title: Slain in the Spirit: Pentecostal-evangelical Christianity and the rise of witchcraft and sorcery-related violence in Melanesia

authors: Hapi, Ahere

subjects: Pentecostal

abstract: Within Melanesia, there has been a startling rise in new forms of brutal, dehumanizing, public violence directed towards accused witches and sorcerers in recent decades. This new suite of horrific practices departs radically from traditional practices and is much more widespread geographically. In this thesis, I argue that the rapid growth of Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical forms of Christianity are a crucial factor in the emergence and diffusion of this new violence. Building upon existing studies, I show how the deepening influence of these Christian modalities in Melanesia has intensified the ontological reality of witchcraft and sorcery, powerfully associated witchcraft and sorcery with Satan and sin, thereby constructing these realms as the epitome of evil, and portrayed witchcraft and sorcery, and the individuals accused of practicing them, as entities that must be continuously and viciously defended against and destroyed through spiritual warfare. I argue that all of these attributes provide a powerfully enabling religious framework for the real life violence that is enacted upon accused witches and sorcerers. To make this point even stronger, I also show in the thesis how, in extreme cases, these Christians have sometimes condoned, facilitated and personally committed brutalized violence on suspected witches and sorcerers.

text: Slain in the Spirit: Pentecostal-evangelical Christianity and the rise of witchcraft and sorcery-related violence in Melanesia Within Melanesia, there has been a startling rise in new forms of brutal, dehumanizing, public violence directed towards accused witches and sorcerers in recent decades. This new suite of horrific practices departs radically from traditional practices and is much more widespread geographically. In this thesis, I argue that the rapid growth of Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical forms of Christianity are a crucial factor in the emergence and diffusion of this new violence. Building upon existing studies, I show how the deepening influence of these Christian modalities in Melanesia has intensified the ontological reality of witchcraft and sorcery, powerfully associated witchcraft and sorcery with Satan and sin, thereby constructing these realms as the epitome of evil, and portrayed witchcraft and sorcery, and the individuals accused of practicing them, as entities that must be continuously and viciously defended against and destroyed through spiritual warfare. I argue that all of these attributes provide a powerfully enabling religious framework for the real life violence that is enacted upon accused witches and sorcerers. To make this point even stronger, I also show in the thesis how, in extreme cases, these Christians have sometimes condoned, facilitated and personally committed brutalized violence on suspected witches and sorcerers.

year: 2020

title: Rasch analysis of the hospital anxiety and depression scale in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

authors: Bartholomew, Emerson J.

subjects: Chronic fatigue syndrome

abstract: Background: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is widely utilized for assessing psychological distress in medical populations, yet its clinimetric properties in chronic fatigue conditions remain underexplored. Given the complex symptom presentation in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), rigorous clinimetric validation is essential for accurate clinical assessment. 

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinimetric properties of the HADS using Rasch methodology in patients with CFS, with particular emphasis on dimensionality, item functioning, and measurement precision. 

Methods: Rasch analysis was conducted on HADS responses from 286 participants diagnosed with CFS. The Partial Credit Rasch model was applied to assess overall model fit, item performance, unidimensionality and differential item functioning. 

Results: Initial analysis revealed suboptimal model fit, necessitating subtest modifications to address local response dependence. The subtest solution demonstrated acceptable fit to the Rasch model with evidence of strict unidimensionality, high reliability (PSI = 0.87), and no differential item functioning by demographic variables. Rasch-converted interval scores showed improved measurement precision compared to ordinal scoring. Interval scoring yielding a significantly higher mean (M = 22.55, SD = 3.78) compared to unconverted scoring (M = 20.30, SD = 6.87), t(275) = −19.54, p < .001, indicating that ordinal scoring systematically underestimates the latent trait level. Interval scores showed a 45 % reduction in measurement error demonstrated by the substantial reduction in standard error. 

Conclusions: The HADS demonstrated acceptable measurement properties in patients with CFS. The development of ordinal-to-interval conversion tables enhances the scale's precision, supporting its continued use in clinical and research contexts.

text: Rasch analysis of the hospital anxiety and depression scale in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome Background: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is widely utilized for assessing psychological distress in medical populations, yet its clinimetric properties in chronic fatigue conditions remain underexplored. Given the complex symptom presentation in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), rigorous clinimetric validation is essential for accurate clinical assessment. 

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinimetric properties of the HADS using Rasch methodology in patients with CFS, with particular emphasis on dimensionality, item functioning, and measurement precision. 

Methods: Rasch analysis was conducted on HADS responses from 286 participants diagnosed with CFS. The Partial Credit Rasch model was applied to assess overall model fit, item performance, unidimensionality and differential item functioning. 

Results: Initial analysis revealed suboptimal model fit, necessitating subtest modifications to address local response dependence. The subtest solution demonstrated acceptable fit to the Rasch model with evidence of strict unidimensionality, high reliability (PSI = 0.87), and no differential item functioning by demographic variables. Rasch-converted interval scores showed improved measurement precision compared to ordinal scoring. Interval scoring yielding a significantly higher mean (M = 22.55, SD = 3.78) compared to unconverted scoring (M = 20.30, SD = 6.87), t(275) = −19.54, p < .001, indicating that ordinal scoring systematically underestimates the latent trait level. Interval scores showed a 45 % reduction in measurement error demonstrated by the substantial reduction in standard error. 

Conclusions: The HADS demonstrated acceptable measurement properties in patients with CFS. The development of ordinal-to-interval conversion tables enhances the scale's precision, supporting its continued use in clinical and research contexts.

year: 2025

title: Boat electrofishing survey of fish abundance in the Ohau Channel, Rotorua, in 2016

authors: Hicks, Brendan J.

abstract: The aim of the survey was to provide on-going monitoring of the fish communities and abundance by boat electrofishing in the Ohau Channel, especially fish species that are taonga to Maori (tuna, or eels, morihana, or goldfish, and kōura, or freshwater crayfish). In the current study, we present the findings from the tenth year of sampling (2016) and a summary of previous surveys.

text: Boat electrofishing survey of fish abundance in the Ohau Channel, Rotorua, in 2016 The aim of the survey was to provide on-going monitoring of the fish communities and abundance by boat electrofishing in the Ohau Channel, especially fish species that are taonga to Maori (tuna, or eels, morihana, or goldfish, and kōura, or freshwater crayfish). In the current study, we present the findings from the tenth year of sampling (2016) and a summary of previous surveys.

year: 2017