9319 research outputs found
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Building a Burnout-Resistant Workforce: the Benefits of Mindfulness for Clinical Psychology Doctoral Students
Full text linkBurnout has long been a significant occupational hazard for mental health professionals. Despite the increasing recognition of its prevalence and impact, many graduate programs fail to adequately address self-care strategies. Mindfulness, a practice of focused attention, has emerged as a promising approach to prevent and mitigate burnout. This paper reviews the literature on burnout and its effects on mental health professionals. Next, the paper will provide an overview of mindfulness, mindfulness-based interventions, and benefits of mindfulness. It argues for the integration of mindfulness training into graduate programs to equip students with essential self-care skills early in their careers. The paper introduces “The Mindful Grad,” a four-week mindfulness-based intervention designed to support graduate students’ well-being and enhance their professional practice
What is the meaning of this? A proposed assessment tool for exploring meaning of life in the therapeutic realm
Full text linkIt is likely that since man has first learned to communicate with one another, we have wondered what the meaning of life is. Throughout recorded history, groups of individuals with religious, philosophical, and scientific backgrounds have searched for the answer to this deceptively simple question. Previous research has shown that finding meaning in one’s life can render positive psychological and physiological outcomes for individuals presenting with depressive and anxiety disorders, trauma, chronic and terminal illness, and many more. There have been numerous attempts of creating assessments intended to measure a person’s meaning in life, however most of them either do not explore the different avenues that one may find meaning in, while others lack significant validity and reliability. This proposed assessment, the Meaning of Life Exploratory Tool (MOLE-T), is intended to be an easy-to-use, simple-to-interpret tool to explore one’s meaningful domains in their lives, and then utilize the results to take effective action to live a more fulfilling life
Exploring Occupational Therapy Students’ Coping Strategies and Styles
Full text linkThis study aimed to determine occupational therapy students’ coping strategies and styles to manage stress. The final sample included 160 students, with 39 master of occupational therapy (MOT) students and 121 occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students who were currently enrolled in an MOT or OTD program. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive survey. The survey included both closed-ended and open-ended items to provide a greater insight into occupational therapy graduate students’ stressors, coping strategies, and coping styles. Results of the survey showed the most frequently reported coping strategies for both programs were emotional support, instrumental support, self-blame, and religion. The least used strategies included denial, substance use, behavioral disengagement, and venting. When comparing the two groups, results suggested that both MOT and OTD employed similar coping strategies, with OTD students more likely to use religion as a coping strategy. Participants most frequently reported using the problem-focused coping style. These results indicated that students were implementing both healthy and unhealthy coping strategies. This study will allow students and educators to better understand how MOT and OTD students cope with stress and develop programming to enhance coping among occupational therapy graduate students. Implications for improved occupational therapy educational success include: (1) addressing and acknowledging the stressors that occupational therapy students experience, (2) facilitating and supporting occupational therapy students’ healthy coping strategies, and (3) increasing awareness of unhealthy coping strategies that occupational therapy students may be using
The Impact of a Multi-Method Approach for Ethics Education on Occupational Therapy Students’ Self-Efficacy and Confidence
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a multi-method approach for ethics education. The investigators measured occupational therapy (OT) students’ self-efficacy for ethical decision-making and explored their perception of what contributed to their confidence in understanding the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) 2020 Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics. This one-group mixed methods study included twenty Master of OT students. Self-efficacy was measured via a pre-test and post-test using an adapted version of the New General Self-Efficacy Scale, and open-ended questions captured data regarding student perceptions of what contributed to their confidence. Students presented with high levels of self-efficacy after completing a multi-method approach for ethics education. The results of the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test approached statistical significance. Qualitative data analysis revealed two categories: factors that increased confidence and factors that decreased confidence. This study provides foundational evidence that multi-method education on ethics including a standardized simulation, reflection and an ethics assignment enhances OT students’ self-efficacy for ethical decision-making and contributes to their confidence in understanding the OT Code of Ethics
Redefining Beauty and Boundaries: The Evolution of MAC Viva Glam’s PR Campaign as a Case Study in Shaping DEI Discourse Amid a Changing Political Landscape
No full textThe relationship between diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in the beauty industry and the emergence of anti-DEI laws nationwide is examined in this thesis. Using MAC Cosmetics\u27 Viva Glam campaign as a case study, this research highlights how public relations tactics in the beauty industry have traditionally supported inclusive values, embracing representation across lines of color, gender, sexual orientation, and health. On the other hand, new legislative initiatives in states like Florida, Texas, and Kentucky demonstrate a burgeoning political movement that seeks to eliminate DEI initiatives in public institutions and education. This thesis examines the ramifications of such through a comparative analysis and emphasizes the critical role that public relations plays in reflecting and influencing cultural ideals.
