title: An Evaluation of the Cognitive Functioning of Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Treatment and its Relation to Treatment Adherence

authors: Yates, Susan J

subjects: methadone maintenance treatment

abstract: This research assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples, with a specific focus on individuals in methadone maintenance treatment. Additionally, this research assessed the relation between cognitive functioning and adherence to treatment in these populations. This is a link that has been suggested by research in this area previously. The present research consisted of five experiments. Experiment 1 assessed the application, within New Zealand, of the normative data for a number of psychometric tests with a non- substance using sample of New Zealand university students. The results from this study showed that the scores for the university sample were generally similar to the normative means, suggesting that the existing normative data could be used in New Zealand. Experiment 2 assessed the cognitive functioning of university students who reported regular use of alcohol and/or cannabis. The results from this study showed that the frequency of alcohol use was positively correlated with problem solving ability, while frequency of cannabis use was positively correlated with memory functioning. Cannabis use was also associated with poorer problem solving ability. These findings showed that casual use of alcohol and/or cannabis was associated with poorer functioning on some psychometric tests, and that these tests were sensitive to the effects of substance use. Experiment 3 assessed the cognitive functioning of a sample of individuals in methadone maintenance treatment in relation to their adherence to treatment. The results from this study showed deficits in memory, divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and poor mathematical ability when compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction, and findings also suggested a possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better scores on the psychometric test scores. Due to difficulties in recruiting participants, Experiment 4 assessed the cognitive functioning of a second sample of individuals in methadone maintenance in relation to treatment adherence. This sample completed a reduced battery of psychometric tests, and results showed deficits in memory, attention, and problem solving abilities compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was not found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction in this sample. A possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better psychometric test scores was identified for this sample also, although the relation was between different test scores than those in Experiment 3. To assess whether the obtained results for Experiment 3 and Experiment 4 were specific to methadone, Experiment 5 assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples in relation to treatment adherence. The study examined the cognitive functioning of alcohol, drug and alcohol, and other opiate users, and showed that all samples had difficulty recalling information in a visual format, that a large percentage showed impairments in divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and that the drug and alcohol, and other opiate samples had deficits in problem solving ability. Treatment adherence in this study was assessed for the alcohol sample, with results showing a relation between poor treatment adherence and verbal memory ability, and divided attention and cognitive flexibility. Overall, the cognitive deficits found in the samples for each experiment were not related to treatment adherence as measured in this research. However, results for the alcohol sample suggested that there may be a link between poor adherence and impairments in verbal memory and divided attention. The findings from this research suggest that cognitive deficits and treatment adherence are not related, but this finding may be the result of limitations in this research (i.e., recruitment difficulties, adherence measures used). The clinical and research implications of the results of the research are discussed. In particular, recommendations for treatment services dealing with the drug and alcohol population are provided.

text: An Evaluation of the Cognitive Functioning of Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Treatment and its Relation to Treatment Adherence This research assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples, with a specific focus on individuals in methadone maintenance treatment. Additionally, this research assessed the relation between cognitive functioning and adherence to treatment in these populations. This is a link that has been suggested by research in this area previously. The present research consisted of five experiments. Experiment 1 assessed the application, within New Zealand, of the normative data for a number of psychometric tests with a non- substance using sample of New Zealand university students. The results from this study showed that the scores for the university sample were generally similar to the normative means, suggesting that the existing normative data could be used in New Zealand. Experiment 2 assessed the cognitive functioning of university students who reported regular use of alcohol and/or cannabis. The results from this study showed that the frequency of alcohol use was positively correlated with problem solving ability, while frequency of cannabis use was positively correlated with memory functioning. Cannabis use was also associated with poorer problem solving ability. These findings showed that casual use of alcohol and/or cannabis was associated with poorer functioning on some psychometric tests, and that these tests were sensitive to the effects of substance use. Experiment 3 assessed the cognitive functioning of a sample of individuals in methadone maintenance treatment in relation to their adherence to treatment. The results from this study showed deficits in memory, divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and poor mathematical ability when compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction, and findings also suggested a possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better scores on the psychometric test scores. Due to difficulties in recruiting participants, Experiment 4 assessed the cognitive functioning of a second sample of individuals in methadone maintenance in relation to treatment adherence. This sample completed a reduced battery of psychometric tests, and results showed deficits in memory, attention, and problem solving abilities compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was not found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction in this sample. A possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better psychometric test scores was identified for this sample also, although the relation was between different test scores than those in Experiment 3. To assess whether the obtained results for Experiment 3 and Experiment 4 were specific to methadone, Experiment 5 assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples in relation to treatment adherence. The study examined the cognitive functioning of alcohol, drug and alcohol, and other opiate users, and showed that all samples had difficulty recalling information in a visual format, that a large percentage showed impairments in divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and that the drug and alcohol, and other opiate samples had deficits in problem solving ability. Treatment adherence in this study was assessed for the alcohol sample, with results showing a relation between poor treatment adherence and verbal memory ability, and divided attention and cognitive flexibility. Overall, the cognitive deficits found in the samples for each experiment were not related to treatment adherence as measured in this research. However, results for the alcohol sample suggested that there may be a link between poor adherence and impairments in verbal memory and divided attention. The findings from this research suggest that cognitive deficits and treatment adherence are not related, but this finding may be the result of limitations in this research (i.e., recruitment difficulties, adherence measures used). The clinical and research implications of the results of the research are discussed. In particular, recommendations for treatment services dealing with the drug and alcohol population are provided.

