Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

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 …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Brief Intervention For Youth Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors Among Pediatric Primary Care Providers, Caitlin M Pinciotti, Erica Buckland, Taryn L Mayes, John L Cooley, Sean M Mitchell, Lucas Zullo, Jennifer L Hughes, Puja G Patel, Colleen Neal, Melissa Defilippis, Taiwo T Babatope, Carmen Cruz, Madhukar H Trivedi, Eric A Storch, Wayne K Goodman, Laurel L Williams, Joan R Asarnow

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among youth, and rates continue to increase across the United States. Pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) are uniquely positioned to identify acute periods of increased suicidal ideation and provide timely intervention.

Objective: The present study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of training and implementation of a primary care-adapted version of Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youth-Acute (SAFETY-A), a brief, strengths-based, cognitive-behaviorally oriented, family intervention for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth, among pediatric PCPs.

Method: This multisite pilot study involved collaboration between eight Texas-based academic institutions who assisted with the recruitment and …

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, …

An Evaluation Of The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Secondary (Ptr-Sec) Model For Middle School Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Kevin R. Ochoa Casas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) may encounter a wide range of challenges in academic settings. Despite several initiatives aiming to address these challenges in the school setting, research indicates that school-based professionals are still struggling to adequately support this population, using the individualized functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention plan (FBA-BIP) process. The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) model utilizes a manualized, team-based approach to streamline the individualized FBA-BIP process. However, more research is needed to assess the effectiveness of the PTR model to better support middle school students with EBD, particularly, in the areas of generalization and maintenance effects. This …

Perceived Neighborhood Crime And Gun Carrying Behavior: Examining The Role Of A History Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Eric J Connolly, Anne C Wingert, Dennis E Reidy, Jarrad D Hodge, Jeff R Temple

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Individuals living in high crime neighborhoods are more likely to carry a firearm. Members of these communities are also more likely to experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in their lifetime, which is a common correlate of hypervigilance and aggression. The current study evaluates the independent and interactive effects of TBI on perceived levels of neighborhood crime and gun carrying.

Methods: Data from 2015 to 2017 from a longitudinal ethnically diverse sample of adolescents and young adults are analyzed (Ns = 600-734). Multivariate logistic regression models are estimated to evaluate associations between perceived levels of neighborhood crime, TBI, gun …

Psycho-Analysis Will Not Save Us: Reflections On The Gen Z Mental Health Crisis, Victor Dubitans

Middle Voices

Generation Z (born between 1997 – 2012) is characterized as having both unprecedented mental health awareness and unprecedented mental distress. An apparent contradiction with troubling implications for the mental health field: Either the response to the mounting crisis has been insufficient or the field forms part of the problem. Taking seriously Wilks’ (2023) criticism of “therapeutic overreach” of the contemporary mental health field in the lives and development of youth, this paper attempts a selfanalysis and moral inventory about the field’s potential complicity in the crisis and in the history of hysteria. Lacan’s writings on the “analyst’s discourse” are considered …

Respectful Patient-Provider Communication And Patient Portal Usage In Pregnant People Of Color, Amy H. Goh, Christopher Lee, Chisolum Nkenke, Joyce K. Edmonds

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Patient-provider communication (PPC) increasingly occurs in online patient portals. Variations in portal usage might worsen communication inequities for pregnant people of color (POC), widening the digital divide. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between respectful PPC, patient portal usage, and digital health literacy (DHL) in pregnant POC.

METHODS: A multimethod cross-sectional survey design was used. Ordered logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between PPC and portal use, controlling for trimester prenatal care was initiated, insurance type, age, gestational age, and parity. The moderating effect of Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) was tested on …

The Role Of Neuroscience In Mental Health Management Within The Adhd Population, Kadi Rae Smith

University Honors Theses

Neuroscience-based educational interventions play a role in the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), including the regulation of ADHD-correlated depression and anxiety. Existing research shows that elevated rates of depression correspond to anxiety within the ADHD community; approximately 8.83% of the global population. Social ostracization and isolation are established contributors to depression and anxiety which are commonly comorbid with ADHD. The need exists for further investigation of the beneficial impact that an accurate, biological understanding of how the brain works has on the mental health of the ADHD population, and by extension their families, education systems, and medical industries. …

