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Every Moment Counts at Hitchcock Primary School: Initiatives to Promote Mental Health
No full textSchool personnel at Hitchcock Primary School acknowledge that mental health is an issue as seen through increased behavioral challenges and one-on-one intervention with students. This capstone project is combines two elements aimed at building the capacity of school personnel, educators, and occupational therapists to address mental health in children and youth through a multi-tiered approach, which includes strategic planning to address student mental health needs, and piloting the implementation of an Every Moment Counts (EMC) initiative: comfortable cafeteria. The overall goal of my capstone project is to increase awareness and knowledge on how to promote mental health in schools at a universal level to decrease the need for 1-on-1 intervention needs. The current literature highlights the need for OT practitioners to collaborate within an interdisciplinary team to promote multitiered systems of support in the school rather than sole intervention of the traditional tier 3: individualized approach. Through a tier 1: universal approach, all students will have the opportunity to develop skills to create and maintain positive mental health in order to achieve academic and non-academic successes in their lives.Harris County Department of Educatio
The relationship between anxiety and contraception methods in adult women
No full textAnxiety disorders are significantly prevalent among adults in the United States, with steady increases over recent years. Women are nearly twice as likely to experience an anxiety disorder within their adult lifespan when compared to men. Few studies found have made attempts to explore causes for higher incidences of anxiety disorders in females. Until the etiology of anxiety in women is better understood, women could remain inadequately treated (Aquin et al., 2017; Goddard, 2017). This study was conducted using a non-experimental, descriptive correlational design to examine the relationship between methods of contraception and anxiety in adult women. Adult women who are genetically female, aged 18-52, and currently using any method of birth control or no birth control were recruited via e-mail invitation, exclusively to Texas Woman's University students, and via online social media platform Facebook (FB) with an active weblink that connected to the online consent and online survey software. Data was extracted from the online survey software into an electronic spreadsheet and placed into SPSS version 28 for statistical analysis. Descriptives, correlations, t-tests, ANOVA, and ANCOVA test were performed. A small amount of significance was found in relationships between anxiety levels in adult women and methods of contraception in one of three anxiety scales only, the GAD-7 (p = .02). However, mean anxiety scores were higher for all three anxiety scales for hormonal versus non-hormonal birth control users. These results could foster additional studies regarding hormonal influence on anxiety in women. The results could also encourage collaborative decision making between women and their providers when determining contraceptive methods
Does time matter when greeting patrons? Observations from a two-year study in Texas public libraries
No full textThis article presents a 2-year study on how quickly Texas library staff members greeted a library patron after eye contact. Results from 140 library visits found a mean of nearly 4 min, but a mean of 9 s after removing outliers. The study also calculated the perceived customer value by measuring the service, quality, image, and price of the customer service experience. Findings suggest that each patron/staff interaction may alter a patron’s perceived Return on Investment (ROI). Given libraries are primarily supported by tax dollars, poor patron service experiences may impact the perceived values of library programs and services, jeopardizing future funding. The article highlights the importance for libraries to retain satisfied employees and build trust within their communities
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of school-based occupational therapists' experiences with moral distress
No full textWorkplace stress in healthcare can impact patient safety and staff well-being. Moral distress, which refers to the suffering experienced by healthcare professionals when external pressures prevent them from acting, has gained public recognition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals who experience moral distress are more vulnerable to developing burnout and leaving their positions, making it a critical challenge for healthcare providers. Using a qualitative research approach and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), this study explored the meanings and experiences of eight occupational therapists with moral distress in school-based occupational therapy in kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in the northwestern United States. IPA as a research design is well suited for investigating complicated, emotional, and nuanced topics that require in-depth understanding of participants’ perspectives. Data were gathered through participant-centered in-depth interviews, with a decontextualized photo-elicitation component, and a demographic questionnaire. Analysis included the six steps of IPA to generate personal experiential themes, resulting in group experiential themes across all participants. Participants attributed their moral distress to three overarching themes: (a) professional ethos versus educational culture, (b) professional identity versus educational identity, and (c) professional autonomy versus perceived compliance. The meaning of these themes to the participants included a lack of value for occupational therapy services and knowledge among stakeholders, a lack of shared decision-making and unequal