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Investigation Of Emotional Numbing And Other Potential Risk Factors Of Chronic Ptsd In Veterans
Get PDFThe current study sought to examine potential risk factors contributing to the chronicity of posttraumatic stress disorder. Participants consisted of 70 EKU students as well as veterans from Eastern Kentucky. Students and veterans voluntarily took an online survey and students received credit in their summer psychology courses. The PTSD Checklist-DSM5 (PCL-5) was used to measure PTSD symptomology and severity, the Life Events Checklist was used to measure types and frequencies of trauma, the revised UCLA loneliness scale and the Six-Item Lubben Social Network scale was used to measure levels of isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Brief Hypervigilance Scale was used to measure symptoms of hypervigilance, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire was used to measure experiential avoidance, and the Big Five Inventory was used to measure personality traits. Results supported the hypotheses with significant correlations regarding emotional numbing, hypervigilance, avoidance, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Implications of these results are discussed
Building a Geodatabase for Facilities Services at EKU
No full textThis project involved collecting the locations and attributes of various features across EKU’s campus using the Global Positioning System. These features were then used to create a Geodatabase of campus. High-end GPS units were used to collect these data. We worked closely with Facilities Services at EKU to create a comprehensive Geodatabase of the features that comprise EKU’s campus. This included database design, GPS training, GPS data collection and GIS database construction. The end product of this project will be the start of a larger Geodatabase that will aid Facilities Services at EKU in their future projects for maintenance and upkeep of The Campus Beautiful.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_undergraduategallery/1344/thumbnail.jp
Music Therapy: Hitting All the Right Notes? A Systematic Review of, and Efficacy in, the Use of Music for Recreation Therapy
No full textMusic therapy is a kind of therapy which uses music as a part of the therapeutic relationship to treat physical, psychological, cognitive, and social needs. Music therapy, and its usage by professionals like Music Therapists and Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, is the clinical, evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized therapeutic goals and outcomes. Although people may have an initial definition and can identify benefits like reduced anxiety and stress, the promotion of feelings and memories, and changes in mood and emotional states through their own experiences, most people don’t understand the magnitude of conditions, attained skills, and benefits which result from music therapy sessions. Music can be used as a form of communication(verbal and non-verbal), to facilitate social and emotional interactions, to develop relationships and connections, to explore personal feelings and attitudes, and to promote self-exploration and expression. To name but a few examples which improve a clients quality of life in mental, physical, spiritual, social, and emotional areas. The goal of this scholarly work is to ensure that we are all on the same sheet of music through identifying, exploring and presenting the types of therapy, benefits, treated illnesses and conditions, efficacy of interventions, and their associated short- and long-term outcomes through involvement in such sessions; furthermore, to identify and inform on any issues or shortcomings which may need to be addressed in an effort to not sing out of key while making music(therapy) together.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_graduategallery/1147/thumbnail.jp
Perception vs. Reality: Drinking on College Campuses
No full textMany people believe that binge drinking is common among college students. However, existing research has conflicting data on the amount of alcohol that college students consume. The study implemented a survey of EKU students based on the Michigan State social norming campaign. This survey was used to gauge perceived drinking norms of students on campus and compare them to the actual drinking habits of those same students. One hundred and thirty-three students responded to the questionnaire. This research found that EKU college students perceived drinking norms to be much higher than they were. More than 42% of EKU students did not drink the last time they partied or socialized, yet 86% answered that they believed the average student consumed 3 drinks or more. The results indicate that drinking is not as common among college students as most people believe. A social marketing campaign was conducted during Homecoming week to demonstrate the differences in perceived norms and actual drinking habits and encourage safe behavior during the week\u27s festivities. Further training education concerning alcohol safety should continue to be a priority on college campuses. College students should not feel the need to drink to fit in.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_graduategallery/1145/thumbnail.jp
Ground Penetrating Radar at White Hall State Historic Site
Get PDFWhite Hall State Historic Site, the former home of prominent abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay, is an important historical landmark in Madison County, Kentucky. Before Cassius Clay and his wife, Mary Jane Warfield Clay, built White Hall, Clermont stood in its place. Cassius Clay’s Father, Green Clay built Clermont in the late 1700s. The 2,000 acre estate included not only the house but all the facilities needed to be self-reliant. Cassius Clay inherited the mansion when Green Clay passed away in 1828. While much is known about the Clay family history, little is known about the 100+ enslaved people the Clay family owned including where their living quarters and burial sites were located.
We will review high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs), infrared imagery (IR), and current maps to look for anomalies on the surface that may suggest the location of a feature such as the foundation of a building that is no longer there. When suspect locations are identified, we will utilize a technique in Geophysics called ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to identify any subsurface structures. This non-invasive tool is ideal for this type of work because it will not disrupt the site. GPR data can be collected for a large area in a relatively short amount of time compared to invasive archaeological methods. We will make educated interpretations of the anomalies found when using the GPR. The research may be useful for future investigations at the site by EKU archaeologists, geophysicists, and possibly historians.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_undergraduategallery/1347/thumbnail.jp
Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Perceived Self-Efficacy and Readiness for Discharge After Receiving Occupational Therapy Services at a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).
