Master of Public Health
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Browsing Master of Public Health by Subject "Mental Health"
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Item Determinants of Depressive Symptomology among College Students(2019-08) Navarro, Olivia JamileRates of depression among college students is on the rise across the United States, and the consequences are dire. This study aimed to determine if various lifestyle choices protected or put college students at-risk for developing depressive symptomology. This study examined the effect of four potential determinants and depressive symptomology: spirituality, social media use, residential status (on- or off-campus), and employment status among undergraduate college students. This study was conducted at a private Christian university and included 220 participants who completed a paper-based survey. A cross-sectional design from a convenience sample was used. Results of this study found a statistically significant association between fewer depressive symptomologies and “feeling deep inner peace or harmony.” There was also an association found between depressive symptomology and social media use. There were no significant findings for depression and residential status or employment status.Item An Evaluation of the Differences in Self-Reported Serious Psychological Distress, Race, Income, and Insurance Status(2019-08) Holguin, Michelle JosephineMental health is an on-going public health concern that has become a more prominent issue over the last several years. While suicide rates continue to rise, many individuals still do not receive mental health treatment. Further, a large population of adults with mental health disorders do not receive treatment for their condition despite overall increases in treatment rates in the past 20 years (Walker, Cummings, Hockenberry, & Druss, 2015). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of serious psychological distress across race categories and income levels as well as the rate of insurance coverage for mental health needs across race categories for those who have reported mental health problems within the last year. Research has shown that individuals from different ethnicities may have different barriers in accessing health services. This study employed a cross-sectional design utilizing data from the 2017 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). One-way ANOVA tests were used to evaluate separately differences in serious psychological distress across race categories and income levels. A Kruskal Wallis H test was used to evaluate differences in mental health insurance coverage across ethnicity categories. The findings of this study determined a significant difference in serious psychological distress across ethnicity categories (p < .01). A significant difference was also found in serious psychological distress across income levels (p < .01). However, no difference in insurance coverage was found across ethnicity categories.Item The Examination of the Relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy(2019-08) Ogiamien, Osarumwense VivianA mother is empathetic, loving, patient, supportive, and protective over her unborn child. From the start of conception to the birth of a child, a mother will do anything to make sure that her baby is safe. Over the nine months of pregnancy, the mother and father will begin to prepare for their new bundle of joy; however, some women don’t have the privilege of having a supportive and loving partner. Instead they are inflicted with pain, violence, and harassment. Pregnant women who experience intimate partner violence are more likely to have depression or anxiety than pregnant women who do not experience this sort of violence. The aim of the study was to determine if intimate partner violence increases mental health illness during pregnancy, observe how age differences effect the rates of intimate partner violence among pregnant women, and lastly, examine how physical, psychological and sexual violence during pregnancy influence anxiety and depression. The participants chosen for this study were women who had recently given birth or were three to six months postpartum. The data used in this study was a secondary analysis of the National Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). A Chi-Square Test of Independence was used to answer all three research questions. The findings of the study indicated that pregnant women who experience intimate partner violence have a higher risk of having some form of mental health illness compared to pregnant women who do not encounter this form of abuse.Item Examining Perceived Stigma, Barriers, and Mental Health Access among African American Women(2020-08) Ledesma, LinzeyAfrican American women are heavily burdened by unmet mental health needs and yet underuse mental health services. