Student Research Posters

Research is a cornerstone of education at Dominican University of California. Posters in this collection showcase student research presented at conferences.

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Relationship of Resilience Levels: A Survey of Occupational Therapists

Emily Xiong, Alana Martinez, Makenna Rubinstein, Breeana Montoya, and Alexis Perez

Resilience enables practitioners to handle adversity, endure challenging times, and return to an internal equilibrium.2 Little is known about the relationship between practicing occupational therapists’ (OTs) resilience levels and 1) professional identity, 2) burnout, 3) job turnover intention, 4) practice settings, 5) years of practice, 6) age. Understanding these relationships may ultimately inform solutions for addressing resilience, professional identity, and burnout within the OT profession.
Caffeine Usage and Effects on Quality of Life, Clinical Performance, and Safety Among Nurses

Alexander Carl Yanga

Background: The purpose of this investigation is to examine the effects of caffeine consumption on the nurse’s quality of life. It also will explore the relationship between caffeine consumption, nurses' clinical performance, and patient safety. Nurses often endure long hours with demanding tasks to ensure client health and safety. Long work shifts and low margins for error can be taxing, which could result in fatigue, poorer sleep, and increased risk for mistakes. Caffeine is an accepted and effective option for combating fatigue and boosting alertness short term. Questions arise about whether caffeine is beneficial or if consumption causes a decrease in the nurse’s clinical performance and safety over time.

Literature Review: A literature review was conducted to explore relationships between caffeine consumption, sleep, alertness, and education about caffeine usage. Primary articles, related to caffeine, nursing, sleep, fatigue, and alertness, were found using university databases. Overall patterns were found, including: a need for further education on high-energy drink usage; higher perceived stress and sleep disturbances with caffeine usage; and lower alertness levels with changes in sleep quality.

Proposed Study: The proposed study is a quantitative, comparative approach that will use an online self-reported survey to collect data. The targeted population includes working registered nurses. The sample involves 100 critical care nurses within Northern California’s Bay Area hospitals. There will be questions, using a numeric scale, about their background, demographics, caffeine consumption habits, sleep habits, perception of clinical performance, perception of work fatigue and stress, and perception of clinical safety. Descriptive and comparative statistics will be used to examine connections between caffeine consumption and perceptions of sleep, stress, fatigue, clinical performance, and patient safety.

Clinical Significance: Results of this investigation may have potential for increasing knowledge about relationships between nurses' quality of life, caffeine use, clinical performance and patient safety.
How Implicit Bias Leads to Racial Disparities in Maternal Care and Experiences

Mia Yee

Background: Maternal mortality rates have decreased all over the world. However, in the United States, the maternal mortality rate has been steadily increasing. Women of color reportedly are forced to accept the burden of an unequal association between race and morbidity & mortality due to implicit discriminatory attitudes of healthcare professionals. Objective: To better understand the relationship between implicit bias and maternal care in the San Francisco Bay Area between non-Hispanic White & Black women and to explore racial disparities in their maternal narratives. A literature review was performed and a study is proposed. Future Directions: To Identify the differences in maternal care among women of color so that possible interventions can be researched and implemented to improve patient-centered maternal care to all women and to reduce discriminatory practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Cultural Wounds Find Release: Art Therapy and First Generation Immigrants’ Mental Health

Crystal Soojung Yi and Dennis Chavez Calderon
Improving the Psychosocial Effects of a Burn Injury

Leila Young

Burn injuries are an existing risk factor of social impairment. The main priority of care for a burn patient includes the focus on pain management and wound care. However, scarce research has been studied on how to improve the psychological adjustment of burn victims. There is limited availability of evidenced based practice that is related to promoting a healthy social life after a burn. Without interventions to help re-engage burn victims with society, they will turn to negative coping mechanisms such as avoidance, isolation and distancing. The goal of this study is to enhance the social interaction of burn survivors during their recovery. This mixed method study aims to improve social impairment of burn victims in the Bay Area with the use of journaling. A pre and post test will be given, using the tool PROMIS-29, to acknowledge the psychological state of the burn victims before and after the journaling intervention. The sample size will include 100 participants that have been recruited through burn centers, burn units, in-patient hospitals and support groups. Participants will write journal entries each day for six weeks. The journal entries will be examined for similar themes and the results of this study will demonstrate the psychological wellbeing of the participants. In evaluation, the post test and journal entries will show the impact of the intervention of psychosocial ramifications. The literature suggests that there is no reason to focus on the psychological dynamic of burn victims. This study will identify interventions that progress the development of psychological dynamics and ability to interact in society of burn victims in the Bay Area. This study will provide evidenced based practice that can be used to further the research of burn survivors.
In-Person Vaccine Education and Parental Vaccine Acceptance