Get PDFAbstract
Background: Older adults who plan to go home from a SNF after having injuries have increased concerns about their transition and feel they have limited knowledge and information on community resources. There is research on the critical roles of occupational therapy in preparing community-dwelling older adults to transition home from SNF. However, limited research on community-dwelling older adults\u27 perception of their self-efficacy and discharge preparedness after receiving occupational therapy services at SNF.
Purpose: This project examines the perceptions of community-dwelling older adults’ preparedness and self-efficacy after receiving occupational therapy services in a SNF to increase their quality of life and decrease hospital readmissions after they return home.
Theoretical Framework: The Value and Meaning in Occupations Model (ValMO) and Model of Occupational Wholeness theoretical framework were used to frame and provide context for this study to assess community-dwelling older adults’ self-perceived occupational performance and satisfaction and the effectiveness of the intervention.
Methods: A convergent mixed-method, pretest, and posttest design. This design selected participants admitted to a skilled nursing facility to address community-dwelling older adults’ perception and self-efficacy during SNF discharge preparation.
Results: The quantitative pretest, posttest, and two-week phone call follow-up results reveal a statistical significance (
How to Improve the Kentucky Workplace for the Sake of Workers\u27 Mental and Physical Health
Get PDFGiven the current state of the economy and Americans’ “workaholic” culture, it is not unreasonable for Kentuckians to be stressed in the workplace. Is it true that Kentuckians are stressed and dissatisfied with their jobs, or are workers simply pessimistic? The purpose of this study is to determine the satisfaction of Kentuckians with their current jobs, characteristics of their job which may impact satisfaction, and explore solutions to create healthier relationships between workers and their jobs. An online survey was distributed to Kentuckian workers aged 18 and older via social media and flyers posted on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. Results revealed that while overall health and job satisfaction were of reasonable ratings, respondents (n=96) reported that their jobs are very mentally demanding. Additionally, respondents were divided on satisfaction with their job’s physical environment and income. Respondents provided conflicting answers when asked if they would change their present type of work for something different. Further research should evaluate why respondents reported jobs that are very mentally demanding
Feasibility of a Self-Paced Educational Intervention Protocol on Standardized Assessment of Public Building Accessibility
Get PDFLimited research informs the implementation of web-based and mobile learning (mLearning) protocols for the assessment of public building accessibility in occupational therapy graduate students. This study tested the feasibility of a self-paced protocol designed to teach students how to evaluate community environment accessibility. Students across five sites completed an online learning module and community building evaluations. Students were randomized into lecture or lab educational groups and then crossed over to receive the second experience. Outcomes were student satisfaction, self-perceived learning, and knowledge on a researcher-developed measure. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Two hundred and twelve students completed the study. The students were satisfied with their education and their community accessibility knowledge significantly increased from approximately 60% to 85%. Site and order of the learning components did not impact student ability to achieve competence. This multi-site approach is feasible and effective in instructing students in this highly protocolized and specialized area of practice
Developing the Change Agent Competencies of Occupational Therapy University Students: Using a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Approach in a Canadian Program
Get PDFCanadian occupational therapy (OT) university programs must teach change agent competencies. These include promoting social justice and empowering clients, which United States occupational therapists also do. Change agent competency requirements are challenging to teach and involve multidisciplinary knowledge and non-traditional skills. As few occupational therapists feel competent to act as change agents, university programs must engage in a scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) approach and identify areas of improvement. The aim of this study, informed by SoTL, was to document, as described by participants, the pedagogical activities related to teaching the change agent role in an OT program in Canada and explore possible curricular improvements. Two online 90-minute focus group meetings were held: one with ten teaching team members, the other with six current and past students. Participants were questioned regarding current formal and informal curricular activities, barriers that influenced competency development, and activities that could help improve it. Data were analyzed thematically. Actual informative teaching activities, such as ethics and multicultural courses, were deemed helpful but insufficient, with only one transformative course in the curriculum. Barriers such as a rigid, biomedical-based program structure also affected competency acquisition. Solutions to improve acquisition included mentorship and recognition of relevant extracurricular projects by the programs. SoTL offers a reflective lens to learn from collective experiences. This study showed the importance of involving students and faculty in program development and delivery improvements in order to better support educators and program administrators in their mission to meet the needs of vulnerable populations
Book Review: Clinical Simulation for Health Care Professionals
Get PDFThis paper is a review of Clinical Simulation for Health Care Professionals (Zapletal et al., 2022), which is designed to be a step-by-step manual for those interested in designing simulated learning experiences for students in health care fields and for clinicians who need to refresh or advance their skills to gain essential competencies for practice as a health care professional. Authors chose the Kern’s Model of Curriculum Development to serve as the theoretical framework for development of a simulated learning experience, which also lends itself to organization of the material in an easy-to-use resource. While the book is authored by occupational therapists, there is a wide range of professions represented in the examples provided (athletic training, occupational therapy, nursing, physician assistant, pharmacy, and physical therapy). This review describes the content of the book and provides a critical analysis of the text for utilization in academic occupational therapy settings as a resource for establishing a simulation experience component to occupational therapy programs. Simulation has been increasingly utilized in occupational therapy programs for a variety of reasons including enhancing preparation for clinical practice, providing low-risk learner centered clinical education, and as a method for meeting accreditation requirements for level I fieldwork