The Whill Model Ci Personal EV is an innovative mobility device designed to provide independence to individuals who have difficulty walking unassisted. Equipped with features such as remote Bluetooth driving, disassembly for vehicle transport, and patented omni-wheels, the Model Ci’s modern design addresses many of the shortcomings synonymous with traditional power wheelchairs. Despite these improvements, there remain several usability with the wheelchair’s functionality, specifically for transportation use. The present study used heuristic evaluation methods to identify the scope and severity of usability problems within the Model Ci system. Fourteen tasks were chosen and performed by an independent evaluator to simulate actions that users of the device should be able to complete independently. Issues with workflow and individual design elements were identified using Shneiderman’s Eight Golden Rules and Nielsen’s Heuristics. Individual violations of these design principles were ranked as either cosmetic, minor, major, or catastrophic per the Nielsen’s Severity Rating Scale. These analyses identified one catastrophic, four major, seven minor, and two cosmetic usability issues within the Model Ci system. Any design issues affecting usability of a wheelchair pose a serious risk to the device’s primary stakeholders as targeted users already have mobility limitations, and are significantly more likely to have secondary and tertiary health conditions when compared to the average adult. Findings from these analyses will help engineers and designers to better understand the Model Ci’s ability to facilitate user task success, which will best inform future improvements to the system.

The purpose of this research is to understand the relationships among sexual assault occurring in adolescence, past year sexual assault, and current hazardous alcohol use in a mixed gender sample of individuals identifying as bisexual (bi+). Extensive past research with predominately heterosexual women has documented sexual assault in adolescence is a risk factor for sexual assault as a young adult, and a history of sexual assault is associated with high rates of hazardous drinking. Less is known about these relationships in the bi+ community. Rothman, Exner, and Baughman (2011) examined 75 studies of the prevalence of sexual assault within lesbian and bisexual women and found that between 15.6% and 85% reported sexual assault. Shokoohi et. al (2022), examined evidence on alcohol use among bi+ people and found that 30% of bi+ people drank heavily compared to 21.3% among heterosexual individuals. The current study comprised a sample of 192 bi+ young adults. Data were collected through Qualtrics Panel. Sexual assault in adolescence (since age 14 until one year ago) and past year sexual assault were evaluated with the Sexual Experiences Survey-Victimization Form. Current hazardous drinking was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Test. Based on research with heterosexual women, we hypothesized sexual assault in adolescence would be a risk factor for past year sexual assault, and any history of sexual assault would be associated with higher rates of hazardous drinking in a bi+ sample. Preliminary results were consistent with these predictions.

Black mental health providers navigate disproportionate burdens when working with clients from marginalized groups. Job burnout is prevalent amongst mental health providers with casework overload and can be remedied with burnout interventions. Emotional exhaustion is the result of constant chronic stress and is harmful to providers and their clients (McCormack et al., 2018). Secondary trauma and compassion fatigue can arise when working with clients who navigate racism and adversity. Exposure occurs firsthand through retelling a traumatic experience and risks detachment and burnout. This study investigates whether a mindfulness intervention addresses the disproportionate burden by reducing secondary trauma and compassion fatigue while enhancing mental health providers' well-being. A standardized questionnaire investigates the effects of a group-based mindfulness intervention provided within a practice of Black mental health providers to assess secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and well-being prior to, immediately after, and three months following the intervention. Well-being is conceptualized as enhancing four core skills: awareness, connection, insight, and a sense of purpose (Dahl, Wilson-Mendenhall, & Davidson, 2020). It is crucial to investigate whether a mindfulness intervention for mental health providers supports their ability to learn more about themselves, provide adequate care for black clients who have experienced severe trauma, and improve ways to reduce internalizing trauma related to racism or other adversities. These potential findings can enhance mental health providers' knowledge of culturally accessible interventions to support the well-being of themselves and Black people.

