The mental health of ASU students has been negatively affected by the pandemic. Our research looks to prove that COVID-19 has caused an increase in stress levels while uncovering other relationships to stress. We obtained our data by conducting a survey through Google Forms that was exclusively accessible to ASU students. Stress levels were measured with the use of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We find that the stress of ASU students from before the pandemic to during rises from 15 to 22 points, a 50% increase (n = 228). We discovered that women are more stressed than men before and during the pandemic. We also discovered that there is no difference between stresses among different races. We notice that there is a parabolic relationship between enrollment time and stress levels with the peak occurring during semesters 2-6. We also conclude that students who attended more than 5 events during the pandemic had lower stress scores, and those who had their videos on for at least 3 events had lower stress scores. Furthermore, students who utilized campus resources to manage their stress had higher stress levels than those who did not.

Exploration of a mouse model (C57BL/6J) capable of demonstrating behavioral changes after adolescent social isolation that are consistent with prior findings may prove beneficial in later research. This study examined 2 proposed long-term effects of isolated housing (one mouse/cage), when compared to group housing (two mice/cage) during adolescence. Mice were placed in their respective housing conditions after weaning (PND 21) and remained in those conditions until PND 60. The same cohorts were used in both phases of the experiment. Phase 1 sought to confirm previous findings that showed increases in ethanol intake after adolescent social isolation using a 2-bottle preference Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) design over a 4-day period (PND 64-PND 67.). Phase 2 sought to elucidate the effects present after adolescent social isolation, as measured using response inhibition capabilities demonstrated during fixed-minimum interval (FMI) trials (PND 81-PND 111). Findings in phase 1 of the experiment were non-significant, save a strong tendency for female mice in both housing conditions to drink more as a proportion of their bodyweight (g/kg). However, a trend of lower bodyweight in single housed mice did exist, which does suggest that detrimental stress was applied via the used of adolescent isolation in that housing condition. Findings in phase 2 showed little effect of adolescent social isolation on mean inter-response time (IRT) at any criterion used (FMI-0, FMI-4, FMI-6). Evaluation of mean interquartile range (IQR) of IRTs showed a significantly greater amount of variation in IRT responses within single housed mice at the highest criterion (FMI-6), and a trend in the same direction when FMI-4 and FMI-6 were tested concurrently. Taken as a whole, the findings of this experiment suggest that the effect of adolescent social isolation on ethanol intake is far less robust than the effect of sex and may be difficult to replicate in a low-power study. Additionally, adolescent social isolation may interfere with the ability of mice to show consistent accuracy during FMI tasks or a delay in recognition of FMI criterion change.

The mental health of ASU students has been negatively affected by the pandemic. Our research looks to prove that COVID-19 has caused an increase in stress levels while uncovering other relationships to stress. We obtained our data by conducting a survey through Google Forms that was exclusively accessible to ASU students. Stress levels were measured with the use of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). We find that the stress of ASU students from before the pandemic to during rises from 15 to 22 points, a 50% increase (n = 228). We discovered that women are more stressed than men before and during the pandemic. We also discovered that there is no difference between stresses among different races. We notice that there is a parabolic relationship between enrollment time and stress levels with the peak occurring during semesters 2-6. We also conclude that students who attended more than 5 events during the pandemic had lower stress scores, and those who had their videos on for at least 3 events had lower stress scores. Furthermore, students who utilized campus resources to manage their stress had higher stress levels than those who did not.

Forensic pathology is a critical science that bridges medicine and law. A forensic pathologist conducts autopsies to determine the cause and manner of an individual’s death, which is helpful in solving forensic cases and criminal cases and discovering hereditary diseases. They are also responsible for contacting family members or next of kin of the deceased and for presenting their findings or conclusions in court. Although forensic pathology is a vital field in science and law, there is a national deficiency of active forensic pathologists. This may be due to the lack of awareness given to the health and wellness of the workforce, which is at risk in a high stress-inducing work environment. Forensic pathologists are consistently subjected to stress due to overwhelming caseloads and a lack of adequate staffing. While there have been studies conducted in the United States to examine occupational stress and potential coping mechanisms, these reports focus on forensic scientists and not forensic pathologists specifically who may be more likely to develop stress due to their direct work with death. In order to identify what work-related factors cause forensic pathologists the most stress and how have they chosen to cope with their stress, I conducted a survey collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. After completing the study, I identified workload, inadequate staff, dissatisfaction with administration, court processes, and lack of time to complete duties as the most recurring themes of stress, which are supported by the quantitative analysis as well. The coping mechanisms most often mentioned by the participants include exercise, time with family and friends, communicating their stress, complete separation from work, and media use. After identifying these stressor and coping strategies, the participants of the study listed potential practices or programs that could be instated in order to mitigate workplace stress. From this study, suggestions can be made to medical examiner offices that are seeking to improve employee wellness and potentially adopt stress reduction programs in the workplace.

Allostatic load in students, commonly referred to as student burnout, is extremely detrimental to emotional, mental, and physical health. Recent studies are finding an uptick in allostatic load in students, as academic pressures continue to rise. In order to meet the changing needs of students, universities should address the effects of overwhelming academic stress and student burnout. My thesis aimed to provide college campuses with the tools they need to do so, particularly through the implementation of Talking Circles. Talking Circles are structured discussions aimed to address specific issues, problems, or talking points. I had the opportunity to design, create, and facilitate Talking Circles with the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) Chapter at Arizona State University. The focus of these circles were designed to have specific emphasis on reducing allostatic load in ASU’s student population. Thus, the Talking Circle prompts, following the principles of positive psychology, focused on emphasizing individual strengths in regards to handling stress. Through individual participant feedback, students felt “empowered, strengthened, and safe” after participating in the Talking Circles. In addition to facilitating these psychosocial support groups, I created a digital toolkit that allows for easier accessibility and distribution of Talking Circles. This allows for not only more students at ASU to feel ‘empowered and strengthened’ but for college students across the U.S. to have the tools, resources, and access to manage stress and reduce allostatic load.

This narrative literature review explores how perceived stress affects sleep quality in dementia caregivers by examining various factors. Ten studies from 2013 to 2022 across four continents were analyzed, focusing on caregiver stress levels, sleep quality, caregiver burden, and depression. Higher stress levels were linked to poorer sleep quality, alongside factors like emotional distress and disrupted sleep patterns. The findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions to reduce stress and improve sleep quality among dementia caregivers, suggesting the need for longitudinal and empirical studies with standardized measures for a better understanding.