Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

A Systematic Review Of Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (Rest), Elnaz Lashgari, Emma Chen, Jackson Gregory, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) is a therapeutic technique that involves immersing an individual in an environment with minimal sensory input or stimulation. The goal of REST is to induce a state of relaxation that is deeper than what can be achieved through other forms of relaxation techniques. Research suggests that REST can help reduce anxiety, alleviate chronic pain, improve sleep, and enhance creativity and cognitive function. Flotation-REST is a popular type of REST that utilizes an enclosed tank filled with buoyant saltwater to facilitate relaxation. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on studies that investigate the effects …

Mental Health, Racism, And Contemporary Challenges Of Being Black In America, Michael Mcclam

Staff and Researcher Publications

No abstract provided.

Oxytocin's Role In Feelings Of Social Connection And Loneliness, Cecile Sunahara

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the role of oxytocin (OT) in feelings of social connectedness. Healthy male and female participants (N=138) were exposed to a task designed to elicit feelings of social connectedness to close others (i.e., the Social Connection Task); participants’ salivary OT levels were measured in response to this task. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), data were collected on participants’ feelings of social connectedness in daily life. Results from the current study showed that, among male participants, OT levels decreased in response to the Social Connection Task, while no change in OT was observed among female participants. OT reactivity to …

Who Reconstitutes The Chemotherapy? The Educational And Practice Needs Of Oncology Pharmacists In West Africa: A Call For Multidisciplinary Team Approach In Oncology Care., Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Ramatu M. Alabelewe, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Candidus C. Nwakasi, Gloria C. Okwu, Jacinta Emejulu, Adamu A. Umar, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam, Funsho David, Toyosi Adepoju, Agha A. Agha, Ejike S. Ugwu, Simeon C. Aruah, Richard Mshelia, Rob Duncombe, Noel N. Wannang, Peace C. Babalola, R. Donald Harvey, Cindy O'Bryant, Folakemi T. Odedina

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Oncology pharmacists (OPs) play a crucial role in cancer care, treatment, survivorship, and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). OPs have specialized training in designing, administering, monitoring, and modifying oncology chemotherapy; managing adverse events; and evaluating clinical trials and investigational drugs. Yet, the state of OP has remained largely unknown in the clinical oncology workforce of the West African region. Therefore, this study aimed to understand who reconstitutes chemotherapy and to explain the OP educational and practice needs, challenges, and solutions in Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a concurrent embedded mixed method design, 35 OPs completed a questionnaire, and 12 others responded …

Research On Traditional Family Values Incorporating Data Enhancement And Transfer Learning, Qiaoling Chen, Hao Wang, Xiaomin Li

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] This research conducts in-depth exploration and knowledge discovery of ancestral hall couplets, a critical carrier of traditional family ethics, to facilitate their adaptive inheritance in contemporary society while introducing innovative perspectives and methodologies to the field.

[Method/process] We constructed a hierarchical classification system for traditional family values by synthesizing academic consensus, then developed the Annotation Keyword Data Enhancement(AK-DA-SKB-TC) model using idiomatic allusions with annotated keywords as source data and couplets as target data. Leveraging transfer learning, we achieved automated family tradition classification for couplets, followed by rigorous reliability validation. Multi-dimensional analysis of classification results uncovered evolutionary patterns and contextual …

Evaluating The Predictive Value Of Basc-3 Anxiety Scale And Working Memory Index Scores For Clinically Significant Test Anxiety: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Non-Classifiable Cases, Des'tiana S. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation will explore how test anxiety (TA) affects working memory (WM) and whether certain factors can help predict higher levels of test anxiety. Anxiety has been defined as a common experience that can show up in various forms—like general worry, social fears, panic attacks, and specific phobias (APA, 2022). It was described as often triggering our natural “fight-or-flight” response, which can impact our ability to focus, think clearly, and remember things. For students, test anxiety has been especially challenging, affecting how they perform in high-stakes academic settings. Using data from a university based psychological assessment center, this study will …

Shared Genetic Architecture Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Cardiovascular Imaging, Risk, And Diagnoses, Jie Shen, Wander Valentim, Eleni Friligkou, Cassie Overstreet, Karmel W. Choi, Dora Koller, Christopher J. O’Donnell, Murray B. Stein, Joel Gelernter, Haitao Lv, Ling Sun, Guido J. Falcone, Renato Polimanti, Gita A. Pathak, Edward Trapido, Ariane Rung, Et Al.

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder face increased cardiovascular risk. This study examines shared genetic regions between post-traumatic stress disorder and 246 cardiovascular conditions across electronic health records, 82 cardiac imaging, and health behaviors defined by Life’s Essential 8. Post-traumatic stress disorder is genetically correlated with cardiovascular diagnoses in 33 regions, imaging traits in 4 regions, and health behaviors in 44 regions. Potentially shared causal variants between post-traumatic stress disorder and 17 cardiovascular conditions were observed in 11 regions. Subsequent observational analysis in AllofUS cohort showed post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with 13 diagnoses even after accounting for socioeconomic factors and …

Gender Differences In The Associations Between Developmental Disabilities And Anxiety And Depression Symptoms Among U.S. Children: Insights From The 2021 National Health Interview Survey, Gloria Wang, Muyiwa Ategbole, Xingguang Luo, Kesheng Wang, Chun Xu

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Limited research has explored the associations between developmental disabilities and symptoms of anxiety and depression among U.S. children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study investigates the associations between developmental disabilities and symptoms of anxiety and depression among U.S. children and examines whether these associations differ by gender.

