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Cultural considerations and efficacy of mindfulness-based practices for Hispanic/Latinx immigrant youth in schools: A Systematized Review
No full textMindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained attention as promising tools for improving student well-being, yet their effectiveness and cultural relevance for Hispanic/Latinx immigrant youth remain underexamined. This Systematized Review evaluates the current literature on school-based MBIs targeting this population, with a focus on their cultural considerations, efficacy, and participant acceptability. Using PRISMA guidelines, studies were identified across research databases and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required that interventions involve mindfulness practices, take place in school settings, and include Hispanic/Latinx immigrant youth. Findings from the limited number of eligible studies suggest that mindfulness-based interventions may reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma while improving emotional regulation and self-awareness; however, the extent and specificity of cultural adaptations varied, and nativity-specific outcomes were not examined. Gaps in immigration-specific data and methodological variation, as well as limited deconstructing of participant demographics further limit the generalizability of findings. Implications for school psychologists are also discussed
Developing, Implementing, and Improving Data-Informed Student Success Campaigns RNL 2025
Full text linkUsing our experiences of developing and implementing data informed student success campaigns, members of the Office of Student Success Analytics at James Madison University will discuss how they developed and implemented data-informed student success campaigns to improve retention and reduce equity gaps. With a focus on email and text campaigns, the presentation will discuss the value of integrating data-informed campaigns, explain the process for designing, implementing, and assessing campaigns, and help higher education professionals identify and design a student success campaign
College Students’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted multiple aspects of human life, including the psychological and physical health of college students. This study explores how students in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, a region within the larger Appalachian area, experienced anxiety, depression, and fear of COVID-19. An online survey was conducted at a large public university in the US, yielding responses from 680 undergraduate and graduate students. Linear regression was applied to continuous outcomes, specifically the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and depression scores. For dichotomous outcomes such as anxiety and depression (when categorized), separate logistic regression models were employed. The majority of respondents were female (78.0%), White (81.9%), and undergraduates (80.4%), with approximately 41.4% majoring in health-related disciplines. Results indicated that female students reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and fear of infection compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, undergraduate students exhibited greater depressive symptoms than graduate students. Students who perceived less institutional support from their university during the pandemic also reported significantly higher psychological distress. These findings underscore the pressing need for universities and policymakers to collaborate in enhancing mental health resources and communication strategies for students during times of crisi
The Effects of Various Array Sizes on the Skill Acquisition of Auditory-Visual Conditional Discriminations
No full textCommon skills frequently taught to young learners in early childhood often include simple and conditional discriminations of stimuli. Research supporting the teaching of skills using AVCDs is extensive (Grow et al., 2011; Grow & LeBlanc, 2013; Wechsung et al., 2023; Wong et al., 2020); however, little research has examined the best size of an array to present when teaching new skills that will promote the quickest and most effective skill acquisition. The current study evaluated the best instructional array size to present when teaching AVCDs to a young learner with IDD. The following research questions guided this examination: When teaching a new skill using AVCDs, what is the best array size to present to a learner with IDD to promote the quickest skill acquisition? In a follow up probe occurring after the discontinuation of instruction, which array size will have a greater effect on the maintenance of the skill learned by an individual with IDD? The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different array sizes presented to a learner when teaching auditory-visual conditional discriminations. An alternating treatments design was used to determine which array size led to the quickest and longest maintained skill acquisition. The researcher tested one participant’s ability to identify a shape from arrays of four, six, and nine. During baseline, the researcher observed low levels of responding in each array indicating this was not a skill the learner had in their repertoire. The researcher then taught shape identification by presenting each target shape in a different sized array using massed trials. Results indicated that each array size promoted similar skill acquisition and maintenance when identifying shapes, therefore there were no significant changes in learning when presenting the stimuli in different sized arrays. Once the learner displayed mastery with identifying shapes using massed trials, the researcher tested shape identification using dispersed trials in an array of nine. The results indicated the circle was the only shape that was consistently identified correctly when presented in an array with the other target shapes
Exploring the Perceived Role Competence of Occupational Therapists in Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Across Different Clinical Settings
No full textThe purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived role, perceived role competence, and confidence in relation to Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) among licensed occupational therapists in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, the study will compare these perceptions among occupational therapists within different practice settings to identify any gaps that may be present between occupational therapists specializing in mental health settings and occupational therapists specializing in other populations and settings.
SUDs can negatively disrupt individuals\u27 occupations and be a large barrier to both someone\u27s performance and participation (Doğu & Özkan, 2023; Rothman & Jimenez, 2023). Examples of occupations include social participation, work, sleep, grooming, and many more. Occupational imbalance and lack of meaningful occupational engagement can occur with SUD and are areas that occupational therapists target during intervention (Crouch & Wegner, 2014). However, a study analyzing occupational therapists’ perceptions on SUDs determined that only 48.3% of occupational therapists fully understood how occupational therapy can play a role in assisting this population (Mattila et al., 2022). As the prevalence of SUDs continue to rise, occupational therapists need to be able to identify client needs and evidence-based intervention to address those needs in settings outside of psychiatric rehabilitation (Hildebrand & Boerding, 2019).
