title: ‘You had so much fun!’: Examining associations between positive affect during past and future conversations and children’s self-esteem and optimism

authors: Nand, Nandita

abstract: Aim: The current study aimed to examine associations of positive affect during caregiver-child past and future event conversations with psychological well-being, focusing on optimism and self-esteem. This study uniquely extends the exploration of caregiver-child conversations to middle childhood and includes discussions about future events that have not been previously examined. Furthermore, it explores the association of conversation content between parent and child optimism and self-esteem. 

Method: Participants were 51 dyads; children aged either 11 or 12 years, and their primary caregivers. Parental optimism was assessed using the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), while child optimism and self-esteem were measured using the Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT) and Harter's global self-worth items, respectively. Children and caregivers took part in a conversation task in which they discussed past and anticipated future events, capturing positive and negative experiences. These conversations were transcribed and analysed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22) software, to evaluate the use of both positive tone and positive emotions.  

Results: A series of correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Findings did not demonstrate a significant relationship between parental use of positive affect and children’s well-being outcomes. However, a positive association was identified between children’s use of positive tone in future negative conversations and their optimism, and children’s use of positive tone in positive past conversation and their self-esteem.  

Implications: These findings provide preliminary support for parent-child conversation as a context within which self-esteem and optimism may be expressed. These findings highlight the need for future studies with more comprehensive coding schemes to explore the nuances of positive affect in caregiver-child dialogues, particularly with respect to the broaden and build theory of positive emotions. This research contributes to our understanding of emotional dynamics in family interactions and may ultimately have implications for developing targeted interventions to enhance child and adolescent well-being.

text: ‘You had so much fun!’: Examining associations between positive affect during past and future conversations and children’s self-esteem and optimism Aim: The current study aimed to examine associations of positive affect during caregiver-child past and future event conversations with psychological well-being, focusing on optimism and self-esteem. This study uniquely extends the exploration of caregiver-child conversations to middle childhood and includes discussions about future events that have not been previously examined. Furthermore, it explores the association of conversation content between parent and child optimism and self-esteem. 

Method: Participants were 51 dyads; children aged either 11 or 12 years, and their primary caregivers. Parental optimism was assessed using the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), while child optimism and self-esteem were measured using the Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT) and Harter's global self-worth items, respectively. Children and caregivers took part in a conversation task in which they discussed past and anticipated future events, capturing positive and negative experiences. These conversations were transcribed and analysed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22) software, to evaluate the use of both positive tone and positive emotions.  

Results: A series of correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Findings did not demonstrate a significant relationship between parental use of positive affect and children’s well-being outcomes. However, a positive association was identified between children’s use of positive tone in future negative conversations and their optimism, and children’s use of positive tone in positive past conversation and their self-esteem.  

Implications: These findings provide preliminary support for parent-child conversation as a context within which self-esteem and optimism may be expressed. These findings highlight the need for future studies with more comprehensive coding schemes to explore the nuances of positive affect in caregiver-child dialogues, particularly with respect to the broaden and build theory of positive emotions. This research contributes to our understanding of emotional dynamics in family interactions and may ultimately have implications for developing targeted interventions to enhance child and adolescent well-being.

year: 2025

title: Bringing the real world into economic analyses of land use value: Incorporating spatial complexity

authors: Bateman, Ian J.

subjects: modelling

abstract: The paper reviews recent developments in the incorporation of real-world spatial issues into the economic appraisal of land use change. The opening discussion introduces non-economists to the concepts underpinning the approach. The remainder of the paper uses a case study approach (concerning potential conversions from agriculture into multi-purpose woodland) to illustrate the quantification and valuation of land use change. The application of geographical information system (GIS) routines allows spatial complexity to be incorporated within the analysis. Key concepts are introduced such as making allowance for subsidies, the marginal value concept, and the valuation of non-market externalities such as carbon storage of open-access recreation. The case study also shows that, if issues such as spatial variation and externalities are ignored, sole reliance upon market prices can lead to perverse outcomes which are actually to the detriment of society.

text: Bringing the real world into economic analyses of land use value: Incorporating spatial complexity The paper reviews recent developments in the incorporation of real-world spatial issues into the economic appraisal of land use change. The opening discussion introduces non-economists to the concepts underpinning the approach. The remainder of the paper uses a case study approach (concerning potential conversions from agriculture into multi-purpose woodland) to illustrate the quantification and valuation of land use change. The application of geographical information system (GIS) routines allows spatial complexity to be incorporated within the analysis. Key concepts are introduced such as making allowance for subsidies, the marginal value concept, and the valuation of non-market externalities such as carbon storage of open-access recreation. The case study also shows that, if issues such as spatial variation and externalities are ignored, sole reliance upon market prices can lead to perverse outcomes which are actually to the detriment of society.