Methods: The analysis included 6092 children aged 5-17 from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Key risk factors for anxiety and depression symptoms included attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), learning disability (LD), and developmental delay (DD). Weighted multivariable logistic regression (MLR) was conducted to evaluate …

The Formation Mechanism Of Irrational Online Comments From The Perspective Of Dual Systems Theory, Xuefen Wang, Lei Guo, Liyan Chang, Zejiao Jiang

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] To explore the internal formation mechanism of unplanned irrational online comments is of great significance to promote the governance of cyberspace and the control of user behavior.

[Method/process] Based on the dual-system theory, the study constructed a model for the formation mechanism of irrational online comments, and revealed how online disinhibition and the spiral of silence affect individual internal states to stimulate irrational comments through empirical analysis.

[Result/conclusion] Research reveals that: compared to mild irrational comments, aggressive irrational comments are more likely to be unplanned behaviors, the cognitive-emotional preoccupation with online comments is the main driving factor for irrational …

Βiv Spectrin Abundancy, Cellular Distribution And Sensitivity To Akt/Gsk3 Regulation In Schizophrenia, Jessica Di Re, Michela Marini, Syed Ibrar Hussain, Aditya K Singh, Akshaya Venkatesh, Musaad A Alshammari, Tahani K Alshammari, Abdul-Rizaq Ali Hamoud, Ali Sajid Imami, Zahra Haghighijoo, Nickolas Fularcyzk, Laura Stertz, Derek Hawes, Angela Mosebarger, Jordan Jernigan, Claire Chaljub, Ralda Nehme, Consuelo Walss-Bass, Anton Schulmann, Marquis P Vawter, Robert Mccullumsmith, Robert D Damoiseaux, Agenor Limon, Demetrio Labate, Michael F Wells, Fernanda Laezza

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder with unclear biological mechanisms. Spectrins, cytoskeletal proteins linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, are regulated by the AKT/GSK3 pathway, which is implicated in SCZ. However, the impact of SCZ-related dysregulation of this pathway on spectrin expression and distribution remains unexplored. Here, we show that βIV spectrin protein levels were reduced in neurons of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in SCZ postmortem samples compared to healthy control (HC) from the Human Brain Collection Core (HBCC). To investigate potential links between βIV spectrin and the AKT/GSK3 pathway, we analyzed the PsychEncode dataset, revealing elevated SPTBN4 and AKT2 mRNA …

"The Growing Burden: Overweight And Obesity Prevalence And Risk Factors Among Medical College Students In Mysuru: A Cross-Sectional Study", Akansha ., Nayanabai Shabadi, Anchu R Nath, Ravipati Manogna

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

ABSTRACT:

Background:

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is often accompanied by significant lifestyle changes, including changes in dietary habits, physical activity levels, and stress, which can contribute to unhealthy weight gain. In India, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth has shown an upward trend, raising concerns about early onset of non-communicable diseases. This study aims to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among degree college students in Mysuru and to identify the associated socio-demographic and lifestyle factors contributing to these conditions.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted over three months, from January to March 2025, among …

Age-Friendly Care And Mobility In Hospitalized Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: A Feasibility Quality Improvement Initiative, Jasmine K. Vickers, Richard E. Kennedy, Shari Harrell, David H. James, Katrina Booth, Emily Simmons, Cynthia J. Brown, Kellie L. Flood

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized older adults with cognitive impairment (CI) have an increased risk for adverse outcomes. Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Units were developed to reduce functional decline in hospitalized older adults. INTERVENTION: We developed a quality improvement (QI) initiative to disseminate ACE care processes to non-ACE units, converting them into "Virtual ACE" units. The aim of this evaluation is to examine the impact of this intervention on the mobilization of patients with CI. POPULATION: Older adults with CI admitted to a study unit (ACE Unit or seven Virtual ACE units). METHODS: We conducted a pre/post-intervention evaluation of the proportion of …

Trends In Lumbar Epidural Injection Selection: A Survey Of Practitioner Preferences And Practice Patterns, Ryan Triglia, Andrew Walrond, Jesse Wagner, Paul Kitei, Jeffrey Boyd, Jeremy Simon

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Lumbar radiculopathy is estimated to affect approximately 3-5 % of the population. Among the leading causes of radiculopathy are degenerative or congenital spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniations, which can contribute to compression and narrowing in various regions of the spine including the neural foramen, subarticular recess, or central canal. When patients do not respond to typical conservative treatment such as medications and physical therapy, epidural steroid injections can be considered as a next step in management. There are three approaches available for accessing the lumbar epidural space: caudal, interlaminar, and transforaminal. There is no clear consensus regarding the …

