Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons^™

Factors In The Relationship Between Rural Cancer Patients And Mental Health, Jordan B. King

Theses and Graduate Projects

Cancer patients frequently experience psychological distress, yet many do not access mental health services, particularly those residing in rural areas. The present study examines what factors contribute to utilization of mental health services and attitudes toward seeking mental health services in rural cancer patients who are actively receiving cancer treatments. Participants (N = 102) completed a paper and pencil survey. A logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between five predictor variables (anxiety, depression, social support, geographic location, and number of barriers) on the outcome variable (utilization of services). The model was statistically significant, X²(4) = …

The Academic, Psychological, And Physical Impact Of Motor Skills Difficulties On College Students: A Scoping Review, David Gaul Phd, Suzanne Mccarthy Wolf

Articles

Purpose of Review

This scoping review examines the extent and quality of research literature to determine the impact of motor skills difficulties on college or university students. It assesses the adequacy of current institutional supports and identifies opportunities for more inclusive educational practices.

Recent Findings

Four databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) were searched for English-language studies published since 1970. Eighteen studies met inclusion criteria: 12 empirical, 4 descriptive, and 2 program evaluations. Six papers from the UK addressed support, social isolation, and academic confidence; six Israeli studies focused on handwriting, dysgraphia, and accommodations; three US studies examined …

Neighborhood Social Cohesion Associated With Chronic Liver Disease Prevalence And All-Cause Mortality, Tiange P. Zhang, Jennifer L. Dodge, Divya Ayyala-Somayajula, Norah A. Terrault

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background and Aims: Neighborhood social cohesion (NSC)—the degree of trust and solidarity within a community—may influence health through multiple pathways including shaping healthy norms, perception of safety, and stress. Whether NSC influences chronic liver disease (CLD) prevalence and associated mortality in the United States is unknown. Methods: Using 172,047 adults from the 2013–2018 National Health Interview Survey with linkage to National Death Index mortality data, NSC was measured using questions on help availability, accountability, trustworthiness, and connectedness among neighbors, with composite scores (4–16) categorized as minimal (4–7), low (8–10), moderate (11–13), and high (14–16). Logistic and Cox regression tested the …

Program For Teachers To Address The Needs Of Students With Adhd, Ashton R. Wagner, Wendy Tremaine, Dr. Mary Jan Greer, Phd, Otr

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The capstone project focused on supporting teacher participants from Eden Gardens Fundamental Magnet Elementary by providing practical strategies to address students who struggle with attention, regulation, and daily classroom routines. After completing a needs assessment, it was clear that many teachers faced similar challenges, including difficulty with transitions, staying on task, and responding when students became overwhelmed. To address this, created an OT-led teacher-training program that uses the PEOP model and focuses on simple, practical strategies teachers can implement right away. This included visual cues, sensory and movement supports, and minor changes to the classroom setup. As teachers began using …

Opportunities And Barriers To Engaging Caregivers In Firearm Suicide Prevention: Findings From Focus Groups With Caregivers Of Veterans., Katherine Macwilliams, John Marmion, Dee Blascyk, Sharon Urbina, Rachel Moyers, Gala True

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Firearms are involved in more than 70% of U.S. Veteran suicides. Caregivers, defined as family members or concerned significant others, can play an important role in firearm suicide prevention through initiating conversations about secure firearm storage with Veterans. Our objective was to explore caregivers' experiences with lethal means safety (LMS) conversations and identify perceived barriers to caregivers discussing LMS with healthcare providers and with Veterans. Methods: We conducted focus groups with 32 caregivers with experience caring for a Veteran at risk for suicide. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: We identified three primary themes: 1) caregivers recognize …

Prevalence Of Helmet Use In Skateboarders: A Systematic Review And Narrative Synthesis, Katherine Hunzinger, Ricker Adkins, Stevie Chen, Thomas Li, Lujie Chen

