Occupational Therapy in Youth Violence: An Occupation-Based Program for At-Risk Youth

Throughout the years, youth participating in violence has become an increased concern around the nation as there is an increase in media outlets displaying tragedies, such as mass school shootings caused by students. The at-risk youth population is a specific population disadvantaged in engaging in safe and health-promoting activities due to limited resources or opportunities. As a result, at-risk youth make decisions based on their disadvantaged environment (Farajzadegan et al., 2018; Gallagher et al., 2015a). Factors including socioeconomic status, social support from family or friends, and mental health impact an individual’s opinions, attitudes, and interests as well as their occupational choices. When one or more of these factors are lacking, it may hinder both social participation and self-regulation skills. Poor social participation and self-regulation skills impair initiating and maintaining positive relationships and the ability to cope and adapt to the social environment. When constantly faced with traumatic or significant life challenges, at-risk youth are more likely to have lower self-efficacy or beliefs in their capabilities (Burger & Samuel, 2017). Occupational therapists can further develop social participation and self-regulation skills. However, they are underutilized on intervention teams for the at-risk youth population despite their trained background in mental health. Therefore, the purpose of this capstone project was to implement an occupation-based program to improve social participation and self-regulation skills in at-risk youth to prevent youth violence and decrease maladaptive behaviors.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2021/1014/thumbnail.jp

Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Across All Occupational Therapy Settings

A quantitative research design was utilized to analyze the effectiveness of an educational seminar on trauma- informed disseminated to occupational therapy practitioners, determining their previous knowledge on trauma-informed care. The research conducted has provided a more comprehensive understanding of this population and where services are needed. There is still much work to be done with this topic and the cultural shift towards providing trauma sensitive resources to occupational therapy practitioners. The future of trauma-informed care being incorporated into occupational therapy practice settings is up to the motivation and heart of future occupational therapists in hopes to strengthen the resources offered to those battling psychological trauma everyday. Our hope now and forever is to leave individuals better than we found them, with the promise to continue research and application.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2023/1006/thumbnail.jp

Occupation Based Program for African American Crossover Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

Unique challenges and differences surround the population of African American crossover youth and how they successfully transition into adulthood once aged out of foster care as compared to same-aged peers (Kim et al., 2019). The problem is that African American crossover youth aging out of the foster care system, are not receiving occupation-based transitional services focusing on IADLs required for adulthood independence resulting in increased prevalence of homelessness (Armstrong-Heimsoth et al., 2020; Flores et al., 2018; Kelly, 2020; Paul-Ward & Lambdin-Pattavina, 2016; Pérez et al., 2019). The purpose of this program development type project is to develop and implement an occupation-based transitional program for African American crossover youth aging out of the foster care system focused on IADLs required for adulthood independence, decreasing the prevalence of homelessness. An occupation-based program is essential in providing more programs for youth during those transitional ages to increase self-sufficiency into adulthood. The occupation-based program focusing on IADLs and health management, #Adulting, was successful based on the positive feedback from each activity.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2021/1029/thumbnail.jp

Exploring The Role of Occupational Therapy in Long-Term Telerehabilitation for Stroke Survivors

Strokes are the second leading cause of death and leading cause of long-term disability worldwide and incidence is on the rise (Katan & Luft, 2018). In the past 25 years, the burden of disability from neurological disorders, including strokes, have increased exponentially due to the increase in the aging population and decrease in mortality rates (Raghavan, 2019). Out of the 795,000 new victims of stroke annually, 26% remain disabled during activities of daily living (ADLs) and 50% experience a reduction in mobility due to hemiparesis (Katan & Luft, 2018). Although stroke survivors do receive rehabilitation services after the onset of the stroke, few receive the full course of proper rehabilitation to regain prior level of function and enhance quality of life (Lynch, et al, 2017). This is a result of the inequality of access to rehabilitation after a stroke, which is not only a problem in the United States but internationally as well (Lynch, et al., 2017). Telerehabilitation is a form of technology that can be used to create a safe rehabilitation environment from the comfort of one’s home in addition to being cost-effective (Chen, et al., 2016). Telerehabilitation is a tool that occupational therapists can utilize to promote access to necessary rehabilitation services long-term. This emerging approach can enhance the continuity of care once patients are discharged from rehabilitation by ensuring that they continue to improve their recovery beyond what is available currently (Kairy, et al., 2016). The purpose of this quantitative research project is to analyze stroke survivor’s perception regarding participating occupational therapy services via telehealth to improve their long-term recovery. Through survey methods, this project aims to identify how long-term participation in telerehabilitation improves stroke survivor’s participation in meaningful activities.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2021/1016/thumbnail.jp

Qualitative Exploration of the Perception and Satisfaction of Occupational Engagement and Level of Awareness of Treatment options for Parous Women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

This poster looks to provide an overview of the results of the capstone project looking to fill a gap in the literature regarding the impact that pelvic floor dysfunction has on the occupational engagement of parous women, and their knowledge of occupational therapy treatment options for pelvic floor dysfunction (Burkhart et al, 2021). Data collection occurred over 2 weeks and the inclusion criteria for this study consisted of parous (having beard children) women, ages 18 to 65, and having at least 1 symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction (i.e., urinary problem, bowel problem, or pelvic organ prolapse). The research questions were, what are common problem areas in occupational performance for parous women diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction? How do parous women diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction rate their satisfaction related to problem areas in occupational performance? Lastly, what awareness do parous women with pelvic floor dysfunction have of treatment options available to them? Although all areas presented to be problems areas for the participants of this study, the most common problem areas were functional mobility, active recreation, and self-care. The average satisfaction of each occupation was less than a 5.5 out of 10. 84.6% of participants state that they were not at all aware that occupational therapists treat pelvic floor concerns. At least 61.5% of participants rated themselves as not having any knowledge of treatment options concerning their pelvic floor symptoms based on the 1-10-point Likert scale interview.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstones-spring2022/1028/thumbnail.jp

