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In the Eyes of the Beast: Exploring the use of Animal Assisted Psychotherapies in the Treatment of Trauma
No full textTrauma profoundly impacts emotional regulation, relational safety, and somatic awareness, often presenting significant barriers to therapeutic engagement. Traditional trauma treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and psychodynamic approaches, may fall short for clients who struggle with verbal communication, body awareness, or interpersonal trust. This theoretical, literature-based thesis explores Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy (AAP) as a trauma-informed intervention that engages clients through non-verbal, embodied, and relational mechanisms. Drawing on Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory (PVT), and Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles, the thesis examines how the human–animal bond (HAB) supports co-regulation, emotional safety, and resilience in therapeutic settings. The presence of animals is proposed to facilitate bottom-up regulation, enhance therapeutic alliance, and activate neurobiological processes such as oxytocin release and parasympathetic engagement. Key mechanisms of change, including non-verbal communication, co-regulation, and somatic engagement, are examined as foundational elements in the treatment of developmental and complex trauma. The thesis also explores how AAP complements existing modalities, considers ethical and practical implications, and highlights examples of AAP in practice across Irish and international contexts. By synthesising insights from psychology, neuroscience, and human–animal interaction research, this study contributes a conceptual framework for understanding AAP’s potential role in trauma recovery and offers recommendations for future clinical integration and research development
Psychotherapists' Experiences in Working with Autistic Clients: Insights and Implications for Practice
No full textThis study explores psychotherapists' experiences of supporting autistic adults and identifies gaps in autism-specific training within psychotherapy education. Five therapists from Ireland and the United Kingdom were interviewed using a qualitative, reflexive thematic analysis. Five key themes emerged: training gaps and learning through experience, challenges in differentiating autism from co-occurring conditions, the need for adapted communication and sensory environments, affirming authentic autistic identities, and adapting traditional therapy models. The findings reveal that many therapists are required to self-educate and adapt traditional approaches to meet autistic clients' needs. Participants emphasised the importance of flexible, client-led, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. The study contributes to a growing movement advocating for systemic changes in therapist education and practice to better support autistic individuals and create more inclusive, empowering therapeutic environments
An Exploration of the Role and Value of Mandatory Personal Therapy in the Training and Formation of Irish Psychotherapists
No full textThis qualitative study explores the role and value of mandatory personal therapy (MPT) in psychotherapy training in Ireland, against the backdrop of CORU's proposed regulatory changes, which consider the removal of personal therapy as a training requirement. Through semi-structured interviews with five qualified psychotherapists trained in Humanistic/Integrative modalities, the research examines how MPT was experienced and understood during their training. Using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis, four interconnected themes were identified: personal therapy as a motivating factor; its containing function during emotionally demanding training; its role in helping trainees understand the therapeutic process from the client's perspective; and its position as a systemic safeguard for both client and trainee wellbeing. Findings suggest that participants viewed MPT as an essential and irreplaceable part of their development, offering unique benefits not replicated by supervision or group work. The study raises concerns about institutional over-reliance on personal therapy to contain emotional challenges, and questions how future regulations will ensure equivalent developmental support. While limited by sample size and scope, the research contributes to wider debates on ethics, autonomy, and training standards, advocating for greater systemic responsibility in supporting trainee therapists beyond the requirement for personal therapy alone
Exploring the Predictive Power of Trading Volume on Stock Price Movements
No full textThis study examines whether trading volume significantly contributes to the predictive accuracy of stock price forecasting models. Trading volume is often viewed as a proxy for liquidity and sentiment, yet its independent predictive value remains unclear. Using daily S&P 500 index data from 2010 to 2025, three experimental datasets were constructed: a Volume-Only dataset, a Price-Only dataset, and a combined dataset with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) applied. Four machine learning algorithms—Random Forest, Support Vector Regression (SVR), XGBoost, and LightGBM—were tested under a leakage-free chronological split.
Results show that trading volume alone had no predictive power, with models yielding negative R² values. Price-only models performed strongly, with SVR achieving R² = 0.8770, confirming the persistence of stock prices as the dominant predictor. Adding volume did not improve accuracy, and in some cases reduced performance. PCA confirmed that volume represented an independent but weak component.
