Improving Health Outcomes for Rural Parent Caregivers of Neurodiverse Children

College of Professional Studies

The prevalence of developmental disabilities (DD) is about 17% in the United States, with rates higher in rural communities (Robinson et al., 2017). Children with DD (also known as "neurodiverse") have individual strengths and face unique challenges. Due to adversity in accessing specific and much-needed support, parent caregivers often experience clinical levels of parenting stress (Davis & Carter, 2008, as cited in Roberts et al., 2019). Parents in rural communities are particularly affected. Chronic, unaddressed stress can lead to worsened mental and physical health including depression, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (Robinson et al., 2017). The goal is clear: to incr

Improving Quality of Care for Advance Cancer Patients in Rural Communities

Robyn Jensen, Nursing Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Numerous obstacles prevent rural residents from accessing high-quality cancer treatment, such as long distances to treatment centers, a shortage of specialized medical professionals, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. To address the challenge of advanced cancer care in rural areas, a comprehensive approach is required that includes improving access to specialized medical professionals, investing in healthcare technology, and prioritizing palliative care services. Palliative care is a critical element of cancer care that focuses on symptom management, enhancing quality of life, and providing support for patients and their loved ones.

Incorporating Cultural Activities Within A Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facility in Humboldt County, California

College of Professional Studies

Humboldt County, California is comprised of Indigenous tribal lands. The county has no residential substance use treatment program to meet the needs of the Indigenous Community. The purpose of this project is to implement Indigenous practices within the residential substance use treatment program. The following healing activities will be incorporated into the treatment program, both on and off-site. Red Roads will be offered to individuals once a week on site. Gender appropriate talking circles while beading will be offered on-site weekly. Individuals will have the opportunity to sweat twice a month, off-site.

Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Participation in a Rural FQHC

College of Professional Studies

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer and typically caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV). The American Cancer Society’s preferred screening method is HPV testing, which is detectable in the vagina. The FDA has not approved this test, but some private labs offer this screening with patients collecting their own vaginal swab. The goal is to increase participation in CC screening in patients who decline traditional testing. Most CC cases are in patients who are not up to date on screening frequency or never received screening before. If positive on self-swab, patients are more likely to follow up, receiving the care they would never have received if not given this option.

Increasing Chiropractic Prevalence in Black Communities

McKenna Bartlett, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This paper aims to analyze the significant disparities in chiropractic care for Black communities in the United States. Considering there is a substantial difference in the quality of care for Black Americans, it is imperative to be aware of the implications this can have on a community and their trust in healthcare systems. Some of these disparities discussed in this analysis consist of historical segregation, overprescribing opioids for chronic lower back pain, and overall lack of access to care. Efforts to improve care are discussed, such as improving doctor-patient race concordance by increasing the number of Black chiropractic students.

Indian Child Welfare Act Training

College of Professional Studies

Training curriculum and presentation on the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Individual differences in the coordinated behavioral and physiological immune response to pathogenic threat

Povheng Yam, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to an organism’s fitness and have been a strong selective pressure throughout human evolution. Although we have evolved a sophisticated biological response to pathogenic threat, it can be quite costly to engage the physiological immune system. The Behavioral Immune System encompasses a suite of psychological mechanisms that bias our cognitions and behaviors to facilitate pathogen avoidance. The potential link between the behavioral and physiological immune systems in relatively understudied. The current study aimed to replicate and extend previous work on this link by introducing an additional live pathogenic cue (a "sick" confederate).

Influence of Exercise on Mood States: Comparing Yoga to Low-Impact Aerobics

College of Professional Studies

This research focuses on the intersection between moderate exercise and mental well-being, comparing yoga and low impact aerobics college classes to determine which is most effective in their influence on moods. Profile of Mood States (POMS) and new General Self-efficacy (NGSE) scales are used to gather data over Fall semester 2020.

Influence of Running shoes on Running Economy, Injury Performance, and Biomechanical Efficiency

Sawyer Stoddard, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Delve into the effects of running shoes on athletic performance, biomechanical efficiency, and injury prevention. Examine the relationship between footwear selection, running economy, and influence it has when running. Assess various shoe characteristics, including design, weight, and midsole properties, to elucidate their impact on stride mechanics and energy usage. Allowing valuable insights to guide optimal shoe choices for maximizing performance and ensuring long-term well-being for all types of runners.

Institutional Autonomy Support Predicts College Student's Achievement Goals Through Psychological Need Satisfaction

College of Professional Studies

We explored the role that instructors play in predicting college student's achievement goals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Achievement goals help us explain the motives behind engagement. Certain types of goals tend to be more adaptive than others. We predicted that greater institutional autonomy support would predict greater psychological need satisfaction. In turn, psychological need satisfaction would predict, respectively, greater mastery approach goals and lower performance-avoidance goals. We found partial support for our hypotheses, yet our findings highlight the importance of encouraging students to self-regulate and explore their own interests.