Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Education For Chronic Pain In Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: 12-Month Randomized Trial Results, Olubusola B. Oluwole, Yi-Fan Yi-Fan Chen, Christina M. Lalama, Julia A. O’Brien, Laura M. De Castro, Charles Patrick Carroll, Darla Liles, Nirmish Shah, Santosh L. Saraf, Victor R. Gordeuk, Leshana Saint Jean, Michael Debaun, Robert M. Cronin, Tonya M. Palermo, Sherif M. Badawy, Megan E. Hamm, Jennifer N. Stinson, Chitra Lalloo, Sophie Lanzkron, Cassandra Trimnell, Lakiea Bailey, Raymona H. Lawrence, Kaleab Z. Abebe, Charles R. Jonassaint

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Chronic pain affects up to 40% of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), yet treatment options remain limited. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in other chronic pain conditions, it is underutilized for SCD pain, and its effectiveness remains unclear. Purpose: The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Real-time Pain Management Intervention for Sickle Cell via Mobile Applications (CaRISMA) compared digital CBT to Education for chronic SCD pain in adults. At 6 months, the primary outcome (pain interference) showed no between-group difference but both groups improved (CBT: −2.13; Education: −2.66). This report presents 12-month outcomes. Methods: A total of 359 …

Facebook As A Strategy To Deliver A Peer Navigation Intervention For Recently Incarcerated Women With Opioid Use Disorder: A Mixed Methods Descriptive Profile, Martha Tillson, Jaxin Annett, Marguerite A. Webster, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Mandi Webster, Amber Clemons, Cynthia Robinson, Kevin Crabtree, Casey Baker-Romans, Michele Staton

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

Recovery support and treatment linkages are critical during transitions from incarceration to community but can be challenging to deliver to hard-to-reach populations. This paper will examine Facebook contacts between peer navigators (PNs) and women with opioid use disorder (OUD) following jail release to explore women’s use of PN services, including purpose and content of Facebook messages. As part of a larger clinical trial under the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN), PNs provided OUD treatment navigation and recovery support for 12 weeks following women’s release from jail, using remote options such as Facebook. Facebook Messenger transcripts between PNs and participants …

Evolution Of A Client‐Level Dataset: 20 Years Of National Child Traumatic Stress Network Data Collection, C. A. Purbeck, A. N. Cooke, L. J. Liang, C. Smith, J. Staten, J. Epstein, H. B. Hodgdon, Jessica Eslinger, A. Wells, J. Goodrich, T. H. Bethel, K. Willett, Y. C. Fu, J. A. Fairbank, E. C. Briggs

Center on Trauma and Children Faculty Publications

Objectives: For 20 years, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's (NCTSN) data collection efforts have been a central mechanism for Clinical Quality Improvement (ClQI). The NCTSN is a federally funded initiative in the United States composed of programs dedicated to raising the standard of care and increasing access to services for children and families who have experienced traumatic events.

Methods: These efforts span three initiatives: the Core Data Set (CDS), the Clinical Improvement through Measurement Initiative (CIMI) Measurement Based Care (MBC), and CIMI Data Sharing (CIMI-DS) that collected and analyzed client-level data to improve care for children and families served …

A Mixed Methods Study Of The Transition To Adult Health Care For Sexual Minority Young Adults With Chronic Pain: Understanding The Impact Of Stigma, Cecily Newel Conour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sexual minorities with chronic pain are likely to experience stigma stemming from their sexual identity and chronic pain. Pain stigma and sexual minority stigma are associated with increased health disparities and differences in health care utilization, particularly for adults. The transition to the adult health care system appears to be a critical point to understand the impact of stigma on health care utilization to then improve outcomes. With a sample of 48 sexual minority young adults with chronic pain, the current study investigated transition experiences using an explanatory, sequential mixed-methods design that was both observational and cross-sectional. Participants completed quantitative …

Resilience And Reactivity: The Relation Between John Henryism And Cardiovascular Responses To Laboratory Stressors In An Appalachian Sample, Emma Raycher Thompson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

John Henryism active coping (JHAC), named for folk hero John Henry, is defined as the perception that one can overcome stressors through hard work (James et al., 1983). This construct has been tied to numerous health outcomes, showing a negative influence on cardiovascular health (Bennett et al., 2004). Many researchers have examined the relation between JHAC and cardiovascular reactivity to stress, though findings are mixed. Further, despite the legend of John Henry occurring in Appalachia, and traits associated with John Henryism, such as resilience, being prominent within this region, no study has examined the relation between JHAC and reactivity in …

Feasibility Of Telehealth-Delivered Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy For Managing Gastrointestinal Health: Exploring Specific Vs. Nonspecific Effects, Sabrina Romero

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of telehealth-delivered Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH) compared to General Hypnotherapy (GH) for managing gastrointestinal symptoms associated with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI). Eleven adults were randomized to receive four 1-hour hypnotherapy sessions over a 14-day period via Zoom (GH n = 5; GDH n = 6). Primary outcomes included PROMIS GI Belly Pain T-scores and Abdominal Pain Ratings assessed at baseline and post-treatment. Follow-up assessments were conducted at three months (n = 8). At post-treatment, participants receiving GDH demonstrated significantly lower PROMIS GI Belly Pain T-scores compared to GH, F(1, …

