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A Religious Etiology of Genito-Pelvic Pain and Pain with Penetration
No full textPelvic pain during penetration (PPDP) has been described using various diagnostic terms, including vaginismus, dyspareunia, and vulvodynia. The most recent and comprehensive classification is Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) which is characterized by psychological distress associated with pain during or in anticipation of vaginal penetration (DSM-5-TR; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022). The etiology of PPDP is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and relational factors. Religious and cultural influences may play a significant role in shaping individuals’ experiences of sexual pain. This study investigated the etiology of PPDP in relation to the religious influences among women raised in Judeo-Christian contexts. A qualitative methodology was employed, using semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection method. Data were analyzed through theoretical thematic analysis. Three pre-identified themes guided the analysis: (1) religious upbringings, (2) painful sexual intercourse, and (3) negative associations with sexual intercourse. Findings revealed that conservative religious teachings often instilled shame, fear, and guilt surrounding sex, which contributed to emotional distress and somatic pain. Participants described a cyclical relationship between religious conditioning and physical discomfort, though some also identified religion as a source of comfort or resilience. These results underscore the importance of considering religious and cultural contexts in the assessment and treatment of PPDP and highlight the need for holistic and culturally sensitive approaches to care
ADDRESSING GAPS IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOCUSED ON ADOLESCENT YOUTH WITH DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS AT A SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CLINIC
Get PDFThis Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to address gaps in the continuum of care for adolescents experiencing depression symptoms at a school-based health clinic (SBHC) within an alternative learning community school (ALCS) in southeast Minnesota. Adolescent depression rates are on the rise and are only exacerbated by systemic barriers and social determinants of health, requiring improved mental health care access. Guided by Madeleine Leininger’s Culture Care Theory, the project focused on improving follow-up care for students with elevated depression scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9-M). A tracking system was developed, and the SBHC nurse contacted students with PHQ-9-M scores of nine or above to ensure follow-up. Over two academic years (2022–2024), the project saw significant improvements in follow-up rates and reductions in depression scores. In the first year, only 14% of students had a follow-up plan, while in the second year, this increased to 49%. Furthermore, 94% of students who were followed-up with in year one demonstrated reduced PHQ-9-M scores, with 72% showing similar improvement in year two. The project aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials, specifically related to person-centered care, quality and safety, and interprofessional partnerships, demonstrating the importance of follow-up care. Recommendations include leveraging the electronic medical record for automated follow-up reminders and expanding mental health outreach
Mindfully Reducing Stress in Parents
Get PDFParenting can be a challenging and stressful task. In addition to the stress of raising children, parents also may face financial difficulties, illnesses, poor work-life balance, and lack of leisure time (Brown et al., 2020). Chronic stress can lead to health disorders and negatively affects a parent’s parenting ability (Johnston et al., 2017; Deater-Deckard, 2005). As a healthcare provider, it is imperative to provide parents with tools to help them cope with parenting stress. A through literature review in this paper supports that mindfulness meditation is a effective intervention to reduce stress in parents. Therefore, to answer the clinical question, does a nurse-led mindfulness meditation program reduce stress in parents, a scholarly project with a program development and evaluation design was created and used Martha Rogers’ theory of the Science of the Unitary Human Being as theoretical framework. Rogers’ concepts of resonancy, pattern, and energy fields help to explain how stress affects a parent’s health. The Mindfully Reducing Stress program had several implementation problems arise, but was successfully completed, which will be discussed. A mindfulness meditation content and resource website were also developed to address barriers that prevent parents from participating in other stress reduction programs, such as autonomy, easy to access, and free of cost. The perceived stress scale was used to evaluate pre and post intervention stress levels and an analysis of this data will be discussed. This paper will lastly critically reflect on the project, discuss ACCN Domains and NONPF’s NP Role Core competencies that were met, and discuss implications to nursing practice
MINDFUL MEDITATION ON SLEEP DISORDERS IN AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS
Get PDFMany people experience sleep disorders at different times of their lives for various reasons. Immigrants go through challenges by relocating to this country, and some experience sleepless nights due to the uncertainty of what awaits them. Sleep disorders are a problem for many immigrants, but they do not usually get the proper treatment. Pharmacological management has been used to manage insomnia, but with drugs come side effects that many may want to avoid. Advanced providers can provide nonpharmacological treatments like mindful meditation, which can be taught to patients and used anywhere to help with sleep. Mindful meditation is a practice of relaxing and focusing on the moment. A literature review identified different ways mindful meditation can manage sleep disorders. This scholarly project aims to explore the effectiveness of mindful meditation in adults of African descent with self-reports of sleep disorders like insomnia. This scholarly project addresses the gap in research on sleep disorders within the African immigrant population. It provides valuable insights into the viability and efficacy of mindful meditation as a culturally appropriate treatment for bettering sleep outcomes. Further research is recommended to explore long-term effects, cultural preferences, and the role of mindful meditation in promoting sleep health among diverse populations.
