Does Awareness of Behavioral Challenges Impact the Preparedness of Recent SLP Graduate Students for Their Professional Practice?

This research aims to explore how awareness of behavioral challenges, such as aggression, defiance, and hyperactivity, affects the preparedness of recent Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) graduates. With over 84% of children receiving SLP services also facing emotional or behavioral difficulties, it is crucial to examine whether new SLPs feel prepared to manage these challenges. The study seeks to assess whether increased awareness of behavioral issues correlates with greater confidence and readiness in addressing them during the first year of clinical practice. The study will involve administering a survey to first-year Speech-Language Pathologists. The survey will focus on their preparedness and their confidence in handling behavioral challenges encountered in clinical settings. This method will help gauge the relationship between awareness and preparedness among new professionals in the field. The findings aim to highlight the importance of having behavioral management training in SLP education. By identifying gaps in current training and linking awareness to preparedness, the research intends to inform educational practices and improve the support given to future SLP. This research will aid in determining recent graduate SLP students’ exposure to behavioral challenges and strategies to effectively manage such behaviors. Ultimately, the study seeks to encourage changes to better equip students with the necessary skills to manage behavioral challenges in their clinical practice, enhancing their overall effectiveness as clinicians

The Perception of IUDs on Social Media

We analyzed YouTube videos about intrauterine devices (IUDs) to evaluate the information being shared. Using Apify, we scraped videos and randomly selected 30 videos and used a random number table to find 5 videos for review using the DISCERN scale. We also assessed interrater reliability to average DISCERN scale across raters. On average, the videos were 5 minutes and 28 seconds long, with varying view counts and low likes. Most videos were positive, despite mentioning negative side effects of IUDs, but none addressed insertion pain, which was a concern of patients in prior studies. The shortest video had the most views and likes, but its DISCERN score was low due to limited content. Healthcare providers could take this information into account to create shorter, engaging, and informative videos to reach a broader audience

Scrolling into Selfhood: Youth, Identity, and Influence.

Social media has become a significant influence in shaping the experiences and identities of young people in emerging adulthood. This presentation will explore the significant impact that social media platforms and influencers have on the youth as they navigate through this crucial stage of life. With constant exposure to curated content and idealized lifestyles, young individuals increasingly turn to social media to explore their identities, understand social concepts, and process emotional changes. We will examine how social media has redefined traditional coming-of-age experiences, providing a digital space for self-discovery, peer connections, and cultural exploration. The discussion will also address how social media influencers directly impact the lifestyles of youth, affecting their choices and behaviors. We’ll address both the positive and negative effects, such as increased self-expression and awareness, heightened social comparison, and mental health challenges. This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how social media influencers shape youth identity, values, and development. Ultimately, it seeks to spark a conversation about the evolving role of digital spaces in the lives of emerging adults and their future well-being

Anxiety in College Students: The Impact of an Educational Prevention Program

Anxiety affects millions of people in the United States. There is an increase in the numbers of college aged and young people with symptoms of anxiety. The signs and symptoms of anxiety can manifest itself in many ways. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) project was to determine if college aged students were aware of the symptoms, causes, and coping mechanisms related to anxiety. Online and in person educational sessions were offered on the campus of Mississippi University for Women (MUW). The participants participated in a pretest before the educational material was offered. The posttest was used to measure the effectiveness of the material and the student’s viewpoint. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to compare the two independent samples. The results of the project were not statistically significant, but they were practically different. According to the posttest, the students reported that the participants reported a decreased frequency of anxiety after the educational material. This indicated that the college students were utilizing coping skills for anxiety. This project supports the need for continued education about anxiety and coping skills for the students and faculty

Genome Analysis of Aeromonas hydrophila strain S14-452

The Aeromonas hydrophila are gram-negative, opportunistic bacteria that can infect many groups of organisms, mainly fish and amphibians. In channel catfish, A. hydrophila causes fatal bacterial septicemia, leading to massive economic losses for catfish farmers. Therefore, an understanding of its genome will aid in identifying its virulence factors, metabolic pathways and survival mechanisms within the host. This study details the draft genome sequence of A. hydrophila strain S14-452, isolated from channel catfish exhibiting bacterial septicemia during a disease outbreak at a catfish farm. A. hydrophila strain S14-452 was sequenced using the Illumina iSeq 100 System. Assembly was performed with SPAdes, producing 218 contigs which were annotated using the Rapid Annotations Subsystem Technology (RAST) server and the SEED viewer. The draft genome comprises 5,047,785 bp and has a G+C content of 60.8%. It has 5,013 predicted genes, of which 4,903 are coding sequences (CDS), 110 tRNA, and 5 rRNA

