Stress & Health Science
Jordan Scott, Jordan_Scott4@baylor.edu
Baylor University, with Dr. Stephanie K. Jones
Public Health
Suicidal Ideation, Unsafe School Environment, Technology Usage, and Depression in Relation to Substance Usage
Suicidal ideation, feeling unsafe at school, amount of technology usage, and depression are correlated to increase substance use among adolescents in Texas compared to the United States. Substance use is a major public health concern in the United States and understanding the factors associated with use in adolescents may help lower rates of alcoholism in adulthood. Furthermore, the impairments caused by substance use on the development of the brain is well documented in the literature. A comprehensive literature review was conducted prior to data analysis. Following the literature review, SAS 9.4 was used to analyze data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey at the Texas state level and nationally. Results are still being assessed and future areas of research are still being hypothesized.
Rosaura Hernandez, rosaura.hernandez@students.tamuk.edu
Texas A&M University Kingsville, with Dr. Robert Luckett
Social Work
Human-Animal Bonds; An Observational Study on the Relationship in Stress Levels Based on the Perspective of People Who Have Companion Pets
The purpose of this study was to identify the differences in stress levels based on the perspective of people living in the United States regarding human-animal bonds. The aim of this research was to investigate gaps in human-animal bond implementation into the social work profession. Human-animal bonds form between animals and humans through natural or ongoing interactions. The researchers conducted an online survey, shared through social media platforms, and distributed paper flyers amongst adults. Using a Likert survey design, a quantitative measure was assigned to each question, ranking the participants’ experience in stress levels before and after bonding with their companion pets. The researchers hypothesized the aspect of implementing human-animal bond into the social work field as a strength-based tool could aid clients therapeutically as a supplemental component towards an established treatment plan. Relying on memory and self-report, the researchers found statistically significant differences in stress levels correlated to human-animal bonds and stress levels. Participants experienced lower stress levels after bonding with their companion pets, and reported an increase of stress levels if they did not have companion pets. The researchers identified key areas on the implementation of human-animal bond interventions lacking in social work practice. Universities and institutions could be interested in the data collected from the research for the consideration of applying the subject of human-animal bond as an interdisciplinary study in social work programs. Such application could include elective courses in the universities, to better prepare students in applying systematic approaches into the field.