Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Cannabis Use Disorder And Executive Function - A Literature Review, Jonathan Perumpail

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is recognized as a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent and problematic cannabis consumption that leads to marked functional impairment. Growing evidence suggests that chronic CUD exerts significant effects on executive functions such as inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, goal-directed behavior, and decision-making. This literature review integrates findings from 25 studies focusing specifically on individuals with objectively diagnosed CUD to explore the effects on cognition in this patient population. Across studies, deficits in executive function are consistently observed, with adolescents and early-onset users demonstrating increased vulnerability. Neuroimaging studies reveal structural and functional alterations in the prefrontal cortex and …

When Flashbacks Don’T Return: Lasting Ptsd Remission After Utilization Of Alpha-1 Adrenergic Antagonists, Priyal Pritesh Shah, Tara Young, Danah Atassi, Afshan Khan, Christie Richardson, Martin Forsberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction

Research has indicated that potentially 90% of older adults have undergone at least one potentially traumatic event in their lifetime. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness that follows a traumatic life event where the person is exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual/threatened sexual violence. This event triggers symptoms including flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, hypervigilance, dissociative reactions, and physiologic reactions to traumatic cues. Some recent reports in PTSD treatment have indicated the potential for the use of centrally-acting alpha-1 antagonists, such as prazosin and doxazosin, as effective treatments for PTSD-associated flashbacks and nightmares. …

Refractory Catatonia In Schizoaffective Disorder (Bipolar Type) Successfully Treated With Electroconvulsive Therapy, Shreya Kadi, Victoria Coles

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome

associated with mood and psychotic disorders and may

become life-threatening if untreated. While benzodiazepines

are first-line therapy, some cases are refractory and require

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Hypothesis: Early use of ECT in refractory catatonia leads to

improved clinical and functional outcomes.

Methods: We present a retrospective case analysis of a 62-

year-old female with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type,

who developed severe catatonia during inpatient psychiatric

hospitalization. Clinical course, Bush–Francis Catatonia Rating

Scale scores, and response to treatment were reviewed.

Results: The patient presented with severe catatonia (Bush–

Francis score 19) and elevated creatine kinase …

The Use Of Prazosin In Individuals With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Scoping Review Protocol, Priyal Pritesh Shah, Marisa Riebesell, Afshan Khan, Amanda M. Carey, Emily Balog, Martin Forsberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition, and is most often associated with sleep disturbances such as nightmares, flashbacks, and heightened arousal. Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been widely used for PTSD symptoms, however findings across studies are variable and limited, and the scope of existing evidence is not well established.

Objective: This scoping review aims to systematically map the literature on the use of prazosin in individuals with PTSD across diverse populations, settings, and study designs.

Methods: The scoping review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology and reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A …

Assessing Medical Trainees Knowledge Of Secondary Traumatic Stress Before And After Clinical Experiences At The Cares Institute: A Literature Review, Anastasiya Matveyenko, Sarah Kleinle, Paul Furtaw, Rachel Silliman Cohen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) has been positively correlated with burnout in healthcare professionals through numerous studies. It is defined as the natural consequent behaviors and emotions resulting from knowing about a traumatizing event experienced by another individual. Medical students experience high level of STS due to exposure to trauma during multiple clinical rotations. Child Abuse Research Education and Service (CARES) Institute treats children who have experiences of abuse, neglect, and other forms of trauma. As part of the current curriculum, Rowan SOM students rotate at the CARES Institute for at least a day for up to a month and might …

Worsening Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Ocd) With New Onset Dementia, Melvin D. Ways Jr

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric condition typically characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors with preserved insight. Dementia, a progressive neurocognitive disorder, is frequently associated with behavioral and psychiatric symptoms; however, its impact on pre-existing OCD is less well understood.

Subject of study includes evaluation of neurodegenerative processes to exacerbate pre-existing OCD symptoms. Evidence suggests that dysfunction in shared fronto-striatal circuits—particularly involving the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia—may underlie this relationship. Additionally, cognitive impairment may reduce the ability to inhibit intrusive thoughts, further reinforcing compulsive behaviors. Emerging research also indicates a bidirectional association, with OCD linked to an …

Physician Bedside Communication Posture (Sitting Versus Standing) In Relation To Patient Satisfaction: A Focused Literature Review And Areas For Potential Research, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Sitting during patient encounters is commonly recommended in communication training, with the assumption that it improves patient satisfaction. However, the empirical evidence supporting this recommendation in Emergency Department (ED) settings appears limited.

