2026 URS Program

Final URS ProgramApril 24, 202

Network Analysis of Biopsychosocial Factors Associated with Trauma Exposure: Impacts on Inflammation

This study adds to current understandings of the relationship between trauma exposure and inflammation through network analysis of the sociodemographic sequelae that may influence this relationship. A reductive approach has been helpful in establishing the relationship between a pro-inflammatory state and trauma exposure, however understanding of the role of additional factors in this relationship is necessary to better understand how inflammation may serve as a transdiagnostic factor relating to mental health and biopsychosocial variables. 999 trauma-exposed individuals from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), 1994-2018 study at three timepoints (ages 18—26, 24—32, 33—43) were included. Data included trauma history, socioeconomic, and health behavior data collected via survey methods, and inflammation determined by high sensitivity C-reactive protein level. Network analysis (mixed graphical modeling, directed acyclic graphing) was used to determine the network structure of the trauma exposure (childhood maltreatment and adulthood traumatic event exposure)-inflammation relationship as it relates to cigarette use, socioeconomic status, substance use, depressive symptoms, age, race, and sex. Individuals reporting childhood maltreatment were more likely to experience higher than normal levels of CRP. Individuals reporting trauma history were more likely to have used substances and cigarettes within the past month. Cross-sectional network analysis suggests relationships between inflammation and biological sex and race. Childhood maltreatment evidenced relationships with biological sex, race, income, and cigarette use. Adulthood trauma exposure shared relationships with biological sex, race, substance use, and cigarette use. Depressive symptoms shared relationships with biological sex, race, income, adulthood trauma, substance use, and cigarette use. Longitudinal network comparison indicated network stability over time. Directed network analysis indicates demographic, social, and trauma exposure variables may influence inflammation, psychological symptoms, and health behaviors. The present study provides support for the importance of considering demographic, social, and health behavior variables when investigating trauma exposure and systemic inflammatory impacts. Results denote the importance of considering these factors in research, case conceptualization, and treatment. Future studies may benefit from application of a systems approach to better contextualize these processes within the individual and social environments within which they occur

Development and Validation of the Informal Safety Leadership Measure

This research develops and validates a measure of the emerging concept of informal safety leadership (ISL), which integrates elements of safety leadership and informal leadership to address a significant gap in organizational safety literature. Despite extensive research on formal safety leadership, there remains limited understanding of how non-managerial employees influence safety practices and culture within organizations. This dissertation develops and validates a comprehensive measure of informal safety leadership through a sequential mixed-methods approach incorporating a pilot study and two additional studies. First, a pilot study employed focus groups with health, safety, and environmental professionals to identify key dimensions of ISL. Study 1 focused on the development and refinement of a multi-dimensional ISL scale with data from 300 employees across high-risk industries. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a robust five-factor structure representing core ISL behaviors: Advocacy (proactive safety communication and initiatives), Support (responsiveness to others\u27 safety concerns), Reluctance (hesitancy to engage in safety leadership), Mindset (safety knowledge and priorities), and Reporting (promoting incident documentation and transparency). Study 2 confirmed this factor structure in a separate sample (N = 283) and established the scale\u27s convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity. The ISL measure revealed strong psychometric properties and predicted important safety outcomes including influence on others\u27 safety behaviors, vigilance, and compliance. Supplemental analyses revealed that ISL operates differently across organizational contexts, with medium-sized organizations showing the highest ISL scores, suggesting optimal conditions for informal safety leadership emergence. The findings contribute to both research and practice by providing a psychometrically sound instrument to measure informal safety leadership, enhancing our understanding of how safety culture develops through informal influence processes, and offering organizations practical insights for recognizing and leveraging informal safety leaders to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities

Ask us for naloxone

A post for the UMSL libraries Is someone you know at risk of an overdose? Ask us for naloxone. Kits are available at the service desk. Naloxone saves lives. UMSL Librarie

Navigating the Challenges of Psychosociological and Spiritual Distress of Oncology Patients

Abstract Problem: The impact of a cancer diagnosis is multifaceted, affecting all aspects of the patient\u27s social, financial, physical, and psychological well-being. Related literature states that the cancer experience can decrease mental well-being, spark new-onset mental health conditions, and increase mortality rates. Cancer patients often experience distress that goes underreported. This quality improvement project aims to educate, implement, and use best practice guidelines for distress management to perform and evaluate the impact of initiating routine distress screening using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer on adult oncology patients with hematological cancer diagnoses. Methods: This quality improvement project utilized a descriptive and cross-sectional design with retrospective chart reviews. The electronic health record was searched for patients who matched the study criteria for follow-up office visits three months prior to the implementation of the intervention to assess a baseline understanding of screening and referral practices within the clinic. Following the intervention of routine distress screenings utilizing the NCCN Distress Thermometer, a secondary chart review was conducted to assess the impact of both routine screenings and interdisciplinary referral practices. A data collection tool was developed and utilized to collect all further demographic data. Results: The initial chart review, conducted prior to implementation, involved 120 participants (n = 120), revealed that 10% of these patients had been screened using the NCCN Distress Thermometer, and no interdisciplinary referrals were made. The secondary chart review status post-intervention consisted of 145 participants (n = 145), and revealed that 53.1% of this sample was screened. This quality improvement project resulted in a 431% increase in distress screening. However, no interdisciplinary referrals were made. Implications for Practice: Further research and future endeavors should be explored to promote a more accurate understanding of routine distress screenings and the related impact of interdisciplinary referrals. After the systematic barriers have been addressed, recommendations include employing in-depth clinical education, an electronic screening process, and sitewide implementation to increase the generalizability of future studies

