This thesis explores the various aspects of being an abortion provider during times of strife. Both before and after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, healthcare providers in this space have faced many obstacles. Whether it be protestors, continuous changes to regulation, the threat of prosecution or a number of other factors, the challenges that these professionals face undoubtedly have a negative impact on their mental and emotional wellbeing.

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.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an intricate neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social functioning and communication, repetitive behavioral patterns, and specialized interests (Olesova et al., 2020; Osredkar et al., 2023). Despite the efforts of modern science, the biological origin of ASD is unknown, and no known biomarker for ASD currently exists (Olesova et al., 2020; Osredkar et al., 2023). Indoxyl sulfate has been identified as a toxin associated with ASD and its related symptomology in addition to a number of other conditions, including chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, and various mood disorders (Cao et al., 2015; Cassani et al., 2015; Karbowska et al., 2020; Zhao et al., 2013). This article will review what is currently known about indoxyl sulfate in relation to ASD and its comorbidities in an attempt to determine the validity of indoxyl sulfate as a potential biomarker for ASD. Articles for the purposes of this review were collected via Google Scholar, PubMed, and the ASU Library using key words such as “indoxyl sulfate,” “Autism,” and “indican,” and chosen based on relevancy. Through this review, indoxyl sulfate was identified as a potential physiological biomarker for a subset of ASD, with additional research required to verify the findings presented. The identification of a biomarker for ASD could change the current methods of testing for ASD, greatly improving our understanding and treatment of the disorder.

Exercise is widely recognized for its myriad of health benefits, particularly in the realm of chronic disease prevention and treatment. Despite this knowledge, exercise remains significantly underutilized in the United States, with only a quarter of the population meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services (Piercy et al., 2018). Recent research has spotlighted specific regions known as Blue Zones, where natural movement is incorporated into daily lives and populations are characterized by increased longevity and improved health outcomes, including lower rates of chronic diseases. This study aimed to explore and compare exercise behaviors between the United States and the Ikaria Blue Zone in Greece, investigating their potential implications for a longer lifespan and enhanced health. Employing ethnographic methods, including immersive observation, semi-structured, qualitative interviews with locals, and the distribution of validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) surveys, comprehensive data on exercise habits within the Ikarian population was collected in November 2023. The findings from this study shed light on alternative forms of physical activity that have proven successful in populations with increased longevity. By identifying and understanding these practices, there is an opportunity to implement them in the United States, potentially contributing to improved exercise adherence and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. This research underscores the significance of cross-cultural insights in developing effective strategies to promote healthier lifestyles and enhance overall well-being.

A 50,000-word ethnographic story was written at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was revised to become a short story emphasizing the critical themes reflecting the refugee experience. It begins with a prospectus exploring the theoretical framework, then the two main sections follow, and it ends with an afterword. Research articles were analyzed that included works by Edward Said, John W Berry, and Braun and Clarke to provide a foundation for the text. Qualitative research methods such as virtual field notes, journaling, and personal conversations have provided the knowledge to construct this text. As a refugee whose every day was not promised, this text sheds light on the unspoken anecdotes of a refugee’s journey.

The pursuance of higher education has always been a competitive feat and as the years progress competition amongst students becomes tighter. This competition increases when focus is placed upon the Asian American student population and the stressors that are placed on them to excel in their respective fields of academics. The Asian American population in particular also has a high prevalence of not seeking out mental health services as a whole due to high stigma associated with the topic (Zhang et al 2019). This study intended to determine the psychological and social impacts that academic stress may have on female Asian American students and why university mental health services go underutilized by this crowd. The impacts of academic stressors on student’s lives were measured using a 5 point survey scale (1 being not stressful and 5 being extremely stressful). Willing participants were then selected for an interview in which 10 individuals' experiences were recounted. The results indicate that an overwhelming majority of students reported experiencing negative impacts to multiple aspects of psychological well being. A high number of these students also reported feeling uncomfortable to seek mental health aid due to familial judgment and cultural taboos. These findings indicate significant numbers of students struggling to cope with the implications of poor mental health in their lives. This study serves to decrease the prevalence of academic stress in the lives of Asian American students by increasing their therapy seeking behaviors. Upon its completion, the researcher provided ASU counseling services with suggestions to increase utilization by female Asian Americans.

Many children with disabilities need physical therapy treatment but it can be difficult to instruct patients with restricted or limited communication. Most exercise cards and depictions used in communicating instruction to pediatric special needs patients are not representative of children with disabilities. This project aimed to create inclusive physical therapy exercise cards depicting children with disabilities. The goal of these cards was to help communicate instructions and motivate children to perform their exercises in clinical settings. The exercise selection was based on observations from working with children with disabilities in a pediatric physical therapy clinic. As a result, photos of children with developmental disabilities were taken performing exercises and subsequently made into cards and provided to physical therapists (PT). The PT’s used the cards for at least a week and reported on their functionality. The feedback from PT’s regarding the use of exercise cards in therapy sessions was overwhelmingly positive. With the positive feedback from the PT’s, the cards will be published and donated to pediatric physical therapy clinics in Arizona.