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- Creators: College of Health Solutions
- Member of: Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Description
Background: First-generation college students (FGCS) often experience more stress compared to continuing-generation students (Holden et al., 2021). This stress can stem from familial and cultural obligations, financial challenges, and the experience of being part of a racial or ethnic minority group. Storytelling is a psychosocial process involving sharing personal experiences or fictional stories, usually reflecting the behavior patterns and orientation to events present in the culture of the teller. Limited research has explored storytelling interventions to address self-compassion and stress levels in first-generation college students
Aims: This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of a storytelling intervention for first-generation college students on perceived stress, resilience, and self-compassion, as determined by pre- and post-intervention. In addition, the incorporation of heart rate variability (HRV) measurements during storytelling quantified the physiological stress levels associated with the intervention and its potential correlation with stress reduction. Of additional interest was to obtain a qualitative characterization of the experiences, stresses, and supportive factors described in the stories told by participants.
Methods: FGCS were recruited at Arizona State University. Participants (N=22, M age=21.18 years, SD=3.172) attended a storytelling session for one hour in person. Heart-rate variability assessment was used to measure participant emotions and psychological coherence during in-person storytelling. The outcome measures included the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF), and HRV coherence was assessed during the intervention. Quantitative analyses were conducted in SPSS Version 27. Using the content of the stories shared in the intervention, qualitative content analyses were conducted with 3 research project members.
Results: A total of 36 participants agreed to be contacted and were emailed. Of these 36, 10 declined to participate and 4 were ineligible due to unwillingness to commit to 2 hours over 2 weeks to complete the study, (including an in-person visit to the lab) yielding 22 consented participants (61% recruitment of those screened). All consented individuals completed data collection, attended a storytelling intervention session, and completed the post-intervention data collection (100% retention). 5 major themes emerged from the data: (1) Barriers within Journey; (2) Immigrant and Immigrant Family Experiences; (3) Facilitators within Journey; (4) Reasoning for Attending University. The direction of change for HRV coherence with self-compassion and depression-anxiety was as expected. T-tests were generated for pre- and post- intervention self-reports: T1-T3 BRS SD= 0.79247, t= -0.673; T1-T3 PSS SD= 5.39540, t= -0.514; T1-T3 PHQ for anxiety SD= 1.91429, t= 0.111; T1-T3 PHQ for depression SD= 1.62302, t= 1.708; T1-T3 SCS SD= 0.46319, t= -1.956.
Conclusions: Participants described telling and sharing their stories as therapeutic and regenerative. Statistical tests of emotional regulation with HRVB demonstrated minimal change in stress response, with an increase in self-compassion. A storytelling intervention demonstrates a promising coping tool as an avenue for retelling distressing events and increasing self-compassion and resilience.
ContributorsKash, Jillian (Author) / Kash, Joya (Co-author) / Larkey, Linda (Thesis director) / Kim, Sunny (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Within the realm of parenting, there is research about a distinct stage entitled emerging adulthood that encompasses biopsychosocial development between the ages of 18 and 25. The research study seeks to answer the questions: how do current parenting practices influence emerging adult mental health, and what adjustments must be made to improve upon these relationships? Past studies have demonstrated that there is a relationship between the developmental period of emerging adulthood, which is characterized by identity formation itself, and the mental health of both emerging adults and their parents. However, upon reviewing the literature on emerging adulthood, it was revealed that there is a gap in regard to how to parent adult children and foster a positive relationship. While the goal is to explore this gap, the research team is additionally seeking to utilize new information to create a parenting course that promotes positive adjustments to the current relationship between emerging adults and their parents. To explore this, the research team conducted emerging adult surveys, asking participants to analyze their current connection with their parents' practices and the effects they have on their mental health. Additionally, surveys and interviews were done with Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) to bolster the evidence-based methods that this population uses to support emerging adults.
