Due to the demanding structure of caring for a child with a life-threatening disease (LTD), parents experience psychosocial distress. Studies have shown that stress in parents of children with LTDs can be increased by unmet needs or fragmented care and may be mitigated by coordinated and comprehensive care. Limited literature exists about unmet needs of parents of children with LTDs and the barriers they encounter to accessing mental health resources within pediatric palliative care (PPC) programs. This research study applied quantifiable descriptive methods including a purposive sample of ninety-eight (98) PPC and other pediatric practitioners through the distribution of anonymous online surveys in order to examine unmet needs for mental health resources as they relate to parents of children with LTDs who experience psychological distress exacerbated from psychosocial stressors of care giving. Influenced by Andersen’s predisposing, enabling, and need factors, this study found that PPC practitioners perceived parents encountering waitlists and/or denials when referred to community mental health resources as demonstrating resistance against seeking help.

This research project was a mixed method of both a quantitative and qualitative design to examine the perception of 38 gay male’s life satisfaction post coming out. In the past few years, laws affecting the gay community have been at the forefront of policies and debates, given all communities an insight into the specific challenges that are endured. As the gay community starts to openly live their lives as a gay man, there has been a need to accept and understand not only the challenges, but to give acceptance. Additionally, this project sought out to determine if the gay community feels that their life satisfaction has increased post coming out to their family, friends, and coworkers, furthermore to be able to live a life not of shame, but of pride and acceptance of themselves.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between occupational burnout and the behavioral well-being of social workers. Burnout is a multidimensional syndrome where workers experience feelings of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment as a consequence of work related stress and overwhelming job demands. Burnout can negatively affect organizational functioning, work performance, and pose significant health risks to workers. There are a limited number of studies focusing on the impact of occupational burnout on the behavioral well-being of workers. The findings of this study indicated that there was a significant relationship between burnout and behavioral well-being. Emotional exhaustion was found to negatively impact exercise frequency, which was consistent with previous study findings. Depersonalization was positively correlated to the number of hours of sleep and the frequency of self-care activities participants engaged in. The effects of depersonalization on sleep and self-care activities suggest that workers may engage in these activities as a way to cope with feelings of depersonalization on the job.

An adolescent’s time in school is not merely academic; they are developing socially, physically, and emotionally. Prior research has demonstrated a correlation between a student’s poor academic performance and his/her need for emotional and mental health support. This research project sought to answer the following research questions: 1) Do mental health services in a high school setting help facilitate students’ academic achievement? and 2) Does a focus on mental health issues improve overall health and well-being in high school students? Participants for this study are 10 staff members (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and others) of a high school in San Diego, California. Qualitative data in the form of interviews was collected for this study, and subsequently transcribed and analyzed using a “bottom up” approach. Results of this study indicate adolescents have many challenges to their emotional health during their high school years and staff have unique access to assist youth in navigating these challenges. The study describes the need for more mental health professionals to be available in schools. Implications for micro include the need for more mental health staff including counselors and school social workers and the implications for macro practice include the need more staff and teacher training on how to better support students.

Many college students across the nation are going hungry and struggling with food insecurity, as their access to food is becoming more challenging to attain. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of college students and components that lead them to becoming food insecure. Studies indicate that food insecurity is a critical issue in a college students’ life, but there is not an established approach to adequately help the students address this issue. The data will be collected through self-administered surveys and participant ratings will be reviewed for any common themes and correlations. Results from this study will provide significant material to assist social workers in addressing food insecurity with a systematic approach and influence further research. This study will also present findings to universities to secure supplementary resources and services to prevent food insecurity on campus.

This research thesis is a policy assessment of the factors that contribute to the current status in treating autism. The policy assessment begins with a description of the key components that that influence policy outcomes in regard to autism. After developing a policy model that outlines various components of issues and approaches to the policy has on Autism, the paper examines several issues with regard to Autism policy, including the lack of insurance coverage, state legislation, waiting lists, evidence vs. non evidence treatments, and the high price for treatments. The paper also examines current approaches to Autism, and potential solutions. Solution analysis on current policy alternatives is provided and, this suggests that increasing knowledge and awareness of the affects of autism on society needs further attention along with proper funding for early treatment.

