title: Parent child reminiscing and developmental outcomes for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

authors: Raman, Juanita Maria

subjects: Autism spectrum disorder

abstract: Conversations between parents and their children about past events (known as reminiscing) have been shown to promote child language development, socioemotional/behavioural functioning, and self-esteem (Farrant & Reese, 2000; Koh & Wang, 2021; Reese et al., 2007; Swetlitz et al., 2021). These developmental outcomes are often compromised for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), yet only two published studies have examined parent-child reminiscing for children with autism (Faust, 2009; McDonnell et al., 2021). The aim of the current study was to examine differences in parent-child reminiscing for children with autism, compared with typically developing children, and the relationship with child self-esteem, socioemotional and behavioural functioning.

Participants were 164 children and their mothers (78 children with autism and a matched sample of 86 typically developing children) enrolled in the Growing Up in New Zealand study. The sample was matched based on gender and age, with no statistically significant differences in further sociodemographic variables found. Parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as a measure of children’s socioemotional and behavioural functioning (Goodman, 1997). Children completed the global self-worth scale (GSW) in the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) as a measure of self-esteem (Harter, 1982). Parents and their children were also asked to engage in a reminiscing task. They were able to pick one of three events to discuss together, either: (1) a recent time their child had a disagreement with another child, (2) a time that their child didn’t do as well as they wanted to e.g., in a test or a sports game, or (3) a time that they hurt themselves a little bit e.g., from falling off their bike. Interviews were transcribed and coded for parental elaboration and resolution quality (for parent and child). Transcripts were also analysed via Linguistic Enquiry Word Count (LIWC) to record emotion and internal state and pronoun word counts.

The current study found that after controlling for child language parents of children with autism were less elaborative compared to parents of typically developing children, which is consistent with prior research (Faust, 2009: McDonnell et al., 2021). Dyads where the child was typically developing were also higher in emotion resolution quality compared to dyads where the child had autism. Our analyses found no significant differences for emotion, internal state word or pronoun use for children with autism compared with typically developing children. Overall, it appeared that child developmental status did not moderate any relationship between reminiscing and child self-esteem, internalising or externalising symptoms, or prosocial behaviour. However, parents of children with autism were moderately more likely to be elaborative when reminiscing if they rated their child as less prosocial.

The current study has extended a small body of evidence suggesting that there are differences in parent-child reminiscing conversations for children with autism, compared to typically developing children. Future research is needed into this area to further examine these differences in depth, and potential associations with a range of child developmental outcomes across time.

text: Parent child reminiscing and developmental outcomes for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Conversations between parents and their children about past events (known as reminiscing) have been shown to promote child language development, socioemotional/behavioural functioning, and self-esteem (Farrant & Reese, 2000; Koh & Wang, 2021; Reese et al., 2007; Swetlitz et al., 2021). These developmental outcomes are often compromised for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), yet only two published studies have examined parent-child reminiscing for children with autism (Faust, 2009; McDonnell et al., 2021). The aim of the current study was to examine differences in parent-child reminiscing for children with autism, compared with typically developing children, and the relationship with child self-esteem, socioemotional and behavioural functioning.

Participants were 164 children and their mothers (78 children with autism and a matched sample of 86 typically developing children) enrolled in the Growing Up in New Zealand study. The sample was matched based on gender and age, with no statistically significant differences in further sociodemographic variables found. Parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as a measure of children’s socioemotional and behavioural functioning (Goodman, 1997). Children completed the global self-worth scale (GSW) in the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) as a measure of self-esteem (Harter, 1982). Parents and their children were also asked to engage in a reminiscing task. They were able to pick one of three events to discuss together, either: (1) a recent time their child had a disagreement with another child, (2) a time that their child didn’t do as well as they wanted to e.g., in a test or a sports game, or (3) a time that they hurt themselves a little bit e.g., from falling off their bike. Interviews were transcribed and coded for parental elaboration and resolution quality (for parent and child). Transcripts were also analysed via Linguistic Enquiry Word Count (LIWC) to record emotion and internal state and pronoun word counts.

The current study found that after controlling for child language parents of children with autism were less elaborative compared to parents of typically developing children, which is consistent with prior research (Faust, 2009: McDonnell et al., 2021). Dyads where the child was typically developing were also higher in emotion resolution quality compared to dyads where the child had autism. Our analyses found no significant differences for emotion, internal state word or pronoun use for children with autism compared with typically developing children. Overall, it appeared that child developmental status did not moderate any relationship between reminiscing and child self-esteem, internalising or externalising symptoms, or prosocial behaviour. However, parents of children with autism were moderately more likely to be elaborative when reminiscing if they rated their child as less prosocial.

