Acne scarring can negatively affect individuals’ lives long after active acne has resolved. An online survey analyzed the public’s acne history and knowledge of acne scar prevention to determine acne scar risk factors and public awareness of acne scar prevention and yielded 209 complete data sets. Though types of acne scars vary in how long they persist on one’s skin, all forms were found to be equal in the negative psychological impact they inflict. Acne severity, acne duration, individual age, and family history of scarring were found to have associations with atrophic scarring The findings suggest a need for implementing a structured and standardized way for communicating acne scar prevention information to the general public. Practical implications of these findings are discussed further for increasing public awareness of acne scarring and prevention knowledge.

Due to deficient student and new graduate nursing knowledge regarding critical care nursing skills, this project was designed to create additional resources to support increased education and competency. The specific skills identified by veteran nurses as an area of knowledge deficiency among student and new graduate nurses were those relating to intra-arterial catheter management. Resources, including checklists and videos, were determined the most appropriate method for providing this education. Content for these resources was derived from a literature review to determine the most evidence-based methods for completing intra-arterial catheter management in practice. These resources were reviewed by an expert panel of critical care nurses and included feedback from a student as the end user of the resources.

A meta-synthesis consisting of 10 research studies exploring the perspectives of adolescents receiving psychiatric treatment in relation to treatment adherence was conducted. Current literature indicates several factors contributing to partial or non-adherence to pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic treatment, as well as a need for further research to be conducted. Adolescents are a particularly vulnerable population to mental health conditions. Often symptoms of mental health conditions are present during childhood and adolescence, though they are not addressed until adulthood. Early intervention and prevention of the worsening of symptoms increases the likelihood of positive health outcomes. It is imperative that nursing staff understand the experience of this population in order to provide patient-centered care. Literature was thoroughly searched using the terms 'qualitative', 'adolescents', 'adherence', and 'psychiatric'. The following databases were used during the literature search: PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Noblit and Hare’s 1988 comparative method of synthesizing qualitative studies guided the inquiry. Collectively, the 10 studies yielded a sample size of 415 participants. Overarching themes were generated to reflect the patient experience of adolescents receiving mental health care services. The themes identified were autonomy, ostrification, therapeutic intervention, and identity. The theme of autonomy related to the adolescents’ desire to control their care and treatment plan. In regards to ostrification, several adolescents reported feeling isolated during treatment. Therapeutic intervention related to the variety of factors that influenced an adolescent’s commitment to pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment. Identity referred to adolescents’ struggle with self-concept after being diagnosed with a mental health condition. It is noted that variation was present throughout the studies identified to meet inclusionary criteria, and these variations were expressed within the findings.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a treatment for hematologic malignancies. The procedure poses multiple medical risks ranging from infection to graft-versus-host disease. Patients must designate a full-time informal caregiver, typically a family member. Caregivers assume multiple medical and logistical responsibilities. Distress and burden are common. Psychosocial interventions, including narrative-based interventions, may offer support for caregivers. This thesis makes use of data collected as part of a digital storytelling intervention for HCT caregivers. Participants were 6 caregivers of HCT survivors who participated in a 3-day digital storytelling workshop, culminating in the creation of a personal story about their experience as a caregiver in the form of a video with narration in their own voice. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC, 2015) was used to characterize content of the stories. Compared to norms (base rates of word usage provided by the LIWC developers), caregivers used more first-person plural pronouns. Such use of we-talk may indicate caregiver-patient dyadic strength given other research linking we-talk to communal coping. Counter to prediction, caregivers did not differ from norms with respect to use of negative affect words or cognitive process words. They did, however, use more biological process words (to be expected given their focus on health) and more words indicative of affiliation (understandable in light of their interpersonal connection to the patient and supportive care role). Further research is needed to examine potential change in linguistic content across the HCT trajectory (from pre-transplant through long-term survivorship), also to compare caregiver and patient stories.

As the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) has exponentially grown in the college population over the last few years, young people are experiencing related health complications. To better understand the rationale and appeal for using these products, I conducted a qualitative study of the perceptions and use of e-cigarettes by college students who were previous or current e-cigarette users. Ten participants responded to a standardized set of questions about their perceptions on vaping. Interviews were recorded and transcribed by the researcher and were coded independently by two members of the research team. The coded data was further analyzed to develop seven themes. Key themes included: “Social,” “health,” “self-image,” “negative health effects,” “knowledge,” and “dependence.” The data led to two major conclusions: 1) college students have a negative perception of their own usage of e-cigarettes, as well as their personal images related to vaping and the adverse health effects they experience from this habit 2) college students have varying levels of knowledge about e-cigarette products and desire to learn more about and the short- and long-term effects. Healthcare professionals can use these findings to improve understanding of how college students perceive the use of e-cigarettes and plan effective health promotion programs to minimize health risks in that population.

