104 research outputs found
“I’M GLAD YOU\u27RE ALIVE.” SURVIVORS’ STORIES OF LEAVING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE WHILE BRAIN INJURED, AND THE EMBODIED EXPERIENCE OF REBUILDING LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS POST VIOLENCE.
No full textRelationships are a fundamental part of the human experience, providing a buffer against stress and helping individuals live longer, happier, and healthier lives. However, survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) who have experienced a brain injury (BI) encounter barriers to leaving violent relationships and engaging in new, non-violent connections. This qualitative research study drew from Indigenous and non-Indigenous methodologies to establish a blueprint for using storytelling in the IPV-BI population. Intersectionality theory, combined with critical disability theory, was employed as a transformative research paradigm to better analyze and explain the stories. Survivors encountered fear, trust concerns, continued violence from former partners, and chronic medical challenges inflicted during the violent relationship. Past research highlights that the individual challenges of IPV and BI for survivors are magnified when the two intersect; therefore, IPV-BI should be considered as its own unique and new identity. This study demonstrates that social supports are vital to leaving violent relationships and are integral in rebuilding a survivor’s romantic and non-romantic life after violence. Unfortunately, the study also highlights that current institutional policies and practices are not supportive of survivors, but survivors nevertheless engaged in thriving relationships post-violence. As a powerful counter-silencing tool, this research provided space for survivors’ stories to be heard, and it contributes to the IPV-BI literature by exploring how survivors engage in new relationships post-violence. As essential knowledge for researchers, policymakers, frontline staff, and the community at large, this study improves our understanding of how survivors engage in relationships post-violence, and augments support strategies using a trauma-informed, survivor-centred approach. Moving forward, this research offers an alternative narrative that allows for the possibility of thriving connections and a sense of hope for survivors who are afraid to engage in new relationships
'Making its own history': New Zealand historical fiction for children,1862-2008
No full textThis thesis considers historical fiction for children and young people dealing with New Zealand history from the arrival of the first Polynesian settlers to the end of the nineteenth century. It provides both a comprehensive survey of historical novels published between 1862 and the end of 2008, and an analysis of the way the same historical events and periods have been depicted in historical novels written at different times. Individual chapters discuss books set during specific historical periods or dealing with particular events - the pre-European period, early contact, nineteenth century immigration, the New Zealand Wars, the gold rushes, and the colonial period - in chronological order of publication. Since children's literature is particularly adept at reflecting and promoting the dominant ideas of the society in which it is produced, the chronological consideration of these texts reveals contemporary attitudes to such issues as race relations, gender roles, class, war and conflict, and concepts of national identity, as well as the way historical fiction has responded to societal changes since the 1860s.
The predominant themes of historical fiction set prior to 1900 are: the arrival of settlers in New Zealand; encounters with the country's indigenous inhabitants; the taming of the often hostile landscape; the assertion of the settlers' claims to 'belong' in their new land; and the establishment of New Zealand as a nation with distinctive characteristics. There are perceptible nuances and differences in the way these themes are discussed depending on the historical moment in which individual authors are writing. Novels of the Victorian period and early twentieth century reflect the imperialistic and evangelistic ethos of the time, and present the British settlers' right to colonize the land and the ensuing dispossession of Māori as largely unproblematic. Subsequent historical novels, particularly those written since the 1960s, offer a more inclusive version of New Zealand history, although the lack of historical fiction for children by Māori writers means that Eurocentric views of history continue to dominate, and that all representations of Māori and their history are mediated through Pakeha writers.
Shifts in social attitudes have resulted in changes in the treatment of Māori in historical novels for children, and similar changes have occurred in the portrayal of gender, class, and ethnicity. The passage of time has seen increased agency and a wider variety of roles allocated to Māori, female and working class characters, as well as greater ethnic diversity. Developments in New Zealand historiography are also reflected in fiction, although at times historical fiction prefigures written histories, or provides alternative views by depicting the experience of women, children and Māori, who often did not feature in conventional histories. While many historical novels for children, especially the earlier texts, are adventure stories set in the past and are not necessarily concerned with historical verisimilitude, an increasing number attempt to present authentic recreations of historical periods, including accounts of actual people and events, based on extensive research, and reinforced with peritextual material in the form of historical notes, bibliographies, maps and photographs.
