Hispanic/Latina women in the U.S. face a 36% higher incidence of cervical cancer than non-Hispanic White women but have lower screening rates (69% vs. 80%). In May 2025, the FDA approved the first at-home cervical cancer screening kit, which may help reduce barriers to screening such as financial concerns and low trust in healthcare. However, it remains unknown whether Hispanic/Latina women who face these barriers prefer at-home vs. clinic-based screening. To test whether financial concerns, trust in doctors, and/or trust in the healthcare system predict preference for at-home vs. clinic-based cervical cancer screening among Hispanic/Latina women. We used a subsample (n=367) of Hispanic/Latina women aged 21–65 from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) Cycle 7. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to test whether financial concerns, trust in doctors, and trust in the healthcare system predicted preference for at-home screening, controlling for income and insurance. Higher levels of financial concerns were significantly associated with greater odds of preferring an at-home cervical cancer screening test (OR=1.63, p=.050, 95% CI [1.00, 2.66]). Trust in doctors and trust in the healthcare system were not significantly associated with screening preference (all p > .270). Financial concerns predicted preference for at-home screening among Hispanic/Latina women, suggesting that structural or financial barriers may shape screening decisions. As at-home tests become more available, ensuring affordability and insurance coverage will be key to reducing screening disparities.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are acknowledged as substantial risk factors for a range of long-term detrimental physical, psychological, and social outcomes in adulthood, in addition to overall well-being and functioning. When an individual is exposed to ACEs, which are various prolonged traumatic events, they are more susceptible to disruption of neurodevelopment that can lead to long-term cognitive impairment; thus increasing vulnerability to emotional and cognitive dysregulation in adulthood. Evidence suggests that individuals who are exposed to ACEs are more likely to be less mentally resilient and use maladaptive strategies to cope with stress. This literature review explores the link between exposure to ACEs and individuals’ particular strategies to cope with stress and their resilience levels in adulthood. We hope to show that distinct interventions, such as having supportive relationships, access to therapy, and learning effective problem-solving skills can positively impact resilience levels and alleviate long-term consequences of ACEs, thus promoting resilience despite childhood trauma.

Mental health challenges among young teens is a widespread concern. During early adolescence, youth shift through developmental stages like social and biological changes. This plays a significant role in negative behavior, mental health, and decision making. While this is normal due to age and oftentimes just requires time and maturity for improvement, for others it may not be so simple. It is important to notice the difference between age related behavioral and mental health problems to individuals who may be lacking the support at home and in need of intervention. While a wide range of at-home factors can play a role on young teens mental health and behavioral trajectory, this study focuses on youth in their early teens and the presence or absence of a father figure and how this affects young teens mental health and internalizing symptoms. Data for this study was collected from the Secure Families Project where students took part in a preventative program that addresses violence in marginalized communities. Youth filled out self reported surveys where they were asked questions about their home environment, school experience, and internalizing symptoms. For this study, home environment, specifically father figure presence and internalizing symptoms were evaluated. By comparing internalizing symptoms and youth with and without a father figure, this study aims to determine whether father absence correlates with increased mental health problems. Findings have implications for school professionals who play important roles in early intervention. Ultimately, this research seeks to enhance understanding of family influence on youths mental health.

It was once believed that the brain was exempt from immune activation. However, as research has advanced, we now know that could not be further from the truth. The brain has unique immune cells, and typical immune cells and proteins have been shown to have functions in normal development. The line between regular and potentially lethal immune activity is thin; the brain is as fragile as it is essential, and neuronal death cannot be fixed. Autoimmune encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused by immune cells attacking host cells. The symptomatology depends on which part of the brain is being attacked, but one common theme is the need for urgent treatment. Even if a patient survives encephalitis, later treatment strongly correlates with long-term deficits. This literature review investigates some forms of autoimmune encephalitis and methods for professionals to diagnose and treat patients as fast as possible while still being accurate. Different conditions respond differently to frontline treatments, if they respond at all, and antigen testing can be slow, so it highlights ways to differentiate between conditions without antigen testing, allowing doctors to start treatment faster while they wait for test results to confirm the diagnosis.

At the age of 15, I lost my mother to complications from diabetes. Today, I watch my younger brother, who also lives with type 1 diabetes, struggle to manage his health while facing severe anxiety, depression, and addiction. These deeply personal experiences have ignited my commitment to understanding the relationship between mental health and diabetes management. This research explores how mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety, affect the daily lives and self-care practices of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Existing studies show that psychological distress can significantly impair motivation, treatment adherence, and health outcomes. For many, the emotional weight of the disease is as burdensome as its physical demands. (Fisher, 2014) By combining research with my own lived experiences, this project brings attention to the need for care that treats both the emotional and physical sides of diabetes. As someone pursuing a career in social work, I believe it’s important to advocate for support systems that recognize how mental health impacts self-care. My goal is to help individuals and families better manage the daily challenges of diabetes with compassion, understanding, and access to the right resources.

Situationships, a term that emerged in the early 2000s, are characterized by ambiguity in emotional and romantic commitment. These relationships blur the lines between casual and committed, often featuring emotional intimacy without defined labels. However, there is a paucity of research on this emerging relationship structure within queer communities. Research on hookup culture, a more well researched sector of casual relationships, posits that casual relationships within the queer community operate differently from heterosexual relationships, and present distinct, positive outcomes such as lower minority stress (Jaffe et al., 2021; Kampler, 2022). Few studies look at associations between these casual relationships and other outcomes such as body image and sexual well-being. Body image literature regarding the LGBTQ+ community, in particular, has focused primarily on body image dissatisfaction (Dahlenburg et al., 2020; Muzi et al., 2023) and its negative impacts (Bajada et al., 2024), as opposed to relationship type and sexual self-esteem. Drawing from data from a larger mixed-methods comprehensive survey, this study examines the relationship between situationships, body-image, and sexual self-esteem, and also whether these relationships are different when comparing queer and heterosexual persons.