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of a faith-based intervention program among participants drawn from five black churches located in Southern California. We sought to understand mental health access among different ages and examine changes in perceived stigma about mental illness among program participants. This study used a one-group pretest posttest design. The participants (n = 142) included female church and community members of five black churches located in Southern California. The data sample includes 126 pretest and 107 posttests responses, and for analysis purposes, pretests and posttests were matched for a total of 90 matched pairs. A paired sample t-test was performed to determine if there was a decrease in perceived mental health stigma among program participants. A statistically significant difference (t(89) = -3.52, p = .001) was found between mean pre-test and post-test scores for perceived mental health stigma. A Pearson’s Correlation was performed to examine the relationship between age and mental health access among program participants at posttest, no relationship between age and mental health access was found. This intervention was successful in decreasing perceived mental health stigma among participants. Efforts should be made by public health departments to promote church partnerships with outside organizations to address mental health disparities.Item Examining the Relationship Between Loneliness and Mental Health(2022-08) Garcia, BrianaIn the United States (U.S.) in 2019, 51.5 million or nearly one in five U.S. adults were estimated to live with a mental illness. Mental health among college students is a growing concern as it can pose a major threat to public health (WHO, 2021). Nearly half of college-aged people in the United States have a mental condition. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of loneliness and mental health among university students, the drivers of loneliness such as educational status and one’s sex, and the association of psychological or mental services among college students. This cross sectional study used secondary data from the fall 2019 American College Health Association National College Assessment III (ACHA-NCHA III). A Chi-square test of independence was used to evaluate the relationship between mental health status and educational status and loneliness. Also examined was the association between the mental health status and sex. Lastly, the difference between utilization of psychological or mental health services between sex was evaluated using a Chi-square test. A significant relationship was found, X^2(1, N= 3697)= 10.117, p = .001) between educational status and mental health status as well as between loneliness and mental health status, (X^2(1) = 375.767, p =.001). A significant association was found, (X^2(1) = 15.926, p = .001) between mental health status and sex. A significant difference was found (X^2(1) = 117.016, p = .001) suggesting a difference between the use of psychological or mental health services and sex.Item Examining the Relationship Between Mental Health Status and Alcohol Consumption Among College Aged Adults(2018-08) Kozam, Narjs OmarMental health disorders and alcohol use have been identified as public health issues. Research indicates that young adults have relatively high rates of mental health disorders and alcohol use. The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between mental health status and alcohol consumption among college-aged adults living in California, using the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). It was also examined whether race/ethnicity, gender, and income variables affect the relationship. A random sample of 1,087 male and female college-aged adults living in California was used. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed a phone survey containing demographics and health questions. The dependent variable was alcohol consumption, and the independent variables were race/ethnicity, gender, income, and mental health. A Chi-Square test of independence and a binary logistic regression model were used to answer the research questions. The result of the study indicated that there is no significant relationship between mental health status and alcohol consumption among college-aged adults. Also, race/ethnicity, gender, and income did not predict or modify the relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health.Item Exploring the Relationship Between Depression and Marijuana Abuse Among Pregnant Women in California(2019-08) Gonzales, NancyMarijuana abuse and depression during pregnancy has been a major public health concern across the United States. Marijuana abuse leads to many negative effects for both the mother and the fetus. Negative effects include behavioral issues, low birth weight, and neurodevelopment problems. Depression is also a concern because of the consequences that it may have for the mother and baby especially during their bonding time. The purpose of the current study was to understand how pregnancy impacts depression and marijuana use. Understanding the impact of pregnancy between these two factors can lead to increased health education, resources, treatment and policies for women, researchers, and health professionals. This was a cross-sectional study that used the 2017 California Healthy Interview Survey. The survey interviews California residents from various age groups. Demographic and outcome data were analyzed using a Chi-Square Test of Independence. There was a total of 2,048 respondents included in the study, in which 74 reported a pregnancy. The results indicated that 12.2% (n = 9) of those who reported being pregnant also reported being depressed compared to 26.7% (n = 800) of the sample who reported not being pregnant but experiencing depression. Results indicated a significant relationship between depression and pregnancy (X2(1) = 7.907, p < .05). Those who reported a pregnancy were 62% (OR = .379) less likely to report being depressed compared to those who did not report a pregnancy. A Chi-Square Test of Independence was also conducted to analyze the relationship between marijuana abuse and pregnancy. The results indicated that there was no significant relationship between marijuana use and pregnancy (X2(1) = 3.022, p > .05). Marijuana abuse and depression are important areas that need to be addressed in order to further improve maternal health and birth outcomes across the nation.Item Measuring the Impact of a Mental Health Intervention on Perception of Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviors(2018-08) Berrios, Eileen JMental illness is a condition that alters an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Within the United States, the stigma associated with mental illness is highest among the African American community. African Americans are less likely than other groups to acknowledge the seriousness of a mental illness. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived mental health stigma and help-seeking behaviors before and after the implementation of a faith-based mental health intervention among African American females. Additionally, income was explored as a possible influence on the relationship between the perception of stigma and help-seeking behaviors. Program participants completed paper-based pre-and post-tests administered by program evaluators during Week 1 and Week 8 of the program. The survey instrument used to collect the pre- and post-test data consisted of a combination of questions mandated by the California Department of Public Health Office of Health Equity and questions developed by the program evaluators. A paired-samples t-test was used to answer the first research question, while a multiple linear regression was used to answer the second question. The findings of the study indicated that participant scores remained closer to “Probably Willing” to socialize, make friends, work, and live with someone who has a mental illness. In addition, neither perceived stigma nor income was found to be a significant predictor of help-seeking behaviors.Item Perceived Stress in College Students: Prevalence, Sources, and Stress Reduction Activities(2019-08) Sesay, Marcus GbatongohThe purpose of this study was to investigate levels of stress, causes of stress, and coping strategies among freshmen and senior college students. For this purpose, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) developed by Cohen, 1983 was used to help understand how different situations affect college students’ feelings and perceived stress. A convenience sample of 123 college students at a Southern California comprehensive university was used. Inferential Statistics, such as t-tests and Pearson correlations, were performed to test group independence and the relationship between variables. Although the findings of this study showed that freshmen college students reported more stress than senior college students, the perceived stress level difference was not statistically significant. Pearson correlation coefficients showed a weak positive relationship that was not statistically significant (r (121) = .003, p = .97). The findings suggested that academic and financial obligations are the largest stressors for college freshmen and senior students. Yoga, reading, training, smoking, and drinking are various coping mechanisms used by the sample in this study to handle stress. Findings of this study can be used to create better stress coping strategies for college students. Further research is needed to draw more reliable conclusions on perceived stress levels among college students.Item Positive Mental Well-Being Analysis: Effects of Gender, Age, and Physical Activity(2022-08) Ordonez, GenesisA paramount approach to understanding mental health in communities is via a positive lens that focuses on the absence of a mental illness and steers away from the common, negative aspects of diagnoses and symptoms. Three elements of positive mental health consist of psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Depression is a prevalent mental illness in all cultures and age groups worldwide, and adolescents are a vulnerable age group for experiencing depressive episodes. Physical activity can have numerous targeted effects on individual health, well-being, and mental health. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to explore differences in self-reported mental well-being across different age and gender categories and the relationship between moderate physical activity and mental well-being. A sample of 167 participants ages 13 and older were recruited at community-based events to complete an anonymous self-administered online survey in English or Spanish. Qualtrics was used to disseminate the survey and collect responses. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) was used to measure positive mental well-being because it consists of only positively worded items and measures mental well-being. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was also used to measure participants’ physical activity levels. Results showed that full WEMWBS scores did not differ across age, gender, or physical activity categories. Upon exploring individual elements of the study, significance was demonstrated across categories.Item Psychological Distress Among Underrepresented Adolescents(2021-08) Gutierrez, Anthony U.This study examines the comprehensive set of data provided by the California Health Interview Survey and the responses provided by the adolescent population to experiencing psychological distress and expressing the need for help for mental health problems. Both dependent variables were analyzed across gender and race identity. The sample contained 143 responses, with 44.2% of the responses identified as male and 47.1% as female. The age range for the respondents is 12 to 17 years old. Non-Latino replies accounted for 67.6% of the total, while Latino responses accounted for 32.3 percent. Female adolescents were more likely than male adolescents to report experiencing