The role of New Zealand historical fiction for children and young people has been not only to entertain young readers and inform them about their country's past, but to create and foster a sense of national identity
The relationship between depression and self-mutilation in adolescence
No full textPlan BThe importance of the relationship between depression and self-mutilation in the adolescent population is becoming more apparent. Analysis of these two variables demonstrates that they are correlated with one another in the adolescent population. The present study examines the relationship between depression and self-mutilation. Two scales, the Beck Depression Inventory II (Beck, 1996) and the Self-Harm Survey (Conterio, Lader, & Bloom, 1998) were administered to participants and the scores were correlated to determine whether a relationship existed between the two variables. Participants were residents from a residential treatment center for adolescents. Data analysis using Pearson’s r correlation coefficients were used to determine if there was a positive correlation between depression and self-mutilation. The t-test for independent means was utilized to determine if there was a difference between gender and self-mutilation, age and self-mutilation, as well as length of stay in the residential treatment facility and self-mutilation. The means and standard deviations were also determined for these variables. Statistical differences were indicated based on these findings. Implications of this study as well as recommendations for future studies on depression and self-mutilation were discussed in detail
The social determinants of health and the rural Hispanic community of west Texas
No full textOver the past 10 years there has been increasing interest concerning the social determinants of health, many researchers are starting to examine its influence and effects on health perceptions, health outcomes, and health disparities. Yet, limited information is known on how these social determinants of health affect diverse population groups in the U.S. who are at-risk for chronic illnesses.
The purpose of this pilot study was to provide foundational work for future studies on SDOH and diverse populations, by administering a survey that sought knowledge on how a group of rural Hispanics in west Texas discuss, access, and perceive information about health and being healthy in their communities.
Results from this study revealed, that although rural Hispanics in west Texas in this study are at risk for chronic illnesses, this population engages in conversations about health, they want to be healthy, and believe health is important, but lack the adequate resources that teach them about health. Furthermore, in this study the researcher discovered that women in this study play a pertinent role in the decision making of food choice and food consumption in their communities.
Future research interested in SDOH and health disparities in diverse populations should conduct further fuller studies by addressing at least 5 questions from each of the SDOH areas. In addition, more message effects questions should be asked that draw from communication-based theories such as framing and narrative.Embargo status: Restricted to TTU community only. To view, login with your eRaider (top right). Others may request the author grant access exception by clicking on the PDF link to the left
The urban environment : agendas and problems
No full textThe United Nations estimate that by 2025 there will be around 5 billion people living in urban areas, more than the total world population 20 years ago. Currently, the developed nations are the most urbanised with, on average around three-quarters of their population living in cities, but this is changing. Increased levels of economic growth, of migration, of population expansion and, in some cases, of unprecedented industrial growth, mean that Asia and Africa will be the regions most radically affected by urban development over the next twenty years. Increasing debate on issues of urban sustainability has led to the consolidation of environmental agendas and the definition of a specific body of problems and policy issues on two levels. The first involves green agenda problems occupying the concerns of many in the developed nations such as global warming, ozone-layer depletion, loss of bio-diversity, deforestation, and the exhaustion of non-renewable resources. For the developing world, however, these global environmental problems are less immediate than the need to resolve acute problems relating to poverty and the so-called brown agenda problems of air and water pollution, inadequate waste management, the lack of basic services and green areas, declining infrastructure, and poor housing conditions, as well as issues of health, crime, violence, and social exclusion. It is now a commonly held belief that the green agenda cannot be addressed until the urgent problems of urban social deprivation and inequalities are resolved. This paper reviews the scale and character of contemporary urbanisation and the rapid growth of cities, particularly within the developing nations, and examines associated implications with respect to the physical arrangement of cities, their resource consumption and their environmental impact
Heaven and hell : a survey of utopian and anti-utopian prose fiction published by Australians since 1870
No full textIt is notable that Australian utopian literature is little known
outside this country — or within it. In their anthology of lesser
known utopias written since 1850, Negley and Patrick do not mention
one Australian author. The only southerner listed is the Anglo—New
Zealander J. Macmillan.Brown, author of two weighty volumes, Riallaro,
the Archipelago oF Exiles (1897) and Liamanora, the Island oF Progress
(1903). I.F. Clarke lists a number of futuristic works written by
Australians and published in Britain, but does not specifically identify
them as Australian.
