title: The transition to parenthood in New Zealand and a developmental conceptual framework for the study of family change

authors: Swain, David

abstract: The research and reflection reported in this thesis was initially centred on parenthood as ‘crisis’ or ‘transition’. A prospective longitudinal survey of a representative or ‘normal’ cohort of 241 primiparae in Hamilton, New Zealand, was carried out. Data were collected by means of four structured interviews (two antenatal and two post-partum) based on largely pre-coded questionnaires. The Hobbs Checklist (Hobbs, 1965; 1968) was used to measure ‘crisis’. It was found that this New Zealand sample did not experience crisis at or around the birth of their first child. 
The originally-planned data analysis was a multivariate search for statistical predictors of ‘crisis’, together with an examination of the short- and medium-term consequences of that ‘crisis’. As a result of the finding of no crisis attention was refocussed on more conceptual, theoretical and epistemological issues. 
A conceptual framework or ‘model’ for handling developmental changes in families was devised. This framework brings together a variety of concepts and ideas from ‘the literature’ together with some original concepts and ideas developed in the course of this project. 
The conceptual framework is organised around four main dimensions of structure, interaction, transactions and norms. Attention is focussed on the transitions which families may be understood to make between family career categories, especially from ‘couple’ to ‘childbearing’ categories. Ideas of homeostasis, morphogenesis and conflict are integrated into the conceptual framework. 
The original dataset was then used to investigate the conceptual framework, and areas for both further conceptualisation and further empirical investigation were identified.
Some issues remaining from the earlier substantive literature were further considered. In particular, the question of whether a ‘crisis group’ is better understood as the researcher’s construct or a ‘real’ social grouping was considered. It was found to be the former. 
It is concluded that theoretical orientations and approaches to conceptualisation, as well as a concern with practical issues (social problems, parent education, social work etc.), have strongly influenced research on parenthood in the past towards a focus on ‘crisis’. It is argued that a more comprehensive conceptual framework for the study of developmental change in families is needed. A first draft of such a framework is offered, and the need for further conceptual, theoretical and empirical work is emphasised.

text: The transition to parenthood in New Zealand and a developmental conceptual framework for the study of family change The research and reflection reported in this thesis was initially centred on parenthood as ‘crisis’ or ‘transition’. A prospective longitudinal survey of a representative or ‘normal’ cohort of 241 primiparae in Hamilton, New Zealand, was carried out. Data were collected by means of four structured interviews (two antenatal and two post-partum) based on largely pre-coded questionnaires. The Hobbs Checklist (Hobbs, 1965; 1968) was used to measure ‘crisis’. It was found that this New Zealand sample did not experience crisis at or around the birth of their first child. 
The originally-planned data analysis was a multivariate search for statistical predictors of ‘crisis’, together with an examination of the short- and medium-term consequences of that ‘crisis’. As a result of the finding of no crisis attention was refocussed on more conceptual, theoretical and epistemological issues. 
A conceptual framework or ‘model’ for handling developmental changes in families was devised. This framework brings together a variety of concepts and ideas from ‘the literature’ together with some original concepts and ideas developed in the course of this project. 
The conceptual framework is organised around four main dimensions of structure, interaction, transactions and norms. Attention is focussed on the transitions which families may be understood to make between family career categories, especially from ‘couple’ to ‘childbearing’ categories. Ideas of homeostasis, morphogenesis and conflict are integrated into the conceptual framework. 
The original dataset was then used to investigate the conceptual framework, and areas for both further conceptualisation and further empirical investigation were identified.
Some issues remaining from the earlier substantive literature were further considered. In particular, the question of whether a ‘crisis group’ is better understood as the researcher’s construct or a ‘real’ social grouping was considered. It was found to be the former. 
It is concluded that theoretical orientations and approaches to conceptualisation, as well as a concern with practical issues (social problems, parent education, social work etc.), have strongly influenced research on parenthood in the past towards a focus on ‘crisis’. It is argued that a more comprehensive conceptual framework for the study of developmental change in families is needed. A first draft of such a framework is offered, and the need for further conceptual, theoretical and empirical work is emphasised.

year: 1985

title: Intragastric preloads of L-tryptophan reduce ingestive behavior via oxytocinergic neural mechanisms in male mice

authors: Gartner, Sarah Nicole

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Human and laboratory animal studies suggest that dietary supplementation of a free essential amino acid, l-tryptophan (TRP), reduces food intake. It is unclear whether an acute gastric preload of TRP decreases consumption and whether central mechanisms underlie TRP-driven hypophagia. We examined the effect of TRP administered via intragastric gavage on energy- and palatability-induced feeding in mice. We sought to identify central mechanisms through which TRP suppresses appetite. Effects of TRP on consumption of energy-dense and energy-dilute tastants were established in mice stimulated to eat by energy deprivation or palatability. A conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm was used to assess whether hypophagia is unrelated to sickness. c-Fos immunohistochemistry was employed to detect TRP-induced activation of feeding-related brain sites and of oxytocin (OT) neurons, a crucial component of satiety circuits. Also, expression of OT mRNA was assessed with real-time PCR. The functional importance of OT in mediating TRP-driven hypophagia was substantiated by showing the ability of OT receptor blockade to abolish TRP-induced decrease in feeding. TRP reduced intake of energy-dense standard chow in deprived animals and energy-dense palatable chow in sated mice. Anorexigenic doses of TRP did not cause a CTA. TRP failed to affect intake of palatable yet calorie-dilute or noncaloric solutions (10% sucrose, 4.1% Intralipid or 0.1% saccharin) even for TRP doses that decreased water intake in thirsty mice. Fos analysis revealed that TRP increases activation of several key feeding-related brain areas, especially in the brain stem and hypothalamus. TRP activated hypothalamic OT neurons and increased OT mRNA levels, whereas pretreatment with an OT antagonist abolished TRP-driven hypophagia. We conclude that intragastric TRP decreases food and water intake, and TRP-induced hypophagia is partially mediated via central circuits that encompass OT.

