title: The use of a Self-Help book based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: To improve General Well-being and Reduce Stress among Support Workers in Disability Sector

authors: Thomas, Leny Philip

subjects: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

abstract: The randomized two group design (control and intervention group) study was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-help book based on ACT for support staff working in disability sector. 10 participants in the intervention group engaged with the book and did the exercises for a 7-week period while 12 participants waited. The researcher contacted the participants in the intervention group by telephone every week to discuss the respective section assigned for each week. 10 participants from the intervention group and 12 from the control group completed pre and post intervention measures for acceptance, mindfulness, quality of life, stress, thought suppression, values, general mental health and on thought control. Participants from the intervention group who read the book rated the usefulness of each section, answered if they were able to engage with the material and rated the difficulty level of the section. The questions at the end of each section helped to assess the comprehension of the content. Results of the group data showed that there was significant interaction for acceptance and depersonalization (a measure of burnout) for participants who completed intervention. Large effect sizes for interaction were seen for measures of stress and burnout while medium effect size was seen for quality of life and mindfulness. The current findings partially support the hypothesis that engaging with self-help book on ACT could improve general well-being of support staff working in disability sector. Previous studies have used ACT in form of workshop for support staff, results again suggest that a self-help book along with minimal guidance from therapist can help improve staff well-being and reduce stress.

text: The use of a Self-Help book based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: To improve General Well-being and Reduce Stress among Support Workers in Disability Sector The randomized two group design (control and intervention group) study was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-help book based on ACT for support staff working in disability sector. 10 participants in the intervention group engaged with the book and did the exercises for a 7-week period while 12 participants waited. The researcher contacted the participants in the intervention group by telephone every week to discuss the respective section assigned for each week. 10 participants from the intervention group and 12 from the control group completed pre and post intervention measures for acceptance, mindfulness, quality of life, stress, thought suppression, values, general mental health and on thought control. Participants from the intervention group who read the book rated the usefulness of each section, answered if they were able to engage with the material and rated the difficulty level of the section. The questions at the end of each section helped to assess the comprehension of the content. Results of the group data showed that there was significant interaction for acceptance and depersonalization (a measure of burnout) for participants who completed intervention. Large effect sizes for interaction were seen for measures of stress and burnout while medium effect size was seen for quality of life and mindfulness. The current findings partially support the hypothesis that engaging with self-help book on ACT could improve general well-being of support staff working in disability sector. Previous studies have used ACT in form of workshop for support staff, results again suggest that a self-help book along with minimal guidance from therapist can help improve staff well-being and reduce stress.

year: 2011

title: Gut structure and diet adaptability of yellowbelly flounder: A step towards integrating Rhombosolea leporina into New Zealand aquaculture

authors: Thomson, Caitlin

subjects: gut structure

abstract: Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry as wild fish stocks decline due to overfishing, climate change, and increased seafood consumption. Flatfish, being highly prized, have faced significant declines in the wild, but several species are now being cultivated in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems to meet market demand. Flatfish are low-trophic feeders and thrive in relatively simple farming setups, making them viable candidates for sustainable aquaculture.
In New Zealand, the yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina), or pātiki, is a sought-after species in commercial and recreational fisheries. Introducing this species into aquaculture could support the local seafood market and aid in replenishing wild stocks. However, limited research exists on yellowbelly flounder compared to other flatfish, particularly regarding its digestive system and dietary needs. Feed costs are a significant challenge in aquaculture, especially when striving to reduce reliance on unsustainable ingredients like fishmeal and oil while maintaining low feed conversion ratios. Understanding the digestive tract structure and function of the yellowbelly flounder is critical for developing sustainable, species-specific diets.
This study examined the gut structure and function of wild-caught adult and juvenile yellowbelly flounder, as well as juveniles fed a mussel-based diet, a fishmeal-based pellet diet, or subjected to starvation. The histological analysis examined the muscularis externa, mucosal folds, and goblet cell distribution throughout the alimentary canal, while qPCR assessed the expression of the cholecystokinin hormone paralogs (ccka and cckb).
Unexpectedly, findings suggested that yellowbelly flounder may be agastric, differing from other flatfish. Consistent gut tissue patterns, goblet cell presence, and ccka and cckb expression throughout the canal supported this conclusion. The pellet diet did cause higher ccka expression compared to the mussel diet, but overall, the results suggested the yellowbelly flounder is adaptable to varying feeds. While limited by a small-scale study, these results provided a basis for further exploration of yellowbelly flounder digestive capabilities in hopes of facilitating this species into the New Zealand aquaculture industry.