Within Australia, local utopian literature has received scant attention
From bibliographers, anthologists and critics. S.L. Larnach lists
some works in Materials Towards a Check List of Australian Fantasy
to 1937 (1950) and the catalogues of science fiction libraries contain
some relevant titles, but Olga Laszkiewicz's recent Bibliography of
Utopias (1971) deals primarily with foreign material. Australian
critics have made some interesting observations on overseas utopian
writings? yet use of the term "utopian" in relation to local literature
has been extremely vague. The writings and actions of certain persons
tend to be labelled, in passing, "utopian", without precise explanation
of what is meant by this appelation. Only two critics — Vincent
Buckley and T. Inglis Moore — have paid any sustained attention to the
subject of utopian thought and writing in Australia, while anti-utopian
writing has been almost entirely overlooked.
The purpose of this thesis is to partially rectify the situation by
providing a survey of Australian utopian and anti—utopian prose
fiction. Since little fiction of this nature was written in Australia
until late in the nineteenth century, no works published before 1870
are included. Although this survey aims at comprehensiveness, some
works may have been overlooked. The inclusion or omission of particular
works may also be queried; for this reason the survey opens with a
discussion of the problems of definition and classification, and an
explanation of the selection criteria employed. Certain "doubtful"
works such as satires, allegories and invasion warnings, which cannot
strictly be classified as "utopian" or "anti—utopian", are described
briefly in the bibliography. Utopian and anti-utopian poetry and
drama are omitted entirely, there being sufficient of each to warrant
full individual treatment
Navigating uncharted waters: Considerations for training clinics in the rapid transition to telepsychology and telesupervision during COVID-19.
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic offers both challenges and opportunities for those who provide and receive psychological services. For training clinics tasked with educating the next generation of health service psychologists, providing vital mental health care to the community, and conducting clinical research, the pandemic offers an opportunity to consider how best to fulfill these crucial missions during a time of global uncertainty. The present paper reviews the recent, rapid move to telepsychology among North American university training clinics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and offers relevant suggestions for mental health service providers rapidly transitioning to telepsychology moving forward. Data summarizing the response of university training clinics in health service psychology in the United States and Canada to physical distancing guidelines are presented, and considerations regarding best practices in service delivery and supervision via telepsychology are provided. While the present data focus on North American training clinics, the suggestions offered are relevant to any clinic tasked with providing high quality services and training mental health providers via telepsychology, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the growing emphasis within health service psychology on increasing access to mental health services via telepsychology prior to the pandemic, as well as the benefits to psychology trainees in gaining competence in this valuable form of service delivery, this paper aims to provide timely guidance around the benefits, risks, and practical considerations regarding the maintenance of effective clinical care in training settings when rapidly implementing telepsychology
Walking in virtual reality : is there a difference in muscular activity and exercise intensity?
No full textIntroduction:
Frailty is a complex, multifactorial syndrome leading to loss of function and independence [1]. The benefits of exercise in frailty prevention are well established, however, strategies to enable older adults to undertake sufficient exercise safely are challenging [2]. The use of virtual reality (VR) alongside an exercise, might be a safe and engaging solution [3]. This study investigated whether there was a difference in muscular activity and heart rate intensity when comparing overground to seated VR-walking, in a young (TDY) and elderly typically developed (TDE) population.
