title: Exploring the Nature and Function of Religious Beliefs in Psychosis: A Case Study Approach

authors: Lenny, Megan

subjects: Psychosis

abstract: This study investigated the potential developmental, maintaining, or protective role of religious beliefs in the presentation of psychotic symptoms. It examined the ways in which individuals with psychosis might use religion to interpret and apply meaning to their experiences. The research was based upon the constructivist paradigm which attempted to understand individual perceptions of reality. A qualitative approach was used such that five male participants took part in individual semi-structured interviews on two separate occasions. These participants explored with the researcher their understanding of religious experience, psychotic experience, and the interactions between the two. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze and organize the data, while a case study approach was used to present the stories of participants. Similarities across participants were grouped together to form themes, and these provided the basis for discussion.
Key factors identified by participants as important in terms of conceptualizing religious experiences included developmental pathways, elements of faith, and meaning of faith. Similarly, factors important in the conceptualization of psychotic experiences included causative attributions, features of experience, and outcomes of experience. The associations between religion and schizophrenia were categorized into three general themes, which included religion in the content of symptoms, religion as a meaning system, and religion as a coping strategy. Together it was concluded hat religion generally functioned as a constructive framework when used to understand experiences of psychosis. Overall, findings suggest that religion can certainly act as a protective factor and increase resistance to distress typically associated with unexplainable experiences, such as the positive symptoms of psychosis.

text: Exploring the Nature and Function of Religious Beliefs in Psychosis: A Case Study Approach This study investigated the potential developmental, maintaining, or protective role of religious beliefs in the presentation of psychotic symptoms. It examined the ways in which individuals with psychosis might use religion to interpret and apply meaning to their experiences. The research was based upon the constructivist paradigm which attempted to understand individual perceptions of reality. A qualitative approach was used such that five male participants took part in individual semi-structured interviews on two separate occasions. These participants explored with the researcher their understanding of religious experience, psychotic experience, and the interactions between the two. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze and organize the data, while a case study approach was used to present the stories of participants. Similarities across participants were grouped together to form themes, and these provided the basis for discussion.
Key factors identified by participants as important in terms of conceptualizing religious experiences included developmental pathways, elements of faith, and meaning of faith. Similarly, factors important in the conceptualization of psychotic experiences included causative attributions, features of experience, and outcomes of experience. The associations between religion and schizophrenia were categorized into three general themes, which included religion in the content of symptoms, religion as a meaning system, and religion as a coping strategy. Together it was concluded hat religion generally functioned as a constructive framework when used to understand experiences of psychosis. Overall, findings suggest that religion can certainly act as a protective factor and increase resistance to distress typically associated with unexplainable experiences, such as the positive symptoms of psychosis.

year: 2010

title: Influence of loading rate, alkali fibre treatment and crystallinity on fracture toughness of random short hemp fibre reinforced polylactide bio-composites

authors: Pickering, Kim L.

subjects: Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)

abstract: Plane-strain fracture toughness (KIc) of random short hemp fibre reinforced polylactide (PLA) bio-composites was investigated along with the effect of loading rate, fibre treatment and PLA crystallinity. Fracture toughness testing was carried out at loading rates varying from 0.5 to 20 mm/min using single-edge-notched bending specimens with 0 to 30 wt% fibre. KQ (trial KIc) of composites decreased as loading rate increased, until stabilising to give KIc values at a loading rate of 10 mm/min and higher. The reduction of crazing and stress whitening, as well as a more direct crack path observed in PLA samples combined with reduced plastic deformation observed in composites provided explanation for this reduction. KIc of composites was found to decrease with increased fibre content and fibre treatment with sodium hydroxide. Studies controlling the degree of PLA crystallinity by heat treatment or “annealing” showed that reduction of KIc can be attributed to increased crystallinity.

text: Influence of loading rate, alkali fibre treatment and crystallinity on fracture toughness of random short hemp fibre reinforced polylactide bio-composites Plane-strain fracture toughness (KIc) of random short hemp fibre reinforced polylactide (PLA) bio-composites was investigated along with the effect of loading rate, fibre treatment and PLA crystallinity. Fracture toughness testing was carried out at loading rates varying from 0.5 to 20 mm/min using single-edge-notched bending specimens with 0 to 30 wt% fibre. KQ (trial KIc) of composites decreased as loading rate increased, until stabilising to give KIc values at a loading rate of 10 mm/min and higher. The reduction of crazing and stress whitening, as well as a more direct crack path observed in PLA samples combined with reduced plastic deformation observed in composites provided explanation for this reduction. KIc of composites was found to decrease with increased fibre content and fibre treatment with sodium hydroxide. Studies controlling the degree of PLA crystallinity by heat treatment or “annealing” showed that reduction of KIc can be attributed to increased crystallinity.

year: 2011

title: End-user informed demographic projections for Hamilton up to 2041

authors: Cameron, Michael Patrick

subjects: cohort component model

abstract: This report provides a set of projections of the population of Hamilton City and the larger Hamilton Zone. The projections have been calculated by means of the cohort component model. The projections can be considered alongside official Statistics New Zealand projections, but differ from the latter in terms of assumptions made about net migration. These assumptions constitute a number of scenarios that were informed by the Hamilton City Council and local consultations. These scenarios are linked to the potential impact of a number of economic development activities. The report also contains projections of the number of households, the labour force and two ethnic groups: Māori and New Zealand Europeans. In addition, a dwellings-based methodology is used to produce small area (Census Area Unit) projections. Across the scenarios, Hamilton City’s projected population growth over the next two decades ranges from 13.8 percent to 36.0 percent. This is between 1.5 to 12.2 percentage points higher than the corresponding projected national growth.

text: End-user informed demographic projections for Hamilton up to 2041 This report provides a set of projections of the population of Hamilton City and the larger Hamilton Zone. The projections have been calculated by means of the cohort component model. The projections can be considered alongside official Statistics New Zealand projections, but differ from the latter in terms of assumptions made about net migration. These assumptions constitute a number of scenarios that were informed by the Hamilton City Council and local consultations. These scenarios are linked to the potential impact of a number of economic development activities. The report also contains projections of the number of households, the labour force and two ethnic groups: Māori and New Zealand Europeans. In addition, a dwellings-based methodology is used to produce small area (Census Area Unit) projections. Across the scenarios, Hamilton City’s projected population growth over the next two decades ranges from 13.8 percent to 36.0 percent. This is between 1.5 to 12.2 percentage points higher than the corresponding projected national growth.

year: 2007-12