title: An examination of the dynamic risk factors of men undergoing a community-based non-violence programme

authors: Stanley, Robert G.

subjects: intimate partner violence

abstract: The present study aimed to examine potential dynamic risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) in a sample of men undertaking a community-based non-violence programme. A purposive sample of 43 men currently undertaking a programme with one of two non-government providers in the central North Island of New Zealand completed a structured interview. First, bivariate associations between individual and relationship level risk factors (i.e., financial and other stress, mental wellbeing, anger arousal, jealousy-related cognitions, alcohol and drug abuse, relationship satisfaction and discord) and physical partner violence and coercive and controlling behaviours were examined. Second, a principal components analysis was used to reduce the number of risk factor scales to a smaller number of risk factor components prior to conducting further multivariate analyses. Third, sequential regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factor components that were significant unique predictors of physical and non-physical partner violence perpetration and victimisation. In addition, 60 narrative accounts of IPV events were thematically analysed for evidence of risk factors during a partner violence event.
Results indicated that alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and financial stress were significantly related to physical IPV perpetration at the bivariate level. In contrast, nearly all risk factors were significantly related to the perpetration of non-physical coercive and controlling behaviours. The principal components analysis identified three risk factor components: stress/negative emotionality, relationship/individual wellbeing, and jealousy/substance abuse. Except for relationship/individual wellbeing and physical IPV perpetration, all risk factor components were significantly related to the measures of physical IPV and controlling behaviours at the bivariate level. Contrary to predictions, however, only the jealousy/substance use component was identified as a significant unique predictor of the perpetration of partner abuse, both physical IPV and controlling behaviours. Both the jealousy/substance abuse and relationship/individual wellbeing component uniquely predicted men’s victimisation by partners’ coercive and controlling behaviours. Themes identified in the thematic analysis were consistent with the quantitative findings in that several of the risk factors examined were also evident in the event descriptions. Collectively, the findings suggest risk factors of partner violence that should be targeted by New Zealand prevention and intervention efforts, including substance abuse, jealousy, financial stress, and mutual partner aggression.

text: An examination of the dynamic risk factors of men undergoing a community-based non-violence programme The present study aimed to examine potential dynamic risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) in a sample of men undertaking a community-based non-violence programme. A purposive sample of 43 men currently undertaking a programme with one of two non-government providers in the central North Island of New Zealand completed a structured interview. First, bivariate associations between individual and relationship level risk factors (i.e., financial and other stress, mental wellbeing, anger arousal, jealousy-related cognitions, alcohol and drug abuse, relationship satisfaction and discord) and physical partner violence and coercive and controlling behaviours were examined. Second, a principal components analysis was used to reduce the number of risk factor scales to a smaller number of risk factor components prior to conducting further multivariate analyses. Third, sequential regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factor components that were significant unique predictors of physical and non-physical partner violence perpetration and victimisation. In addition, 60 narrative accounts of IPV events were thematically analysed for evidence of risk factors during a partner violence event.
Results indicated that alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and financial stress were significantly related to physical IPV perpetration at the bivariate level. In contrast, nearly all risk factors were significantly related to the perpetration of non-physical coercive and controlling behaviours. The principal components analysis identified three risk factor components: stress/negative emotionality, relationship/individual wellbeing, and jealousy/substance abuse. Except for relationship/individual wellbeing and physical IPV perpetration, all risk factor components were significantly related to the measures of physical IPV and controlling behaviours at the bivariate level. Contrary to predictions, however, only the jealousy/substance use component was identified as a significant unique predictor of the perpetration of partner abuse, both physical IPV and controlling behaviours. Both the jealousy/substance abuse and relationship/individual wellbeing component uniquely predicted men’s victimisation by partners’ coercive and controlling behaviours. Themes identified in the thematic analysis were consistent with the quantitative findings in that several of the risk factors examined were also evident in the event descriptions. Collectively, the findings suggest risk factors of partner violence that should be targeted by New Zealand prevention and intervention efforts, including substance abuse, jealousy, financial stress, and mutual partner aggression.

year: 2019

title: Optimizing the induction of alternating decision trees

authors: Pfahringer, Bernhard

subjects: computer science

abstract: The alternating decision tree brings comprehensibility to the performance enhancing capabilities of boosting. A single interpretable tree is induced wherein knowledge is distributed across the nodes and multiple paths are traversed to form predictions. The complexity of the algorithm is quadratic in the number of boosting iterations and this makes it unsuitable for larger knowledge discovery in database tasks. In this paper we explore various heuristic methods for reducing this complexity while maintaining the performance characteristics of the original algorithm. In experiments using standard, artificial and knowledge discovery datasets we show that a range of heuristic methods with log linear complexity are capable of achieving similar performance to the original method. Of these methods, the random walk heuristic is seen to out-perform all others as the number of boosting iterations increases. The average case complexity of this method is linear.

text: Optimizing the induction of alternating decision trees The alternating decision tree brings comprehensibility to the performance enhancing capabilities of boosting. A single interpretable tree is induced wherein knowledge is distributed across the nodes and multiple paths are traversed to form predictions. The complexity of the algorithm is quadratic in the number of boosting iterations and this makes it unsuitable for larger knowledge discovery in database tasks. In this paper we explore various heuristic methods for reducing this complexity while maintaining the performance characteristics of the original algorithm. In experiments using standard, artificial and knowledge discovery datasets we show that a range of heuristic methods with log linear complexity are capable of achieving similar performance to the original method. Of these methods, the random walk heuristic is seen to out-perform all others as the number of boosting iterations increases. The average case complexity of this method is linear.

year: 2001

title: Hidden hunger in a land of plenty: Food insecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Graham, Rebekah Sarah

subjects: children, food, Māori, material hardship, scholar-activism

abstract: Aotearoa New Zealand is a relatively wealthy, food-producing nation. Yet, increasing numbers of the populace are experiencing food insecurity, hidden hunger, and material hardship. More than an individual issue, ensuring food security requires consideration of the social and cultural components of growing, preparing, and consuming food and meals. Access to sufficient food to eat and the surrounding social practices are central to human flourishing. This article documents three research exemplars that challenge dominant global representations of Aotearoa New Zealand as an idyllic haven. Each case explores the invisibility and downplaying of hunger and poverty that occur within this ‘land of plenty’. In describing and reflecting our respective research projects we illustrate how broader socio-political and economic factors play out materially in the everyday lives of marginalised groups by restricting access to food. Given that community psychologists have values which necessitate a critical praxis, we have the responsibility to challenge power differences and practices based on historical perceptions that serve to maintain inequities.

text: Hidden hunger in a land of plenty: Food insecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand Aotearoa New Zealand is a relatively wealthy, food-producing nation. Yet, increasing numbers of the populace are experiencing food insecurity, hidden hunger, and material hardship. More than an individual issue, ensuring food security requires consideration of the social and cultural components of growing, preparing, and consuming food and meals. Access to sufficient food to eat and the surrounding social practices are central to human flourishing. This article documents three research exemplars that challenge dominant global representations of Aotearoa New Zealand as an idyllic haven. Each case explores the invisibility and downplaying of hunger and poverty that occur within this ‘land of plenty’. In describing and reflecting our respective research projects we illustrate how broader socio-political and economic factors play out materially in the everyday lives of marginalised groups by restricting access to food. Given that community psychologists have values which necessitate a critical praxis, we have the responsibility to challenge power differences and practices based on historical perceptions that serve to maintain inequities.

year: 2022