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

authors: Yan, Vivienne

subjects: network analysis

abstract: 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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

title: Dance and disability: Embracing difference, tensions and complexities

authors: Cheesman, Sue

subjects: dance

abstract: In this paper I am particularly interested in unpacking the notion that dancers with a visible disability are both marginalised and hyper-visible. I refer to selected dance examples available on YouTube and consider these in relation to Whatley’s (2007) presumption of difference indicators in support of my aim to expand research into the area of dance and disability. Viewing these dance examples provided a ‘bouncing off’ point from which to unpack how these performances are perceived and made meaningful by their audiences. Drawing from discussion tasks set at several different conferences in response to viewing these dance examples, I share initial findings and consider issues that arose in embracing difference, tensions and complexities.

text: Dance and disability: Embracing difference, tensions and complexities In this paper I am particularly interested in unpacking the notion that dancers with a visible disability are both marginalised and hyper-visible. I refer to selected dance examples available on YouTube and consider these in relation to Whatley’s (2007) presumption of difference indicators in support of my aim to expand research into the area of dance and disability. Viewing these dance examples provided a ‘bouncing off’ point from which to unpack how these performances are perceived and made meaningful by their audiences. Drawing from discussion tasks set at several different conferences in response to viewing these dance examples, I share initial findings and consider issues that arose in embracing difference, tensions and complexities.

year: 2014

title: Ngā kura a Hineteiwaiwa: The embodiment of Mana Wahine in Māori fibre Arts

authors: Campbell, Donna

subjects: Mana Wahine

abstract: Imagine you are on a continuum of past present and future, in the present while connected to the past and creating for the future. Kairaranga  are constantly in this experience through engaging with the materiality of the practices of raranga and raranga whatu.  
The key focus of this thesis is to provide theoretical discussion of the raranga and whatu practices that are the creative component of this doctoral research.  The theories that inform the analysis are Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine both of which, like raranga, are organic to this place, Aotearoa , and have grown as descendants of Papatūānuku  and Ranginui . The connection between these theories and the creative practices of raranga and whatu form a cultural praxis through which I argue enables the transformative power of raranga and whatu practices.  This too is the essence of Te Whare Pora, a weaving house that embraces kairaranga both conceptually and materially and which provides the approach to the project. Te Whare Pora is a place of knowledge and a place of practice. Like Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine theories it is a cultural form and expression of praxis. As kairaranga we create taonga  informed by the creative genius of our tūpuna  from the native plants of the land. These ageless practices and the taonga we create are permeated with our own present realities. The taonga then carry this tūpuna knowledge into the future in multiple forms. To highlight this, I explore a range of practices that exemplify raranga and raranga whatu as cultural embodiment.  This is articulated through notions of raranga as an expression of cultural bodies of knowledge, creative practice and regenerative praxis that span the past, present and future.  As such, this thesis is an expression of the creative journey of theory and practice inspired by tūpuna knowledge in the art forms of raranga and raranga whatu. The practices of raranga and raranga whatu not only transform the materials the kairaranga is using, but also the kairaranga themselves. These practices become self-affirming, culturally affirming and ultimately decolonizing.

text: Ngā kura a Hineteiwaiwa: The embodiment of Mana Wahine in Māori fibre Arts Imagine you are on a continuum of past present and future, in the present while connected to the past and creating for the future. Kairaranga  are constantly in this experience through engaging with the materiality of the practices of raranga and raranga whatu.  
The key focus of this thesis is to provide theoretical discussion of the raranga and whatu practices that are the creative component of this doctoral research.  The theories that inform the analysis are Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine both of which, like raranga, are organic to this place, Aotearoa , and have grown as descendants of Papatūānuku  and Ranginui . The connection between these theories and the creative practices of raranga and whatu form a cultural praxis through which I argue enables the transformative power of raranga and whatu practices.  This too is the essence of Te Whare Pora, a weaving house that embraces kairaranga both conceptually and materially and which provides the approach to the project. Te Whare Pora is a place of knowledge and a place of practice. Like Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine theories it is a cultural form and expression of praxis. As kairaranga we create taonga  informed by the creative genius of our tūpuna  from the native plants of the land. These ageless practices and the taonga we create are permeated with our own present realities. The taonga then carry this tūpuna knowledge into the future in multiple forms. To highlight this, I explore a range of practices that exemplify raranga and raranga whatu as cultural embodiment.  This is articulated through notions of raranga as an expression of cultural bodies of knowledge, creative practice and regenerative praxis that span the past, present and future.  As such, this thesis is an expression of the creative journey of theory and practice inspired by tūpuna knowledge in the art forms of raranga and raranga whatu. The practices of raranga and raranga whatu not only transform the materials the kairaranga is using, but also the kairaranga themselves. These practices become self-affirming, culturally affirming and ultimately decolonizing.

year: 2019