title: Recipe for a rainbow: a training programme for parents of children with challenging behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder

authors: McLeary-Hooper, Robyn P.

abstract: Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have to manage a number of challenging behaviours with limited access to resources or knowledgeable professionals. A nine-week parent-training programme developed and tested in this study shows that parents can effectively and independently manage the challenging behaviours associated with ASD. Ten parent-child dyads consisting of a mother and her child with ASD took part in this study. Parents identified three target behaviours in each of the three areas associated with ASD - the ‘triad of impairment’ - socialisation, communication and restricted interest/cognition. 

Positive behaviour change was produced in 29 of the 30 target behaviours over all ‘triad’ areas. Average adaptive behaviour gains of 13.5 months per child were produced over the nine-week course of instruction. Behaviour gains were maintained and improved over short (7 week) and long-term (7 months) follow-up periods. Parent-participants evidenced generalisation of trained skills over behaviours, individuals and time. 

The programme comprised of two components; a) a robust and validated behaviour change approach - Applied Behavioural Analysis and b) a new approach based on Theory of Mind - social understanding. While parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to two groups, each receiving the two components in different order, parents in one group were significantly more stressed. Comparative analyses showed that both components produced effective behaviour change and that neither technique was more significant than the other. However, the social understanding approach appeared to produce larger behaviour change effects in shorter periods of time and was sufficiently powerful to produce child-behaviour change in the group of parents who had major ‘stress’ and ‘poor mood’. Parents reported that the social understanding approach was simple to implement and voiced a preference for this approach over the applied behavioural analysis approach. 

During the course of the programme, parent belief in their own ability to control child behaviour increased and stressors associated with child characteristics and the condition of ASD decreased. Parents reported satisfaction with the programme content, length and format and reported that the programme produced socially valid behaviour changes.

text: Recipe for a rainbow: a training programme for parents of children with challenging behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have to manage a number of challenging behaviours with limited access to resources or knowledgeable professionals. A nine-week parent-training programme developed and tested in this study shows that parents can effectively and independently manage the challenging behaviours associated with ASD. Ten parent-child dyads consisting of a mother and her child with ASD took part in this study. Parents identified three target behaviours in each of the three areas associated with ASD - the ‘triad of impairment’ - socialisation, communication and restricted interest/cognition. 

Positive behaviour change was produced in 29 of the 30 target behaviours over all ‘triad’ areas. Average adaptive behaviour gains of 13.5 months per child were produced over the nine-week course of instruction. Behaviour gains were maintained and improved over short (7 week) and long-term (7 months) follow-up periods. Parent-participants evidenced generalisation of trained skills over behaviours, individuals and time. 

The programme comprised of two components; a) a robust and validated behaviour change approach - Applied Behavioural Analysis and b) a new approach based on Theory of Mind - social understanding. While parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to two groups, each receiving the two components in different order, parents in one group were significantly more stressed. Comparative analyses showed that both components produced effective behaviour change and that neither technique was more significant than the other. However, the social understanding approach appeared to produce larger behaviour change effects in shorter periods of time and was sufficiently powerful to produce child-behaviour change in the group of parents who had major ‘stress’ and ‘poor mood’. Parents reported that the social understanding approach was simple to implement and voiced a preference for this approach over the applied behavioural analysis approach. 

During the course of the programme, parent belief in their own ability to control child behaviour increased and stressors associated with child characteristics and the condition of ASD decreased. Parents reported satisfaction with the programme content, length and format and reported that the programme produced socially valid behaviour changes.