Objective:

To review the existing literature examining physician posture (sitting versus standing) and its association with patient satisfaction and perceived communication quality.

Methods:

Narrative review of ED and non-ED studies evaluating posture during clinical encounters, with attention to study design, sample size, setting, and outcome measures.

Results:

ED-specific evidence remains heterogeneous. Some studies demonstrate that sitting increases patients’ perception of time spent at bedside without increasing actual …

Comparative Efficacy Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Intranasal Oxytocin In Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa, Nikhila P. Archakam, Akhila P. Archakam, Wesley A. Kim, Harshal Parmar, Iram Fatima

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe and potentially life-threatening psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses affecting adolescents.¹ It is characterized by extreme restriction of caloric intake driven by an intense fear of weight gain or negative body image perception.¹ Mortality results from medical complications of starvation and an increased prevalence of suicide risk.¹ Although AN can occur at any point across the lifespan, it most commonly first presents during adolescence.¹ This developmental period is marked by significant hormonal, biological, and psychosocial changes. Early-onset AN is associated with stunted growth, pubertal delay, and long-term cognitive and emotional …

Impostor Phenomenon In Healthcare: Prevalence, Implications, And Educational Responses, James Espinosa, Robin Lahr, Sergey Medlenov, Swet Patel, Nicholas Tomasello, James Lee, Neel Parikh, Alan Lucerna, Henry Schuitema

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The impostor phenomenon describes persistent self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud despite objective evidence of competence. The term 'impostor phenomenon' is preferred over the term "imposter syndrome" because it is not a psychiatric diagnosis and avoids pathologizing normal developmental uncertainty. The original authors used the term 'phenomenon' (Clance & Imes, 1978), and contemporary scholarship increasingly adopts this terminology.

First described by Clance and Imes (1978), the construct has since been studied across diverse professional domains, including medicine, nursing, and academic leadership. Subsequent research demonstrates that impostor experiences occur across genders, training levels, and healthcare roles (Bravata et …

In School Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Does Academic Achievement And Social Development Improve In Inclusive Classroom Environments?, Ashley A. Macquaid

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social skills, communication, and sensory processing 1. ASD affects approximately 1 in 100 children internationally 2. With the growing prevalence, classroom inclusivity of individuals with autism has emerged as a priority in education. However, current literature presents a range of positive and negative factors without clear indication of effective classroom placement for students' specific needs. This research aims to determine if inclusive classroom environments improve academic achievement and social development for school-age children with ASD. A systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases yielded studies published between …

Beyond First-Break: Uncovering Medical Contributors In Adolescent Psychosis, Jacob De Castro, Adrian Cuesta Gonzalez, Justin Scarano, Celeste Antoinette Pinto, Alexandra Cruz-Mullane, Zulfiya Tashpulatova, Nardin El-Shammaa

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The patient an 18-year-old male presenting with first-episode psychosis ("first- break") with atypical features, including auditory hallucinations localized to his ear without hearing loss, severe malnutrition, neuroimaging abnormalities, and endocrine dysfunction. This case study highlights the importance of evaluating medical etiologies in presumed primary psychosis rather than assuming a primary psychiatric disorder.

Cultural Influences In Psychiatry, Kavita Bhavsar, Mayuri Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The patient is a 26-year-old female presenting with unspecified hallucinations, delusional thinking, concerns for catatonia and potential sex-trafficking. This case study highlights the importance of approaching each patient through their unique cultural lens while examining and minimizing our own biases while navigating each patient holistically and individually.

Searching For A Connection Between Intellectual Humility And Decision-Making Ability, Mansi Verma, Kristin Kirchner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The present study investigated whether there was a relationship between intellectual humility and decision-making. The participants were 32 undergraduate students recruited from the University of South Carolina. Data was collected through self-reported measures of intellectual humility from the participants and their answers to questions testing for decision-making ability in a single survey. Results indicate that there is a correlation between the scores on the Intellectual Humility Scale and CRT scores. Overall, there does appear to be a relationship between intellectual humility and decision-making.