Methods:
Participants were recruited (EthicsRef: HLS/2023/PH/155), and asked to walk for six minutes overground and six minutes within an interactive VR environment. Heart rate and lower limb muscle activity were assessed via a torso-worn heart rate strap and wireless surface electromyography (EMG) respectively. A Split-Plot ANOVA, Mixed-Design Two-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA, was used to assess for differences between walking conditions and age groups in mean heart rate differences. The EMG data was compared via statistical parametric mapping, with a paired-samples t-test.
Results:
Twenty-two participants were recruited (TDY n=12; TDE n=10). EMG analysis showed a higher degree of variability in muscle activity patterns. The rectus and biceps femoris crossed the critical-t value significantly more in the elderly than in the younger population, for example, t(20) = 1.354, p<.001. The activity of the anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius crossed the critical-t value during the heel strike and toe-off, with a significant difference of t(11) = 4.254, p<.001 and t(11) = 2.976, p<.001. A decrease in heart rate was observed in both age groups, between walking conditions for the VR condition, equivalent to 12 beats per minute. The Split-Plot ANOVA, of the heart rate, resulted in an F(1)=0.907, p=0.001 for the main effect between overground and VR-walking and an F(1) = 0.001, p = 0.913 for the interaction effect, between the age categories.
Discussion:
Results show that seated walking, with VR, does activate muscles in the lower limbs and increases heart rate to a similar range as overground walking. The difference in variability of muscle activity could be caused by unfamiliarity with VR-based interaction(s). The significant differences, between the upper leg muscles, between populations, could be caused by weaker muscles in elderly people. Decreased heart rate in the VR-based environment was expected, yet less than originally expected. More research exploring strength, endurance and patient engagement is needed to evaluate the use of VR in frail patient populations.
Ethics statement:
Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable
References
1. Xue QL. The frailty syndrome: definition and natural history. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2011;27(1):1–15.
2. Elmagd MA. Benefits, need and importance of daily exercise. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2016;3(5):22–27.
3. MotusVR. Available from: https://motusvr.com/. [Accessed 11 March 2024]
Connecting theory and fiction: Margaret Atwood's novels and second wave feminism
No full textThis thesis undertakes an examination of the manner in which a novelist interacts with a contemporary theoretical discourse. I argue that the novelist and the theoretical discourse enter into a symbiotic relationship in which each influences and is influenced by the other. This process, I suggest, is simultaneous and complex. The thesis demonstrates how the prevailing theoretical discourse is absorbed by the contemporary author, is developed and redefined in conjunction with alternative concerns, and comes to permeate the narrative in an altered state. The novelist's new perspectives, frequently problematising theoretical claims, are then disseminated by the novel, promoting further discussion and development of the theoretical discourse. The thesis focuses on the novels of Margaret Atwood, considering them in relation to the history and development of second wave feminism. "Second wave feminism" is understood as an umbrella term that incorporates a wide variety of related but diverse and occasionally contradictory discourses, centring on the subjects of gender, femininity, and sexuality. The focus of the discussion is dual and presented simultaneously. Atwood's novels are analysed chronologically, and within the parameter of this analysis I demonstrate how her work has been influenced by earlier feminist theories, how it comments upon a variety of contemporary feminist ideas, and how it can be seen to anticipate further discussions within feminist discourse. Finally, I identify moments in Atwood's writing when alternative discourses compete with feminism to create new directions for feminist criticism. Examples of these discourses include Canadian nationalism, liberalism, communitarianism and environmentalism. The specificity of the novelist's interests and politics create a unique site of interaction for feminism which, I argue, benefits feminist theory by challenging, broadening and diversifying its focus. The thesis concludes that the symbiotic relationship of the theorist and the novelist is self-perpetuating and is also necessary and beneficial to both parties
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