Sophia Zhao

Understanding the reasons behind parental vaccination hesitancy plays a critical role in community health, preventing vaccine preventable diseases, and increasing vaccination rates. It is crucial to determine how different vaccination promotion and education methods can be used to increase vaccine acceptance in parents as they play an integral role in their child's health and well-being. This research poster aims to determine the effects in-person vaccine education has in vaccine hesitant parents.
Occupational Therapy Collaboration In Creating Accessible Theatre

Chanelle Bautista, Alyssa Cho, Jazmine Cunanan, Ariana Marino, and Miko Ramo

Sensory-friendly theatre programs aim to dismantle social participation barriers for individuals with sensory processing differences by creating a relaxed theatre experience that includes preparatory materials, environmental modifications, and specialized training (Umeda, 2017). We implemented a pilot sensory-friendly performance of Willy Wonka, Jr. in collaboration with youth actors at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, CA on February 13th, 2022. Our program illustrates occupational therapists’ ability to collaborate with theatres and contribute knowledge on sensory processing differences and environmental modification to increase community cultural arts participation for people with disabilities and their families.
Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measures: A Systematic Review

Janice Brown, Jordan Ng, Reilly Todd, and Alyssa Vo

In collaboration with SFSU/UCSF Physical Therapy and Dominican University of California Occupational Therapy, this systematic review took a critical look at the pediatric stroke outcome measures in the current literature. By ascertaining what is currently in place,

occupational therapists as members of the interprofessional team, can better advocate for occupation centered outcome measures in research and clinical care for children and families who have experienced pediatric stroke.
Impact of Intergenerational Trauma Among Immigrant and Refugee Families: Effects on the Mental Health and Acquisition of Care

Loralee Chea

Intergenerational trauma is described as a discrete form of trauma that occurs when traumatic effects are passed across generations without the descendants of trauma survivors having exposure to the original event (Isobel et al., 2021). It is a silent suffering experienced among immigrant families from all across the world who have survived war, genocide, displacements, loss, and other psychological trauma. An exploration of literature has also shown that the healthcare crisis from this form of trauma can be identified and intervened with preventative or treatment measures in clinical practice. The purpose of this research paper is to explore the mental health impacts of intergenerational trauma and its effects on the acquisition of healthcare to better understand what clinical interventions can be implemented to help break the cycle of trauma for future generations.
Exploring the Occupational Transition of Leaving a Cult

Justine Thompson, Baylee R. Chelossi, Emily Osborn, and Christian Jan Quitoriano
The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Work Performance Amongst Night Shift Nurses

Hannah Pham

The aim of this study is to identify sleep hygiene and coping mechanisms utilized by night shift nurses and to determine its association in relieving sleep deprivation.
Nursing Student’s Expectancy-Value Regarding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Knowledge Retention

Raquel Suba

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a sudden and unexpected death within the first year of life, which is attributable to unexplained causes after autopsies and full case investigations are unable to resolve the reason for death. Annually in the United States, approximately 3,600 infants die unexpectedly and suddenly of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and in 2018, there were 1,300 infant deaths due to SIDS (CDC, 2018). Despite American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations promoting the endorsement and modelling of SIDS risk-recommendations from birth, studies reveal that both nursing students and registered nurses have deficient knowledge in adequate SIDS prevention knowledge and training (Burgess et al., 2017; Bartlow, Cartwright, Shefferly, 2016; Graham & Peoples 2019).

