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Publication TREATING MORAL INJURY FOR THE MODERN WARRIOR WITH EAS (EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES)(2025-04-17) Grant, Justin M.; Mahoney, Tara; Decker, Kimberley; Hacker, JessicaMoral Injury (MI) is a profound psychological and spiritual wound resulting from experiences that violate deeply held moral beliefs, often occurring in high-stakes situations involving a betrayal of what is right by a legitimate authority. For American military veterans, MI can stem from combat-related actions such as harming others, witnessing death, or failing to prevent morally distressing events. Left unaddressed, MI can lead to lasting emotional, cognitive, behavioral, spiritual, and social consequences. Equine Assisted Services (EAS) offers a promising approach to addressing MI by leveraging the innate characteristics of horses, which are highly attuned to human emotions and nonverbal cues. Research has demonstrated that equine interactions support emotional regulation and facilitate trust, self-awareness, and connection—key elements in moral repair. The process of moral repair focuses on restoring integrity, addressing grief, making amends, and rebuilding hope and trust. By engaging with horses in a structured and supportive environment, veterans can experience a unique form of nonjudgmental acceptance that fosters healing and resilience. Studies suggest that therapeutic riding and Chaplain-enabled Equine Assisted Activities may be particularly effective in treating MI among veterans, given the significant overlap between MI and PTSD symptoms. Through equine interactions, veterans can reconnect with their values, work through moral dilemmas, and rebuild their sense of self and purpose. This presentation will explore best practices in EAS for treating MI, emphasizing ethical considerations for both horse and human. It will also address the stigma surrounding MI and highlight the importance of expanding awareness and access to collaborative therapeutic interventions for those who have served and still served. By integrating EAS into active duty and veteran care, we can offer a compassionate, effective pathway toward healing, moral reconciliation, and renewed hope for those affected by the invisible wounds of war.Publication DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ITS LONG-LASTING IMPACT ON WOMEN’S HEALTH(2023-04-20) Helwig, Shelby; Wagner, AlexisDomestic violence (DV), also known as intimate partner violence, is experienced by many women. In fact, 1 in 7 Maine women report abuse from their intimate partners. In this research, I conducted a literature review to investigate the types of DV and how each impacts women’s mental health. I investigated this research question in two ways: (1) I examined published studies regarding DV and how it impacts the victims involved and (2) I determined if there is a correlation between abuse and long-lasting mental health problems. I searched for relevant articles on DV, domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and mental health. I selected eight representative articles published between 2002 – 2021 in journals such as Partner Abuse, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Violence Against Women, and Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. All of these articles demonstrated that women who are abused currently or have previously been in an abusive relationship are negatively impacted mentally, emotionally, and financially. Women can experience many forms of abuse: physical, mental, emotional, and financial. Victims of each type of domestic abuse reported high rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms with suicide attempts being three times higher in intimate partner violence survivors. Even further, DV impacts women’s physical health and many women are murdered by current or ex intimate partners. 40% of women who are murdered are killed by intimate partners and, in Maine, 43% of all murders are DV homicides. Moving forward, It is critical that healthcare and other organizations develop strategies to recognize the red flags of abuse and help protect women from their abusive situation before it escalates even further. In Maine, programs that can address a higher volume of victims with a focus on women scared to report could assist with the epidemic of DV.Publication THE STRESS IMPACTS OF RELOCATION ON ELDERLY(2023-04-20) Helwig, Shelby; Blackie, TeaganMoving into an assisted living facility can be a challenge and also place stress on the elderly, their caregivers, and their families. Specific stressors that the elderly face when moving into an assisted living facility include fear of losing family, memory, physical mobility, and freedom. I conducted a literature review to investigate how the stress of moving into an assisted living facility impacts an elder’s mental and physical health. I investigated this research question from multiple perspectives including the staff, family, and the elderly. I looked for articles that focused on moving into an assisted living facility, what the signs of depression and other mental health issues are in elderly, and what impact this move has on the family. I identified eight research articles published between 1995-2019 in journals such as Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, and Aging and Mental Health. These articles identified multiple pathways between elders moving into a long term care facility and stress. From a family perspective, family members were surprised and felt a sense of guilt when placing their elders into a home. From a staff perspective, burnout is prevalent due to overwork and understaffing. Unfortunately, families’ guilt and staff’s burnout can increase stress experienced by the elders in the care facilities. Additionally, stress driven by uncertainty, unfamiliarity, the fear of aging, as well as health and cognitive decline are related to greater stress during a transition to a care facility. When completing this literature review, I had a hard time finding articles that directly addressed the impact of transitioning into a care facility. The elderly population is growing and needs to be taken care of, thus, it is important for researchers to further research on this issue.