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vilka upplevelser unga vuxna har beträffande den virtuella gemenskapen på Internet communities och hur det påverkar deras hälsa och lärande. Studien grundar sig på folkhälsopedagogiskt perspektiv och bygger på en kvalitativ studie. Under genomförandet av arbetet har åtta individer deltagit i individuella intervjuer. I bakgrunden belyser jag hur den teknologiska utvecklingen förändrar det sociala samspelet i samhället. Ökande kommunikation via Internet communities har bidragit till att människor kan ha större sociala nätvärk utan fysiska hinder. Problemområdet var, att den ökande användningen av communities kan framkalla beroende som i sin tur kan ge upphov till stillasittande livsstil. Stress och brist på sömn var de symptom som har visat sig vara vanliga. I litteraturgenomgången tar jag upp betydelsen av socialt kapital, fysisk hälsa och även lärande med multimedia. I diskussionen tar jag upp vikten av socialt kapital relaterat till det virtuella samhället och på vilket sätt det kan påverka hälsa och lärande. Min konklusion av studien är att kommunikation via Internet communities blivit så pass vardagligt att det kan påverka människors hälsa och lärande, samt det även kan vara en viktig faktor för hälsa och lärande. / The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of young adults concerning the virtual community of Internet communities and how it affects their health and learning. The study is based on public health educational perspective and was based on a qualitative study. During the execution of the study, eight individuals participated in individual interviews. In the background I illustrate how technological progress changes the social interaction in society. Increased communication through Internet community has contributed for peoples to have greater social network without physical barriers. The problem area was that the growing use of online communities can cause dependence, which in return can lead to sedentary lifestyles. Stress and lack of sleep were the symptoms that have been shown to be prevalent. In the literature review I illustrate the importance of social capital, physical health and even learning with multimedia. In the discussion I discuss the importance of social capital related to the virtual community and how it may affect health and learning. My conclusion is communication through the Internet comunities has become everyday issue and that it can affect people’s health and learning. Also that it may be an important factor for health and learning.

Disertantė: Rasa Savičiūtė Mokslinis vadovas: Prof. Habil. Dr. Algirdas Juozulynas (Vilniaus universitetas, biomedicinos mokslai, visuomenės sveikata – 09 B) Lietuvoje tik labai neseniai buvo pradėta analizuoti sveikatos santykis su sociologija, socialiniais santykiais ir pan. Pastaruoju metu visuomenės sveikatos tyrimai orientuojasi į tokias inovatyvias sritis kaip sveikatos kokybė, sveikatos paslaugų efektyvumas, veiklos solidarumas, integralumas, sveikatos politikos elementų diegimas visose socialinės ir ekonominės veiklos srityse. Visuomenės senėjimas, socialiniai, ekonominiai pokyčiai, rinkos elementų skverbimasis į sveikatos paslaugų sferą keičia visuomenės sveikatos būklės ir integralios aplinkos sąveikos pobūdį. Šios aplinkybės keičia ir sveikatos politikos veiksmingumo prielaidas. Jos turi remtis mokslinių tyrimų informacija. Deja, Lietuvoje nėra daug atlikta panašios krypties mokslinių tyrimų. Šiuo tyrimu mes siekiame sistematiškai ištirti ir įvertinti svarbiausių sveikatos ir socialinių veiksnių bei jų tarpusavio sąveikų poveikio visuomenės sveikatos būklei skirtumus ir tuo pagrindu besiformuojančias sveikatos socialines struktūras. Tyrimo metu analizuota subjektyviai vertinama sveikatos būklė, sergamumas, vyraujančios sveikatos problemos ir psichikos sveikatos būklės. Visa tai buvo nagrinėta skirtingose socialinių veiksnių, bei jų integralios tarpusavio sąveikos įtakos srityse. / Author: Rasa Savičiūtė Scientific supervisors: Prof. habil. dr. Algirdas Juozulynas (Vilnius University, biomedical sciences, public health – 09B) In fact, the relationship of health and sociology, social relations, etc., has been started to be analyzed recently in Lithuania. Recently, public health research is focused on innovative fields as health quality, efficiency of health services, solidarity and integrity of activity, introduction of health policy elements in all fields of social and economic activity. Aging society, social, economic changes, penetration of market elements in the sphere of health services change the nature of interaction between public health condition and integral environment that influences it. These circumstances also alter the assumptions of health policy effectiveness. The latter must be based on information of scientific research. Unfortunately, there has been carried out small number of research of similar direction in Lithuania. Hereby, we seek to explore systematically and assess the differences of the main health and social factors, and the impact of their interactions on public health condition and the emerging social structures of health. The research analyzed the subjectively assessed health condition, morbidity, prevailing health problems and mental health conditions. These aspects were examined in different fields of influence of social factors as well as in their integral interaction.