The purpose of this cross-sectional correlational study is to explore baccalaureate nursing students’ recall of SIDS risk factors and AAP guidelines for safe infant sleep, and their perceived value of retaining this information after completion of pediatrics and maternity coursework. 51 participants completed an online questionnaire to evaluate their expectancy-value of retaining SIDS knowledge via Likert scale and their actual knowledge of SIDS risk factors and AAP guidelines. Data collection and analysis took place throughout February and March of 2021. There is significant correlation between expectancy-value score and desired specialty area after graduation, but no significant correlation between retention of SIDS information related to the students’ prior experience with infant caregiving and their future area of nursing specialization.
Effects of Latinx Parental English Proficiency on Stress

Maria Alvarez Pineda

In the United States, patients who have Limited English Proficiency (LEP) report having more problems communicating with their children’s doctors (Eneriz-Wieme et al., 2014) and experiencing more discrimination (Zhang et al., 2012) which can lead to increased psychological distress (Torres et al., 2012). The goal of this study was to determine if level of English Proficiency is related to stress levels and discrimination among Latinx parents. Participants consisted of 22 Latinx parents (86.4% Mexican and 90.9% female) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Acute Stress Appraisals scale (Mendes, et al., 2007) measured parents' stress levels before and after an interview about the parent’s experience taking their children to the doctor. Participants completed a survey that consisted of the Language Fluency Measure (Kim & Chao, 2009), the Adapted Everyday Discrimination Scale (Gonzalez et al., 2016), and demographic questions. Results demonstrated that regardless of Engligh proficency Latinx parents experience discrimination, a communication barrier, and negative feelings when taking their children to the doctor. Parents hope that in the future more interpreters will be available and that doctors will be more understanding. Public health practitioners should use Latinx parents’ aspirations to guide interventions to improve their overall experience taking their children to the doctor.
Adults with ASD: Therapeutic Riding and Observed Social Behaviors and Stress Levels

Kayla Andersen

Therapeutic riding (TR) is a multisensory experience that increases mental and physical heath by emphasizing skills such as verbal and non-verbal communication, behavioral and emotional control, and attention; additionally, improvements in balance and muscle strength occur in the rider (Bass et al., 2009). However, the present literature is lacking in research on how adults with ASD are impacted by participation in TR. The goal of the present study is to determine the impact of TR on social responsiveness and stress levels on adults with ASD which included a sample of 8 therapeutic riding instructors from the United States. Instructors reported on the social responsiveness and stress levels of their adult riders with ASD at the start and end of six weeks of TR. The Adult Social Behavior Scale- Other Report (Horwitz et al., 2016) and an adapted version of the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen at al., 1983) were used as pre-and post-tests to compare the changes over time. Results of the paired sample t-tests showed no significant changes in observed social behaviors including contact, empathy, interpersonal insight, violations of social conventions, or in observed stress. These findings, though not signifincant, advocate for more research on adults and TR as this is an underserved population in the literature.
The Effect of Positive Affirmations on Self-Esteem and Well-Being in College Students

Lynnelle Arquiza

Spontaneous affirmations have been associated with greater levels of happiness (Emmanuel et al., 2018), and self-esteem has found to be fostered through positive regard from others (Rogers, 1951 as cited by Maxwell & Bachkirova, 2010). Past research shows that delivering virtual messages through a mobile phone is a widely accessible method in facilitating behavior changes (Sharifi et al., 2013). The goal of this study is to examine how virtual positive affirmations via mobile app or text message can increase self-esteem and well-being. Twenty-three participants were recruited from psychology courses, mostly females aged 18-22 and of Asian descent. Participants were sent a pre-test survey consisting of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), the Flourishing Scale (Diener & Biswas-Diener, 2009), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985). They were randomly assigned to either the mobile app or the text condition and received two virtual affirmations daily for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks they were asked to retake the survey as a post-test measure. Significant increases were found between pre-test and post-test scores for self-esteem, flourishing, and satisfaction with life, yet no significant differences were found between changes in scores of participants in the text versus mobile app conditions. Findings suggest that virtual positive affirmations have a significant beneficial impact on reported self-esteem and well-being.
The Hard Facts: The Influence of Crime and Education on Public Perceptions of Criminals

Elicia Lastra

The societal view that criminals are inherently dangerous is a view exceedingly present in American culture. Prior research suggests that education significantly improves knowledge and positive attitudes towards stigmatized groups (Lam et al, 2019) which this present study hopes to expand on. The present study tested the impact of a brief educational intervention on stigma against criminals. Participants included 141 participants (81.8% females and 17.5% males), recruited from a private university in Northern California and through various social media platforms. Participants were randomly assigned into four different conditions created by manipulating two variables (educational video vs. no video; vignette about a violent vs. nonviolent criminal). Results demonstrated a significant difference in the social and task attraction of criminals such that participants viewed nonviolent criminals as more socially and task attractive than violent criminals. Secondly, results demonstrated no significant difference in social and task attraction of criminals between those that watched the educational video and those who did not. Finally, the results demonstrated no significant interaction between crime severity and its impact on the effectiveness of the educational video. However, the study did demonstrate a significant main effect for crime severity and education, with positive perceptions of nonviolent criminals enhanced particularly with the viewing of the educational video. Results suggest that through the use of education, negative perceptions towards criminals can be changed for the better.
Peer Perceptions and Social Support for Young Adults on the Cancer Continuum