The study implements a multi-methods design utilizing survey methodology in addition to a phenomenological study design. Participants in the study were recruited using a snowball sampling approach in which mass emails were sent to occupational therapists licensed in Virginia. The email included both a link to the survey as well as an invitation to contact the researchers should they be interested and willing to partake in a semi-structured interview. Inclusion criteria were explicitly stated in the email and included licensure in the state of Virginia and currently practicing as an occupational therapist. Researchers are actively working on statistical analysis in which the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is being used to analyze all quantitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics are being run on survey response data. Interview transcriptions are being coded using predetermined themes, as well as emerging themes. Coding is being done separately by the three primary researchers who will then compare and integrate findings.
The goal of this study is to help investigators gain a better understanding of occupational therapists’ perceived role, perceived role competence, and confidence in treating clients with known or suspected SUDs. It is within the scope of occupational therapy practice to provide interventions for SUDs. Researchers hope to learn whether or not occupational therapists in Virginia are actually addressing SUDs in practice. This insight will allow investigators to share their findings with the greater occupational therapy community in the Commonwealth so that we may strive towards improved education, support, and understanding of how occupational therapists work with individuals with SUD.
References:
Crouch, R., & Wegner, L. (2014). Substance use and abuse: Intervention by a multidisciplinary approach which includes occupational therapy. In R. Crouch & V. Alers (Eds.), Occupational Therapy in Psychiatry and Mental Health (pp. 446–464). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118913536.ch28
Doğu SE, Özkan E. (2023). The role of occupational therapy in substance use. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14550725221149472
Hildebrand, M., & Boerding, A. (2019). OT assessment in substance-use disorder (Sud): A qualitative study of current practices. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(4_Supplement_1), 7311500020p1-7311500020p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.73S1-PO7001
Mattila, A. M., Santacecilia, G., & LaCroix, R. (2022). Perceptions and knowledge around substance use disorders and the role of occupational therapy: A survey of clinicians. Substance Abuse : Research and Treatment, 16, 11782218221130921. https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218221130921
Rothman, E. F., & Jimenez, C. (2023). Introduction to the special issue on substance use and occupational therapy. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 17, 117822182311600. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221823116001
Shaping Tomorrow\u27s Ethical Leaders
No full textThis phenomenological qualitative research study sought to explore the essences of ethical leadership and the self-efficacy of emerging leaders in leadership development. The researcher became curious about this topic when a question was proposed during the Adult Education and Human Resource Development (AHRD) graduate course, Foundations of AHRD, on whether leaders are born, or made. After a class discussion ensued on the key aspects of leadership development, a genuine interest in the research of ethical leadership was established.
The purpose for this research study was twofold: First, there was a need to comprehend the essences of ethical leadership. Discovering the essence simply refers to the sense or logic of a particular human experience and how it essentially presents itself in a phenomenological study (Dukes, 1984). This understanding occurred through a comprehensive literature review and by conducting transcendental phenomenological interviews of four self-identified, ethical leaders across industries: A global non-profit organization, an agricultural manufacturing facility, a public school system, and a financial service company. The second purpose of this study was to use the findings from the literature review and phenomenological interviews to make recommendations on the development of a survey as a measurement tool to assess key factors of ethical leader behavior and the self-efficacy of emerging leaders when faced with challenging decisions. To further expand the research on the essences of ethical leadership, three research questions were developed:
1) Based on the review of the literature, what are the core essences of ethical leadership?
2) How do leaders across industries define and describe the core essences of ethical leadership?
3) How do the findings from this study inform recommendations for the development of an instrument measuring ethical leadership and the self-efficacy of emerging leaders in leadership development?
To answer the first question, a thorough literature review was completed to gain a better understanding of how researchers have defined ethical leadership over the last couple of decades, leadership styles that best represent ethical behaviors, the essences of ethical leadership in characteristics and behaviors, the motivations of ethical leaders, and the self-efficacy of emerging leaders to make ethical decisions when faced with challenging workplace situations.
The second question was answered through transcendental phenomenological interviews that were conducted with four self-identified ethical leaders across the industries of agricultural manufacturing, a global non-profit organization, a public school system, and a financial servicing company. The participants were leaders in the roles of executive director, HR coordinator, operations manager, and accountant/team manager. Through the interview data collection of participant transcripts, the researcher was able to create themes and subthemes that represented the most important behaviors and characteristics of ethical leaders.