year: 2009

title: Kūkū te kererū, ketekete te kākā: The role of literature in indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Raharuhi, Te Urukeiha

subjects: indigenous methods of naming

abstract: This thesis describes the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of the role of academic literature in mātauranga Māori transmission presented in this thesis, describes a narrative of indigenous people being increasingly excluded from transmission of mātauranga Māori in literature production. Importantly the exclusion of original sources from participation in literature production and revision resulted in a high degree of persistent error in academic literature presenting oral narratives and te reo Māori bird names.

Currently, te reo Māori names of native and introduced birds are represented in English language academic literature, as subject matter or topic of interest predominately within a scientific research paradigm, in the fields of linguistics, ornithology, ethnology or disciplines where these are combined such as ethno-ornithology or folk-taxonomy. Research inquiry conducted in this study is influenced by a potential to explore indigenous methods of naming in terms of what they reveal about our ways of being (ontology) and our ways of knowing (epistemology).

This thesis presents two literature reviews and the findings of seven semi-structured interviews to explore the complexities of the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and indigenous birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Exploring indigenous methods of naming in this way provides an opportunity to tease out the influence of translation, Western scientific paradigms and the medium of academic literature on the transmission of mātauranga Māori as well as identify opportunities and limitations for indigenous epistemology offered through the medium of academic literature.

A comprehensive index of te reo Māori bird names with attention to the variety of linguistic nuances of geographically specific vernacular presented consistently in the context of indigenous methods of naming, potentially provides an accessible and meaningful taxonomic reference document. At the present time such an index has not been published. The findings of the research presented in this thesis support the potential of academic literature to meaningfully contribute to indigenous methods of naming when it records or facilitates direct participation of hapū in indigenous epistemology rather than predetermine or prematurely theorise indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Equally, it presents findings to support potential for academic literature to contribute to mātauranga Māori when it articulates indigenous epistemology as a valuable way of knowing and does not assume to replace memory arts as the primary methods of mātauranga Māori transmission. Furthermore, the application of an indigenous paradigm to the production of literature about indigenous methods of naming as an aspect of mātauranga Māori has the potential to constitute an accurate and authentic body of knowledge.

text: Kūkū te kererū, ketekete te kākā: The role of literature in indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand This thesis describes the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of the role of academic literature in mātauranga Māori transmission presented in this thesis, describes a narrative of indigenous people being increasingly excluded from transmission of mātauranga Māori in literature production. Importantly the exclusion of original sources from participation in literature production and revision resulted in a high degree of persistent error in academic literature presenting oral narratives and te reo Māori bird names.

Currently, te reo Māori names of native and introduced birds are represented in English language academic literature, as subject matter or topic of interest predominately within a scientific research paradigm, in the fields of linguistics, ornithology, ethnology or disciplines where these are combined such as ethno-ornithology or folk-taxonomy. Research inquiry conducted in this study is influenced by a potential to explore indigenous methods of naming in terms of what they reveal about our ways of being (ontology) and our ways of knowing (epistemology).

This thesis presents two literature reviews and the findings of seven semi-structured interviews to explore the complexities of the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and indigenous birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Exploring indigenous methods of naming in this way provides an opportunity to tease out the influence of translation, Western scientific paradigms and the medium of academic literature on the transmission of mātauranga Māori as well as identify opportunities and limitations for indigenous epistemology offered through the medium of academic literature.

A comprehensive index of te reo Māori bird names with attention to the variety of linguistic nuances of geographically specific vernacular presented consistently in the context of indigenous methods of naming, potentially provides an accessible and meaningful taxonomic reference document. At the present time such an index has not been published. The findings of the research presented in this thesis support the potential of academic literature to meaningfully contribute to indigenous methods of naming when it records or facilitates direct participation of hapū in indigenous epistemology rather than predetermine or prematurely theorise indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Equally, it presents findings to support potential for academic literature to contribute to mātauranga Māori when it articulates indigenous epistemology as a valuable way of knowing and does not assume to replace memory arts as the primary methods of mātauranga Māori transmission. Furthermore, the application of an indigenous paradigm to the production of literature about indigenous methods of naming as an aspect of mātauranga Māori has the potential to constitute an accurate and authentic body of knowledge.

year: 2015