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Introduction: Helmet adoption remains low among skateboarders, but the specific prevalence remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to summarize available evidence on helmet-use prevalence among skateboarders. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted using the search terms: skateboard, skateboarding, protective gear, protective equipment, pads, or helmet. Articles were included if they were in English with specific data on helmet use among skateboarders. Articles excluded were those representing reviews or conference abstracts/presentations; or if helmet use prevalence for skateboarders could not be ascertained. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers, …

Association Between Climate Change Awareness And Depression & Anxiety: Findings From A U.S. Sample, Stanley Nkemjika, Colvette Brown, Henry Onyeaka, Srikanta Banerjee, Jennifer Oliphant

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Exploring the connection between climate change awareness and overall well-being is crucial, particularly in how it impacts both the environment and mental health. The mental health consequences of climate change and its awareness have not been thoroughly examined, especially in the U.S. In this study, the relationship between awareness of climate change and depression or anxiety among U.S. adults was explored. Similarly, the role of climate change awareness has not been explored in relation to mental health concerns.

METHODS: Based on the HINTS-6 dataset, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute, a variety of statistical …

Medication Adherence Among Partnered, Sexual Minority Men Living With Hiv: What’S Love, Interdependence And Comorbidities Got To Do With It?, Kendell M. Doyle

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sexual minority men (SMM) report higher incidence and prevalence rates of HIV infection relative to their heterosexual counterparts. The burden of HIV infection has garnered research attention focused on HIV risk reduction and HIV disease management (such as medication adherence). More recently, attention has been paid to the association of comorbid chronic health conditions and ART adherence among people living with HIV (PLWH) more broadly. Yet, limited attention has been paid to the association of comorbidities among SMM living with HIV specifically, despite the high rates of HIV among this population and various other risk factors that put SMM at …

Institutionalized Bullying In Tertiary Institutions In Nigeria And Perceived Mental Health Impacts: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Chika Bosah, Casey Mace Firebaugh, Tara R. Zolnikov

The Qualitative Report

Institutionalized bullying is when bullying moves beyond individual instances of bullying and is culturally embedded in an institution, such as a school or workplace. This type of bullying has not been thoroughly examined in tertiary school settings in Nigeria. This phenomenological qualitative study examined the experiences of tertiary students (from four different institutions in Nigeria) and their experiences of institutionalized bullying to determine if and to what extent this practice is occurring. There were (n=48) tertiary students engaged in open-ended, semi-structured interviews in Nigeria in 2022. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Overall, this study found that institutionalized bullying …

Understanding And Predicting Flossing Behavior In A Rural Appalachian Community Using The Multi-Theory Model, Rahib K. Islam, Manoj Sharma, Amanda H. Wilkerson, Bradford Layman, Clyde Dunn, Shamima A. Somi, Ratnesh Sharma, Karen Gruszynski, Syed S. Quadri, Vinayak K. Nahar, Robert E. Davis

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Effective flossing is essential for preventing periodontal disease. However, in a rural Appalachian community, adherence to flossing routines remains low, contributing to significant oral health disparities. The purpose of this study was to conceptualize intention of initiation and sustenance of flossing behaviors using the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. A cross-sectional survey was administered to individuals recruited from a shopping mall in rural Appalachia. The MTM constructs were measured and data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Of the 228 participants, 55% did not floss daily. Behavioral confidence (β = 0.571, p < 0.001) was a significant predictor for the intention of initiation of flossing among non-daily flossers, while emotional transformation (β = 0.377, p = 0.836) significantly explained sustenance among non-daily flossers. For daily flossers, changes in the physical environment (β = 0.432, p = 0.003) significantly predicted the intention of initiation of flossing, whereas emotional transformation (β = 0.344, p = 0.008) and practice for change (β = 0.594, p < 0.001) significantly predicted sustenance of flossing behavior. The MTM appears to be a robust framework for understanding and predicting flossing behaviors in rural Appalachian populations. Interventions designed to enhance behavioral confidence, physical environment changes, emotional transformation, and practice for change could improve flossing adherence. Further research should explore these constructs to develop targeted public health strategies.