Trauma In The Middle Ages: The Viking Experience Of Trauma Through Saga, Kagan L. Vogt

University Honors Theses

Trauma is a fundamental part of human experience and the ways in which human beings experience trauma differs drastically depending on the time and culture represented. Research on trauma in the Middle Ages does exist, however, often offers windows into very narrow intersections within the study of historical trauma. Other cultures and particularly oral traditions lack the same attention from scholars in trauma. The specific experience of Vikings as referenced in the oral tradition of sagas offers a unique window into the traumatic experience of Vikings as well as how they responded to trauma. This unique response to trauma is …

Beyond The Genome: The Racialized Exposome, Flourishing, And Stress Biology In African Americans, A Non-Exhaustive Review, Enye Washington

University Honors Theses

Racial health disparities remain an enduring challenge in the United States, disproportionately impacting African American communities through higher rates of chronic disease and premature mortality. This non-exhaustive literature explores how the racialized exposome - a term denoting the totality of social, environmental, and structural stressors rooted in systemic racism - biologically embeds itself via stress-responsive pathways. Specifically, it examines the interaction between racial stress, flourishing, and key biological markers, including allostatic load and telomere length, considering the gut-brain axis. The review highlights robust evidence that chronic exposure to racial discrimination and structural adversity contributes to multisystem dysregulation and accelerated cellular …

A Combined Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Social Skill Intervention For Autistic Youth With Symptoms Of Anxiety, Ashley Dreiss

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent co-occurring diagnoses in autistic youth, often exacerbating challenges in social functioning and quality of friendships. While social skills interventions and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have demonstrated efficacy in addressing these difficulties separately, limited research has examined the integration of these approaches within an individualized format, while including measures of self-report and generalization of skills. This study investigates the development, implementation, and efficacy of a combined CBT/social skill intervention for autistic youth with symptoms of anxiety. Utilizing a single-case multiple baseline design, the study evaluates outcomes across levels of anxiety symptoms and social competence …

The Potential For Improv As A Therapeutic Tool In The Context Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Suggestions For Dbt Clinicians, Jocelyn Borden

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores the theoretical and practical intersections between improvisational theater and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), proposing that the core tenets of improv closely align with the philosophical foundation and therapeutic goals of DBT. Aimed at mental health professionals, this work provides a conceptual framework and praxis for incorporating improv-based activities into DBT skills training to enhance client engagement, experiential learning, and emotional resilience. Through an examination of improv theory, parallels with DBT principles, and practical suggestions for integration, the thesis outlines how applied improvisation can be used as a supplemental tool in traditional DBT treatment. The final section includes …

Between Breaths: Healing And Being, Corina Yu Zhao

Journal of Wellness

Burnout among healthcare professionals is an increasingly recognized crisis, yet pathways to resilience remain underexplored. This narrative chronicles the author’s personal journey from profound exhaustion to self-discovery and renewal. Through the integration of contemplative practices, nature exposure, and mindful nourishment, the author navigated the challenges of residency and emerged with a deeper understanding of well-being. By incorporating Isha Kriya meditation, Surya Kriya yoga, and self-inquiry practices rooted in Advaita Vedanta, the experience evolved into a transformative path of inner resilience. This report highlights the necessity of prioritizing self-care within the medical profession and offers evidence-backed insights into holistic wellness practices, …

Overcoming Barriers To Connection Between People With Schizophrenia And Their Caregivers, Sarah G. Fernandez

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The purpose of this doctoral project is to bring together existing literature on relational barriers between patients and caregivers, and strategies for overcoming them, for one reason: to help clinicians facilitate connection within families and households where one person has schizophrenia. It is therefore comprised of two parts: this paper containing a three-part literature review on barriers to connection including social skill deficits characteristic of the disease of schizophrenia, environmental factors, and caregiver burden and expressed emotion within families, as well as protective factors and strategies for overcoming them. The second component of this project is a psychoeducational module geared …