Community Health Improvement Planning

There always seems to be a health issue that hits rural communities especially hard. Chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes have become more prevalent and have led to soaring costs and decreased quality of life for many. Other issues—like the opioid crisis—have emerged more recently and forced communities to address the complicated relationship between pain, addiction, and mental health. And then there are the health issues that catch everyone off guard, like COVID-19, which has disrupted society as a whole. Despite limited resources, some rural communities have managed to confront these issues and find solutions for their residents

Access to Healthcare in Rural Indiana

This report seeks to identify what healthcare access means to the communities served by the IU Center for Rural Engagement. Informed by community members, experts in the field, and the latest research, this report also aims to outline potential next steps to improve access to care for rural Hoosiers

PTSD and Pain: Exploring the Impact of Posttraumatic Cognitions in Veterans Seeking Treatment for PTSD

Objective Previous research has demonstrated a significant relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) and pain. While several models attempt to explain this relationship, significant questions remain regarding factors that may play a role in this interaction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether posttraumatic cognitions mediate the relationship between PTSD and pain. Design The sample comprised 136 veterans who presented to the VA A nn A rbor H ealth C are System seeking evaluation and treatment in the PTSD clinic. Participants completed the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale, the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, and Brief Pain Inventory‐Short Form, along with other assessments as part of their evaluation. Results This study showed that the majority of patients (86.8%) reported some problems with pain. Further, the findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between PTSD severity and pain severity. Posttraumatic cognitions were not related to the level of pain experienced, but they were related to pain interference in this population. Conclusions In particular, negative cognitions regarding the self were associated with the level of pain‐related interference, and partially mediated the relationship between PTSD and pain. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/101855/1/pme12260.pd

Children's chatter: Daily reflections of young children during Covid-19 lockdown

Adults perceive the world using existing knowledge and experience (Gregory, 1970). However, adults may then impose their perspectives onto their children, whilst failing to understand the world through their child’s eyes (Christakis, 2017). This qualitative study provides an exploratory insight into the perspectives of nineteen children, aged 7-11 years, during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic lockdown in the UK, when national restrictions on movement and online learning for all children were mandatory. Over a 10-day period, parents asked their children four short open questions at the end of each day: 1) ‘What was the best thing that happened today?’, 2) ‘What was your least favourite part of today?’, 3) ‘What did you learn today that you didn’t know yesterday?’, and 4) ‘What made you smile or laugh today?’ Parents were specifically asked to make no mention of lockdown or school or virus (Covid-19). Thematic analysis revealed the importance of technology (both for online lessons, social communication, and recreation), proximity to family (parents and siblings), time with pets, and joint pastimes (walking, cooking, creative arts). This study provides insight into the world in which children were living and coping with the challenges of a lockdown during a national crisis and provides alternative methods for obtaining and evaluating qualitative data within a population of young children

Children's chatter: Daily reflections of young children during Covid-19 lockdown

Adults perceive the world using existing knowledge and experience (Gregory, 1970). However, adults may then impose their perspectives onto their children, whilst failing to understand the world through their child’s eyes (Christakis, 2017). This qualitative study provides an exploratory insight into the perspectives of nineteen children, aged 7-11 years, during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic lockdown in the UK, when national restrictions on movement and online learning for all children were mandatory. Over a 10-day period, parents asked their children four short open questions at the end of each day: 1) ‘What was the best thing that happened today?’, 2) ‘What was your least favourite part of today?’, 3) ‘What did you learn today that you didn’t know yesterday?’, and 4) ‘What made you smile or laugh today?’ Parents were specifically asked to make no mention of lockdown or school or virus (Covid-19). Thematic analysis revealed the importance of technology (both for online lessons, social communication, and recreation), proximity to family (parents and siblings), time with pets, and joint pastimes (walking, cooking, creative arts). This study provides insight into the world in which children were living and coping with the challenges of a lockdown during a national crisis and provides alternative methods for obtaining and evaluating qualitative data within a population of young children

Prospectus, August 9, 2018

ANTHROPOLOGY STUDENTS MAKE MONTICELLO WOODS THEIR CLASSROOM; Farewell, Parkland!; Political climate affects college students nationwide; Excerpts from Honors Projects from Spring 2018 Honors Program Graduates; Cobras Athletes of the Year 2017-18https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2018/1033/thumbnail.jp

Pre-adolescent peer status as a function of the compatibility of maternal and child temperament, and of mothers' ability to cope with stress

This dissertation examined several aspects of parenting behavior which may play an important role in the child's social and emotional development. The purpose of the study was to expand existing knowledge of differential family relations among children who are of Popular, Average, and Rejected peer status. Although mothers of unpopular children did not report significantly more use of maladaptive coping strategies for dealing with stress, they were found to be more negative in their interactions with their children during a mildly stressful problem solving task. In addition, mothers degree of satisfaction with the child's temperament was predictive of peer status. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that a child's ability to become accepted by peers may be reflective of aspects of the mother-child relationship

To develop evidence-based interventions to support doctors’ wellbeing and promote resilience during COVID-19 (and beyond)

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