Implementation of an Evidence-Based Postpartum Depression Screening Tool in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Problem: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 40% of mothers with infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), yet many remain undiagnosed due to the absence of standardized screening protocols. Early identification and referral to Perinatal Behavioral Health Services (PBHS) is critical to support maternal well-being and improve neonatal outcomes. Methods: This evidence-based quality improvement project utilized a descriptive and correlational design to evaluate the impact of implementing the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) for PPD screening among mothers of infants born ≤ 32 weeks’ gestation in a Level IV NICU. A convenience sample of 29 mothers received the PHQ-8 via phone at 48-hours and four-weeks postpartum. Referrals to PBHS were initiated for mothers who screened positive (PHQ-8 ≥ 5) and consented to a referral. Screening and referral rates were compared to retrospective pre-intervention data. Results: Among participants, 65.52% (n = 19) screened positive at either time point. Referral rates to PBHS significantly increased following PHQ-8 implementation (p = .001), with 14 mothers consenting to services. Six of ten mothers referred at 48-hours showed symptoms improvement by week four. While no significant change in overall screening positivity or severity was observed between time points, symptom fluctuation emphasized the importance of repeated screening. Implications for Practice: Routine use of the PHQ-8 in the NICU setting can increase identification of PPD and facilitate timely referral to PBHS. Integrating simple, validated screening tools into standard NICU workflows may address unmet mental health needs in high-risk mothers. Repeated assessments at multiple time points can enhance early intervention and promote long-term maternal-infant health

St. Louis, Missouri’s Gayborhood and Washington, DC’s Black Lives Matter Plaza: Revealing the Healing Potential of Resistance Stories that are Grounded in Place

Oppressed people resist, even when facing severe consequences for doing so. At the core of systemic oppression—genocide, slavery, racism, and sexism—is a drive to control and dehumanize. Resistance, however, can serve as a powerful act of rehumanization. From enslaved individuals fleeing plantations to LGBTQ+ individuals risking arrest to gather in mid-20th-century bars, resistance reclaims power and autonomy under oppressive regimes. This study applies South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) “four truths” framework—comprising forensic, personal, social, and healing truths—to the interpretation of contested heritage sites. We argue that sites commemorating resistance hold transformative potential for individual and community healing. Using qualitative methods, our research team analyzed interviews, observations, documents, and artifacts through reflexive thematic analysis. We highlight two case sites: a historically LGBTQ+ “gayborhood” in St. Louis, MO, and Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC. Our findings reveal (a) a framework for interpreting sites of resistance and their healing potential; (b) the value of storytelling that honors complex, painful histories; and (c) a call to shift interpretive practices toward vulnerable, inclusive truth-telling. This work is presented through both a scholarly article and a creative nonfiction disquisition. By centering the voices of those with lived experiences of oppression and resistance, we underscore the importance of acknowledging painful pasts in heritage interpretation. In doing so, we advocate for interpretive strategies that reclaim humanity, foster healing, and honor the resilience of marginalized communities

Employee Salary Report [University of Missouri - St. Louis] 2025

https://irl.umsl.edu/salary/1026/thumbnail.jp

Caffeinated Bees: Investigating the Impact on Foraging Behavior

Caffeine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the nectar of some flowering plants (e.g., coffee, citrus), has been shown to affect insect behavior, including learning and memory in bumblebees. The presence of this compound in floral resources suggests a potential role in shaping pollinator foraging strategies. This study investigated the impact of caffeine exposure on the foraging behavior of bumble bees (Bombus impatiens). Individually tagged bees were trained to forage on an artificial flower wall to establish a baseline foraging pattern. Following training, the bees were isolated and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: a control group receiving 3 µl of a 60% sucrose solution, and a caffeine group receiving 3 µl of a 0.0001 M caffeine solution mixed in 60% sucrose. This concentration of caffeine was chosen to mimic levels found in some floral nectars. The foraging behavior of treated bees was subsequently observed in a testing arena containing an artificial flower wall with flowers filled with a consistent 60% sucrose reward. Video analysis was used to record each bee\u27s flower visits, noting the sequence, duration, and whether the visit was profitable (accessing the sucrose reward) or unprofitable (already visited or empty). Several foraging parameters were analyzed, including average session length, the number of profitable and unprofitable visits, the total number of visits, and the average foraging rate

Implementing a Turn Team Process to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries on a Telemetry Unit at a Hospital in the Midwest

Problem: Pressure injuries (PI) are localized wounds to the skin and soft tissues that typically result from sustained pressure on specific areas of the body (Zaidi & Sharma, 2024). Hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) refers to pressure injuries that develop while a patient is in the hospital (Rondinelli et al., 2018). PI can cause patients to experience pain, decreased feelings of dignity, increased feelings of depression and anxiety, reduced levels of social activity, difficulty sleeping, and impaired cognitive function (Roussou et al., 2023). The Advanced Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU) at Missouri Baptist Medical Center experienced an increase in HAPI cases: 4 in 2022, 12 in 2023, and 16 in 2024. Method: This quality improvement project utilized a descriptive, observational design. A turn team process was implemented over an eight-week period. To enhance compliance with the two RN skin assessment, the assessment process was integrated into the turn team program. Additionally, satisfaction surveys were distributed to staff before and after the eight-week implementation to evaluate staff satisfaction with the unit’s previous process for completing every two hour turns and the turn team process. Education on PI were also provided to staff. Data were collected through retrospective chart review. Results: The pre-implementation phase had a total of four PIs and the post-implementation phase had two acquired PIs. Staff compliance with patient turning increased from 85.25% to 100% and wedge utilization increased from 11.5% to 37.5%. Compliance with completing two RN skin assessment decreased from 96.72% to 95.83%. Survey results showed significant improvements in overall satisfaction, feeling of ease of use, and a feeling of positive contribution to team work with the turn team process