Loss is an inevitable part of life. The actual process of grieving is unique and can be hard to quantify. Grief interventions can address the relationship quality and attachment status between the griever and the deceased and how memories are interpreted and carried into the present and future. This three-essay dissertation explores variations of loss and the factors that contribute to a resilient recovery.

In the US, rural Native American communities (RNACs) experience excess morbidity in mental health disorders and mortality from opioid use disorder (OUD). This study used mixed methods to evaluate and analyze the primary data from 76 healthcare providers (HPs) from 24 states across the US (physicians = 7%), to identify HP knowledge and training regarding available prevention, treatment, and recovery (PTR) programs in treating OUD, assessment and management skills, and networking and collaboration capacity among the RNACs they serve. The HP completed the Opioid Survey for Health Care Providers online. A majority of HPs reported a need for knowledge and training regarding OUD treatments (92%). Less than half of the HPs provide intensive outpatient treatment; 40% contracted out for medication assisted treatment/medications for opioid use disorder (MAT/MOUD) services. Recovery support was low at 33% for adults and 38% for youth. HPs reported use of Narcan to be effective in reversing overdose (87%). Qualitative responses supported survey findings and described barriers, including lack of resources, inadequate staffing, insufficient funding, lack of training and OUD knowledge, stigma, and lack of tribal involvement and support. The study findings indicate HPs' need for information and training about OUD and networking and collaboration of healthcare …

Members of Greek Life organizations consume more alcohol and participate in risky drinking behaviors at higher rate than their non-Greek counterparts due to deep rooted social norms within this population. Undergraduate sorority women at college and universities are often overlooked in research regarding trends in alcohol use in Greek Life organizations. However, women between the ages of 18 and 24 are more vulnerable to the consequences of heavy alcohol use compared to men, including liver disease, sexual assault, poor academic outcomes and post-collegiate alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Although higher education institutions are tasked with educating their students about safe alcohol use and protecting students from harm, these interventions are often inadequate in decreasing alcohol related consequences. Among students, sorority women consistently consume higher amounts of alcohol and exhibit higher rates of risky drinking behavior. This thesis aims to examine the unique alcohol-related consequences and risk factors sorority women face. Implications are discussed to guide college administrators, counselors and other supports that are likely to encounter issues associated with alcohol use within this population.

Mental health is an intrinsic capability that constitute an essential component of healthy aging. Mental health is constituted by positive constructs such as happiness and negative constructs (mental disorders) such as depression. As people grow older, they become more prone to developing mental disorders which are linked to poorer quality of life, increased disability, increased utilization and cost of health services, and higher rates of suicide. This dissertation involved three studies that focused on factors that predict change in mental disorders and happiness of older Americans over a period of five years. Two waves of publicly available national representative data from the National Social Life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) collected in 2010 and 2015 were used. A total of 2210 older adults within the ages 62-90 years were used in the analyses. Mental health measures were CES-Depression scale, HADS anxiety scale, and self-rated happiness. Essay 1 aimed to identify the important aspects of older adults' interaction with their neighborhood that predict the presence of mental disorder and happiness. Essay 2 evaluated the psychosocial factors that predict change in mental disorder and happiness of older adults, whereas essay 3 investigated the multifactorial determinants of change in mental disorder and happiness …