This research argues that PR is in a unique position to mitigate the impacts of anti-DEI backlash through purposeful, open, and values-driven communication, drawing on academic sources, legislative records, and cultural opinion. The conversation urges institutions and practitioners to see DEI as a professional and moral necessity rather than a business fad, particularly during periods of political opposition. In the end, this thesis provides a critical analysis of public relations\u27 ability and duty to maintain equity in a divisive cultural environment
Walking in Town: A Study of Walkability and its Impacts on Students at EKU
No full textThis project explores the current state of walkability in Richmond, Kentucky, with a specific focus on connectivity between Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and essential services in the surrounding community. Utilizing the PRECEDE-PROCEED model as a planning framework, the study combines secondary demographic health data as well as
primary data collection—including student surveys and a walkability audit using a modified Delaware Walkability Assessment Tool—to assess pedestrian infrastructure, access to amenities, and safety concerns. Findings reveal a lack of continuous, safe, and accessible walking routes, limiting physical activity and contributing to broader health disparities. Based on these findings, two primary evidence-based interventions are proposed: enhancing green space and parks and improving sidewalk and crosswalk infrastructure. The resulting program aims to increase physical activity, reduce pedestrian injury risk, and strengthen community connections. This project emphasizes the importance of built environments in shaping health outcomes and offers a scalable model for improving walkability in other mid-sized university towns
The Safeguard of the Church: An Examination of Early Church Creeds
No full textThis research project examines the role of early church creeds as a safeguard within the ancient church and the modern church to fight heresy that was prevalent within the culture. It investigates the historical context of the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, emphasizing how these creeds were used to drive out heretical beliefs such as Gnosticism and Arianism. This study argues that while these creeds successfully clarified and summarized the core doctrines of the Christian faith and drive out heretical teachings, they did not fully achieve lasting unity among the church and Christian groups. The study shares the important historical significance of the Protestant Reformation and how this movement led to the creation these ancient church creeds. It shows that initially these creeds were used as profession of faith for new believers who were about to get baptized and how that evolved into Christians adopting these creeds as their statements of faith. This project also shares different modern-day views of these church creeds like the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and how they hold fast to Sola Scriptura which is the belief that that Bible is their only authority rather than having a church creed to anchor their beliefs. Overall, this paper emphasizes the enduring theological and historical importance of early church creeds as a protective measure and facet of the church
Exploring Student Experiences and Perceptions of Digital Storytelling in Occupational Therapy Education: A Comprehensive Analysis and Evaluation
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need for digital transformation in higher education, emphasizing the importance of incorporating digital pedagogy. This study explored student experiences and perceptions of digital storytelling, a multimedia-based narrative technique, as an innovative assessment method in occupational therapy education. First-year, first-semester entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy students created digital stories on mental health topics and completed self-reflection papers. A retrospective qualitative descriptive method was employed, analyzing 14 consented self-reflection papers. Emerging qualitative themes revealed that digital storytelling enhanced students\u27 understanding of occupational performance impacts, led to the development and utilization of transferrable skills for clinical practice, and was identified as a valuable tool for advocacy and stigma reduction. Results indicate that digital storytelling can be a valuable and innovative assessment method in occupational therapy education, fostering clinical knowledge, critical reflection, and professional skill development (e.g., empathy, problem-solving, communication, and creativity). This approach aligns with the broader trend of digital pedagogy integration in higher education and can also assist with meeting accreditation standards in occupational therapy curricula
Improving Self-Regulated Learning Among Occupational Therapy Students
No full textMany occupational therapy students, particularly first-generation students, face significant academic and social challenges in higher education that affect their self-regulated learning (SRL). SRL involves goal setting, self-monitoring, strategy implementation, and reflection. The rigorous academic demands, combined with the unique challenges experienced by many first-generation students, exacerbate these difficulties, particularly in developing SRL skills, which are essential for academic and professional success. While first-generation students often lack these skills due to a variety of factors, many occupational therapy students also struggle to develop these skills, regardless of background. This narrative review examines the role of SRL in occupational therapy education and barriers that impact students’ success and presents strategies to enhance SRL for a broad range of learners
Developing a Trauma Informed Occupational Therapy Workforce
No full textTrauma is a prevalent condition that impacts individuals, groups, and populations. Trauma informed care (TIC) is a strengths-based approach that was developed to address the pervasiveness of trauma and prevent re-traumatization. Occupational therapy practitioners are likely to encounter individuals and groups who have experienced trauma and need to be familiar with the impacts of trauma as well as principles of TIC. While trauma and TIC concepts have been taught as learning modules, workshops, or continuing education courses, this study adopts the innovative approach of integrating these concepts across a two-course sequence on pediatric occupational therapy through readings, didactic content, and active learning strategies. The study participants were second year occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) students (N=37) in an entry level OTD program. The study used a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning lens to measure students’ growth in understanding the fundamentals of TIC and perceived self-competence in implementing these concepts in clinical practice. Data was collected at the beginning of the two-course sequence, mid-point, and end of both courses. Analyses indicated a statistically significant improvement in TIC knowledge and perceived self-competence from baseline to post-training measures. These results indicate that trauma and TIC concepts can be successfully integrated within the OT coursework. Based on the results of the study and review of the literature, suggestions for incorporating these concepts at the course, curriculum, and systemic levels have been made