The results indicate that trading volume adds very little supplementary information, but historical prices remain the primary factors of forecasting accuracy
Exploring Gen Z Preferences for Hybrid Versus In-Office Work in Early Career Roles
No full textThis study analysed the workplace preferences of Generation Z employees, focusing on hybrid versus in-office work models, and explored the impact of intrinsic motivation, relational support, and organisational alignment on engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Early-career Gen Z individuals were surveyed through the utilisation of a structured survey to obtain insights into their experiences and expectations regarding hybrid work environments. The results demonstrate a pronounced inclination towards hybrid models that integrate autonomy with structured in-person interaction, mentorship, and constructive feedback. Intrinsic motivators, including autonomy, purpose, and competence, were key drivers of engagement, but relational support and alignment with organisational values augmented satisfaction and commitment. Challenges associated with reduced informal interactions and ambiguous work-life boundaries were also identified. The study concludes that organisations can effectively attract, retain, and engage Generation Z by adopting flexible hybrid arrangements that prioritise psychological safety, relational support, and cultural alignment, thus promoting well-being, motivation, and long-term organisational loyalty
Role of Digitalization in Improving the Business Performance of the Indian Retail Market
No full textThis paper aims at assessing the effects of digitalization in the Indian retail industry in terms of business performance, cost cutting, and customer relations. Based on survey and literature review, the study identifies various advantages of such technologies as AI, cloud, and digital marketing. The results also showed that more than half of the respondents have found the improvements in the supply chain management and inventory control; while 83.7% of the respondents have gain better customers acquisition by the digital marketing. The study also reveals some of the challenges that include integration issues, high initial input, and digital literacy that is a major problem to SMEs. Some of the recommendations for businesses include; A cost-effective way of adopting technology, training of the workforce and a slow integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence and the omnichannel strategy. The government is encouraged to encourage use of the technology through provision of subsidies, enhancement of infrastructure and support of skill development programs. This research enlightens theories such as TAM and TOE and provides suggestions to businesses and policymakers to enhance the pace of digitization and achieve sustainable development
Optimizing Supply Chain Resilience in the Indian Construction Industry: Strategies and Challenges
No full textConstruction industry in India has significant significance in the economy but it involves many risks owing to long and complicated supply chain. Such risks are worse off by natural disasters, fluctuations in regulations, restricted funding, and technological fluctuations. This study aims at establishing measures that can enhance supply chain resilience (SCR) in medium sized construction firms in India. With a quantitative research paradigm, data was generated from structured questionnaires from the supply chain respondents and the data was analysed in terms of resilience practices and challenges. Management techniques such as supplier diversification, technology, inventory and stakeholder management have been found to minimize disruption of supply chain. However, constraints like inadequate funding, scarcity of expert staff and suboptimal leverage of technology slows down the realization of these strategies. The study implies the necessity of finding local strategies for development, including regional supplier networks and cheap technologies
Mapping the growth of workplace mindfulness research for work-related stress: A bibliometric analysis of trends, key authors, and leading institutions (2004-2024)
No full textObjective: This paper investigates the existing scholarly literature on mindfulness-based programs implemented within organisations to address work-related stress. It seeks to offer a thorough understanding of the research landscape by analysing publication trends, citation patterns, and prominent research institutions. The paper also discusses the top 10 globally cited documents.
Methods: Bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science (WOS) database. A robust search string was developed, incorporating keywords related to mindfulness practices and work-related stress. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established. Publication data, authorship information, and keywords were extracted from the retrieved articles.
Results: 1092 documents published between 01st January 2004 to 14th June 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) database. The results were imported to Biblioshiny, a tool to analyse and visualise bibliographic data. The result revealed that the annual growth rate of research on the topic is 19.28%. Mindfulness Journal is the most locally cited source, with 2159 local citations. Monash University of Australia tops the list of most relevant affiliations. The United States of America is the country with the highest number of scientific productions, corresponding authors, and documents with the highest citations.
Conclusion: The number of publications on mindfulness in workplaces has grown. However, more research articles in Business and Management journals that combine mindfulness, stress and organisations are necessary to comprehend the diverse aspects and precursors of mindfulness practice in workplaces
Analysis of the impact of CSR practices on sustainable supply chain management in the Irish Fashion Industry
No full textThis research examines Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices as an enabler of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the fashion industry in Ireland. A quantitative approach was taken with an online survey sent to 100 relevant practitioners and subsequently analysed in SPSS. The findings demonstrate a relationship between strategic CSR and improvements in supply chain sustainability. However, it is still constrained by legal, financial, and informational obstacles. Leadership commitment, institutional supports and collaboration with stakeholders remain the primary enabler. This study concludes with the recommendation to consider CSR as part of the core business as it can positively affect environmental and social performance; it also highlights a need for increased policy attention to assist Irish SMEs' sustainability efforts to align with existing and evolving EU sustainability policies and legislation
Transcendence through Talking
No full textThis research thesis examines the integration of spirituality into psychotherapy with a specific focus on the Irish context. Through critical engagement with existing literature, the study addresses three key objectives: (1) to examine the key conceptual and historical foundations of spirituality in psychotherapy, (2) to assess client preferences and therapists' challenges concerning integration, and (3) to evaluate U.S informed frameworks and competence models and their applicability to Irish clinical practice. The thesis findings suggest that while there is wide support for the integration of spirituality into psychotherapy, significant challenges persist, including ethical questions, ambiguity regarding definitions, and the lack of culturally informed training in Ireland. The study concludes by recommending empirical research, the development of location-specific competencies, and cross-discipline dialogue to enable psychotherapy to respond to spiritual questioning with cultural sensitivity and competence. Keywords: spirituality, psychotherapy, Ireland, United States, spiritual, competence, training, ethics, bias, challenges, professional bodie