text: Intragastric preloads of L-tryptophan reduce ingestive behavior via oxytocinergic neural mechanisms in male mice Human and laboratory animal studies suggest that dietary supplementation of a free essential amino acid, l-tryptophan (TRP), reduces food intake. It is unclear whether an acute gastric preload of TRP decreases consumption and whether central mechanisms underlie TRP-driven hypophagia. We examined the effect of TRP administered via intragastric gavage on energy- and palatability-induced feeding in mice. We sought to identify central mechanisms through which TRP suppresses appetite. Effects of TRP on consumption of energy-dense and energy-dilute tastants were established in mice stimulated to eat by energy deprivation or palatability. A conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm was used to assess whether hypophagia is unrelated to sickness. c-Fos immunohistochemistry was employed to detect TRP-induced activation of feeding-related brain sites and of oxytocin (OT) neurons, a crucial component of satiety circuits. Also, expression of OT mRNA was assessed with real-time PCR. The functional importance of OT in mediating TRP-driven hypophagia was substantiated by showing the ability of OT receptor blockade to abolish TRP-induced decrease in feeding. TRP reduced intake of energy-dense standard chow in deprived animals and energy-dense palatable chow in sated mice. Anorexigenic doses of TRP did not cause a CTA. TRP failed to affect intake of palatable yet calorie-dilute or noncaloric solutions (10% sucrose, 4.1% Intralipid or 0.1% saccharin) even for TRP doses that decreased water intake in thirsty mice. Fos analysis revealed that TRP increases activation of several key feeding-related brain areas, especially in the brain stem and hypothalamus. TRP activated hypothalamic OT neurons and increased OT mRNA levels, whereas pretreatment with an OT antagonist abolished TRP-driven hypophagia. We conclude that intragastric TRP decreases food and water intake, and TRP-induced hypophagia is partially mediated via central circuits that encompass OT.

year: 2018

title: A local Aotearoa New Zealand investigation of the contribution of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity and counselling practices

authors: Te Wiata, Joy

subjects: Pakeha identity

abstract: This project investigates the experiences of a small group of social service  practitioners as they consider the question of what it means to be Pakeha in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2004.  Specifically this study considers the contribution  of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity.  It also explores whether therapeutic practices that participants have available, are relevant to their current  claims of Pakeha identity.   This study highlights the complexity of experience and multiple stories that inform constructions of identity.   In approaching the topic I was aware that many  important stories of people's lived experience are not often told.  People are often silenced due to the difficulty of 'telling'.  In this exploration, space was created  for the telling of stories, which are often not easily told:  stories of struggle and pain; stories of compassionate witnessing; stories of rule-breaking; stories of  stepping into territory beyond binaries and stories of richness and delight.   Knowledges have been produced that indicate the need for carefully crafted space for often very difficult identity conversations to occur and for voices to be heard.   Further, the study has produced knowledges for scaffolding for respectful and honouring conversations .  The stories of this project indicate that the  conversations required, have their foundation through engagement with the value of fairness.  Findings also indicate that forums, where mutual contribution to  identity for both Māori and Pakeha can be acknowledged, are a critical to establishing ongoing honourable relationships between Pakeha and Māori New Zealanders.     Throughout this project participants acknowledge and honour the rich  contribution of Māori knowledges and language to their Pakeha identity.

text: A local Aotearoa New Zealand investigation of the contribution of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity and counselling practices This project investigates the experiences of a small group of social service  practitioners as they consider the question of what it means to be Pakeha in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2004.  Specifically this study considers the contribution  of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity.  It also explores whether therapeutic practices that participants have available, are relevant to their current  claims of Pakeha identity.   This study highlights the complexity of experience and multiple stories that inform constructions of identity.   In approaching the topic I was aware that many  important stories of people's lived experience are not often told.  People are often silenced due to the difficulty of 'telling'.  In this exploration, space was created  for the telling of stories, which are often not easily told:  stories of struggle and pain; stories of compassionate witnessing; stories of rule-breaking; stories of  stepping into territory beyond binaries and stories of richness and delight.   Knowledges have been produced that indicate the need for carefully crafted space for often very difficult identity conversations to occur and for voices to be heard.   Further, the study has produced knowledges for scaffolding for respectful and honouring conversations .  The stories of this project indicate that the  conversations required, have their foundation through engagement with the value of fairness.  Findings also indicate that forums, where mutual contribution to  identity for both Māori and Pakeha can be acknowledged, are a critical to establishing ongoing honourable relationships between Pakeha and Māori New Zealanders.     Throughout this project participants acknowledge and honour the rich  contribution of Māori knowledges and language to their Pakeha identity.

year: 2006