Exploration of Occupational Therapy’s Role Within the LGBTQ+ Population

There are an estimated 11 million individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ in the United States (Rosendale et al., 2019). With this number steadily increasing, it is important that occupational therapists continue to become culturally competent and educated on different strategies to transform the way individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are given and receive treatment. The problem is that there is a gap in the literature supporting occupational therapist cultural competence to integrate occupational roles of the LGBTQ+ population into their evaluation and intervention. Without culturally competent educational opportunities, the health care system is inadequately prepared to provide responsive health care (Singer, 2015). The purpose of this quantitative research type capstone project will be to analyze the evaluation and intervention strategies occupational therapists can use to better serve the LGBTQ+ population. This paper supports the beneficial role occupational therapy has in addressing the needs of the LGBTQ+ population. The author believes that occupational therapists have the expertise and competence to improve OT services in the LGBTQ+ population and play a big role in the quality of life of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2021/1033/thumbnail.jp

Fostering Community Participation for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: An Occupation-Based Program for Caregivers

Caregiver expectations influence outcomes of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they seek more independence transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. The purpose of this program development capstone project is to promote realistic expectations of caregivers of youth by improving caregiver youth relationships and facilitating activities. Strategies of current and evidence-based programs that support caregivers of youth with IDD, such as Maximizing Adolescent Post-Secondary Success and TrASDition training. The American Occupational Therapy Association Vision 2025 aligns with the program as it aims to provide caregivers equal opportunity, access to care, and expands an individual’s capacity to advocate for caregivers. Program participants met inclusion criteria: youth 14 to 24 year’s old, caregivers and youth speak and understand English, and have an electronic device to access the virtual program. Flyers were handed out to identified pairs as candidates most receptive and those who would gain the most benefit from the 6-week program. Ensuring caregivers had unrealistic expectations rather than realistic expectations and lack of clinical experience working with caregivers and youth with IDD were challenges for the project. Site staff knowledge of current skills and preferences of caregivers and youth, local resources to direct caregivers to, and mentorship during development of program were supports for the project. The Model of Human Occupation takes a holistic approach on viewing meaningful activities and relationships of caregivers in their environment and was used in the program to look at how caregivers organize their thoughts, roles, and choose tasks to participate in.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstones-spring2022/1021/thumbnail.jp

Descriptive Study of a Healthy Weight Management Program For Overweight or Obese Children and Youth

The rise in obesity among children and youth in the last 20 years is a public health concern. The prevalence of childhood obesity has multiplied worldwide in the last four decades (“The Heavy Burden of Obesity and the Economics of Prevention,” 2019). Obesity is a complex chronic disease in which abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat impairs health (Wharton et al., 2020). Childhood obesity can profoundly affect children\u27s physical health, social and emotional well-being, and self-esteem (Rankin et al., 2016 & Purnell et al., 2018). The problem is a lack of an occupation-based evaluation tool utilized to link occupational participation to health, well-being, and quality of life to improve occupational engagement for children and youth who are obese and overweight ages 8-16 (Benjamin Neelon et al., 2016; Gold et al., 2018., p. 308-309;J. Kugel et al., 2017; Pandita et al., 2016; Pizzi, 2016; Pizzi & Orloff, 2015; Pizzi & Vroman, 2013). The purpose of this qualitative research capstone project is to pilot the Pizzi Healthy Weight Management Assessment PHWMA on children and youth ages 8-16 to improve health, well-being, and Quality of life, and occupational engagement for youth who are overweight and obese. This study aimed to investigate health behaviors, well-being, occupational engagement, and overall quality of life and how the PHWMA along with the Six Modules Occupation Based Program for Healthy Behaviors, can change children and youth outlook on health behaviors.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2021/1034/thumbnail.jp

Improving Occupational Engagement: An Occupation-Based Virtual Program For Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects many people worldwide including informal caregivers of individuals with dementia (Harrison et al., 2019). Every year, more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias (CDC, 2019). As a result, many informal caregivers experience higher levels of caregiver burden, depression, and anxiety (Amato et al., 2021; Raj et al., 2021; Walter & Pinquart, 2020). This causes an occupational imbalance in caregivers\u27 ability to meet their needs and those of their loved one. Leisure is within occupational therapy\u27s (OT\u27s) practice domain and utilized to facilitate occupational engagement (AOTA, 2020). The purpose of the program development type project was to implement an occupation-based program for informal caregivers of individuals with dementia that incorporates leisure to help improve occupational engagement (Chiu et al., 2020; DiLauro et al., 2017; Lee et al., 2020).https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstones-spring2022/1017/thumbnail.jp

Exploration of Occupational Problems and Concerns in Individuals with Long-Covid (Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2)

Long-Covid is a complex illness causing disruption in the lives of millions of individuals suffering from its symptoms resulting from Covid-19 infection. With over 65 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 10% of individuals expected to experience Long-Covid, knowledge in this area is important to support occupational therapy practice. The purpose of this qualitative research project is to provide knowledge on the reported occupational performance problems and concerns being experienced by individuals with Long-Covid to help fill this gap in research and provide some guidance for OT evaluation and intervention.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstones-spring2022/1013/thumbnail.jp