text: Gut structure and diet adaptability of yellowbelly flounder: A step towards integrating Rhombosolea leporina into New Zealand aquaculture Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry as wild fish stocks decline due to overfishing, climate change, and increased seafood consumption. Flatfish, being highly prized, have faced significant declines in the wild, but several species are now being cultivated in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems to meet market demand. Flatfish are low-trophic feeders and thrive in relatively simple farming setups, making them viable candidates for sustainable aquaculture.
In New Zealand, the yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina), or pātiki, is a sought-after species in commercial and recreational fisheries. Introducing this species into aquaculture could support the local seafood market and aid in replenishing wild stocks. However, limited research exists on yellowbelly flounder compared to other flatfish, particularly regarding its digestive system and dietary needs. Feed costs are a significant challenge in aquaculture, especially when striving to reduce reliance on unsustainable ingredients like fishmeal and oil while maintaining low feed conversion ratios. Understanding the digestive tract structure and function of the yellowbelly flounder is critical for developing sustainable, species-specific diets.
This study examined the gut structure and function of wild-caught adult and juvenile yellowbelly flounder, as well as juveniles fed a mussel-based diet, a fishmeal-based pellet diet, or subjected to starvation. The histological analysis examined the muscularis externa, mucosal folds, and goblet cell distribution throughout the alimentary canal, while qPCR assessed the expression of the cholecystokinin hormone paralogs (ccka and cckb).
Unexpectedly, findings suggested that yellowbelly flounder may be agastric, differing from other flatfish. Consistent gut tissue patterns, goblet cell presence, and ccka and cckb expression throughout the canal supported this conclusion. The pellet diet did cause higher ccka expression compared to the mussel diet, but overall, the results suggested the yellowbelly flounder is adaptable to varying feeds. While limited by a small-scale study, these results provided a basis for further exploration of yellowbelly flounder digestive capabilities in hopes of facilitating this species into the New Zealand aquaculture industry.

year: 2025

title: Claiming spaces: Maori (indigenous persons) making the invalid valid

authors: Hickey, Huhana

subjects: Maori

abstract: Identity is a shifting paradigm because of the constant movement between identities throughout our lives, depending on the context within which we are identifying ourselves. Once we identify, we place ourselves within a certain construct. When positioning within identity labels, multiplicitous experiences of marginalisation need to be accounted for in clarifying identity frameworks. Barile (2000) asserts that it is the multiple minority status of persons of minority ethnic identity with disabilities that positions them into multiple minority discriminatory experiences with greater limitations and discrimination than those with a single minority status identity. Barile (2000) also asserts that it challenges ethnic minority people with disabilities who work collectively and as a group where they are forced to work as individuals, often in isolation from their ethnic and cultural communities.

text: Claiming spaces: Maori (indigenous persons) making the invalid valid Identity is a shifting paradigm because of the constant movement between identities throughout our lives, depending on the context within which we are identifying ourselves. Once we identify, we place ourselves within a certain construct. When positioning within identity labels, multiplicitous experiences of marginalisation need to be accounted for in clarifying identity frameworks. Barile (2000) asserts that it is the multiple minority status of persons of minority ethnic identity with disabilities that positions them into multiple minority discriminatory experiences with greater limitations and discrimination than those with a single minority status identity. Barile (2000) also asserts that it challenges ethnic minority people with disabilities who work collectively and as a group where they are forced to work as individuals, often in isolation from their ethnic and cultural communities.

year: 2008