Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Project – Full Written

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Committee Chair

Tiffany Stewart

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, disproportionately affecting women, particularly those in rural communities with limited access to care. Many women experience perinatal, postpartum, or generalized anxiety, often suffering in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate mental health education. This project focused on increasing awareness and understanding of anxiety disorders among women in rural Randolph County, North Carolina. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess the scope of anxiety disorders in women, identify community education needs, and explore evidence-based interventions. Ten relevant studies were analyzed, including randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, and mixed-method designs. Despite small sample sizes, findings consistently demonstrated that digital and community-based educational interventions improved mental health literacy and support-seeking behavior. Building on this evidence, the project proposed a mobile app platform and community-based outreach through postpartum classes, church groups, and mothers’ groups to increase access and engagement. The intervention successfully improved participants' knowledge of anxiety and awareness of local resources. Continued efforts, in collaboration with stakeholders, are vital to addressing the mental health disparities experienced by rural women and improving long-term outcomes for individuals and families.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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