Emily Lehman

While on the cancer continuum, individuals report a sense of social isolation due to a lack of understanding among peers about their experiences and diagnoses (Iannarino et al., 2017). Increasingly, social support is given online rather than in person due to the positive language and communication that relies on the written word more than social cues (Warner et al., 2018). Participants in this study were 152 young adults recruited from a private university and via social media platforms. Participants were asked to complete a survey including The Measure of Interpersonal Attraction Social Attraction sub-scale (McCroskey & McCain, 1974) and a measure of virtual and in person support for a peer who is in cancer current treatment or in remission. Results demonstrated that a young adult in remission of cancer is perceived as significantly more socially attractive than a young adult in current treatment of cancer. Other noteworthy results were that females significantly gave higher amounts of social support, both virtually and in-person, to a peer on the cancer continuum than males. Findings advocate for the understanding of the cancer diagnosis by young adults in hopes that their peers on the cancer continuum can receive more social support and be perceived as socially attractive.
Single Parents Level of Hope to Achieve Graduation from College

Rhoda Maunupau Robertson

Despite the growing number of single parents returning to college to gain a better future for their families, 53% of student parents leave college within 6 years without a degree (Beeler, 2016). However, being hopeful enables student parents to focus on success which increase the probability to attain their goals and success (Snyder et al., 1991). The ability to achieve those goals comes from help-seeking, mentoring, and the ability to seek resources (Snyder et al., 1991). The goal of the present study is to examine levels of hope which enhance help-seeking skills to increase academic success within this population. The sample consisted of 26 single parents that are currently enrolled in community college or 4-year university. Participants were recruited via emails and social media via the snowball method. Constructs were measured with Snyder’s Adult Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991) and a help-seeking and academic success scale that were created by the researcher. Results show that positive correlations between hope, help seeking behavior, and perceived academic success. However, despite the positive correlation between these three variables, there is no significant correlation between any of these variables and the current GPA. Supplemental investigation into the amount of time that each participant studied weekly, still showed no significant correlation between GPA and perceived academic success.
The Effects of Sad Music on Mood

Tiffany Velasquez

Studies investigating motivations for listening to sad music typically report claims by listeners that an improved mood is amongst the primary reasons for listening to sad music (Saarikallio, 2008). But, evidence shows that moods generally decrease when we listen to sad music (Saarikallio & Erkkilä, 2007). However, sad music can also bring about some psychological benefits. People with high tendencies towards reflectiveness may find that sad music can be used as a tool for processing their negative emotions resulting in an overall improvement in mood (Garrido & Schubert, 2013; Trapnell & Campbell, 1999). Sample consisted of 50 participants of college students from classrooms and social media. The survey asked a sample of college students to measure their moods before and after listening to a sad piece of self selected music. Trapnell and Campbell’s Rumination Reflection Questionnaire (1999) measured whether participants were ruminators. Additionally students were asked about their perception of psychological benefits of listening to sad music when experiencing negative emotions. It was found that people had a decrease in positive emotion after listening to their selected song. However, there was no change in participants' negative emotions after listening to their song. Ruminators did not experience more or less change than non-ruminators after listening to the sad music. Participants who felt more positive emotion before listening to the song felt less negative emotion after listening to the song.
Flowers or Flora?: Understanding the Effects of Probiotics on Depression

Nicole Collopy

Chances are, we all know someone who has had their life affected by depression and anxiety; and we have all experienced these feelings on some level. What if the key to unlocking these problems lied within every one of us -- inside of our gut? The research topic being explored is the relationship between gut health and mood disorders. The question of interest is: Does the use of probiotic supplementation have an effect on feelings of depression?

Connection between gut health and mental health is significant as approximately 6.7% of adults in the U.S. suffer from major depressive disorder. There has been an observed association between gut health disorders and mood disorders, mainly anxiety and depression. Those who demonstrate anxiety and depression have an increased likelihood of developing abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. This raises the possibility of bi-directionality between the brain and the gut, meaning that GI health may have an effect on mental health and vice versa.

