An Evaluation Of Exercise-Related Self-Efficacy Metrics Following A Resistance Training Program In Individuals Treated For Cancer, Kayla S. Adler

Senior Theses

As the number of cancer survivors grows, managing treatment side effects and promoting healthy behaviors like physical activity is crucial. Low exercise self-efficacy, an individual's belief in their capability to perform exercise, is a significant barrier to physical activity adherence. This study assessed if an 8-week supervised resistance training program could improve self-efficacy for exercise (SEE) and outcome expectations of exercise (OEE) in individuals treated for cancer. Participants (n=25) attended twice-weekly, one-hour sessions. SEE and OEE scales were administered pre- and post-intervention. Results indicated a significant increase in SEE scores (mean difference = 8.96 ± 19.87, p = 0.041), demonstrating …

Kendra's Paradox: Redefining The Statutory Approach To Assisted Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment In New York, Matt Donelian

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note critically examines the limitations of Kendra's Law in New York, which provides Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for individuals with severe mental illnesses. While the law aims to balance public safety and individual rights, its strict eligibility criteria often prevent timely intervention, leading to worse outcomes for those in need. The note proposes reforming the law to prioritize clinical assessments over past actions, enabling earlier intervention while respecting individual rights. This reform would address the law's retroactive nature and promote a more proactive, compassionate approach to mental health care.

Psychedelic Psychotherapy And The Mental Health Crisis: A Historical And Scientific Review, Dylan Kunkel, Neil Levens, Charles Schumpert

Senior Theses

The global mental health crisis continues to expose the limitations of traditional psychiatric treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As conventional antidepressants offer modest remission rates and delayed efficacy, interest has grown in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds. This thesis explores psychedelic psychotherapy through both a historical and scientific lens, tracing its roots from ancient ceremonial practices to modern clinical trials. It also provides context behind the neurobiological mechanisms by which psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, and DMT affect mood and cognition. These compounds appear to reduce default mode network (DMN) connectivity, increase …

Impacts On College-Aged Asian American Mental Health, Zahra Soherwardy

Senior Theses

This study explores the relationship between different forms of racial harassment and mental health issues in Asian American college students. Asian American mental health is a growing concern in the field of public health. Asian Americans have the lowest treatment rates and some of the highest stigma levels of any demographic. They are also impacted by the model minority myth and discrimination, further alienating them from getting help. The topics of subtle racism, blatant racism, and current racial discrimination were compared to depressive symptoms, anxiety, self-esteem, and four domains of aggression using survey data. Subtle racism was found to be …

Effects Of Acute Stress On Executive Functions In Depression, Generalised Anxiety And Borderline Personality Disorder, T. M. Scott, Joanne M. Dickson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Acute stress adaptively alters executive functions (EFs) essential for emotion regulation. Emerging systems of psychiatric classification, such as the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) and the Research Domain Criteria, emphasise the underlying mechanisms and dimensional nature of psychopathology. Distress disorders—a subfactor within the HiTOP model including major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and borderline personality disorder—are characterised by altered stress reactivity, impaired emotion regulation, and modest responsiveness to first-line psychotherapies. This systematic review sought to examine whether distress disorders and their related symptoms confer heightened vulnerability to transient EF impairment under conditions of acute stress. Methods: A comprehensive search …

Understanding How Family Dynamics Affect Mental Health Communication In Inside Out: A Content Analysis, Kataryna Morton

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This study examines the impact of open communication between family members on mental health and a child’s sense of belonging in the film Inside Out. Previous research has shown the impact of media on children’s socialization, which can influence stigma and make it less likely for vulnerable communication to occur. It is crucial for children to learn to communicate their emotions, and the media can play a key role in shaping these beliefs. Inside Out provides a positive example of mental health communication, which is specifically explored through Riley’s communication with her parents throughout the film. Using a content analysis, …

Quantifying Patient Preferences For Treatments For Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria, Olufemi Babalola, Richard W. Hass, John F Mcana, Manav Segal, Juan Marcos Gonzalez, Olajumoke Fadugba

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: In recent years, it has become increasingly common to incorporate the patient perspective into drug development and regulatory decision making.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure and quantify patient preferences (priorities and trade-offs) for attributes that characterize current and emerging refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (rCSU) treatments.

