieve the aim of this study. This study conducted at the assisted reproductive technology …

Minimizing Antipsychotic Medication Side Effects In Adults Diagnosed With Mental Illness Through Psychoeducation: An Evidence-Based Approach, Sarah A. Yao

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Adherence to antipsychotic medication has demonstrated significant impact in decreasing symptom exacerbation among patients diagnosed with mental illness. Antipsychotic medications have several benefits including the management of psychotic and mood disorders; however, they could cause unwanted medication side effects with metabolic and cardiovascular risks. This issue is one of the commonly linked side effects resulting in nonadherence among mentally ill patients. The purpose of this project was to implement a psychoeducational intervention using the SIMPLE program to address metabolic and cardiovascular risks associated with antipsychotic medications among adult patients diagnosed with mental illness. A sample size of sixteen adult patients …

Neurocognitive Effects Of 12-Hour Shifts On Bedside Nurses, Caroline N. Miller

Merge

The student researcher conducted a research study to determine if there was a significant difference in the neurocognitive abilities of bedside nurses at the beginning of a 12-hour shift versus the end of the same shift. The student researcher hypothesized there was a significant difference in the neurocognitive abilities of bedside nurses at the beginning of one’s shift as compared to the end of the same shift. Conversely, the null hypothesis stated there was no significant difference in the neurocognitive abilities of bedside nurses at the beginning of one’s shift as compared to the end of the same shift. An …

Supports For Migrant Farmworkers: Tensions In (In)Access And (In)Action, Susana Caxaj, Amy Cohen, Sarah Marsden

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Publications

Purpose: This study examined the role of support actors in promoting or hindering access to migrant agricultural workers' (MAWs) needs, and, to determine the factors that influence adequate support for this population.
Methodology: Employing a Situational Analysis methodology, we carried out focus groups and interviews with 35 support actors complimented by a community scan (n=28) with public-facing support persons and a community consultation with migrant agricultural workers (MAWs).
Findings: Two major themes were revealed: (In)access and (In)action, and; Blurred Lines in Service Provision. The first illustrated how support actors could both reinforce or challenge barriers for this population through tensions …

Exploring The Effects Service Dogs Have On Veterans With Ptsd, Shelby E. Reeves

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness resulting from exposure to a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD vary, but those affected commonly experience nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and trouble sleeping; they may also avoid people or situations that trigger traumatic memories. It is estimated that PTSD affects about 10-30% of all United States veterans. Additionally, traditional treatment methods have an average dropout rate of 25% among military personnel. Inadequate PTSD symptom management may lead to depression, anxiety, suicidality, isolation, unstable relationships, and substance misuse. The purpose of this review is to examine the current research concerning the use of service …

A Mixed Methods Study To Investigate Barriers And Enablers To Nurses’ Implementation Of Nonpharmacological Interventions For Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas), Allison Suber Adrian

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

The national burden of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome on individuals, families, and the healthcare system has reached epidemic proportion. The rising incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome significantly impacts healthcare utilization and costs due to increases in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admissions and length of hospitalization, to the possible detriment of maternal-infant bonding. Because nonpharmacologic nursing care is not complicated by the potentially harmful side effects of pharmacological treatment, it should be considered the standard of care for opioid-exposed infants; therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the barriers and enablers to nurses’ implementation of nonpharmacological interventions for infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is …

Geographic Access To Community Mental Healthcare And Adherence To Treatment Among Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Marie Smith-East

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Disparities in access to mental health care for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders continue to exist in the United States despite the creation of mental health policies seeking to improve access to care. As an integral element of healthcare system delivery, access is influenced by spatial (location) and non-spatial (sociodemographic) factors. Highlighting both spatial and non-spatial dimensions of access to mental healthcare, this study employed an innovative approach encompassing the geography of access and the integration of location analyses to bridge the gap between psychosocial dynamics and mental health services for improving cost-effective continuity of care. The aims were as …

Tobacco Use And Nicotine Withdrawal Among Patients With Mental Illness, Yazan Daher Al-Mrayat

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

People with mental illness (MI) are disproportionately affected by tobacco use compared to the general population. In fact, it is estimated that people with MI consume approximately 44% of cigarettes smoked in the United States. Moreover, the MI population is at greater risk for the negative social, economic, and health consequences associated with tobacco use and are reported to have 25-year shorter life expectancies than the general population. The impact of tobacco use is further noticeable among patients with MI who require psychiatric hospitalization. Quitting smoking in this population has been linked to fewer discharges against medical advice, better quality …