In fact, the relationship of health and sociology, social relations, etc., has been started to be analyzed recently in Lithuania. Recently, public health research is focused on innovative fields as health quality, efficiency of health services, solidarity and integrity of activity, introduction of health policy elements in all fields of social and economic activity. Aging society, social, economic changes, penetration of market elements in the sphere of health services change the nature of interaction between public health condition and integral environment that influences it. These circumstances also alter the assumptions of health policy effectiveness. The latter must be based on information of scientific research. Unfortunately, there has been carried out small number of research of similar direction in Lithuania. Hereby, we seek to explore systematically and assess the differences of the main health and social factors, and the impact of their interactions on public health condition and the emerging social structures of health. The research analyzed the subjectively assessed health condition, morbidity, prevailing health problems and mental health conditions. These aspects were examined in different fields of influence of social factors as well as in their integral interaction. / Lietuvoje tik labai neseniai buvo pradėta analizuoti sveikatos santykis su sociologija, socialiniais santykiais ir pan. Pastaruoju metu visuomenės sveikatos tyrimai orientuojasi į tokias inovatyvias sritis kaip sveikatos kokybė, sveikatos paslaugų efektyvumas, veiklos solidarumas, integralumas, sveikatos politikos elementų diegimas visose socialinės ir ekonominės veiklos srityse. Visuomenės senėjimas, socialiniai, ekonominiai pokyčiai, rinkos elementų skverbimasis į sveikatos paslaugų sferą keičia visuomenės sveikatos būklės ir integralios aplinkos sąveikos pobūdį. Šios aplinkybės keičia ir sveikatos politikos veiksmingumo prielaidas. Jos turi remtis mokslinių tyrimų informacija. Deja, Lietuvoje nėra daug atlikta panašios krypties mokslinių tyrimų. Šiuo tyrimu mes siekiame sistematiškai ištirti ir įvertinti svarbiausių sveikatos ir socialinių veiksnių bei jų tarpusavio sąveikų poveikio visuomenės sveikatos būklei skirtumus ir tuo pagrindu besiformuojančias sveikatos socialines struktūras. Tyrimo metu analizuota subjektyviai vertinama sveikatos būklė, sergamumas, vyraujančios sveikatos problemos ir psichikos sveikatos būklės. Visa tai buvo nagrinėta skirtingose socialinių veiksnių, bei jų integralios tarpusavio sąveikos įtakos srityse.

Self-care can be seen as not only critical for individual professionals, but also for the growth of the helping professions and the quality of care which clients receive. The purpose of this study was to investigate use of career-sustaining behaviors and the levels of professional quality of life in music therapy professionals. This study investigated research questions regarding use of career sustaining behaviors and levels of professional quality of life, the relationship between these variables, the differences in the use of career sustaining behavior by demographics, and the use of music as a self-care strategy. An online survey was sent to all professional members of the American Music Therapy Association. A total of 403 participants were included in the study for the purposes of data analysis. Findings from the study indicate that music therapy professionals are in the average to low ranges for burnout and secondary traumatic stress. However, a portion of the sample was identified to be at risk for these factors. Differences existed in the use of career sustaining behaviors between demographic variables, indicating self-care behaviors vary among professionals. The field of music therapy should further investigate these areas to best provide opportunities for professional self-care.