Research indicates members of college Fraternities binge drinking at higher rates than their peers. Given the health and social consequences of binge drinking, it may be beneficial to explore binge drinking behaviors in this specific population. This study examined if the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) predicts binge drinking behaviors of Fraternity students at Arizona State University. In a cross-sectional design, male Fraternity members (n=49) completed an online survey measuring their drinking behaviors and associated constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (i.e. attitudes, subjective norms, descriptive norms, behavioral control, and self-efficacy). Results indicated all participants reported drinking alcohol over the previous 30 days. TPB variables of attitudes (r =.658, p <0.01), subjective norms (r =.384, p <0.01), and self-efficacy (r =.487, p <.01) were significantly associated with the construct of intention to binge drink. Variables of descriptive norms (r=-.045, p>.05) and perceived control (r=-.060, p>.05) were not significantly associated with intention to binge drink. Binge drinking intention (r =.538, p <0.01) was also significantly associated with binge drinking behaviors in this population. Findings indicate favorably for TPB to describe binge drinking behaviors in University Fraternity students. Researchers designing interventions to prevent binge drinking may consider targeting TPB constructs attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy, as the current study indicates these are important factors associated with intention to binge drink, as well as actual binge drinking behaviors.

The purpose of the integrative review was to analyze published research on the experiences of individuals aged 15 to 24 years within two years of a type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) diagnosis, with the intention of understanding their potential challenges and ensuring best practice by healthcare professionals when caring for and supporting these individuals. With T1DM being a chronic disease with no known cure, this diagnosis greatly impacts one’s life, making understanding of the experiences of individuals with diabetes essential. Individuals aged 15 to 24 years were studied as this age group craves autonomy while potentially facing multiple life transitions simultaneously. They may make risky decisions that can threaten their health, and are at an increased risk for suicide. After completing a systematic literature search, two studies that met the set criteria were analyzed. One found that T1DM adds challenges to college living, while the other study discussed management of exercise with T1DM. Both studies emphasized the importance of education and how T1DM affects all parts of one’s life. While they provided a glimpse of the daily challenges individuals with T1DM face, there are still many gaps in T1DM diagnosis experience research. Health professionals need additional credible research in order to conduct evidence-based practice that improves the lives of these young individuals coping with a serious chronic disease. If further research is not conducted, individuals aged 15 to 24 years are at a severe disadvantage in navigating a new T1DM diagnosis and could easily become overwhelmed due to their developing brains and additional lifestyle changes that come with being an emerging adult.

Human papilloma virus infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. This study aimed to examine (A) how adolescents’ HPV-related knowledge and vaccination intent differ by biological sex, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; (B) the relationship between social media use and health information seeking among adolescents; and (C) how HPV-related knowledge, biological sex, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status influence their vaccination intent particularly among adolescents who use social media.

Changing Caregivers Attitudes toward dementia study was conducted to assess changes in attitudes of formal caregivers caring for persons with dementia in a palliative care setting. An eight-minute virtual experience activity was delivered to 40 para-professional caregivers of those diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe dementia. The virtual experience consisting of a set of instructions, headphones and different materials, is a quick, effective and efficient way to mimic having some of the stressors those living with Alzheimer's, or other types of dementia, may experience in their day-to-day lives. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect on caregivers’ emotions and attitudes toward dementia, before and after the virtual experience using a qualitative approach. It is hypothesized that the intervention will educate and instill empathy in the caregivers, overall, improving the delivery of their care in the future. Participants were asked open ended questions before and after the intervention using the virtual experience and four themes emerged: (1) Being more patient, (2) Slowing down, (3) Empathy and (4) Being positive. The findings suggest further education about the disease process is needed to help caregivers understand the actions of dementia related behaviors. Also, education about different strategies to handle some negative behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia can be done to improve the situation. Overall, the findings showed an increase in empathy and positive words or phrases from the participants, suggesting the simulation experience was an applicable and ethical intervention.

Changing Caregivers Attitudes toward dementia study was conducted to assess changes in attitudes of formal caregivers caring for persons with dementia in a palliative care setting. An eight-minute virtual experience activity was delivered to 40 para-professional caregivers of those diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe dementia. The virtual experience consisting of a set of instructions, headphones and different materials, is a quick, effective and efficient way to mimic having some of the stressors those living with Alzheimer's, or other types of dementia, may experience in their day-to-day lives. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect on caregivers’ emotions and attitudes toward dementia, before and after the virtual experience using a qualitative approach. It is hypothesized that the intervention will educate and instill empathy in the caregivers, overall, improving the delivery of their care in the future. Participants were asked open ended questions before and after the intervention using the virtual experience and four themes emerged: (1) Being more patient, (2) Slowing down, (3) Empathy and (4) Being positive. The findings suggest further education about the disease process is needed to help caregivers understand the actions of dementia related behaviors. Also, education about different strategies to handle some negative behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia can be done to improve the situation. Overall, the findings showed an increase in empathy and positive words or phrases from the participants, suggesting the simulation experience was an applicable and ethical intervention.