Research suggests a relationship between time distortion and mental health disorders, and the present study sought to examine this proposition. Prior research suggests that negative emotions are associated with the slowing down of time. Because mental health disorder symptomology is associated with more negative emotions, it was predicted that negative emotions would mediate the relationship between mental health disorder symptomology and time distortion. A survey was administered to university students that contained measures of anxiety, depression, emotional experiences, and time perception. Mental health disorder symptomology was found to be related to negative emotions. However, negative emotions and mental health disorder symptomology were not related to time distortion. Thus, the proposed mediation model was not supported. The primary reason for these results likely lies in the challenges of measuring time distortion. Despite the lack of effects found in the present study, investigating this topic is crucial for understanding the perceptual experiences of those with mental health disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by language and communication deficits, and difficulties with social interaction (Twisk, 2001). Research has shown that 80% of youth with ASD experience sleep challenges which can lead to sleep-related health issues, exacerbate problematic behaviors, and increase vulnerability to anxiety and depression (Wachob & Lorenzi, 2015; Williams et al., 2004; Richdale & Schreck, 2009). Sleep plays a central role in adaptive functioning, and insufficient sleep can hinder learning, memory, and neuroplasticity for children with ASD (Cohen et al., 2014). As these unhealthy behavior patterns can lead to more adverse long-term health consequences, it is critical to develop interventions that may improve health-related behaviors in youth with ASD. Martial arts, especially judo, is unique because it integrates both physical activity and mind-body components (Bell et al., 2016). Judo may be particularly appealing to youth with ASD due to the structured format and repetitive exercises typically observed during judo sessions (Bell et al., 2016). Recent studies have found that judo interventions in youth with ASD may increase participation in physical activity, improve self-confidence, decrease levels of anxiety, and reduce the frequency of negative behaviors in this population (Morales et al., 2021; Garcia et al., 2020; Renziehausen et al., 2022). Research has shown that participation in physical activity may be associated with sleep quality in both NT youth and youth with ASD (Masters et al., 2019). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 16-week judo intervention on sleep quality in youth with ASD. It was hypothesized that this program would improve components of sleep quality in youth with ASD. METHODS: A USA Judo certified coach with prior experience teaching judo to youth with ASD led the 45-minute weekly sessions. Each participant was given an Actigraph GT9X accelerometer and a link to the Qualtrics parent surveys including a child sleep diary. Participants were instructed to wear the accelerometers for seven days and nights over two data collection points: baseline and post-intervention. A validated sleep algorithm was applied to the data to calculate total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and wake after sleep onset. Non-parametric t-tests were used to compare sleep quality outcome variables at pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: The sleep data of 18 participants was analyzed, consisting of an approximately 80% male sample, a mean age of 13.17 ± 3.76, and approximately 55% of the sample being white. There was a positive statistical correlation between participation in the Judo program and increased sleep efficiency (p=0.05), decreased wake after sleep onset (p=0.02), and decreased sleep latency (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Judo, a mindfulness form of martial arts, has the potential to serve as a therapeutic intervention to improve sleep outcomes in children with ASD.

First-generation students are individuals whose parents have not attended college. These students often face challenges such as academic pressures, lack of social support, and mental health problems. Research has found that first-generation students experience a culture shock when transitioning from high school to college. These factors can impact academic success and affect overall health. This quantitative, cross-sectional study examined the impact of stress on mental health among first-generation and non-first-generation students. The study also examined if social and emotional support had a buffering effect on levels of depression, anxiety, and academic stress among first-generation college students. A survey measuring these constructs was distributed to 117 students at the University of Central Florida who consented to participate in the study in the Fall of 2023. Findings revealed that first-generation college students reported having higher levels of self-perceived stress (p < .05), anxiety (p < .01), and depressive symptoms (p < .05) than non-first-generation students. Family and peer social and emotional support served as a protective factor for first-generation students; however, family support played a larger role in reducing depressive symptoms (p < .05) and different dimensions of stress (p < .05). Study findings shed light on the need for universities to implement mental health screening and other wellness programs to address the mental health needs of first-generation students.

College students' mental health has been researched for some time. In particular, the correlation between physical activity and mental health symptoms has been researched. The study examines the relationship between physical activity and anxiety, sleep, and overall health. College undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida took an online survey that measured all of these variables. A Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations. Positive correlations were found between anxiety and sleep, anxiety and social desirability, sleep and social desirability, and strength training and vigorous physical activity. Negative correlations were found between overall health and physical activity, overall health and vigorous physical activity, and vigorous physical activity and social desirability. However, no significant correlations with physical activity were found. Further research limiting the overreporting of physical activity is needed.

Schizotypy, a complex construct linked to schizophrenia-related traits, encompasses positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms. This study offers a review of the concept of schizotypy, including its historical evolution, tracing it from Bleuler's early mention in 1911 to Meehl's continuum model. Embracing a dimensional perspective, this research underscores the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding schizotypy. Deficits in sustained attention and working memory within schizotypy remain underexplored, with prior studies yielding inconsistent results. Adaptive functioning deficits in individuals with schizotypy are also inadequately understood. Examining a college student population, this investigation utilized scores on the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire – Brief Revised (SPQ-BR) to psychometrically define schizotypy, and it used the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-42), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), Continuous Performance Task (CPT-IP) and Visuospatial n-Back Task to assess the hypotheses. This was accomplished by comparing 60 individuals in the schizotypy group with 60 carefully matched controls. Contrary to expectations, those with schizotypy exhibited superior performance on sustained attention and visuospatial working memory tasks compared to controls, challenging the established literature, and warranting replication. The study addresses methodological gaps by using carefully matched control groups and employing innovative online cognitive tests. Despite observed cognitive strengths in performance, a paradox emerged as schizotypal individuals self-reported lower cognitive functioning, suggesting the need to focus on metacognition in schizotypy in future studies. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive systematic assessment of emerging young adult populations to understand their current psychological functioning relative to other community samples. The association between schizotypy, positive psychotic-like experiences, and increased self-reported disability suggests a need for the development of preventive interventions. The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HITOP) is suggested as a promising assessment system for schizophrenia spectrum disorders in college students.