Benefits Of Exercise On Mental Health: Literature Review, Angela Ristau

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Providers diligently educate patients on exercise to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. However, in recent years, providers judiciously educate patients on exercise and its correlation to improving or impacting mental health disorders. Physical activity has been steadily shown to relate to improved physical health, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being. A large body of literature examines the impact of physical activity and exercise on mental health. There is a growing interest in the use of exercise in the treatment of depression and anxiety, as a primary option or as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment. …

Nursing Student Stress, Ruthanne Emily Hawks, Hannah Rae Wilson, Carly Marie Gillota, Taylor Anne Hall, Edward William Mccain

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Nursing students deal with a variety of stressors, including difficult curriculum and new endeavors such as clinical and lab experiences. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between stress levels and coping mechanisms and readiness to change unhealthy coping mechanisms in baccalaureate nursing students. The Transtheoretical Model of Change guides this non-experimental, correlational study and measured readiness for change. The Student Nurse Stress Index was used to measure stress. The abbreviated COPE Inventory was used to measure coping. Online recruitment, consent forms, and surveys were distributed to nursing students via the Student Success Center in the College …

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Alcohol, Marijuana, And Opioid Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Hannah Safranek, Madeline Frausto, Amy King, Stoneking Madison

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this review is to analyze evidence on prevalence of opioid, alcohol and marijuana use during pregnancy and answer the PICOT question: In pregnant women addicted to or using marijuana, opioids, and alcohol, how do non-pharmacological interventions, compared to standard care of pharmacological interventions alone, affect health outcomes in mothers and neonates between birth to hospital discharge? Diagnosis of substance use disorder is increasing and with it comes increased risk of complications to mother and neonate including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other negative neonatal and maternal outcomes. Evidence was identified on the online …

Exploring Cryotherapy As A Therapeutic Approach For Stress-Induced Tension Headaches In College Students, Mona Hassan Abdelaal

Nursing

ABSTRACT Tension-type headaches and stress are common problems for students. It is one of the most neglected headache types, with prevalence of ~ 15–20% in population-based studies. Alternative and complementary medicine such as cryotherapy is effective for relieving physical and psychological pain; using ice compresses by placing it at the back of the neck, leads to relief of tension and anxiety, and gives the feeling of relaxation and full of energy for doing daily life activities. The findings from this study provide the basis for the formulation of future research questions that can explore the effect of cryotherapy on the …

Implementing Safeplan: A Communication Template For Emergency Nurses Caring For Psychiatric Patients, Michele Leigh Rudisill

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project explored the impact of introducing a communication template for emergency department (ED) nurses to use during handoff when caring for psychiatric patients. This need was identified as ED nurses are now caring for psychiatric patients for longer periods of time in the ED setting, sometimes weeks to months, due to limited inpatient mental health resources and resources in the community. ED nurses’ perceptions were surveyed and the need for a standardized, yet flexible communication template was identified. The literature was reviewed, and no such template was identified specific to ED nurses caring for the psychiatric patient population. …

Reducing Gaps In Knowledge About Electroconvulsive Therapy Among Mental Health Nurses, Janice L. Edmonson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This DNP study was conducted to identify knowledge gaps about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among mental health nurses and to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention on the knowledge and attitude of mental health nurses about the use of ECT at a psychiatric hospital. In this study, the researcher sought to build upon an existing knowledge base using principles of adult learning theory to enhance the therapeutic relationship of the nursing staff when caring for ECT patients. A sample of three-quarters (N = 119) of the mental health nursing staff employed by the psychiatric hospital consented to participate in …

Recognition And Management Of Agitation In Acute Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Evaluation Of Staff Perceptions, Joshua Tucker, Lisa Whitehead, Peter Palamara, Josephine Xenia Rosman, Karla Seaman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020, The Author(s).

Background: Agitation among patients is a common and distressing behaviour across a variety of health care settings, particularly inpatient mental health. Unless recognised early and effectively managed it can lead to aggression and personal injury. The aim of this paper is to explore the experiences of mental health nurses in recognising and managing agitation in an inpatient mental health setting and the alignment of these experiences with best practice and person-centred care.

Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative methodology. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 20 nurses working in a mental health unit in …

Optimizing The Implementation And Dissemination Of The Recovery Model Approach, Lani Schofield

Master's Projects and Capstones

For a period of nine months spanning 2018 and 2019, monthly patient satisfaction survey scores in a 22-bed sub-acute inpatient psychiatry unit at a safety-net hospital in California decreased significantly, which revealed that patients felt they were not receiving satisfactory care and which warranted calls for innovative approaches to improve care delivery. The patient experience of care affects recovery and length of stay. Because prolonged hospital stays result in increased costs and increased use of healthcare resources in hospital units, including sub-acute psychiatric microsystems, it benefits hospitals to improve the quality of patient care. In an effort to improve quality …