year: 2003

title: The dynamics of Vietnam agriculture under changing conditions

authors: Nguyen Chau, Trinh

subjects: Agriculture

abstract: Although Vietnam has undergone fundamental transformation since the economic reforms in the late 1980s, agriculture continues to play a pivotal role in the economy. Given the rising food demand and declining availability of farmland areas, improvements in rice technology are vital for Vietnam to maintain food security and export status. Despite the rising application of high-yielding varieties, rice productivity growth slowed down. The sustainable development of Vietnam agriculture is facing additional challenges due to changing climate which is expected to affect several aspects of agriculture. To date, there has been little insight into how Vietnam agriculture is likely to be impacted by these drivers. This thesis is among the first studies which provided robust estimates of the impacts of technology change and climate change on the Vietnam agrarian economy.
Utilizing data from the Vietnam Access to Resources Household Surveys (VARHS) 2006 -2016, this thesis examined the major ongoing changes in Vietnam agriculture and  likely impacts of these changes. Three specific relationships were examined: (1) The relationship between hybrid rice seeds and productivity; (2) the relationship between climate change and agricultural productivity; and (3) the relationship between changing climate and land use choice as an adaptation strategy and its likely impact on long-term food security.
The literature on hybrid rice has reported superior productivity of hybrid rice seeds over inbred varieties. This is not supported by our panel stochastic frontier estimates pertaining to productivity impact assessment for Vietnam. Estimates of a large managerial gap indicate a handsome benefit from efforts to increase productivity. Vietnam is expected to be among the countries hardest-hit by climate change. However the panel Ricardian model suggests marginal impacts, even in the long run when the projected changes are more severe. Changing crops is an adaptation to climate change. The empirical findings from the Fractional Multinomial Logit model indicate the sensitivity of the Vietnam land use system to climate. Seasonal climates exert heterogeneous impacts on land use shares for different crops. The projected climate changes are expected to induce large shifts from cereals to annual industrial crops in the two rice bowls of the country.
This thesis made several contributions to impact assessments and suggested policy implications. First, the productivity impact assessment in Chapter 3 provides a simple way to control for selectivity bias in a panel stochastic frontier framework while allowing for direct comparisons of the base productivity, factor productivity, and technical efficiency. Second, the analyses of climate impacts and crop choice in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 provide a simple way to relax the assumption of a constant effect of market feedbacks in climate change assessments and this avoids biased climate estimates. Finally, this thesis provides valuable policy implications regarding the development of rice technology and climate change adaptation in a developing country where agriculture supports income and employment for a large portion of the population.

text: The dynamics of Vietnam agriculture under changing conditions Although Vietnam has undergone fundamental transformation since the economic reforms in the late 1980s, agriculture continues to play a pivotal role in the economy. Given the rising food demand and declining availability of farmland areas, improvements in rice technology are vital for Vietnam to maintain food security and export status. Despite the rising application of high-yielding varieties, rice productivity growth slowed down. The sustainable development of Vietnam agriculture is facing additional challenges due to changing climate which is expected to affect several aspects of agriculture. To date, there has been little insight into how Vietnam agriculture is likely to be impacted by these drivers. This thesis is among the first studies which provided robust estimates of the impacts of technology change and climate change on the Vietnam agrarian economy.
Utilizing data from the Vietnam Access to Resources Household Surveys (VARHS) 2006 -2016, this thesis examined the major ongoing changes in Vietnam agriculture and  likely impacts of these changes. Three specific relationships were examined: (1) The relationship between hybrid rice seeds and productivity; (2) the relationship between climate change and agricultural productivity; and (3) the relationship between changing climate and land use choice as an adaptation strategy and its likely impact on long-term food security.
The literature on hybrid rice has reported superior productivity of hybrid rice seeds over inbred varieties. This is not supported by our panel stochastic frontier estimates pertaining to productivity impact assessment for Vietnam. Estimates of a large managerial gap indicate a handsome benefit from efforts to increase productivity. Vietnam is expected to be among the countries hardest-hit by climate change. However the panel Ricardian model suggests marginal impacts, even in the long run when the projected changes are more severe. Changing crops is an adaptation to climate change. The empirical findings from the Fractional Multinomial Logit model indicate the sensitivity of the Vietnam land use system to climate. Seasonal climates exert heterogeneous impacts on land use shares for different crops. The projected climate changes are expected to induce large shifts from cereals to annual industrial crops in the two rice bowls of the country.
This thesis made several contributions to impact assessments and suggested policy implications. First, the productivity impact assessment in Chapter 3 provides a simple way to control for selectivity bias in a panel stochastic frontier framework while allowing for direct comparisons of the base productivity, factor productivity, and technical efficiency. Second, the analyses of climate impacts and crop choice in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 provide a simple way to relax the assumption of a constant effect of market feedbacks in climate change assessments and this avoids biased climate estimates. Finally, this thesis provides valuable policy implications regarding the development of rice technology and climate change adaptation in a developing country where agriculture supports income and employment for a large portion of the population.

year: 2021

title: Whāingaroa/Raglan and positive youth development - Community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa: A case study of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective

authors: Semeraro, Gianluca

abstract: This research explores the development and impact of community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa, a rural community in Aotearoa/New Zealand, through an in-depth examination of a local youth work collective. By employing a qualitative, participatory research methodology, the study investigates the complex dynamics of youth empowerment, community engagement, and cultural responsiveness within a unique local context.