The Role Of Glp-1ras In Depression Among Patients With Metabolic Conditions, Madge Fleurimond Cemelus Dmsc, Pa-C

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

The regular co-occurrence of depression with metabolic syndrome (Mets) results in complicated treatment circumstances and raises cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes risks. GLP-1RAs demonstrate potential as an innovative treatment for depression because they have both anti-inflammatory properties and neuroprotective capabilities. This evaluation examines the advantages and results of GLP-1RAs in treatment effectiveness compared to CBT among patients with MetS. The research used PubMed and CINAHL databases to find peer-reviewed studies from 2021 until 2025. The research included the search terms “GLP-1 receptor agonists” together with “depression,” “metabolic syndrome,” and “cognitive behavioral therapy,” among other relevant terms. Applying GLP-1RAs …

Binge Eating Disorder: A Clinical Review, Michell Mcdiffett Mshs, Pa-C

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder (ED) in the United States (U.S.) and is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating a larger than normal amount of food in a discrete period of time and includes a sense of loss of control over food intake. BED is often comorbid with serious somatic and psychiatric disorders and is associated with reduced quality of life and excess mortality. Some consider BED a public health concern due to frequent co-occurrence with obesity and worse outcomes in those populations. The diagnosis is often delayed due to shame and underreporting of symptoms …

Stress And Seizures: The October 7th Experience, Alon Doron, Firas Fahoum, Lilach Goldstein

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Stress is a frequently self-reported seizure trigger in patients with epilepsy (PWE), with studies regarding this issue having conflicting results. On October 7th, 2023, a large-scale military invasion accompanied by massive rocket launches against Israel, including Tel Aviv, occurred, providing an opportunity to investigate the role of acute stress in provoking seizures.

METHODS: All adults who presented to the emergency department (ED) of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center between January 1st, 2017, and February 29th, 2024, and were diagnosed with seizures were included. Data were collected using MDClone, a data acquisition tool. The overall seizure-related ED admissions were compared …

Does Practice Make Perfect? Examining The Impact Of Text-Based Reminders On Adherence In The Helping Our Toddlers, Developing Our Children’S Skills Program, Lauren Patrusky

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) are prevalent in approximately 17% of children ages birth to 5 years (CDC, 2023). DBDs can significantly impact a child’s learning, social-emotional wellbeing, and ability to develop and maintain healthy relationship (CDC, 2023). Behavioral parent training (BPT) has been proven effective in reducing disruptive behavior and improving parent-child relationships. However, many families do not fully engage in treatment, leading to poor outcomes for both the child and the family. Chacko (2016) describes BPT engagement as enrolling in treatment, attending weekly sessions, participating in group discussions or role plays in sessions, practicing skills between sessions, and completing …

Exploring Predictors Of Treatment Response To Glp-1 Receptor Agonists For Smoking Cessation, Luba Yammine, Constanza De Dios, Robert Suchting, Charles E Green, David A Nielsen, Consuelo Walss-Bass, Joy M Schmitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Understanding predictors of smoking cessation medication efficacy facilitates the ability to enhance treatment effectiveness. In our pilot trial, exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, adjunct to nicotine patch improved smoking abstinence compared to nicotine patch alone. This secondary analysis explores potential baseline characteristics associated with differential treatment response to exenatide.

Aims and methods: The parent trial randomized (1:1) 84 smokers with prediabetes and/or overweight to once-weekly placebo or exenatide, 2 mg, subcutaneously. All participants received nicotine patch (21 mg) and brief smoking cessation counseling, with biologically confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinence at week 6 (end-of-treatment) deemed the primary outcome. …

Potential Effect Of Statins As Adjuvant Anti‑Tuberculosis Agents: A Short Communication, Mehwish Hanif, Ayesha Tariq, Laiba Zahoor

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Tuberculosis is a chronic pulmonary infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can affect other parts of the body such as bones, brain, and lymph nodes (extra pulmonary Tb). Statins, primarily used for hyperlipidemia, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may help prevent and manage TB. They inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reduce cholesterol synthesis and interfere with phagocytosis crucial for TB infection. Given the rise in resistance to first-line anti-tubercular therapies, Statins have shown promise as adjunctive agents by potentially shortening treatment duration, reducing adverse effects, and improving outcomes, particularly in immunocompromised and diabetic patients. Based on these findings, Statins …

Exploring The Association Between Self-Esteem And Blood Pressure: A Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Investigation, Bijou C. Allard, Julia K. Boehm

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

High self-esteem is linked to favorable outcomes including better mental health and relationships, however, its impact on cardiovascular health is less understood. This study examined the relationship between self-esteem and blood pressure levels using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (M_age = 54.53; 57% women; 20% non-White). We hypothesized that higher self-esteem would be associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure concurrently and 10 years later. Self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and blood pressure was clinically assessed. Cross-sectional analyses included 1194 participants; longitudinal analyses included 566 participants. Contrary to expectations, …