psychological stress and seeking help for mental and emotional health problems. No significant difference was found with adolescents who identify in Latino and non-Latino categories and their response to the following question: “In the past 12 months did you think you needed help for emotional or mental health problems, such as feeling sad, anxious, or nervous?” or experiencing psychological distress.Item Psychological Distress among Women in the Workforce Post COVID-19 Pandemic(2022-08) Santiago, Michelle JoannaThe novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can impact an individual's mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic conditions increased the rates of depression and anxiety. During the pandemic, individuals faced adverse psychological effects, including worrying about contracting the virus and adjusting to the stay-at-home mandates. Former studies showed that women tend to have higher reported levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. The objectives of this study were to determine if there were statistically significant differences in self-reporting psychological distress, emotions interfering with work performance, social life impairment, and self-reported depression related to gender and psychological distress. A cross-sectional study using secondary data from the 2020 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was performed. An independent samples t-test and chi-square test of independence were performed. Independent samples t-tests showed that there was a statistically significant difference in self-reported serious psychological distress between men (m = 3.33) and women (m = 4.24) (t = -5.474, p = .035) and a statistically significant difference in depression between men (m = 4.69) and women (m = 4.61) (t = 2.507, p = .012). A chi-square test of independence found no statistically significant association between gender and emotions interfering with work performance (X2(1) = .568, p = .451), and no association was found between gender and social life impairment amongst those experiencing psychological distress (X2(1) = 2.336, p = .126).Item The Relationship between Physical Limitations and Depressive Disorders in Adults(2018-08) Taylor, FlorabethDepression has a potential impact on adults with physical limitations. The purpose of the study is to determine if adults with physical limitations have a higher chance of being diagnosed with a depressive disorder than persons who are not physically limited. A cross-sectional design was used to determine the relationship between physical limitation and depressive disorders in adults of the state of California. The study also looked to determine if having a physical limitation influences alcohol use in California adults. Survey responses from 21,034 California adults were used in the study, and a 10% random sample was run three times; the 10% random sample used in the analysis for this study includes 2,029 respondents. Self-reported data from the 2015 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) was used to determine the relationship between having a physical limitation and depressive disorders, as well as the relationship between physical limitation and alcohol use. A significant relationship was found between physical limitation and depressive disorders. There is also a significant relationship between physical limitation and alcohol use. The result of this study suggests further studies to investigate other factors that may co-exist with physical limitation and the effects on an individual’s risk of having a depressive disorder or use of alcohol.Item The Relationship between the Acculturation of Older Foreign-Born African Immigrant Parents in the United States and Their Attitude towards the Utilization of Mental Health Services for Children(2019-08) Obideyi, Mary IkeolaRates of mental health disorders are high among U.S. minority adolescents, especially in California where African American adolescents have the highest mental health disorders among any other race/ethnicity (California Health Care Foundation, 2018). Furthermore, African American adolescents utilize mental health services at much lower rates compared to their White counterparts (Division of Diversity and Health Equity, 2017). African American adolescents not utilizing mental health services may be influenced by their parents’ unwillingness to seek mental health services for them (Polaha, Williams, Heflinger, & Studts, 2015; Mukolo, Heflinger, & Wallston, 2010). The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between the acculturation of older, foreign-born African immigrant parents in the United States and their attitude towards the utilization of mental health services for children. A convenience sample of 104 older foreign-born African immigrant parents were recruited from predominantly African churches and community centers in Southern California. A self-administered, four-page survey questionnaire based on the Suinn-Lew Self-Identity Acculturation Scale and the Parental Attitudes Toward Psychological Services Inventory (PATPSI) were used to measure older foreign-born African immigrant parents’ level of acculturation into the United States and their attitudes towards using mental health services for children. Measures also examined participants’ levels of education, gender, and length of stay in the U.S. Results showed that there was a statistical significance between the relationship of the length of stay in the U.S. and parents’ attitudes toward using mental health services for children (r(90) = .22, p < .05). Future public health directions are discussed at the end of this paper.