Keywords: Insomnia, Mindful meditation, meditation, sleep quality, sleep disorders
Honoring Smudging for Healing from Substance Use Disorder Among Hospitalized Native Americans
No full textNative American (NA) adolescents and adults experience higher rates of substance use disorder (SUD) among all other ethnic groups in the United States. Research demonstrates smudging as a therapeutic, culturally congruent intervention for decreasing negative behaviors and managing emotions related to SUD, while reconnecting Indigenous identity in outpatient recovery programs. This project proposal analyzes tribal practices in the hospital setting to best direct nurses and hospital administration in facilitating patient care. The project, Healing through Smudging (HtS), aims to support NA patients in the hospital through nurse advocacy, a smudging policy, and frameworks genuine engagement with the Indigenous community. From the synthesized literature, instruction is presented to health care providers and administrators that facilitates bias recognition, deconstruction, and development of cultural awareness. The desired outcome is to enhance relationships between the hospital and NA community by honoring Indigenous identity, respecting cultural values, and strengthening the patient’s cultural safety. The combination of a community-revised smudging protocol, Anishinaabe medicine wheel, and reflection cards protects and honors tribal knowledge in a way that heals the Mind, Body, and Spirit. HtS confirms smudging as an effective tool to manage SUD among hospitalized NAs. The project supports ancestral knowledge, identifies and deconstructs barriers to healing, and supports nurses to best care for the NA community. Further implications include transcultural nurse advocacy and respectful tribal engagement that strengthens the community’s connection to Western care environments
Personality as a Moderator of the Relationship between Casual Sex Behavior and Psychopathology
No full textPrior research has evaluated the impact of casual sex on mental health outcomes; however, there is a lack of research on the possible moderating effects of personality traits on this relationship. Thus, the purpose of this study was to clarify whether personality traits -specifically extraversion and neuroticism- are protective or risk factors for symptoms of anxiety and depression among individuals who engage in casual sexual behaviors, particularly in college-aged individuals. Using a cross-sectional design, 108 participants who met survey criteria completed self-report measures assessing casual sex behavior, the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, the International Big-Five Mini- Markers, and demographic questions. Moderation analyses were conducted to explore the interplay between these variables. The findings indicated no significant associations between casual sex behaviors and symptoms of depression and anxiety, nor a moderating effect of extraversion or neuroticism on these relationships. These findings align with prior studies suggesting limited or no direct mental health impact of casual sex on mental health (Eisenberg et al., 2009; Siebenbruner, 2015) but highlight the need for continued investigation into which individual and contextual factors influence why some individuals are affected while others are not
Emotional Intelligence as a Moderator Between Depression, Loneliness, and Affect Intensity
Get PDFEmotional intelligence (EI) is a construct that has been present in psychology in various, non-specific forms for many years. Mayer and Salovey (1997) first created a specific construct of EI that centered on four key skills: emotion-perception; using emotions to facilitate thought; understanding one’s own and other’s emotions; and emotion regulation. Research on EI has largely been regulated to social domains, but some literature has established links between overall EI and specific EI skills and clinical symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The current study sought to further the literature on EI in clinical domains by studying correlations between emotion perception and regulation, and depression, affect intensity, and loneliness.
A correlational research design was used to test the following hypotheses: (1) emotion perception would positively correlate with affect intensity; (2) emotion perception would positively correlate with depressive symptoms; (3) emotion perception would positively correlate with loneliness; and (4) emotion regulation would moderate the relationship between emotion perception and affect intensity.
