UH Manoa Nursing Researchers Highlight Critical Issues at State Capitol
From mental health and houselessness to nurse burnout and cybersecurity, University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH) researchers took center stage at Research Day at the State Capitol, an annual event that connects scholars with legislators and the public. This year’s theme, “UH Manoa Research and Creative Works for the Well-being of Current and Future Generations,” showcased the university’s role in addressing Hawaii’s most pressing challenges.
Among the presenters was SONDH Assistant Professor Samia Valeria Ozorio Dutra, whose research, “Native Hawaiian Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategies,” examined the psychological factors behind houselessness and mental illness in Hawaii. In collaboration with Dr. Christopher Knightsbridge, Dr. Ruben Juarez, and Dr. Alika Maunakea, the project helps promote the well-being of current and future generations of Native Hawaiians by understanding the psychological factors behind houselessness and mental illness in Hawaii, identifying barriers to treatment, and exploring services to improve or prevent these issues. One key takeaway: Suicide rates often spike up to two years after a natural disaster, a sobering reality as the state nears the two-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires.
Also presenting was SONDH Assistant Professor Frankie B. Hale, whose research, “Factors Contributing to Well-being Among Hawaii’s Hospital-Based Nurses,” explored how organizational and individual factors impact nurse well-being. With burnout, stress, and anxiety still at crisis levels post-pandemic, the study underscored the need for targeted interventions that address both workplace conditions and personal resilience strategies.
Beyond sharing their own work, both researchers took time to explore other presentations. Dr. Dutra was drawn to a live cybersecurity demonstration mapping real-time web threats, while Dr. Hale was particularly interested in research on climate change.