ContributorsGolden, Ariella (Author) / Brobak, Rachel (Co-author) / Jensen, Kimberly (Thesis director) / Evans, Amanda (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This paper examines the multifaceted challenges surrounding college students' nutrition, with a specific focus on Arizona State University (ASU). Examining economic shifts, psychological influences, nutrition knowledge, and body image dynamics, it reveals the profound impact on students' food security and eating behaviors. Despite existing initiatives, persistent gaps in resources remain, necessitating comprehensive interventions to support students effectively. In response, "The Ultimate Health Resource for ASU Students," a website, was developed as an innovative solution. This platform aims to empower students by providing a centralized hub to access vital resources, connect with peers, and discover nutritious recipes. Proposed strategies encompass expanding food pantry offerings, developing mobile applications for nutritional guidance, and fostering partnerships with local organizations. By tackling these challenges head-on and fostering a culture of support, ASU can ensure that all students have equitable access to nutritious food options and the necessary resources to thrive academically and personally. The website serves as a place of empowerment, offering practical solutions and fostering a sense of community among ASU students striving for optimal health and well-being.
ContributorsLujan, Lexy (Author) / Buffington, Dillynn (Co-author) / O’Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Brand, Ashley (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The current study examined the experiences of individuals with severe mental health symptoms and low physical activity who were referred by their medical provider to a program called InSHAPE. In this program, participants are paired with a health mentor, whose goal was to improve the level of physical activity engagement. Health coaches also promoted community engagement through participation in physical activity. Each week individuals were assigned a physical health goal and a non-physical health goal. It is hypothesized that individuals who accomplish their goals in the first week are more likely to stay in the program. I hypothesize that more time in the program will be positively correlated with more success in terms of participants reaching their goals as well as engaging in community activity. Finally, it is hypothesized that the more time in the program, the healthier participants will become. The results of this study report no significant associations between variables, suggesting that there is no significant correlation between time spent in the InSHAPE program and success in the program in terms of goal attainment and community involvement. More research is needed to delineate the multidirectional relationship between physical activity and mental health. A better understanding of the mood benefits of physical activity can better inform holistic treatments for those with negative mental health symptoms. Documentation of programs focused on increasing physical activity specifically for mental health gains implemented in the community are needed.
ContributorsMoyer, Sophia (Author) / Perez, Marisol (Thesis director) / Gomez, Francesca (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Our gut microbiome is a dynamic and complex community of microorganisms that play a vital role in our immune system and metabolism. Probiotics have gained significant traction in the health and scientific communities due to their potential health benefits particularly in our gut microbiome. A particular probiotic organism that is already known to beneficially aid in metabolism, primarily glucose metabolism is the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus. Due to most probiotic foods and supplements being developed using multiple strains and species, it is of interest to quantify the potential synergistic abilities of the two most used species of probiotics when used in combination: the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. With the rise of metabolic disorders and the price of synthetic insulin in the United States, identifying novel approaches to regulate glucose levels could offer alternate or complementary therapies.
The objective of this study was to explore any potential synergistic effects of a co-culture of S. boulardii and L. acidophilus in metabolizing dietary glucose. Probiotic supplements are typically consumed in the morning during breakfast, therefore, to replicate this process and as a source of dietary glucose, a super food mix consisting of white bread, orange juice, and one whole egg was prepared. After both probiotic organisms had been revived, they were thoroughly mixed with 1 ml of the super food mix and 1 ml of a stomach acid solution both individually and in co-culture. Total glucose levels [mg/dL] in each incubation were measured using a glucose colorimetric detection kit. In this ‘proof-of-concept' experiment, the introduction of both S.boulardii and L.acidophilus into an in vitro stomach incubation caused glucose levels to decrease by 25.6%. Although there was a marked decrease, more testing is required to determine the statistical significance. These experiments do show some promise of a positive collaborative effect between these microorganisms in reducing GI levels of glucose.
ContributorsBrassil, Catherine (Author) / Marshall, Pamela (Thesis director) / Schulte, Meredith (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05