The Physiological And Psychological Effects Of Social Media Addiction: A Mixed Methods Study, Ella Roper

2026 Research Poster Competition

Social media is a worldwide phenomenon that has taken the world by storm; individuals, multimillion dollar companies, hospitals and universities alike are all similar in that there is a good chance they have a social media presence. Needless to say, there are many benefits of social media including connection and networking, however there are also consequences. My study focuses on one of the consequences, social media addiction, in hopes of enlightening individuals to the risks of social media and hopefully inspiring systematic change to make the future of social media a little less risky. I am using a scale from …

Building Mental Health Literacy: The Impact Of Youth Mental Health First Aid On Emerging Youth Professionals, Burgin Rome

2026 Research Poster Competition

Nearly half of individuals in the United States will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime, with many symptoms first emerging in childhood or adolescence. Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by emotional, social, and psychological changes that increase vulnerability to mental health challenges. Although public awareness of mental health has grown, stigma and societal taboos continue to limit open dialogue and delay intervention. As a result, many young people experience a significant gap between the onset of symptoms and receipt of professional support, which can worsen mental health concerns and contribute to long-term consequences that persist into …

Utilizing Youth Mental Health First Aid: A Community-Based Prevention Strategy To Increase Teh Confidence Levels Of Seventh-Day Adventist Adults In Assisting Youth With Mental Health Distress, Sarah Hillebert

DNP Research Projects

Abstract 

Objective: Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an initiative from the National Council for Mental Wellness that trains adults in identifying and responding to adolescents exhibiting mental health distress. This DNP project evaluated the effectiveness of YMHFA in increasing the mental health literacy and confidence scores of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) adults. Method: quality improvement, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used. Participants were SDA adults aged 22 to 74 who work with youth in school, church, or camp settings (n=19; Mean age = 48.5 years, SD = 10.5). The quantitative MHFA 2.1 measured mental health literacy and confidence to intervene, …

Cb1 Allosteric Modulation: Preclinical Insights Into Therapeutic Potential And Misuse Liability, Mohammed A. Mustafa

Theses and Dissertations

Cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) allosteric modulators represent a promising approach to modulate CB1 receptor signaling by binding to distinct receptor sites, without producing adverse cannabimimetic and dependence-related effects associated with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other CB1 agonists. This dissertation investigates the pharmacological, behavioral, and dependence-related profiles of CB1 allosteric modulators for their therapeutic potential and misuse liability. Presented here, the chiral CB1 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) ZCZ011 was resolved into its R- and S-enantiomers and characterized across in vitro and in vivo assays. Both enantiomers enhance CB1 agonist activity and produce intrinsic effects in vitro. Behaviorally, they produce antinociceptive effects in the …

What’S Sleep Got To Do With It? A Mixed Methods Exploration Of The Feasibility, Acceptability, And Initial Outcomes Of Group Cbt For Insomnia In Parkinson’S Disease, Claire M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is commonly associated with sleep disturbances, affecting up to 80 percent of individuals with Parkinson’s. Effective and accessible treatments for sleep problems in Parkinson’s disease remain limited. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is a well-established, non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia but has been minimally studied in Parkinson’s populations. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a group-based CBTi intervention adapted for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Participants engaged in a six-week group intervention that incorporated Parkinson’s-specific adaptations. Preliminary findings indicated that the adapted group CBTi intervention was generally feasible and …

Exploring Associations Between Mental Disorder And Creativity, David A. Romero Mora

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mental disorder has been misunderstood and misrepresented throughout history, leading mental health research to be severely behind where it needs to be. Years of misinformation, over-medicalization, negative rhetoric, and stigmatization at the hands of the very same institutions that were believed to care for mental disorder have kept this misunderstanding alive. Further, studies throughout history have failed to look at the nuances of mental health, prioritizing generalizability. This thesis explores the relationship between mental disorder and creative expression, how other factors like cultural discourse and cognitive processes inform this relationship, as well as how analyzing this relationship can provide a …

Navigating Mental Wellness: A Peer-Led Journey Into Adult Services, Kristin G. Haberek

DSW Capstone Projects

Students with severe emotional disturbances (SED) occupy one of the most underserved intersections in American education and mental health care. As they age out of children’s services, they face abrupt service discontinuation, disrupted therapeutic relationships, and adult systems ill-equipped to meet their needs. These vulnerabilities, including heightened risks of crisis, hospitalization, homelessness, and justice involvement, constitute a central practice problem. This capstone addresses these transitions across three scholarly products: a systematic literature review, a theoretical concept paper, and a practical application paper, tracing a unified arc from diagnosing structural failures to proposing an evidence-informed, equity-oriented clinical response. Synthesizing key findings …

Dengue Fever With Normal Platelet Count In A Patient With Β-Thalassemia Trait: A Case Report., Pankaj Kumar Jain, Manoj Seval, Vikas Meena, Rajesh Kumar Yadav

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Dengue fever is an arboviral infection caused by different serotypes of the dengue virus. Generally, it presents with a wide variety of symptoms ranging from undifferentiated fever to dengue shock syndrome associated with thrombocytopenia and hemoconcentration. But in patients with thalassemia, it presents with anemia due to hemolysis, rather than hemoconcentration. Here we present a case of an 18-year-old female diagnosed with Dengue fever with thalassemia trait, who presented with a normal platelet count and moderate microcytic anemia.