Intergenerational trauma (IGT) is broadly defined as the process by which trauma experienced in one generation is passed onto subsequent generations. Notably, children that have experienced IGT have been shown to experience increased risk for problems in social, emotional, and behavioral functioning across the lifespan. Moreover, Latinx populations are particularly at risk for IGT due to the common history of political violence, migration trauma, and socio-political discrimination. Despite the increased risk for IGT and importance of early intervention, research has yet to systematically review the effects of IGT on Latinx children. The current study conducted a systematic research synthesis (SRS) to locate and synthesize the state-of-the-science on IGT among Latinxs children. A SRS was conducted using key search terms within PsycInfo. A careful review of the search result titles, abstracts, and full articles revealed 5 published works fit the current study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. Overall, findings indicated that IGT had a negative impact on Latinx children. Latinx children that experienced IGT were commonly found to be at risk for post-traumatic stress symptoms, disorganized attachment style, anxiety, and depression. The current study identified the need for further research that includes larger samples, reports from multiple family members that include fathers and extended family members, and inclusion of monolingual Spanish speakers. Longitudinal research design is also needed to explore the effects of IGT across the lifespan. Finally, future research should focus on the development and testing of prevention and intervention based strategies to promote the wellbeing of Latinx children exposed to IGT.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the rise of worldwide mental health illnesses among different populations. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities have experienced disproportionate physical and mental health impacts during the pandemic. The current study aims to review the existing literature on mental health changes among BIPOC young adult populations during the pandemic. Findings from this study may shed light on necessary psychological interventions and treatment modalities (e.g., telemedicine/teletherapy) to promote mental well-being among BIPOC young adults since the COVID-19 onset.

Background: Mental health service utilization is important for maintaining mental health well-being. However, there are racial and gender disparities in mental health service utilization rates among African American adults. This study sought to answer three research questions related to gender differences in (1) utilization of mental health services, (2) perceptions reducing utilization of mental health services, and (3) barriers limiting mental health service utilization. Methods: African Americans females (6.57%) and African American males (5.57%) were drawn from a weighted sample (N=69,007) from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Chi-square analysis was used to determine whether African American males differ from females in mental health utilization, (examples, outpatient treatment at mental health clinic, received inpatient mental health treatment) mental health service perception, (examples, didn’t think mental health services were needed, didn’t think mental health service would help) and barriers limiting utilization of mental health resources (examples, did not have transportation, not enough health insurance coverage for mental health service). Results: Preliminary findings suggest that there are gender differences in mental health utilization, and barriers limiting utilization of mental health services. Conclusions: Findings suggest a continuing need to examine gender differences in mental health utilization among African Americans. Examining gender differences within cultural groups can be useful to determine what factors contribute to seeking mental health services. Future research should further examine perception of mental health services and other factors such as socioeconomic status, beliefs, and sexual identity among African Americans.

According to the World Health Organization, 10% of pregnant women and 13% of recent mothers suffer from adverse mental health, particularly depression. The pregnancy process is an already tumultuous experience as mothers undergo many physical and psychological changes, so the addition of other prenatal stressors like limited resources that disproportionately affect low-income mothers can further negatively impact maternal mental health, birth outcomes, and an infant's cognitive and emotional development. The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of maternal mental health on low-income mothers and children and how mindfulness can be a potential tool of intervention. I carried out a literature review using preliminary outcomes of an ongoing, longitudinal study examining maternal well-being following a mindfulness-based intervention among low-income new mothers with data acquired from the New Moms Connect Lab. Early findings show prenatal mindfulness resulted in lower depression and lower anxiety caused by pregnancy; however, its effects were not long-term. Postnatal mindfulness did not yield conclusive results due to lower attendance. Social-Emotional Attunement (SEACAP) resulted in reduced depression in comparison to all three. Overall, mindfulness practices reduced maternal stress more than the control group. Research is still ongoing, and more data is still being collected regarding the long-term effects of postnatal mindfulness. This research is important as it provides data on the maternal health of low-income mothers who have been grossly underrepresented in previous similar research. These findings also indicate the potential benefits of mindfulness programs geared towards serving low-income communities.