Senior Recital: Hannah Norton, mezzo-soprano

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Ms. Norton studies voice with Dr. Nathan Munson.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/2344/thumbnail.jp

An investigation into the psychometric properties of the CORE-OM in patients with eating disorders

Aim: The current study aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the CORE‐OM (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure) when used in an eating disorder sample. Method: The CORE‐OM was administered at assessment to 360 individuals referred to an eating disorders service. Principal component analysis was conducted to look at the psychometric structure of the CORE‐OM, and psychometric properties were investigated using analyses of reliability and validity. Results: Analyses of the psychometric structure suggested a three‐component solution reflecting negatively worded, positively worded and risk items. The CORE‐OM showed good acceptability, acceptable internal and test‐retest reliabilities, as well as good convergent and known groups validity. Conclusions: The results of the current study support the CORE‐OM as a reliable and valid measure for assessing psychological distress in eating disorders

Active waiting list management: potential usefulness in a community eating disorders service

We explored the usefulness of an initiative for managing a treatment waiting list in a community eating disorders service. We sent 108 patients awaiting treatment an opt-in letter and, if necessary, a reminder 3 weeks later. Those who opted in were compared with those who did not. Of those receiving the letter, 67.6% opted in and did not differ significantly from those who opted out on measures of eating disorder pathology and general functioning. However, they had waited less time. Opt-in letters may help to identify those who no longer want to access services, thereby allowing resources to be directed towards those who still want treatment

Implementing a flexible psychotherapeutic approach (Method of Levels) in an acute inpatient setting: feasibility and acceptability

Part 1: Literature Review - Under what conditions can the NICE guidelines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis be implemented? Aims: This review examined the treatment characteristics of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (CBTp). This was for the purpose of understanding if it possible to deliver National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations. Method: Nine studies were identified from three electronic databases (CINHAL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO), from Cochrane reviews, and from meta-analyses. Studies satisfied inclusion criteria relating to: i) research design (RCT), ii) population (United Kingdom), iii) problem (psychosis), iv) intervention characteristics (individual CBTp) and v) outcome (psychosis-related). Results: There is great variation in the focus of studies, desired outcomes, and mode of delivery of the intervention. The treatment characteristics breakdown demonstrates no uniformity in terms of number, frequency, or length of sessions, nor duration of treatment. The setting and by whom CBTp was delivered varied across studies. No studies succeeded in delivering the intended number of sessions. Conclusions: The review found variation in treatment characteristics and, due to limited reporting, it is difficult to draw conclusions regarding the best way to implement CBTp. The review highlighted the difficulty in implementing a structured treatment protocol in NHS settings, and indicated that a blanket recommendation of sixteen sessions of CBTp is simplistic, failing to address both the complexities of psychosis, and the realities of service delivery in the NHS. Further research looking at the feasibility of implementing treatments for psychosis is needed, with clearer reporting of treatment characteristics. Part 2: Empirical Paper - Implementing a flexible psychotherapeutic approach (Method of Levels) in an acute inpatient setting: feasibility and acceptability. Aims: This study sought to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of sessional therapists implementing a flexible psychotherapeutic approach (the Method of Levels - MOL) on an acute mental health inpatient ward. Method: Mixed methods was used. Quantitative analysis assessed the feasibility of implementation by investigating the attendance patterns of participants, usage of therapeutic resources offered by therapists, and the ability of therapists to adhere to the MOL approach following training and ongoing supervision. Acceptability of MOL was explored using a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of participant interviews and by recording attendance patterns of participants. Results: The data indicates that it was feasible to implement an MOL intervention when sessional therapists attended the ward one day a week. Quantitative data indicates that therapists are able to learn, use and adhere to an MOL approach in an acute setting. Thematic analysis of participant experience of the therapy generated domains which spoke to participants’ experience of being in the NHS, participants having spent meaningful time with the therapist, and having gained something from the session. Conclusions: The data indicates that the delivery model is feasible to implement and was acceptable to most participants when therapists were adequately trained and supervised. Using sessional therapists would not be a financially viable recommendation when compared to routine psychological input. Qualitative analysis indicates that overall, there was a shared, humanising experience of therapy, but it is unclear whether this was due to MOL specifically. A randomised control trial is required to compare MOL to other therapies and build on findings

Human-animal entanglements in bushmeat trading in Sierra Leone: An ethnographic assessment of a potential zoonotic interface

‘Bushmeat’ markets are often portrayed as chaotic spaces where exotic wild animals are sold. They are hypothesized to be important sites for zoonotic disease transmission, given the prolonged and intense nature of the cross-species encounters that occur within them. Whilst such markets have received some attention from researchers, rich qualitative descriptions of everyday practices in these markets are rare. Depictions of wild animal markets as sites for potential viral amplification often rely on exoticizing assumptions and narratives rather than actual evidence, and in some cases are based more on ideology than on science. We provide an in-depth ethnographic account of two bushmeat markets in Bo, Sierra Leone. Our analysis goes beyond common assumptions that zoonotic risk is located solely in the knowledge and behaviours of traders. Our account sheds light on the modes of touch, closeness and contact that shape this hypothesised zoonotic interface, outlining the possible risks to different people who use and spend time in the market. We found that inadequate infrastructure and sanitation facilities created risks of zoonotic disease transmission for diverse actors including traders, customers, children, and the wider public. Butchering and trading practices frequently resulted in people directly and indirectly encountering animal fluids. We also discuss how public health management of these markets focused on individual behaviours rather than on improving conditions. Urgent sanitary reform and infrastructure upgrades in these sites that support the economic needs of traders could encourage voluntary compliance with biosafety measures amongst traders seeking to balance responsibilities to family and public health. Our study reveals the value of moving beyond exoticized narratives about bushmeat markets to yield situated insights for reducing risk at this interface

An exploration of cognitive behavioural therapy training

This thesis contains an exploration of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training. Paper one consists of a systematic review of 13 studies exploring the experience of CBT training. Findings were categorised into four themes; the exploration of Self-practice/Self-reflection, internal processes throughout CBT training, perceived effective components of CBT training, and general satisfaction with CBT training. Overall the findings concluded that CBT training is experienced in a relatively positive way, however, the journey can be difficult for students at times. The review revealed a clear gap in the literature regarding the general experience of CBT training, with no imposed focuses or pre-conceived themes. Implications for students, training course providers and commissioners are discussed. Paper two describes an empirical study conducted on eight students pre and post their postgraduate Diploma in CBT. Personal construct theory and the repertory grid technique were employed to capture students’ experience of training and their construal of their personal and professional development. Findings reported that whilst participants construed themselves as closer to ‘desirable’ elements post training, these differences were not statistically significant. A statistical difference was observed however, in participants’ perception of an ‘Ideal therapist’ post training. Implications for CBT training programmes are discussed and findings related to the political context both in Wales and the rest of the UK. Paper three presents a critical reflection and evaluation of the first two papers, including the authors’ personal reflections on the research process overall and her own experience of postgraduate, professional training in Clinical Psychology