Findings from the literature review and participant interviews were used to inform research question three, and the researcher was able to recommend the development of a survey measurement tool for the purpose of assessing the self-efficacy of emerging leaders in leadership development when faced with challenging ethical decisions in the workplace
The Efficacy of ASIST Training for Students in Allied Health and Related Fields
No full textBackground/Problem: Suicide remains a significant public health concern, claiming 45,979 lives in the United States in 2020 alone. The importance of addressing this issue is reinforced by its ranking as the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with a prevalence among individuals aged 15-24. Research shows only few states have current mandates for suicide prevention training for health professionals, which leaves most without the necessary training to help those at risk. While primary care providers play a crucial role in suicide prevention, current data indicates a gap in their training, which emphasizes a need for a comprehensive approach to education and intervention for health care professionals. Objectives: The primary objective of this research project is to evaluate the effectiveness of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), an evidence-based gatekeeper training that has been found to improve participants attitudes, knowledge, and comfort levels regarding suicide. Additionally, it aims to improve allied health students\u27 attitudes towards suicide and ensure they maintain competence in suicide intervention by enhancing their confidence levels. The study aims to bridge the gap in formal education in relation to suicide prevention. Methodology: A non-experimental mixed method design was employed, involving allied health students from the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. Two quantitative assessments, the Attitudes Towards Suicide Scale (ATTS) and the Suicide Response Intervention Inventory (SIRI-2), were utilized to measure participants\u27 attitudes and intervention competency. Assessments were administered pre and post ASIST training, along with a follow-up three months post-training for the SIRI-2, to evaluate the sustainability of acquired skills. Impact: This research project aims to contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness of ASIST Training in enhancing suicide prevention attitudes and competency among allied health students. By applying established theoretical frameworks and robust methodology, the study aspires to address the critical need for comprehensive suicide prevention training in the formal education of future health practitioners. The outcomes of this research may pave the way for broader integration of suicide prevention training into allied health academic curricula, ultimately playing a pivotal role in reducing suicide rates and improving the overall mental health field. Results: Through data analysis processes, significant change in overall attitudes towards suicide were found (p=0.007); however, no significant differences were observed in individual attitude categories, or in regards to maintaining intervention competency (p = 0.223) regarding suicide prevention. Conclusion: This study indicates that a collective shift in attitude regarding suicide improved among participants; however, this change was not constant across all individuals. Further, in regards to maintaining competency in retained skills, results suggests that participants did not exhibit significant improvement in their perceived skills for intervening in suicide situations. Our findings align with prior research on emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts in suicide prevention education. Further research is required to enhance greater clarity on the effectiveness of ASIST training for healthcare professionals
Data Analysis and Applied Machine Learning Techniques for Smart Parking
No full textAbstract:
The fourth industrial revolution has catalyzed the evolution of urban landscapes into smart cities, ushering in intelligent transportation systems that heavily rely on large-scale data-driven models. Among these models, smart parking stands out as a focal point, drawing significant attention from both researchers and industry professionals. However, the diversity of scenarios and environments demands tailored approaches due to the multitude of factors influencing people\u27s schedules and behavior.
This research project focuses on investigating traffic assignments within the context of parking prediction in a mid-size university environment featuring five strategically located parking garages around the campus. The primary objective is to leverage various machine-learning techniques to accurately predict parking demand, thereby optimizing the utilization of available parking spaces. The methodology involves the systematic collection of data from different parking lots, with a subset of this data earmarked for training machine learning algorithms to make predictions.
The core of the investigation lies in evaluating the performance of the trained algorithms against data that was not used in the training process. This comparative analysis serves as a robust measure of the models\u27 effectiveness and generalizability, providing insights into their real-world applicability. Recognizing potential challenges, the project addresses the possibility of missing data due to network or server issues. To mitigate this, fitting algorithms are employed to interpolate missing data before training the machine learning models, ensuring the reliability of the predictions.
The anticipated outcomes of this project extend beyond the academic realm, aiming to streamline traffic assignments in university settings and alleviate the continuous challenge of finding parking spaces. The practical implications of successfully implementing these predictive models are substantial, promising significant time and fuel consumption savings for students and drivers. The elimination of the need to circle parking lots for extended periods translates into a more efficient and seamless parking experience, contributing to a more sustainable and user-friendly transportation system within the university environment.
In tandem with technological advancements, the project underscores the paramount importance of privacy and security in handling the collected data and machine learning results. A robust framework will be established to safeguard against unauthorized access and manipulation, ensuring that the personal information of individuals and the integrity of the predictive models remain intact. This dual emphasis on efficiency and security positions the project as a holistic endeavor that not only enhances operational aspects but also prioritizes the ethical considerations inherent in handling sensitive data within smart city initiatives.
The ultimate goal of the project is to inform and recommend users about parking options before reaching their destination. This recommendation system will take into consideration various factors, including real-time traffic conditions and events such as basketball games, football games, or other university events that could impact parking spot availability. The project aims to optimizing the utilization of parking spaces and further contributing to the efficiency of the university\u27s transportation system
Curricular Development with Adaptive Leadership in Instructional Design
Full text linkThis paper presents the implementation of an adaptive leadership framework for instructional design (ID) services that support curricular development and faculty collaboration/consultation. Transitioning from a passive responsive norm to the advocacy of intentional design, one instructional design department examined the processes, experiences, and phased outcomes of adaptive leadership. The results include proactive anticipation of ID projects and consultations for emerging technologies and pedagogies, clearly articulating and fulfilling ID recruitment and talent management needs with sustainability, adapting decision-making processes for partnership and project cycles, and promoting transparency for accountability. The efforts of ID services in supporting faculty and curricular development have been recognized through awards and academic scholarship. Examples and strategies were presented during SITE2025 with engaged discussion. Future collaborative applications were also exchanged at SITE2025