Understanding The Progression Of Borderline Personality Disorder During Adolescence: A Clinical Case Study, Anjali Chandak, Megha Sadashiv, Bhawna Sharma, Bhargav Mulpuru

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often emerges during adolescence, but remains relatively understudied in this population. This case report explores the sociobiological factors shaping symptom expression in an adolescent girl. Longitudinal clinical evaluation revealed hallmark features, including affective instability, identity disturbance, interpersonal relations, and self-harming behaviour. Early attachment disruptions, emotional regulation difficulties, and heightened sensitivity to relational stressors were identified as key developmental risk factors. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations are presented, highlighting the need for prompt, developmentally informed, and evidence-based interventions. The case further emphasises how prognosis and chronicity may be significantly influenced by an adopting developmental approach, providing insight into …

When Fever And Thrombocytopenia Are Not Infectious: A Case Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Mimicking Tropical Fever, Ram Arvind Viswanathan Dr

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Vitamin B12 deficiency is classically associated with megaloblastic anaemia and neurological manifestations; however, atypical presentations continue to pose diagnostic challenges. Fever in association with thrombocytopenia often prompts evaluation for infectious aetiologies such as dengue, malaria, or sepsis, particularly in tropical settings. We report a case of vitamin B12 deficiency presenting with pyrexia and isolated thrombocytopenia, initially suspected to be an infectious illness. Extensive evaluation failed to reveal an infective cause, and subsequent haematological workup demonstrated megaloblastic changes with low serum vitamin B12 levels. Remarkably, the patient showed rapid defervescence and normalisation of platelet counts following parenteral vitamin B12 therapy. This …

The Role Of Physicians In Society: Perspectives From First-Year Mbbs Aspirants, Jesymol Joy, Dr Rashmi S, Amogha Shree, Dr Sunil Kumar D

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Physicians occupy a pivotal role in society as healers and communicators, with ethical leadership embedded in professional practice. In India, this role is evolving in response to changes in healthcare systems, increasing commercialization, and shifting societal expectations. Understanding how medical students perceive the physician’s role at the onset of medical education is vital for early professional identity development.

Objectives: To assess the motivations, perceptions, and values of first-year MBBS students regarding the societal roles, qualities, and responsibilities of physicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 430 first-year MBBS students at a tertiary medical college in Mysuru, Karnataka, using …

Stones, Bones, And Hormones: A Multisystem Presentation Of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Due To Parathyroid Adenoma, Gadgesh B, Varsha Tandure, Nandini K, Chandana Srinath

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Primary hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, most commonly due to a solitary parathyroid adenoma, resulting in hypercalcemia and multisystem involvement [1]. Although many patients are diagnosed incidentally, delayed recognition may lead to severe renal, skeletal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular complications.

We report the case of a 44-year-old male who presented with sepsis and acute kidney injury, later found to have hypercalcemia with nephrocalcinosis, chronic calcific pancreatitis, skeletal deformities, and markedly elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Imaging localized a parathyroid adenoma, and the patient underwent successful parathyroidectomy with significant biochemical and clinical improvement.

This case emphasizes …

Clinical Correlates And Predictors Of Suicide Attempt Severity In Elderly Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study From South India, Rajamani Siddamallappa, Kiran Kumar Kadarappa Dr, Megha C N

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Suicide in late life is a major yet under-recognized public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Elderly suicidal behaviour reflects interactions between psychiatric morbidity, substance use, psychological distress, intent, and method selection. Indian data examining these factors comprehensively remain limited.

Objectives: To assess psychiatric morbidity, hopelessness, suicide intent, planning patterns, methods, and independent predictors of suicide attempt severity among elderly suicide attempters.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 75 elderly individuals (≥60 years) admitted following a suicide attempt to a tertiary care hospital in South India. Depression severity, hopelessness, and suicide intent were assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory-21 (BDI-21), …

Family Mental Health – A Case Report, Vikrant Arora, Medha Kosireddy, Mathumitha Ananth, Kishor M. Manohar Rao

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Psychiatric illness in India is estimated to be 15% as per National Mental Health Survey 2015-16.  Mental health challenges within families, especially depression, anxiety disorders that are not common and when unaddressed exert cascading effects on all members, disrupting emotional cohesion, relational functioning, and socioeconomic stability. There are few case reports on entire family presenting to psychiatry department.

With informed consent a city-based middle-class family of non-consanguineous origin, where the 40-year-old female, presented with intractable limb pains and health anxiety, she had multiple consultation in last few months and her 48-year-old husband also had with episodic pains, irritability and her …