Moving America: A Study Examining The Relationships Between Early Residential Mobility, Anxiety And Academic Performance, Kelsey Thomas, Wendy Chu, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Early residential mobility has known negative effects on mental health outcomes and academic achievement. These effects have been studied broadly and globally, yet there lacks attention in examining early residential mobility to specific localities, regions, or states. As such, this study sought to investigate these associations, specifically its impact on anxiety and academic performance in adults residing or living in South Carolina. Participants were surveyed online regarding their demographic information, academic performance, and anxiety levels. Results found no significant relationships between early residential mobility, anxiety, and academic performance among adults residing or living in South Carolina. Despite these null findings, …

College Student's Ideal Age For Having Children, Corrie Sanders, Melanie Palomares, Kristin Kirchner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

It has been observed that women are beginning to have children at a later age than traditionally seen in history. This study examines college student’s ideal age for having children, and how it compares to the age of their mother when she had her first child. The data was collected mainly from undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina through a survey completed by 39 participants. Through a one-way between-subjects ANOVA, this study found there was not a significant difference of the ideal age to have children between college students ages 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. The average …

The Effects Of Eating Disorder Knowledge On Dieting Beliefs, Kaitlyn Finn, Melanie Palomares, Kristin Kirchner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The study at hand was designed to look into the issues of eating disorder awareness and dieting attitudes. Specifically, it was hypothesized that individuals with more knowledge of eating disorders would be less likely to believe in dieting. It was additionally hypothesized that there would be a difference in amount of eating disorder knowledge seen between pre-determined age groupings. This was hypothesized due to the nature of the inception of eating disorders as a clinical diagnosis. Eating disorders did not begin to be added as a category into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual until the 80’s, suggesting that participants of …

Predicting Narcissism Through Social Media, Cameryn Freglette, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The objective of this study was to assess if narcissism can be predicted through social media behaviors such as frequency of posts, posting selfies, and social media presence on a variety of platforms. This study was conducted through a questionnaire related to social media use and a brief assessment from the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI- 16). Results indicated that social media use per day was significantly different between people who post selfies and those who do not. Participants that scored higher for narcissism used social media less but posted significantly more selfies. Results were not significant in predicting narcissism through …

Connecting On Campus: Exploring The Motivations And Behaviors Of College Students On Dating Apps, Emma Doyle, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Dating apps are increasingly popular among young people, including college students. However, these apps can be quite versatile, and there can be a number of reasons why a college student would use them, whether they are looking for a serious relationship, casual sex, or anything in between. Our study evaluated the intents, behaviors, and satisfaction of college students who used dating apps. Using Chi-Square and independent samples t-test analyses, results show that while satisfaction ratings were similar between men and women, more men use dating apps than women, which suggests that women might have a more negative perception of dating …

The Impact Of Weekly Workouts On Self-Reported Happiness Among College Students, Reid Davis, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

College students are consistently at risk for depressive behaviors during a major time of habit transition (i.e., a time of gaining autonomy while developing their own lifestyle and health habits) and gaining in independence; this is met with only half of them not engaging in at least moderately vigorous exercise (Catellier 2013; Powell, 2019). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of types of exercise (cardio, weightlifting, and yoga/pilates) that undergraduate college students voluntarily engaged in on their subjective current and general happiness levels. There were 52 participants in the study, all undergraduates at the University of …

Learning About Learning: Cognitive Gaming As A Technology Of The Self, David Corso

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Humans perceive and interpret video games in various ways. When viewed as a cognitive process, video games facilitate intellectual growth and development. This piece analyzes selected works by French intellectual Michel Foucault and educational game design researcher Kurt Squire to explain how video game play elicits various cognitive and metacognitive processes. The video discusses how gameplay contributes to the development of cognitive skills, such as memory and attention. It explains how gameplay facilitates learning about learning as well as how video games provide transferable knowledge. An interpretation of Foucault’s “technology of the self” indicates how individuals might use gameplay to …