Dissatisfaction And Residual Symptoms In Younger And Older Adult Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty, Nicholas Pohl, Parker Brush, Adrian Santana, Sebastian Fras, Eleanor Jenkins, Arjun Saxena

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an increasingly used treatment option for younger patients with osteoarthritis. Previous research has found only 66% patients < 60 years who underwent TKA postoperatively reported that their knees felt normal. However, the prior studies did not compare underlying causes for dissatisfaction based on age. This study compared the satisfaction and residual symptom rates between patients ages < 60 and ≥60 years and identified specific reasons for their dissatisfaction between the age groups.

METHODS: Patients who underwent unilateral TKA for osteoarthritis from 2014 to 2016 were electronically sent a 15-question survey pertaining to surgery satisfaction. Following patient identification and survey completion, patient demographics, medical history, surgical time, and length of stay were collected through manual review of medical records. Patients who completed surveys were grouped by age (< 60 years or ≥60 years) for analysis.

RESULTS: In total, 1189 ≥ 60-year-old patients and 388 < 60-year-old patients were included. Most patients in both cohorts reported satisfaction with overall knee function (< 60: 68.6%; ≥60: 71.8%; P = 0.175). Fewer < 60-year patients reported normal knee function (66.5% vs. 75.2%; P < 0.001). The most common residual symptom in both cohorts was continued pain.

CONCLUSION: Patients younger than 60 years reported less satisfaction with performing normal activities …

Prior Adolescent Oxycodone Exposure Enhances Pain Sensitivity Following Chronic Intermittent Ethanol In Adult Female Mice, Lisa L. Wilson, Lucas Albrechet-Souza, Linh Ha, Nicholas W. Gilpin, Tiffany A. Wills

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The opioid crisis remains a critical public health concern, with rising rates of overdose and opioid use disorder. While opioids are effective for managing pain, both chronic use and withdrawal are associated with increased pain sensitivity. Although most prior research has focused on adults, opioid use during adolescence is common and linked to a heightened risk for developing alcohol use disorder and other forms of substance misuse. Like opioids, acute alcohol use can be analgesic, but chronic alcohol exposure and withdrawal lead to increased pain sensitivity. However, the interactive effects of adolescent opioid and adult alcohol exposure on pain remain …

Exploring Young Adults' Experiences And Beliefs In Asthma Medication Management: Pilot Qualitative Study Comparing Human And Multiple Ai Thematic Analysis, Ruth Ndarake Jeminiwa, Caroline Popielaski, Amber King

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Young adults take their asthma maintenance medication 67% of the time or less. Understanding the specific needs and behaviors of young adults with asthma is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve disease self-management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in summarizing and identifying patterns in qualitative research and may support or augment human coding efforts. However, there is pause literature to support this assertion.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to begin to explore the medication management-related needs of young adults with asthma via a pilot feasibility study. We aim to understand how to best assist …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …

Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Infections In Genital And Extragenital Samples Among Men And Women, Kristal J. Aaron, Charlotte A. Gaydos, Edward W. Hook, Max Chernesky, Jeanne Moncada, Stephanie N. Taylor, Harold C. Wiesenfeld, Kenneth H. Mayer, Matthew R. Golden, Alexander Boutwell, Barbara Van Der Pol

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background For people who have anal and/or oral sex, many programs recommend genital and extragenital (defined here as anorectal and oropharyngeal) screening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) to identify all potential sites of infection. Methods We assessed genital and extragenital CT and NG prevalence among people reporting extragenital sexual exposure. Results Among 343 gay and bisexual men who reported sex with men (GBMSM), 42 (12.2%) had CT with positivity of 3.5%, 9.3% and 1.8% in the genital, anal, and oral samples, respectively. In this same group, 55 (16.0%) had NG with positivity of 5.2%, 8.5%, and 7.6% …