Correlation of Caregiver Role Strain with Impaired Psychosocial Health and Self-Care Practices

In 2021, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. were providing care to a family member or loved one with a chronic health condition or disability (Kilmer et al., 2024). A major concern among caregivers is role strain and the long-term effects on personal physical and mental health. One study indicated that high caregiving burden has been associated with lower involvement in self-care and increased mental health burdens (Tay et al., 2023). Similarly, another study revealed that frequent poor mental health days of the caregiver produce a reduced quality of life (Monahan et al., 2023). The purpose of the study was to identify a correlation between caregiver role strain and depressive symptoms and to determine whether caregiver role strain impairs the self-care practices of the caregiver. Inclusion criteria included being a caregiver for a minimum of 30 days for an average of 12 hours per week, and a survey was distributed, including 7 demographic questions, Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), and 2 self-care practice questions to ensure proper requirements and measurements. The sample included 187 participants, with the majority being white females aged 50-65. The findings suggested that higher levels of caregiver strain were associated with increased depressive symptoms. In addition, greater caregiver strain was associated with increased impairment in self-care practices. The findings of this study revealed the detrimental effects of caregiver role strain on the caregiver’s mental health and self-care. This study exhibited the prevalence of caregiver role strain with impaired psychosocial health and self-care abilities, and exposed the importance of interventions for improved long-term caregiver mental and physical health

How Do SLP\u27s in Mississippi Incorporate Religious Activities in Adult Therapy Sessions

Our research study proposes that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Mississippi consider including religious activities in therapy sessions with adult clients, highlighting the impact of these practices on the clinician-client relationship. The purpose of this research proposal is to gain information on how SLPs can incorporate religious activities in therapy sessions. It also seeks to emphasize the importance of clinicians’ cultural awareness regarding religious practices and how their awareness can impact their client’s experience. This study will consist of two surveys. The first survey will be completed by clinicians to gain knowledge of their awareness and incorporation of religion within therapy settings. The second survey will be completed by clients to gain knowledge of their religious or nonreligious beliefs and backgrounds and if they would prefer religion to be incorporated in their therapy. The surveys will be completed electronically. With this study, we hope to determine if clinicians and clients would prefer incorporating religious activities into speech-language therapy sessions to enhance therapy outcomes for individuals who practice religion. Additional benefits may include promoting emotional engagement, increasing motivation, and offering a sense of comfort and familiarity, which in turn may improve participation, accelerated communication progress, and promotion of overall well-being

Impacting Nurse Practitioner Role Confidence Through a Mentorship Program

Mentorship is frequently overlooked as a key strategic focus in healthcare environments, yet it is essential for fostering a culture of mentorship. Structured mentoring initiatives offer significant benefits for both mentors and mentees. They enable nurses to build professional connections while enhancing their skills. It is essential for nurses to receive thorough mentorship that not only hones their professional abilities but also considers their emotional well-being. An increasing amount of research highlights the beneficial effects of mentorship on various outcomes, such as role confidence, job retention, and overall career satisfaction. Most health care systems lack a mentoring program specifically tailored for nurse practitioners, but those that implement formal programs have shown a positive impact on job retention and job satisfaction. This quality improvement project aimed to determine if implementing a new nurse practitioner mentoring program led to significant improvements in participants’ confidence, expectations, and overall readiness. Twelve family nurse practitioners were paired in a mentor/mentee relationship with years of experience for the mentors ranging from 8-14 years and \u3c 18 months for the mentees. Content was developed to create a pilot mentoring program for family nurse practitioners. The pilot program lasted for 12 weeks from September 2024 to December 2024. A total of 7 survey questions regarding confidence and experiences in their role as nurse practitioners appeared on the pre-test and post-test surveys. There were statistically significant changes between the pre-test and post-test for four out of the seven questions. This mentoring program had a positive effect on participants\u27 confidence, expectations, ability to meet professional demands, capability to address patients\u27 clinical care needs, and confidence in managing their patient load, highlighting the importance of a nurse practitioner mentorship