The current study has extended a small body of evidence suggesting that there are differences in parent-child reminiscing conversations for children with autism, compared to typically developing children. Future research is needed into this area to further examine these differences in depth, and potential associations with a range of child developmental outcomes across time.

year: 2022

title: Accelerated weathering of unbleached and bleached Kraft wood fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

authors: Beg, Mohammad Dalour Hossen

subjects: natural fibre composites

abstract: In this paper, combined moisture/ultraviolet (UV) weathering performance of unbleached and bleached Kraft wood fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites was studied. Composites containing 40 wt% fibre with 3 wt% of a maleated polypropylene (MAPP) coupling agent were fabricated using extrusion followed by injection moulding. Composite mechanical properties were evaluated, before and after accelerated weathering for 1000 h, by tensile and impact testing. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also carried out to assess the changes occurring during accelerated weathering. Bleached fibre composites initially showed higher tensile and impact strengths, as well as higher thermal stability and greater crystallinity. During accelerated weathering, both unbleached and bleached fibre composites reduced tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus (YM), with the extent of the reduction found to be similar for both unbleached and bleached fibre composites. Evidence supported that the reduction of TS and YM was due to PP chain scission, degradation of lignin and reduced fibre–matrix interfacial bonding.

text: Accelerated weathering of unbleached and bleached Kraft wood fibre reinforced polypropylene composites In this paper, combined moisture/ultraviolet (UV) weathering performance of unbleached and bleached Kraft wood fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites was studied. Composites containing 40 wt% fibre with 3 wt% of a maleated polypropylene (MAPP) coupling agent were fabricated using extrusion followed by injection moulding. Composite mechanical properties were evaluated, before and after accelerated weathering for 1000 h, by tensile and impact testing. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also carried out to assess the changes occurring during accelerated weathering. Bleached fibre composites initially showed higher tensile and impact strengths, as well as higher thermal stability and greater crystallinity. During accelerated weathering, both unbleached and bleached fibre composites reduced tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus (YM), with the extent of the reduction found to be similar for both unbleached and bleached fibre composites. Evidence supported that the reduction of TS and YM was due to PP chain scission, degradation of lignin and reduced fibre–matrix interfacial bonding.

year: 2008

title: The relationship between Māori cultural identity loss & rangatahi Māori suicide

authors: Graham, Shaquille

subjects: Māori

abstract: This research explores the relationship between Māori cultural identity loss and rangatahi Māori suicide in Aotearoa. The McLachlan et al. (in press) Whiti Te Rā model of cultural identity was employed to frame the investigation with specific analysis into the six critical cultural ara of Whakapapa, Reo Māori, Taiao, Mahi-a-toi, Take pū whānau and Wairuatanga. A Kaupapa Māori research approach was utilised for cultural applicability and the promotion of Tino Rangatiratanga. Qualitative methodology guided data collection and analysis. Data collection involved (i) literature reviews and (ii) interviews with whānau members of rangatahi lost to suicide, seeking to understand the āhuatanga of the six cultural ara within the case studies (n=5). Interviews were governed by a semi-structured technique that looked to understand (i) the factors influencing the strength or weakness of each cultural ara; (ii) the state of health within each cultural ara; (iii) and identify causal relationships between cultural ara and wellbeing outcome. Reflexive thematic analysis showed that geographical location, generational knowledge transmission, and individual and whānau engagement were the global themes influencing either the diminishing or strengthening of cultural identity. Ngā Ara Wairua and Take pū whānau were also portrayed as the most compromised. The research suggests that optimal access to the three global themes potentiates rangatahi Māori to cultural flourishing and Mauri Ora; proposed as the most significant deterrent for suicidality. Contrastingly, suboptimal access to the three global themes is proposed as diminishing cultural ara as expressed in a state of Mauri Moe, where rangatahi Māori wellbeing is most vulnerable, and where suicidality has the greatest potentiation.

text: The relationship between Māori cultural identity loss & rangatahi Māori suicide This research explores the relationship between Māori cultural identity loss and rangatahi Māori suicide in Aotearoa. The McLachlan et al. (in press) Whiti Te Rā model of cultural identity was employed to frame the investigation with specific analysis into the six critical cultural ara of Whakapapa, Reo Māori, Taiao, Mahi-a-toi, Take pū whānau and Wairuatanga. A Kaupapa Māori research approach was utilised for cultural applicability and the promotion of Tino Rangatiratanga. Qualitative methodology guided data collection and analysis. Data collection involved (i) literature reviews and (ii) interviews with whānau members of rangatahi lost to suicide, seeking to understand the āhuatanga of the six cultural ara within the case studies (n=5). Interviews were governed by a semi-structured technique that looked to understand (i) the factors influencing the strength or weakness of each cultural ara; (ii) the state of health within each cultural ara; (iii) and identify causal relationships between cultural ara and wellbeing outcome. Reflexive thematic analysis showed that geographical location, generational knowledge transmission, and individual and whānau engagement were the global themes influencing either the diminishing or strengthening of cultural identity. Ngā Ara Wairua and Take pū whānau were also portrayed as the most compromised. The research suggests that optimal access to the three global themes potentiates rangatahi Māori to cultural flourishing and Mauri Ora; proposed as the most significant deterrent for suicidality. Contrastingly, suboptimal access to the three global themes is proposed as diminishing cultural ara as expressed in a state of Mauri Moe, where rangatahi Māori wellbeing is most vulnerable, and where suicidality has the greatest potentiation.

year: 2021