METHODS: Adult patients with self-reported rCSU symptoms completed an online discrete choice experiment survey. The survey included 10 questions that asked respondents to choose between 2 hypothetical rCSU treatment profiles having similar attributes with varying levels. The attributes included the following: chance of control of symptoms, time to symptom control, return of symptoms …

The Consequences Of Alcohol Access Restriction: A Case For Harm Reduction After Intentional Isopropanol Consumption, Alexis Seery, Sara Reibschied, Eduardo D Espiridion

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Weekly Assessment Of Child Behavior: Psychometric Properties Of A Behavior Problem Screening Tool, Matthew Young, Michael Moradi, Hans Kersten, David Bennett

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Screening For Prodromal Symptoms Of Schizophrenia In Primary Care Settings, Thomas S. Christy

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental health disorder with severe and wide-ranging consequences. Early detection of prodromal symptoms (subtle warning signs preceding full-blown psychosis) can significantly improve patient outcomes. Primary care settings, where early intervention is typically most feasible, lack standardized tools to screen for prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia, however. This review examines existing psychosis screening questionnaires to determine their suitability for primary care use. In addition to highlighting the significant role of primary care providers in managing mental health conditions, this review outlines the challenges associated with recognizing early signs of schizophrenia, particularly in resource-limited settings, and therefore why utilizing …

Optimizing Interventions For Major Depressive Disorder And Provider Burnout: Self-Speak Exercise Dosing (Sed), Laureen Maloney-Gepfert

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

ABSTRACT

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is ranked highest among mental illnesses in the United States (US) and significantly contributes to the mental health care crisis. Patients experience resistance to pharmacologic interventions, side effects, co-morbidities, and mental health provider shortages. Subsequently, 33 % of Serious Mental Illnesses (SMIs) are being redirected to Primary Care Providers (PCPs). Concurrently, prescriber mental health is in crisis. Growing workloads for physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) have increased provider burnout syndrome (BOS). Major Depressive Disorder and BOS are positively affected by exercise, Cognitive Restructuring (CR), and Behavioral Activation (BA). Sports medicine and psychology research shows …

Spirituality And Ptsd Outcomes Among Service Members And Military Veterans, Jennifer Urbina Dmsc, Pa-C

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition among military service members and veterans, often co-occurring with moral injury (MI) and spiritual distress (SD). While conventional PTSD treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure-based therapies, and pharmacological interventions, growing evidence suggests that spirituality may play a vital role in improving PTSD outcomes. This paper explores the integration of spirituality in PTSD treatment, examining its potential to mitigate symptoms, enhance resilience, and facilitate post-traumatic growth. Military chaplaincy, spiritually integrated therapies, and Department of Defense (DoD) holistic health models provide frameworks for addressing the spiritual dimensions of PTSD. Studies indicate …

Role Of Eye-Tracking Technology And Software Algorithms In Enhancing Adhd Detection And Diagnosis: A Systematic Literature Review, Lauren E. Perkins

Honors College Theses

This systematic literature review explores the role of eye-tracking technology and software algorithms in enhancing the detection and diagnosis of ADHD. ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults, is traditionally diagnosed through behavioral assessments, which may lack objectivity. Recent studies suggest that eye-tracking, specifically focusing on saccades, fixations, and blink rates, offers the potential for more accurate and objective measures of ADHD. The review examines clinical trials, observational studies, and machine learning research to assess the correlation between ADHD and eye movement patterns. Results indicate that individuals with ADHD exhibit distinct eye movement patterns, which can be quantified …

Brain Functional Connectivity And Anatomical Features As Predictors Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Outcome For Anxiety In Youths, André Zugman, Grace V. Ringlein, Emily S. Finn, Krystal M. Lewis, Erin Berman, Wendy K. Silverman, Eli R. Lebowitz, Daniel Samuel Pine, Anderson M. Winkler

