title: Network analysis of mindfulness and mental health symptoms among firefighters: A transdiagnostic lens

authors: Yan, Vivienne Yu-X.

abstract: Objectives: Previous research has established the protective role of mindfulness against various psychological disorders and maladaptive behaviours. However, the associations between specific facets of mindfulness and diverse mental health and behavioural outcomes have not been thoroughly investigated in populations with risky occupations. The aim of this study was to examine the direct and indirect associations between the five facets of mindfulness and prevalent mental health and behavioural outcomes among firefighters, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger, suicide risk, sleep quality, and alcohol use. Method: The assessment scores of 685 career firefighters (Mage = 38.40, SD = 8.64; 93.6% males; 77.7% White) including 154 (22.5%) military veterans, who completed measures of mindfulness, depression, PTSD, anger, suicide risk, sleep quality, and alcohol use, were investigated using both directional and non-directional network analysis. Results: Directional network analysis indicated the primary role of anger in triggering PTSD and impacting mindfulness, leading to alcohol use, suicidal ideation, impaired sleep quality, and depression as an outcome. Mindfulness facets of Non-reactivity, Non-judging, and Describing were negatively associated with depression, while the Acting with awareness facet was inversely linked to anger. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the clinical significance of targeting specific mindfulness facets in interventions for high-risk occupations, such as firefighters. Focusing on Non-reactivity, Non-judging, Describing, and Acting with awareness may help mitigate anger, depression, and other negative outcomes. Addressing anger management could be especially important in preventing or reducing PTSD, alcohol use, suicidal ideation, sleep disturbances, and depression, ultimately enhancing psychological well-being and quality of life.

text: Network analysis of mindfulness and mental health symptoms among firefighters: A transdiagnostic lens Objectives: Previous research has established the protective role of mindfulness against various psychological disorders and maladaptive behaviours. However, the associations between specific facets of mindfulness and diverse mental health and behavioural outcomes have not been thoroughly investigated in populations with risky occupations. The aim of this study was to examine the direct and indirect associations between the five facets of mindfulness and prevalent mental health and behavioural outcomes among firefighters, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger, suicide risk, sleep quality, and alcohol use. Method: The assessment scores of 685 career firefighters (Mage = 38.40, SD = 8.64; 93.6% males; 77.7% White) including 154 (22.5%) military veterans, who completed measures of mindfulness, depression, PTSD, anger, suicide risk, sleep quality, and alcohol use, were investigated using both directional and non-directional network analysis. Results: Directional network analysis indicated the primary role of anger in triggering PTSD and impacting mindfulness, leading to alcohol use, suicidal ideation, impaired sleep quality, and depression as an outcome. Mindfulness facets of Non-reactivity, Non-judging, and Describing were negatively associated with depression, while the Acting with awareness facet was inversely linked to anger. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the clinical significance of targeting specific mindfulness facets in interventions for high-risk occupations, such as firefighters. Focusing on Non-reactivity, Non-judging, Describing, and Acting with awareness may help mitigate anger, depression, and other negative outcomes. Addressing anger management could be especially important in preventing or reducing PTSD, alcohol use, suicidal ideation, sleep disturbances, and depression, ultimately enhancing psychological well-being and quality of life.

year: 2024-05-20

title: Methods of a national colorectal cancer cohort study: the PIPER Project

authors: Firth, Melissa

abstract: A national study looking at bowel cancer in New Zealand has previously been completed (the PIPER Project). The study included 5,610 patients and collected medical information about how each person was found to have bowel cancer and the treatment they received. This paper reports how the study was carried out. The information collected in the study will be used to look at the quality of care being provided to New Zealand patients with bowel cancer, and to find out if differences in care occur based on where people live, their ethnicity and their socioeconomic status.

text: Methods of a national colorectal cancer cohort study: the PIPER Project A national study looking at bowel cancer in New Zealand has previously been completed (the PIPER Project). The study included 5,610 patients and collected medical information about how each person was found to have bowel cancer and the treatment they received. This paper reports how the study was carried out. The information collected in the study will be used to look at the quality of care being provided to New Zealand patients with bowel cancer, and to find out if differences in care occur based on where people live, their ethnicity and their socioeconomic status.

year: 2016

title: Maori children : Conceptions of Death and Tangihanga

authors: Jacob, Juanita Emily

subjects: Maori

abstract: Research pertaining to Maori children‟s experiences and perceptions of death and tangihanga is sparse. Much of what is available, relating to children and their experiences with death, particularly death of a loved one, is generalised and stems from Western paradigms of knowledge. In contrast, this study aimed to investigate Maori children‟s experience relating to death and tangi through the eyes of Maori parents. Five areas were explored with Maori parents: (1) childhood experiences of Maori parents relating to death and tangi, (2) parental conceptualisation pertaining to ideas of an afterlife (3) how and when Maori parents talk with children about topics relating to death, tangi and an afterlife (4) how Maori children understand and conceptualise these events, and (5) how these practices will continue on in the future. Findings of this study suggest that Maori children: (a) received abundant support from kinship networks to help them cope with their grief, (b) they were included and involved in all aspects relating to death and tangi, (c) they were encouraged to express emotions openly and without restraint, (d) they understood and comprehended death through personal experience and exposure to tangi, (e) the business of grieving came secondary to the fact that tangi was more like a holiday with family, (f) Maori parents informed and talked to their children about death and tangi, and (g) they often use both Christian ideologies and cultural beliefs to explained death and afterlife to their children. From this study we learn that death was not hidden from children, that parents talked with their children in very open and age relevant ways, and considered their children‟s participation in tangi as an important way to grieve and ensure continuity with kinship networks and support. This study suggests that the challenge now is to ensure that these practices continue to persist between parents and their children, and continue on through generations.

text: Maori children : Conceptions of Death and Tangihanga Research pertaining to Maori children‟s experiences and perceptions of death and tangihanga is sparse. Much of what is available, relating to children and their experiences with death, particularly death of a loved one, is generalised and stems from Western paradigms of knowledge. In contrast, this study aimed to investigate Maori children‟s experience relating to death and tangi through the eyes of Maori parents. Five areas were explored with Maori parents: (1) childhood experiences of Maori parents relating to death and tangi, (2) parental conceptualisation pertaining to ideas of an afterlife (3) how and when Maori parents talk with children about topics relating to death, tangi and an afterlife (4) how Maori children understand and conceptualise these events, and (5) how these practices will continue on in the future. Findings of this study suggest that Maori children: (a) received abundant support from kinship networks to help them cope with their grief, (b) they were included and involved in all aspects relating to death and tangi, (c) they were encouraged to express emotions openly and without restraint, (d) they understood and comprehended death through personal experience and exposure to tangi, (e) the business of grieving came secondary to the fact that tangi was more like a holiday with family, (f) Maori parents informed and talked to their children about death and tangi, and (g) they often use both Christian ideologies and cultural beliefs to explained death and afterlife to their children. From this study we learn that death was not hidden from children, that parents talked with their children in very open and age relevant ways, and considered their children‟s participation in tangi as an important way to grieve and ensure continuity with kinship networks and support. This study suggests that the challenge now is to ensure that these practices continue to persist between parents and their children, and continue on through generations.

year: 2011