Discontinuation Rates And Predictors Of Medical Cannabis Cessation For Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, Mohammad Khak, Sina Ramtin, Juliet Chung, Asif M. Ilyas, Ari Greis

Rothman Institute Papers

Medical cannabis (MC) is increasingly used as a treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain, but there is limited data on factors influencing its discontinuation. This study aims to investigate the rates of MC discontinuation and explore factors influencing it in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 78 patients certified for medical cannabis over a 2 year period. Patient demographics, pain origin, and Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores were collected before intervention. Discontinuation rates were measured at three-month and one-year follow-up. Statistical analyses, including Fisher's Exact Test and two-sample t-tests, were performed …

A Multi-Measurement Study Of The Relation Between Deliberation And Volition, Guillaume P. Pech, Emilie A. Caspar, Elisabeth Pacherie, Axel Cleeremans, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Historically, voluntary action and volition more generally have been investigated through the lens of meaningless decisions. Importantly, these findings have been used in the debate about key notions like free will and moral responsibility. However, more recent claims have challenged the possibility of generalizing findings from a meaningless context to a more meaningful one. The current study investigates the markers of volition, specifically comparing meaningful and meaningless decisions. In an effort to maximize their monetary gain, 50 participants repeatedly deliberated between two options, making either rewarded choices—hard-deliberation decisions (where the options differed along two dimensions) or easy-deliberation decisions (where the …

Improving The Screening And Management Process For Mental Health Disorders And Health Risk Behaviors In College-Age Students: A Quality Improvement Project, Brooke L. Styslinger

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts

Establishing a standardized electronic screening process for mental health disorders and health risk behaviors is crucial for early identification and intervention before poor outcomes occur. This quality improvement project addresses a gap in care relating to screening practices in a college health services office which primarily relied on a provider-based interview screening processes in students reporting for care. Pre-implementation data showed providers most often screened for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), alcohol use, and drug use, with inconsistent screening for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or tobacco/vaping use. Follow-up screening form administration was also inconsistent, only given 3.3% of the time for …

The Impact Of Gender, Training Year, Medical Specialty And The Covid-19 Pandemic On Resident Wellness, Sara Beachy, Jessica Luzier, Chantel Weisenmuller, Kathleen Bors, Mary Ann Maurer, Amna Anees, Tiffany Lasky, Lisa Calderwood

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Data are limited as to which factors most strongly impact medical trainees' well-being, and few studies have assessed trainee's wellness at multiple time points during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, much research has not taken an intersectional approach to understanding the ways in which different facets of a resident's identity impact their wellness. Thus, more person-centred, probability-driven statistical approaches that can produce distinct heterogenous groups of individuals are warranted to understand the way in which different identities are associated with resident wellness scores.

METHODS: A latent profile analysis was conducted using institutional data from resident surveys administered from 2019 to …

High-Gamma And Beta Bursts In The Left Supramarginal Gyrus Can Differentiate Verbal Memory States And Performance, Shennan Aibel Weiss, Nicolás Sawczuk, Daniel Y. Rubinstein, Michael R Sperling, Katrina Wendel-Mitoraj, Päivi Österman, René Dumay-Roscher, Charles B. Mikell, Sima Mofakham, Kelly Coulehan, Petar M. Djuric, Diego Fernandez Slezak, Juan Esteban Kamienkowski

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: The left supramarginal gyrus (LSMG) contributes to attentional allocation for memory encoding and may also reflect memory state and performance. Given the roles of high-gamma and beta bursts in cognition and memory, this proof-of-concept study investigated whether these signals within the LSMG could classify memory state and performance.

METHODS: Using secondary data from 103 epilepsy patients undergoing presurgical iEEG evaluation, we analyzed 141 delayed verbal free recall experiments. Intracranial EEG (iEEG) data, recorded solely from LSMG electrode contacts, were processed to create two-dimensional (2D) tensors of convolved high-gamma (HG), and beta (15-40 Hz) burst activity. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) …