year: 2009

title: 'This is men's ultimate': (Re)creating multiple masculinities in elite open Ultimate Frisbee

authors: Crocket, Hamish Robert

subjects: Discourse

abstract: Over the past 10 years, there has been an increasing focus on the complexity and diversity of masculinities produced in sporting contexts. In this article, I draw on Foucauldian notions of power and discourse to examine the performances of elite male Ultimate players. Based on a year-long ethnographic study with an elite male Ultimate team, I contribute to this growing body of literature by analyzing the performance of multiple masculinities by players within this team.

text: 'This is men's ultimate': (Re)creating multiple masculinities in elite open Ultimate Frisbee Over the past 10 years, there has been an increasing focus on the complexity and diversity of masculinities produced in sporting contexts. In this article, I draw on Foucauldian notions of power and discourse to examine the performances of elite male Ultimate players. Based on a year-long ethnographic study with an elite male Ultimate team, I contribute to this growing body of literature by analyzing the performance of multiple masculinities by players within this team.

year: 2012-09

title: Introduction to tephra-derived soils, North Island, New Zealand: University of Waikato and University of Wisconsin-Platteville post-conference Andisol excursion, 21-23 December, 2016

authors: Lowe, David J.

abstract: Provisional itinerary DAY 1 Wednesday 21 December: Mamaku Plateau-Rerewhakaaitu-Lake Tarawera: 1 Goodwin Farm, Tapapa Rd, Tapapa: welded ignimbrite, tephras, loess, buried soils (Tirau soil) - stratigraphy of sequence (230 ka and younger) and upbuilding pedogenesis - Tirau silt loam 2 Brett Rd, Rerewhakaaitu: Holocene tephras and buried soil (Rotomahana soil) - Volcanic landscape, historical importance of area for NZ soil survey - Stratigraphy of sequence (~9.5 cal ka to 10 June 1886 Tarawera eruption) and upbuilding pedogenesis - Rotomahana sandy loam, 3 Ash Pit Rd, Rerewhakaaitu: tephras and buried soils (Matahina soil) - Matahina gravel - buried spodic/podzol soil features, 4 Okareka Loop Rd tephra section with proximal Rotorua Tephra and buried soils, loess, Buried Village Museum, Te Wairoa, Lake Tarawera (Stoney Point). DAY 2 Thursday 22 December: Otorohanga-Waitomo Caves -Pirongia Mountain: 1 Raynes Road section: Ultisol in composite tephra sequence (Kainui soil), 2 Otorohanga Kiwi House, 3 Waitomo Caves,, 4 Pirongia Mountain: Mangakara forest walk, 5 Evening meal on an Andisol. DAY 3 Friday 23 December: Hobbiton, Hamilton gardens including Te Parapara (ancient Maori garden): 1. Hobbiton tour 10.15 am (2 hrs), 2. Hamilton Gardens incl. Te Parapara Garden and human-modified soils (Tamahere soil).

text: Introduction to tephra-derived soils, North Island, New Zealand: University of Waikato and University of Wisconsin-Platteville post-conference Andisol excursion, 21-23 December, 2016 Provisional itinerary DAY 1 Wednesday 21 December: Mamaku Plateau-Rerewhakaaitu-Lake Tarawera: 1 Goodwin Farm, Tapapa Rd, Tapapa: welded ignimbrite, tephras, loess, buried soils (Tirau soil) - stratigraphy of sequence (230 ka and younger) and upbuilding pedogenesis - Tirau silt loam 2 Brett Rd, Rerewhakaaitu: Holocene tephras and buried soil (Rotomahana soil) - Volcanic landscape, historical importance of area for NZ soil survey - Stratigraphy of sequence (~9.5 cal ka to 10 June 1886 Tarawera eruption) and upbuilding pedogenesis - Rotomahana sandy loam, 3 Ash Pit Rd, Rerewhakaaitu: tephras and buried soils (Matahina soil) - Matahina gravel - buried spodic/podzol soil features, 4 Okareka Loop Rd tephra section with proximal Rotorua Tephra and buried soils, loess, Buried Village Museum, Te Wairoa, Lake Tarawera (Stoney Point). DAY 2 Thursday 22 December: Otorohanga-Waitomo Caves -Pirongia Mountain: 1 Raynes Road section: Ultisol in composite tephra sequence (Kainui soil), 2 Otorohanga Kiwi House, 3 Waitomo Caves,, 4 Pirongia Mountain: Mangakara forest walk, 5 Evening meal on an Andisol. DAY 3 Friday 23 December: Hobbiton, Hamilton gardens including Te Parapara (ancient Maori garden): 1. Hobbiton tour 10.15 am (2 hrs), 2. Hamilton Gardens incl. Te Parapara Garden and human-modified soils (Tamahere soil).

year: 2016-12-21