A combined sample of 88 Augsburg University students and members of the public participated in the current study. They completed a performance-based measure of EI, the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), along with self-report measures of depression (the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition; BDI-II), affect intensity (the Affect Intensity Measure; AIM), and loneliness (the De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale; DJGLS). Pearson’s r and multiple regression analyses were run to test the study hypotheses. The correlational analyses for the first three hypotheses showed non-significant associations. Emotion regulation was also not found to significantly moderate the relationship between emotion perception, affect intensity, and depression, as it could not better predict this relationship than the mean model.
While the current study failed to replicate the findings of previous research, the results may highlight discrepancies between self-report and performance-based measures of EI. In doing so, the results of the current study may allude to the impact of belief in one’s EI abilities versus actual ability on clinical symptoms
Education for Healthcare Providers: Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy
Get PDFPsilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic modality for addressing psychological distress in psychiatric and palliative care settings. This scholarly project explores the current literature on psilocybin-assisted therapy, providing an educational framework for healthcare providers regarding its clinical applications, potential benefits, and safety considerations. With the rise in treatment-resistant mental health disorders, there is an increasing need for innovative and holistic approaches to care. This project evaluates healthcare providers’ existing knowledge and attitudes toward psilocybin therapy and delivers an educational intervention aimed at reducing stigma and fostering informed clinical perspectives. Grounded in Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness, the project emphasizes the role of psilocybin in enhancing well-being, alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression, and promoting expanded states of consciousness. A pre- and post-educational survey was conducted with a group of healthcare providers to assess changes in understanding and receptivity to psilocybin-assisted therapy. Results demonstrated a significant shift in participants\u27 knowledge and openness toward this treatment modality, reinforcing the need for continued research and integration into clinical practice. This project highlights the necessity of evidence-based education on emerging psychedelic therapies and their potential role in advancing holistic patient care
Effect of Music Listening on Patient Anxiety During Chemotherapy Infusions
No full textAnxiety is experienced at high levels in patients receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy for a cancer diagnosis. The physical symptoms of anxiety can mimic a hypersensitivity reaction to these anticancer drugs that could lead to unnecessary changes to the treatment plan and potentially limit further treatment options. This scholarly project identifies the relationships between music listening and anxiety, anxiety and oncology-related treatments, anxiety and environment, and the effect of music listening on anxiety during oncology-related infusions. An evidence-based practice project was conducted to determine the efficacy of music listening in anxiety reduction in this setting. Ten participants listened to music of their choice for 20 minutes prior to beginning a new cancer treatment regimen and completed a visual analog scale measuring anxiety before and after implementation of the music listening intervention. Qualitative data was collected following the intervention as well. There was an overall decrease in anxiety scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention, from an average of 4.9 pre-intervention to an average of 2.7 post-intervention. This finding indicates that music listening may be an effective intervention for reducing anxiety during chemotherapy infusions, and overall positive feedback was provided by the participants. Music listening provides a holistic, artistic method of anxiety reduction that can prevent unnecessary treatment plan changes as well as provide patients with cancer with a healing environment in which to receive their treatments. Offering music listening to the introductory oncology education materials as an option for use during infusions is one area in which positive change may occur because of the findings of this scholarly project
Improving Staff Cultural Competency and Patient Satisfaction: Enhanced Cultural Assessments on Admission
No full textMinnesota nurses will be challenged to provide quality nursing care as diversity in Minnesota is predicted to continue to increase. This project aims to promote patient centered care and increase patient satisfaction in the inpatient hospital setting, as inspired by Jean Watson’s theory of caring science. The literature supports the need for this project by providing a comprehensive definition of cultural competence to include cultural awareness, cultural skills using Madeline Leininger’s assessment tools, and cultural knowledge. The literature also discusses self-awareness, communication skills, and individualization in educating adults and building authentic caring relationships. Through the proposed continuing education course, nurses can develop their cultural competence and use additional cultural assessment questions to enhance existing admission processes and provide better care at the bedside. A toolkit of resources is included to orient future, education session facilitators. Quantitative and qualitative survey data would be collected with the education course to help promote the value of nurse-patient relationship building at the bedside, emphasize the importance of individualized care to nursing leaders, and further develop the connection between staff cultural competence and patient satisfaction. This project can have future impacts on workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion, staff and patient satisfaction, and the public’s overall experience in accessing health care that is equitable, patient-centered, and adaptable to their cultural needs and health care practices