The Sleepazoid study is testing the effectiveness of Mind-Body interventions on mitigating the harmful effects of media on adolescent sleep. Using media in the evening significantly increases the risk for sleep problems. This is because physiological and cognitive arousal increase due to the media use at a time when the body needs to calm itself for sleep. Our Mind-Body intervention decreases state arousal by increasing interoceptive awareness, or being more aware of inner body sensations. If adolescents can better recognize their fatigue and overstimulation during evening media use, they can discontinue their media sooner or switch to less escalating media choices, effectively decreasing state arousal levels before bed. Likewise, the meditation intervention helps intentionally decrease arousal levels after finishing media use and before bedtime. During visits to our lab, study participants (11-14 years old) will play video games while we measure indicators of their arousal levels via Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA). HRV measures heart rhythms and the time between each individual heartbeat. EDA measures the degree to which skin conducts electricity. Prior to the study, the devices were tested with various games to determine which games caused significant differences in an individual's indicators of arousal when they were playing the game, versus when the individual was resting. Our work with game testing included creating a protocol for using the Actiheart and Empatica devices, developing procedures for interns to follow as they tested various games, and compiling data from the devices worn by interns during rest periods followed by gameplay. Our results allowed us to finalize a game list that would be available to study participants during lab visits. Ultimately, if the Mind-Body awareness intervention is effective, we expect our intervention group to recover back to their baseline arousal levels faster than the group without the intervention.

The growing field of disaster resilience research deals with the complex and essential question of how we can prepare for and recover from disruption. Food assistance organizations have the potential to play an essential role in supporting communities after disaster events, especially for low-income residents. The goal of this study is to explore the factors that contribute to the resilience of Seattle’s food assistance organizations. My research will address how these organizations maintain food availability, acceptability, accessibility and stability before, during and after a disaster. I will conduct key informant interviews with representatives from food-assistance organizations, in-person and over the phone. I will sample all food assistance organizations from the Seattle areas of Cedar Park/Meadowbrook, University District and the Duwamish Waterway (South Park, Delridge and High Point). These include food banks and food pantries, meal centers, government assistance programs and school meal programs. To contribute to qualitative trustworthiness, a summary of key points gleaned from the interviews will be sent to all participants after their interview and they will be asked to verify that it represents what they wished to convey. I will analyze the interviews by coding for and synthesizing common themes in the transcripts using Nvivo software. I hypothesize that many of the organizations will cite strategies for maintaining day-to-day food security for their clients with less specific focus on disaster preparedness. I also hypothesize that infrastructure, funding, and food donations will be barriers to resilience while community partnerships, staff and volunteers will be factors contributing to resilience. Results from this project may inform Seattle's disaster planning efforts. 

Latinx individuals feel that mainstream mental health services cannot adequately address their specific needs and that non-Latinx therapists may be insensitive to their psychosocial needs. The Latinx population is a rapidly growing population. In 33 states they account for 58% of the population; in the remaining they account for 7%. As a result of increase in population in the United States, there is an urgent need to understand the Latinx culture and create interventions that are effective for Latinx individuals. Studies reveal barriers around therapists lacking empathy towards Latinx clients, and lack of language metaphors in order to translate mental health diagnosis. To address these gaps, the study aims to discover what are the barriers and needed supports to promote culturally competent care by mental health practitioners serving Latinx communities. This study uses primary data obtained through a quantitative survey from mental health practitioners who are serving or have served Latinx individuals. Chi-square and independent samples t-tests were run to examine bivariate relationships between whether trainings related to cultural competence, humility, and diversity were provided and participant perceptions of cultural competence and understanding of the Latinx culture. A preliminary analysis of 18 participants found no significant differences at the p < .05 level. However, trends suggest practitioners who are provided with training across categories of competence, humility and diversity were likely to report feeling culturally competent. Additionally, no meaningful differences were seen in average ratings of knowledge of the Latinx culture. Preliminary findings suggest trainings are beneficial for practitioners working in mental health within the Latinx community, particularly for facilitating cultural competence but not necessarily for increasing knowledge around the Latinx culture.

Childhood obesity rates in rural Lower Yakima Valley of Washington State are alarming at 67% which is three times that of the state average of 23%. Multi-level interventions focused on increasing nutrition and physical activity among children, their families, schools and the community can help curb obesity rates. Ciclovía is a community event that promotes cycling and physical activity on streets closed to motorized traffic for a day. The purpose of this study was to assess the community's engagement with Ciclovía during two years (2018 to 2019). We defined engagement as attendance and participation in the activities provided at the Ciclovía. We used three assessment tools to evaluate engagement including survey, participants’ observation count, and participants’ activity count. Our findings show an increase in attendance in both children and adults from 2018 to 2019. There were 361 individuals (275 children and 86 adults) in 2018 to 394 individuals (277 children and 117 adults) in 2019. The number of children on wheels (bicycles, scooters, skateboards) increased nearly fourfold from 11 children (in 2018) to 44 children (in 2019). The number of parents on wheels remained mostly the same from 2 (in 2018) to 11 (in 2019). Activities with high engagement of children were corn hole, jump rope, hula hoops, and obstacle courses in both years; approximately 80 percent of children were engaged in these activities. Parents were mostly engaged doing Zumba, aerobics, yoga, and walking. Ciclovía is a community event that promotes physical activity and shows high engagement of rural communities. Future study will examine the adoption of Ciclovía and long term sustainability.

Climate change has the potential to significantly impact how outdoor work is conducted. With an increased prevalence of wildfires, exposure to smoke has been identified as an occupational hazard that needs more research. Washington State has experienced an increase in wildfires and wildfire smoke over the past decade, and the length of wildfire “season” has increased by more than 64% from the years of 1970 to 2003. Nearly half of all workers in Washington are estimated to have some outdoor work during their daily responsibilities. Workers who spend significant amounts of time outside during wildfire smoke events can be exposed to air pollutants in smoke that are associated with a higher rate of mortality, respiratory problems, and other detrimental health issues. This study collected existing public sector policies and analyzed the content for exposure reduction actions for their outdoor workers during wildfire smoke events. We also conducted key informant interviews to elucidate actions taken during a 2018 state-wide wildfire smoke event by supervisors and employees in a county organization that lacked a standard operating procedure or other risk reduction policy. Focus groups were used to understand challenges and barriers to utilize exposure reduction actions with outdoor public sector workers. Findings were translated into a policy template that can be implemented in jurisdictions throughout Washington.