title: Effect of gratitude on life satisfaction and perceived academic performance of psychology students

authors: Clarkson, Rebecca Kate

subjects: Well-being

abstract: Much research has attempted to understand how we can live optimal lives and improve our overall life satisfaction. Due to the negative impact, negative emotions have on many individuals, there is a need to investigate possible strategies that may deliberately increase the level of positive emotions with the intention to improve overall life satisfaction. In this study, I used a mixed measures research design and recruited a sample of third years Psychology students to compare the effectiveness gratitude has on overall life satisfaction, which was conceptualized as a composite score of their self-reported levels of optimism, hope, gratitude, positivity, happiness, and interest sustainability. Second, the effect of their gratitude levels was also examined on their perceived academic performance. In order to achieve this, a gratitude application (the gratitude app) was used as a tool, by participants in experimental group B, to encourage participants to actively practice their gratitude (intervention) over seven weeks. All participants (control group A (n=24) and experimental group B (n=23) completed a questionnaire every three weeks, which gave us their baselines scores, middle scores during the intervention, and final scores after the intervention. The results indicated that gratitude had an effect on optimism, hope, interest sustainability, and perceived academic performance. Overall, the findings indicated that participants who used the gratitude app had an overall increase in their self-reported level of life satisfaction and perceived academic performance compared to those who did not use the gratitude app. This research indicates that gratitude is a promising strategy to use in order to increase levels of positive emotions and as a result overall life satisfaction.

text: Effect of gratitude on life satisfaction and perceived academic performance of psychology students Much research has attempted to understand how we can live optimal lives and improve our overall life satisfaction. Due to the negative impact, negative emotions have on many individuals, there is a need to investigate possible strategies that may deliberately increase the level of positive emotions with the intention to improve overall life satisfaction. In this study, I used a mixed measures research design and recruited a sample of third years Psychology students to compare the effectiveness gratitude has on overall life satisfaction, which was conceptualized as a composite score of their self-reported levels of optimism, hope, gratitude, positivity, happiness, and interest sustainability. Second, the effect of their gratitude levels was also examined on their perceived academic performance. In order to achieve this, a gratitude application (the gratitude app) was used as a tool, by participants in experimental group B, to encourage participants to actively practice their gratitude (intervention) over seven weeks. All participants (control group A (n=24) and experimental group B (n=23) completed a questionnaire every three weeks, which gave us their baselines scores, middle scores during the intervention, and final scores after the intervention. The results indicated that gratitude had an effect on optimism, hope, interest sustainability, and perceived academic performance. Overall, the findings indicated that participants who used the gratitude app had an overall increase in their self-reported level of life satisfaction and perceived academic performance compared to those who did not use the gratitude app. This research indicates that gratitude is a promising strategy to use in order to increase levels of positive emotions and as a result overall life satisfaction.

year: 2020

title: Response to George Parker

authors: van Zyl, Liezl

abstract: George Parker quite rightly claims that the focus of the debate about ARTs needs to be on women’s health, rather than on abstract philosophical questions regarding for instance the personhood of embryos, as this is a central moral concern that is not always taken as seriously as it should be when it comes to surrogate motherhood and egg donation. We also think reproductive justice is a helpful framework for evaluating current practices in these matters. In particular, we share Parker’s concerns about the import of gametes from less regulated jurisdictions. The risk that the gametes have been gained in coercive or exploitative situations is a real one. The right of any child born of donated gametes to know his or her genetic origins also precludes sourcing anonymous gametes. Willing, registered donors are required regardless of whether gametes are imported or donated locally. It may be possible to extend the range of potential donors beyond New Zealand borders if a similarly regulated system was willing to export gametes.

text: Response to George Parker George Parker quite rightly claims that the focus of the debate about ARTs needs to be on women’s health, rather than on abstract philosophical questions regarding for instance the personhood of embryos, as this is a central moral concern that is not always taken as seriously as it should be when it comes to surrogate motherhood and egg donation. We also think reproductive justice is a helpful framework for evaluating current practices in these matters. In particular, we share Parker’s concerns about the import of gametes from less regulated jurisdictions. The risk that the gametes have been gained in coercive or exploitative situations is a real one. The right of any child born of donated gametes to know his or her genetic origins also precludes sourcing anonymous gametes. Willing, registered donors are required regardless of whether gametes are imported or donated locally. It may be possible to extend the range of potential donors beyond New Zealand borders if a similarly regulated system was willing to export gametes.

year: 2015

title: Whānau Māori explain how the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool assists better access to health services

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: In this paper whānau Māori highlight how a Kaupapa Māori centred intervention (the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool) has improved interactions with health services. The Harti tool is undergoing a Randomised Control Trial at Waikato Hospital in New Zealand. As part of the RCT, the authors engaged in a series of qualitative interviews with whānau members of tamariki Māori (children aged 0-5years) admitted to Waikato Hospital’s paediatric ward. Whānau who met at least one criteria for New Zealand’s domains of deprivation were included. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach to the study, participants shared their views on barriers and facilitators to accessing health resources and primary care services. Our interviews highlight how the Harti tool, when administered in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner that prioritised relationship-building, enabled better connection to healthcare services. Prevalent in our analysis were connections to wider determinants of health and ways to reduce existing health inequities. To conclude the paper, we highlight how the tool has enhanced feelings of being in control of health with the potential to reduce the likelihood of a hospital readmission.

text: Whānau Māori explain how the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool assists better access to health services In this paper whānau Māori highlight how a Kaupapa Māori centred intervention (the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool) has improved interactions with health services. The Harti tool is undergoing a Randomised Control Trial at Waikato Hospital in New Zealand. As part of the RCT, the authors engaged in a series of qualitative interviews with whānau members of tamariki Māori (children aged 0-5years) admitted to Waikato Hospital’s paediatric ward. Whānau who met at least one criteria for New Zealand’s domains of deprivation were included. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach to the study, participants shared their views on barriers and facilitators to accessing health resources and primary care services. Our interviews highlight how the Harti tool, when administered in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner that prioritised relationship-building, enabled better connection to healthcare services. Prevalent in our analysis were connections to wider determinants of health and ways to reduce existing health inequities. To conclude the paper, we highlight how the tool has enhanced feelings of being in control of health with the potential to reduce the likelihood of a hospital readmission.

year: 2019