title: The effectiveness of a CBT app vs. an ACT app  in changing negative self-thought

authors: Berthelsen, Tamsyn

abstract: Negative self-thought is associated with the deterioration of many mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and social isolation. Due to the impact negative thinking about oneself has on many individuals, there is a need for an accessible and cost-effective intervention. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on insight and recognising the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours surrounding an event. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on being in the moment and accepting all thoughts that come up. In this study, I used a single-subject single-treatment design (A-B-A or A-C-A) to compare the effectiveness of two iHealth applications; iCBT™ and ACT Companion™ application in reducing negative thinking about oneself. Both approaches significantly reduced the mean daily negative thinking about oneself, however, the ACT Companion™ app was overall more effective. I found a significant increase in mean psychological flexibility, and the need for self-reflection and insight. Overall, both applications are promising forms of treatment for individuals struggling with some level of negative thinking about oneself. Overall, the ACT Companion™ application has shown to be an effective way of reducing negative thinking about oneself, in a relatively short period of time, and at the user’s own discretion.

text: The effectiveness of a CBT app vs. an ACT app  in changing negative self-thought Negative self-thought is associated with the deterioration of many mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and social isolation. Due to the impact negative thinking about oneself has on many individuals, there is a need for an accessible and cost-effective intervention. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on insight and recognising the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours surrounding an event. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on being in the moment and accepting all thoughts that come up. In this study, I used a single-subject single-treatment design (A-B-A or A-C-A) to compare the effectiveness of two iHealth applications; iCBT™ and ACT Companion™ application in reducing negative thinking about oneself. Both approaches significantly reduced the mean daily negative thinking about oneself, however, the ACT Companion™ app was overall more effective. I found a significant increase in mean psychological flexibility, and the need for self-reflection and insight. Overall, both applications are promising forms of treatment for individuals struggling with some level of negative thinking about oneself. Overall, the ACT Companion™ application has shown to be an effective way of reducing negative thinking about oneself, in a relatively short period of time, and at the user’s own discretion.

year: 2019

title: Strategy Formation in a Horticultural Advocacy Context: The Case of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers

authors: Longman, Katherine Victoria

subjects: Kiwifruit

abstract: This thesis presents a case study research on strategy reformation at New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated 2015-2016. The previous strategy of NZ Kiwifruit Growers had not changed since 2006 whilst the kiwifruit industry itself had grown and changed rapidly in the decade. The goal of the review included developing a strategic plan that lifted the performance of the organisation for the benefit of NZ kiwifruit growers. Literature on strategy formation, participatory research, and stakeholder theory, informed the methodology and research outcomes. The data was analysed by describing, classifying, and connecting data through the use of hierarchies, risk matrices, and a stakeholder model that led to the establishment of NZ Kiwifruit Growers strategic plan. Priorities for the organisation included increased monitoring of performance and enhanced communication. Targets were established to rectify a disconnection that was identified during the strategy formation process, between the organisations priorities and the strategic plan caused by ineffective teamwork. This thesis provides a framework for strategy formation that includes the stages of strategic analysis, strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring that can be applied by other industry - good organisations in the horticulture industry.

text: Strategy Formation in a Horticultural Advocacy Context: The Case of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers This thesis presents a case study research on strategy reformation at New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated 2015-2016. The previous strategy of NZ Kiwifruit Growers had not changed since 2006 whilst the kiwifruit industry itself had grown and changed rapidly in the decade. The goal of the review included developing a strategic plan that lifted the performance of the organisation for the benefit of NZ kiwifruit growers. Literature on strategy formation, participatory research, and stakeholder theory, informed the methodology and research outcomes. The data was analysed by describing, classifying, and connecting data through the use of hierarchies, risk matrices, and a stakeholder model that led to the establishment of NZ Kiwifruit Growers strategic plan. Priorities for the organisation included increased monitoring of performance and enhanced communication. Targets were established to rectify a disconnection that was identified during the strategy formation process, between the organisations priorities and the strategic plan caused by ineffective teamwork. This thesis provides a framework for strategy formation that includes the stages of strategic analysis, strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring that can be applied by other industry - good organisations in the horticulture industry.

year: 2016

title: “This is not a riot, it is a protest”: A discourse analysis of prison violence in New Zealand news media

authors: Membery, Liam

subjects: Prison Violence

abstract: This thesis examines the discourses of prison violence in the New Zealand news media. Prison violence is a pressing social issue that harms those involved and has permeating consequences for the institution. Prison riots, specifically, involve serious instances of disorder and violence that incur physical, psychological, social and economic harm. Despite prisons being private institutions, prison riots are public events that amass large social responses through news media coverage. The public often use news media to co-construct their perceptions of social phenomena, and policymakers use both public opinion and the news media to guide their decisions when shaping policy. Subsequently, the ways in which the news media discursively construct prison riots will have direct consequences for public attitudes and policy relating to prison violence, a phenomenon that exists outside of the public eye. However, there is currently no research that has examined discourses of prison violence and, further, what the consequences of these discourses may be. Therefore, using a Foucauldian approach to discourse analysis, this study examined the discourses in the news media representations of the large-scale prison violence at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility (2013) and Waikeria Prison (2020-2021). The results uncovered three discourses: the riot discourse, the gang discourse, and the protest discourse. The riot discourse was identified as dominant and constructed prison violence as an individualised issue perpetrated by inherently violent prisoners. The gang discourse worked in conjunction with the riot discourse, constructing prison violence as an individualised issue perpetrated by gang members. The protest discourse was identified as a counter-discourse and constructed the unrest at both facilities as protests against living conditions and inhumane treatment. Each discourse has consequences for public attitudes and in turn, penal policy and practice.

text: “This is not a riot, it is a protest”: A discourse analysis of prison violence in New Zealand news media This thesis examines the discourses of prison violence in the New Zealand news media. Prison violence is a pressing social issue that harms those involved and has permeating consequences for the institution. Prison riots, specifically, involve serious instances of disorder and violence that incur physical, psychological, social and economic harm. Despite prisons being private institutions, prison riots are public events that amass large social responses through news media coverage. The public often use news media to co-construct their perceptions of social phenomena, and policymakers use both public opinion and the news media to guide their decisions when shaping policy. Subsequently, the ways in which the news media discursively construct prison riots will have direct consequences for public attitudes and policy relating to prison violence, a phenomenon that exists outside of the public eye. However, there is currently no research that has examined discourses of prison violence and, further, what the consequences of these discourses may be. Therefore, using a Foucauldian approach to discourse analysis, this study examined the discourses in the news media representations of the large-scale prison violence at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility (2013) and Waikeria Prison (2020-2021). The results uncovered three discourses: the riot discourse, the gang discourse, and the protest discourse. The riot discourse was identified as dominant and constructed prison violence as an individualised issue perpetrated by inherently violent prisoners. The gang discourse worked in conjunction with the riot discourse, constructing prison violence as an individualised issue perpetrated by gang members. The protest discourse was identified as a counter-discourse and constructed the unrest at both facilities as protests against living conditions and inhumane treatment. Each discourse has consequences for public attitudes and in turn, penal policy and practice.

year: 2022