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Because pediatric anxiety disorders precede the onset of many other problems, successful prediction of response to the first-line treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), could have a major impact. This study evaluates whether structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging can predict post-CBT anxiety symptoms. Methods: Two datasets were studied: (A) one consisted of n = 54 subjects with an anxiety diagnosis, who received 12 weeks of CBT, and (B) one consisted of n = 15 subjects treated for 8 weeks. Connectome predictive modeling (CPM) was used to predict treatment response, as assessed with the PARS. The main analysis included network …

Connections Between Co-Occurring Symptoms Of Eating Disorders, Gut Dysbiosis, Anxiety, And Depression, Erin L. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Eating disorders (ED) are a pervasive mental health condition that puts individuals at risk for long-term physical consequences or even death, and current treatment methods typically do not offer long-term efficacy. The current study aims to examine relationships between co-occurring symptoms of EDs, gastrointestinal distress, anxiety, and depression to add to the scientific literature and point towards directions that may increase the benefits of treatment efforts. A total of 72 participants were asked to complete an online survey that consisted of measures from each variable and took about 20 minutes to finish. Participating individuals had to be at least 18 …

Early-Stage Major Neurocognitive Disorder: A Case Study Of The Experiences Of Elder Men Who Attended A Peer-Led Support Group, Laurie Knight Kjoller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to understand how elder men ages 65 and older with a diagnosis of early-stage major neurocognitive disorder experienced their participation in a peer-led support group series held at a neurology clinic in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The theory guiding this study asserts elder individuals contending with a chronic and debilitating illness like major neurocognitive disorder need to experience a sense of belonging and psycho-emotional support to attain resilience and quality of life and is found in the works of Hassani, Izadi-Avanji, Rakhshan, & Majd (2017) as it relates to the experience of elder …

Evaluation Of The Distress Thermometer In Older Patients With Cancer, Charlotte Zuber, Kristine Swartz, Andrew Chapman, Lora Rhodes, Tingting Zhan, Kuang-Yi Wen

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: The Geriatric Depression Scale is a useful tool in screening for depression in older adults, a particularly vulnerable population in oncology. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT) has been validated as a fast and effective screening tool for psychological distress in general oncology populations, and it could possibly be used as a surrogate for the longer Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) test in older adults with cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study in older adults prior to starting cancer treatment, we evaluated the relationship between the DT and GDS by comparing 242 older adults …

Examining The Impact Of Depression And Anxiety On The Trajectory Of Executive Functioning And Processing Speed In Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci), Luke Vaartstra

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediary state between normal aging and dementia which is growing in prevalence in the older adult population. Trajectories for MCI are variable and can result in a variety of outcomes including a rescinding of the MCI diagnosis, progression to dementia, or a new state of cognition. The current study examined the impact of depression and anxiety on the cognitive domains of executive functioning and processing speed in MCI trajectories. Data was used from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set and included a sample of 2886 participants with and MCI diagnosis. Hierarchical linear …

Improving Management Of Suicidality Within An Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Program Through Standardization Of A Suicide Rating Scale Among Clinical Staff Members: An Evidenced-Based Practice Project, Nicole Neale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Standardization of suicide assessment protocols is essential for maintaining standards of care and optimizing patient safety. However, many healthcare organizations lack a universal protocol for suicide assessment, likely due to the absence of a gold-standard method or tool. This evidence- based practice project aims to enhance the accuracy and consistency of suicide assessments for individuals diagnosed with eating disorders as well as other mental health disorders, ultimately improving patient safety measures and outcomes within an eating disorder treatment center. This project includes a thorough literature review of suicide risk factors, assessment methods, and available tools, followed by the education and …

Standardized Transitional Process In Adolescent Behavioral Health: Evidence-Based Practice Project, Tiffani L. Cotton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hospital admissions and readmissions significantly impact the quality of care provided to adolescent psychiatric patients. This evidenced-based project aims to review a standardized transition process in support of reducing hospital readmissions. Nurse practitioners, nurse care managers, and social workers collaboratively collaborate with adolescent patients and their families admitted to inpatient behavioral health units to establish discharge plans. Establishing a standardized process for patients transitioning from the behavioral health unit addresses critical areas in the discharge process to ensure that the adolescent patient has the necessary tools for success. The project leader used the IDEAL Transition Strategy (ITS) developed by the …