power in school-based practice, and the value of moral distress as a catalyst for action. These findings contribute to the understanding and meaning of moral distress in school-based occupational therapy as issues of incongruence of professional values, diminished professional identity, and compromised professional autonomy in school-based practice that lead to disillusionment and loss of meaning in their profession and school positions. Proposed future practices for addressing moral distress in this group include implementing peer mentoring programs, establishing community of practice groups, advocating for a broader scope of practice, and setting up multitiered systems of support. This study proposed the need for further investigation to effectively identify and define moral distress, explore the impact of moral distress on occupational therapy practitioners and consumers, and subsequently design targeted interventions to foster adaptive capacity and resilience
GO Move: A Cerebral Palsy Case Study on Goal-Directed Training & Home Program
No full textCerebral Palsy (CP) is a prevalent lifelong motor disorder, particularly affecting children, affecting consistent engagement in meaningful motor activities to maintain and enhance function (Accardo, 2008). Upon evaluation of different interventions, we decided to review GO Move. Despite the established effectiveness of goal-directed training and home-based programs in improving functionality, parental satisfaction, and motor skills among youth with CP (Novak et al., 2009), there exists a significant gap between research evidence and practical implementation by therapists and individuals with CP. This gap is further widened by limited access to literature for clinicians and barriers to therapy services for individuals with CP. The absence of a systematic, accessible mechanism for implementing evidence-based interventions in home settings for individuals with unilateral CP exacerbates delays in translating evidence into practice, thereby creating unnecessary disability burdens. As part of the capstone experience, we conducted the implementation of the feasibility study to assess the effectiveness and the acceptability of this mobile website.Scottish Rite for Childre
Online fandom communities and queer identity formation: An autoethnography
No full text“Online fandom communities'' (OFCs) operate across different social media platforms with the common characteristics of anonymity, internet dialect, and subcultural ideals. Using an autoethnographic approach, this thesis examines the effect of online fandom communities on queer identification. These characteristics can operate as a safe space for queer peers to engage with the art they admire and with people who share their experiences. This has been the experience of the author who, as a queer woman on the cusp of the Millennial and Gen. Z generations, has been engaged with fandom in different forms for over 10 years
Parent Participation in Early Childhood Education
No full textImprove the parent volunteer program at Generation One preschool to see the impact that it has on childhood outcomes and classroom behavior.Avilo Pediatric Solutions & Consultin
Healthy Habit & Role: Exploring the Effectiveness of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living On Stroke Survivors Well-Being
No full text8 week wellness program to improve stroke survivors performance & satisfaction in occupational problem areas.TWU Stroke Cente
The Dichotomy, 2024
No full textThe artwork created conveys the theme of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) through some visual elements:
Dark, Ominous Clouds: The sky in the painting is filled with dark clouds composed of written texts. These clouds could symbolize the overwhelming and suffocating feeling experienced by individuals with COPD. The weight of the buildings and the density of the clouds evokes the struggle for breath and the heaviness associated with this chronic illness.
“KEEP SMOKING” Sign: Prominently displayed on one of the buildings is a large sign that reads “KEEP SMOKING.” This message shows the connection between smoking and COPD. Smoking is a significant risk factor for developing COPD, and the sign serves as a warning against continuing this harmful habit.
Struggling Figure: In the foreground, there is a figure outlined in blue and orange. This person is struggling or in distress. Blue could represent oxygen deprivation or difficulty breathing, while orange represents the struggle to decide. The urban environment surrounding the figure emphasizes the impact of pollution and environmental factors on respiratory health.
Minimal Greenery: Despite the presence of trees and greenery, they seem minimal compared to the dominating buildings and dark clouds. This contrast highlights the struggle faced by individuals with COPD to find fresh air and maintain lung health in an urban setting.
Overall, the artwork effectively conveys the challenges, suffocation, and urgency associated with COPD, urging viewers to consider the importance of lung health and the impact of environmental factors.
Medium: Collage; acrylic on canvas and mixed media
Format: 18 x 24
Occupational Therapy Student “Buddy” Program for Individuals with Dementia
No full textThe ""Buddy"" program uses intergeneration and occupational approaches to create rich social connections for both individuals with dementia and TWU occupational therapy students so the two can benefit each other. These students were given the opportunity to volunteer at Amazing Place and engage in various programs throughout the day with the participants who have mild to moderate dementia. The goal of this program is to increase confidence and knowledge in 1st year OT students before they venture off into fieldwork 2. In addition, the goal for the Amazing Place Participants is to increase social participation and activity engagement while applying these intergenerational approaches.Amazing Plac