This relationship is important to explore. Probiotics, bacteria that are beneficial to the body, have grown in popularity as a gut health supplement which may have an affect on the brain. There is much reason to suspect and explore the relationship between probiotic supplements and depression.
Physiological Responses of Adults with Sensory Over-Responsiveness

Catherine Anne Datu, Nicholas Wing Or, Megan Melody Valentine, and Megan Jeanne Velcich

The purpose of this research study is to identify if there are physiological response patterns associated with self-reported sensory over-responsiveness (SOR) in typical adults. SOR is the most common sensory modulation disorder and negatively affects the daily experiences of those that report SOR. The first phase of the study consisted of phone interviews where participants were screened for any potential characteristics that could affect physiological function. Then, the SRQ and AASP were used in conjunction to identify low and high SOR, typical adults. The last phase utilized the Sensory Challenge Protocol, which is both standardized and randomized, to expose participants to auditory, olfactory and tactile stimuli while collecting electrodermal response (EDR) data. This research has three major findings. First, EDR differences between high and low SOR groups are not significant, however, the high SOR group had generally higher EDR for almost all stimuli. Second, there was a strong correlation for inter- stimuli EDR, informing us that each individual has a general response style to stimuli regardless of their self-report. Lastly, there is no correlation between self-reported SOR and EDR. It is hypothesized that self-reported SOR is shaped by habituation, coping skills and varying life experiences. EDR can help support the experiences of those with high SOR, however it is not sensitive enough for diagnostic/clinical purposes. Additionally, when an individual has sensitivity in one area, there is likely sensitivity in other sensory areas as well but may be masked by coping skills, habituation or modulation.
The Effects of Perceived Discrimination and Acculturative Stress on Ethnic Minority Your Adult Self-Esteem and Anxiety

Danielle Davis
- Minority college students are at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes and self-esteem issues considering acculturative stress and perceived discrimination(Gomez et al.,2011).
- How discrimination is viewed by the individual and how they adjust to dominant culture plays an important role in self-esteem(Halletal.,2015).
- Studies following the relationship between perceived discrimination and acculturative stress rarely look into mental health outcomes along with self-esteem(Paukertetal.,2006;Weietal,2013).
- This research may provide insight into the mechanisms which affect psychological distress(Tonsingetal,2016).
Misrepresentations of ADHD & Benefits of Inclusive Classroom Training

Emma Fitzgerald

The question of whether attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is over-diagnosed in adolescents has been a recent topic of research. Through research studies, a trend for potential over-diagnosis has been found. Misdiagnosis and over-diagnosis mainly occur due to societal norms clouding perceptions of the disorder. (Bruchmüller et al., 2012)

Classroom inclusivity is an area that could potentially improve misdiagnosis and over-diagnosis of ADHD. Inclusive classroom training can spread both awareness and understanding about the disorder, ultimately reducing misconceptions about ADHD.

The present study explored several hypotheses: Hypothesis

1: Students’ perception of their ADHD knowledge is not correlated with their actual knowledge of ADHD. Hypothesis

2: Pre-service teachers will more accurately refer students who display ADHD than the general population of student participants. Hypothesis

3: Students with more inclusive classroom training will more accurately refer students who display ADHD.
Supporting Marin County Youth Suffering from Anxiety and Depression

Victoria L. Grajeda

This toolkit was created to help shed light on the impact a stressful high school environment can have on today’s youth, and provide teachers and parents with up-to-date information on what resources are available within the county of Marin. When working with adolescents, it is important to consider environmental threats to their mental health (i.e., lack of sleep) in order to make proper referrals and treatment plans. A study done by Kelley, Lockley, Kelley, & Evans (2017) implemented a 10:00 a.m. start time at an urban school in England. By delaying school start times, Kelley et. al found that absences related to illness were reduced by 50 percent compared to national rates. In general, school systems in the United States are not currently structured to ensure students can function at their maximum potential, and their academics, health, and relationships are deteriorating as a result. More importantly, suicide is becoming more prevalent in high schools within the United States, which means prevention programs need to be reevaluated or implemented to help Marin youth cope with existing trauma. This guide will psychoeducate the community on anxiety and depression; potential risk factors, how to help, and what treatment options are available.