The study traces the evolution of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective (WYWC) from its inception to its status as a structured community organization. Data collection spanned two years, encompassing six WYWC collective meetings and three focus groups with key collective members. Through ethnographic observations and collaborative research methods, the study illuminates the processes of youth development and community support emerging from grassroots, volunteer-driven initiatives. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, which was categorized into two primary themes: (1) the collective's purpose and operational methodology, and (2) necessary future steps to address gaps in local youth support. These themes were analysed in relation to two research questions:

•	How can Whāingaroa/Raglan services support youth at a community-based level?
•	What initiatives could be implemented to foster positive youth development in the future?

The findings are presented in two main sections. The first examines the collective's strategy, operational framework and current initiatives demonstrating the effectiveness of locally-based youth support. The second explores the collective's aspirations for future initiatives, specifically focusing on two key proposals: establishing a full-time youth connector position and developing a community youth hub.

 Key findings demonstrate the transformative potential of volunteer-driven, culturally responsive youth support strategies. The research highlights the importance of contextual understanding, community ownership, and holistic approaches to youth development. Particularly significant is the model's ability to navigate the bicultural landscape of Aotearoa, providing a nuanced approach that respects both indigenous and contemporary cultural frameworks.

Theoretically grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) frameworks and indigenous cultural perspectives, the research bridges Western psychological approaches with local cultural understanding. The study reveals how a community-centric model of youth support can effectively address the complex needs of rural youth, emphasizing cultural identity, collective empowerment, and local knowledge.

The study contributes to broader discussions on youth support, community development, and cultural resilience. It challenges traditional, standardized intervention models by showcasing the effectiveness of locally embedded, flexible support strategies. The research provides valuable insights for community organizations, policymakers, educational institutions, and social service providers seeking innovative approaches to youth engagement.
Further, the findings offer a replicable framework for understanding and supporting youth development in rural contexts, with broader implications for community support strategies that prioritize local knowledge, cultural responsiveness, and collective empowerment.

Ultimately, the research presents a compelling argument for understanding youth development as a collaborative, contextually embedded process. It demonstrates that meaningful community support emerges from within, driven by local aspirations, cultural understanding, and collective investment in young people's potential.

text: Whāingaroa/Raglan and positive youth development - Community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa: A case study of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective This research explores the development and impact of community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa, a rural community in Aotearoa/New Zealand, through an in-depth examination of a local youth work collective. By employing a qualitative, participatory research methodology, the study investigates the complex dynamics of youth empowerment, community engagement, and cultural responsiveness within a unique local context.

The study traces the evolution of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective (WYWC) from its inception to its status as a structured community organization. Data collection spanned two years, encompassing six WYWC collective meetings and three focus groups with key collective members. Through ethnographic observations and collaborative research methods, the study illuminates the processes of youth development and community support emerging from grassroots, volunteer-driven initiatives. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, which was categorized into two primary themes: (1) the collective's purpose and operational methodology, and (2) necessary future steps to address gaps in local youth support. These themes were analysed in relation to two research questions:

•	How can Whāingaroa/Raglan services support youth at a community-based level?
•	What initiatives could be implemented to foster positive youth development in the future?

The findings are presented in two main sections. The first examines the collective's strategy, operational framework and current initiatives demonstrating the effectiveness of locally-based youth support. The second explores the collective's aspirations for future initiatives, specifically focusing on two key proposals: establishing a full-time youth connector position and developing a community youth hub.

 Key findings demonstrate the transformative potential of volunteer-driven, culturally responsive youth support strategies. The research highlights the importance of contextual understanding, community ownership, and holistic approaches to youth development. Particularly significant is the model's ability to navigate the bicultural landscape of Aotearoa, providing a nuanced approach that respects both indigenous and contemporary cultural frameworks.

Theoretically grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) frameworks and indigenous cultural perspectives, the research bridges Western psychological approaches with local cultural understanding. The study reveals how a community-centric model of youth support can effectively address the complex needs of rural youth, emphasizing cultural identity, collective empowerment, and local knowledge.

The study contributes to broader discussions on youth support, community development, and cultural resilience. It challenges traditional, standardized intervention models by showcasing the effectiveness of locally embedded, flexible support strategies. The research provides valuable insights for community organizations, policymakers, educational institutions, and social service providers seeking innovative approaches to youth engagement.
Further, the findings offer a replicable framework for understanding and supporting youth development in rural contexts, with broader implications for community support strategies that prioritize local knowledge, cultural responsiveness, and collective empowerment.

Ultimately, the research presents a compelling argument for understanding youth development as a collaborative, contextually embedded process. It demonstrates that meaningful community support emerges from within, driven by local aspirations, cultural understanding, and collective investment in young people's potential.

year: 2025