The purpose of this study is to explore and understand any correlation between a mother having postpartum depression and her now college-level child having a mental illness. The research question posed for this study was: Is there a correlation between maternal postpartum depression and the development of mental illnesses in college students? Studies have shown that there is a correlation in early childhood development, but there are deficits when it comes to long-term follow-up. Data for this study was collected via online surveys on SONA UCF. The results from the Chi-square test imply a strong association (p = .007) at n=85. Since many college students presently suffer from an array of mental illnesses, it is crucial to trace it back to the roots of the problem.

The conceptualization of the personality construct of introversion has been problematic since the term's inception due to the complexity and seemingly self-contradictory nature of the collection of attributes of which it is comprised. To advance the understanding of introversion, I propose that it is a continuous segment of the non-clinical part of the autism spectrum, and that it is not the same as the inverse of extraversion. When introversion and autism are placed on the same continuum, the nature of the relationship of the traits becomes more apparent, and new possibilities are available for exploration of both autism and introversion. This review of literature traces the origins and development of the concept of introversion and places it on the autism spectrum, demonstrating the apparent synonymous nature of the traits despite varying degrees of severity in expression. The current factorial structure of introversion demonstrates how autistic features interact to produce the personality dimension. Other factors, including genetic predisposition, relationships to the clinical and non-clinical symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum expression, and neurological findings that support the correlation will be considered. Finally, suggestions for future research and possible theoretical and empirical implications and applications are explored.

Background: According to the National Cancer Institute (2017) approximately 15,270 individuals’ ages 0 to 19 years would be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Although pediatric cancer survival rates continue to rise, there are high rates of anxiety, fear, and depression amongst this population. The purpose of this literature review was to explore mental health interventions for adolescent cancer patients. Methodology: A total of 165 articles were found in a literature search. Databases used include: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. As results were further narrowed based on relevance and set limiters a total of 7 articles were used for the purpose of this review. Results: Multiple interventions were used in the purpose of this review including therapeutic play, animal-assisted activities, complementary and alternative medicine interventions, and coping and stress reduction interventions. Interventions used significantly decreased anxiety, fear, and depression amongst adolescent cancer patients. Conclusion: One intervention was not more successful than another. Interventions that included participants in their plan of care, promoted normalcy, and were developmentally appropriate were successful at decreasing anxiety, depression, and fear in adolescent cancer patients.

Homelessness in the youth population is associated with elevated rates of mental illness, substance abuse, and suicidality compared to the housed population in the United States (Berdahl, Hoyt, and Whitbeck, 2005; Hodgson, Shelton, Van den Bree, 2014; Hughes et al., 2010). With a survival-focused perspective, exacerbating issues, stigmatization, and transience housing; homeless youth require special consideration to meet their diverse health needs. When barriers impede homeless youth's access to necessary health resources, their health concerns are left untreated and impound until emergency services are required. This review of literature is focused on identifying and synthesizing barriers and facilitators for homeless youth to access and utilize mental health care services. When untreated mental illness reaches a crisis point, it becomes more expensive to treat (Taylor, Stuttaford, and Vostanis, 2006). For youth experiencing homelessness, various factors influence their decisions to wait until a crisis to reach out to emergency services. Within the literature, barriers and facilitators were bracketed into personal, social, and structural factors. These factors ranged from financial concerns, communication with health care providers and between health care service locations, stigmatization, lack of awareness, and administrative requirements. While further research is required, evidence from the literature shows promise in developing and altering interventions and communication to meet homeless youth's mental health and substance abuse needs.

Although previous research identified exposure to significant adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as harmful to individuals in several psychological and physiological health domains, research examining the mechanisms of action driving this relationship has been lacking. As a result, the current study examined the role that psychological symptoms serve in the relationship between ACEs and substance misuse behaviors. The current study included a sample of 183 participants (i.e., 82 men and 101 women) who completed five questionnaires assessing exposure to ACEs; psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and substance misuse behaviors. Correlational analyses indicated significant associations among the variables of interest. Exposure to ACEs was a significant predictor of substance misuse behaviors in both men and women. Additionally, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and PTSD symptoms were significant predictors of men's substance misuse behaviors, whereas only PTSD symptoms were a significant predictor of women's substance misuse behaviors. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD each contributed unique and significant variance to the relationship between ACEs and substance misuse behaviors in men, consistent with partial mediations. A different pattern of prediction was evident for women. Such findings suggested that psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD may serve as a risk factor for substance misuse behaviors in men later in life, especially when they have had a history of ACEs. These results demonstrated the importance of promoting trauma-informed mental health care to remediate negative substance outcomes, particularly in those who have had significant ACEs. The importance of studying the relationships among these variables is discussed further.