title: Mindfulness-based stress reduction in a correctional facility: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the impact of violent behaviour

authors: Edward, Mtakwa

subjects: MBSR

abstract: Criminal behaviours can often lead to a prison sentence, and a prison sentence suggests that justice has been served. It appears that correctional facilities worldwide have been inundated with prisoners serving time for a variety of reasons.  Though a prison sentence serves as punishment for perpetrators, it can often cause psychological harm for both prisoners and their families. As a result of more relevant research being conducted, several intensive rehabilitative programmes are being run in correctional facilities worldwide to address criminal behaviours such as violence. These intensive programmes aim to teach prisoners to understand the relationships between intrusive thought patterns that may or may not be associated with past traumatic events, emotional dysregulation, and poor behaviour leading to violent offending.  The present study examined the impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on prisoners' psychological wellbeing in correctional facilities worldwide. It was completed by running a meta-analysis on four studies based in the United States of America (USA), China, and the Netherlands and across various ethnic and cultural groups, which analysed this relationship. The results indicated that MBSR could be an effective treatment modality to run alongside intensive therapies.
Furthermore, the overall effect size suggested a positive but not significant relationship between MBSR and improved psychological wellbeing. It is suggested that further research using experimental designs be explored in this field to allow for further analysis to be examined. The main objective of this review was to answer two questions: 'Is the use of MBSR in correctional facilities effective in helping reduce recidivism rates?' and 'Will the use of MBSR be effective with different cultural and ethnical populations in correctional facilities?' The conclusion of the meta-analysis in the current study suggests that yes, it is possible to reduce recidivism rates through using MBSR as an effective treatment in correctional facilities. Furthermore, it can be successfully implemented across people of different cultures and ethnicities.

text: Mindfulness-based stress reduction in a correctional facility: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the impact of violent behaviour Criminal behaviours can often lead to a prison sentence, and a prison sentence suggests that justice has been served. It appears that correctional facilities worldwide have been inundated with prisoners serving time for a variety of reasons.  Though a prison sentence serves as punishment for perpetrators, it can often cause psychological harm for both prisoners and their families. As a result of more relevant research being conducted, several intensive rehabilitative programmes are being run in correctional facilities worldwide to address criminal behaviours such as violence. These intensive programmes aim to teach prisoners to understand the relationships between intrusive thought patterns that may or may not be associated with past traumatic events, emotional dysregulation, and poor behaviour leading to violent offending.  The present study examined the impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on prisoners' psychological wellbeing in correctional facilities worldwide. It was completed by running a meta-analysis on four studies based in the United States of America (USA), China, and the Netherlands and across various ethnic and cultural groups, which analysed this relationship. The results indicated that MBSR could be an effective treatment modality to run alongside intensive therapies.
Furthermore, the overall effect size suggested a positive but not significant relationship between MBSR and improved psychological wellbeing. It is suggested that further research using experimental designs be explored in this field to allow for further analysis to be examined. The main objective of this review was to answer two questions: 'Is the use of MBSR in correctional facilities effective in helping reduce recidivism rates?' and 'Will the use of MBSR be effective with different cultural and ethnical populations in correctional facilities?' The conclusion of the meta-analysis in the current study suggests that yes, it is possible to reduce recidivism rates through using MBSR as an effective treatment in correctional facilities. Furthermore, it can be successfully implemented across people of different cultures and ethnicities.

year: 2021

title: Effect of river flow, temperature, and water chemistry on proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium

authors: Wood, Susanna A.

subjects: anatoxins

abstract: Proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium are increasing in prevalence in cobble-bed rivers worldwide. This proliferation is of particular concern when rivers are used as sources of drinking water or for recreation. Little is known about the physicochemical variables promoting proliferations, and our existing knowledge is based on data from only a few rivers. We assessed Phormidium cover, physicochemical variables, and anatoxin concentrations at 10 sites in 7 New Zealand rivers every week for 2 y. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) identified dissolved inorganic N (DIN) over the accrual period <0.8 mg/L, dissolved reactive P accrual <0.005 mg/L, water temperatures >15°C, and conductivity as having positive and statistically significant effects on % Phormidium cover. Flow intensity, expressed relative to the long-term median, had a positive effect up to 0.4× the median flow and a negative effect when >0.5× the median flow. Quantile regression models showed marked variability among sites in relation to the flow intensity required to reduce % Phormidium cover (90ᵗʰ percentile ranged 0.65–249× the long-term median flow). Anatoxins were detected in variable concentrations in samples from 7 of the 10 sites. GAMMs identified strong relationships between elevated toxin concentrations and low conductivity and increasing % Phormidium cover, and significantly lower toxin concentrations when DIN was <0.2 mg/L. These data demonstrate that multiple physicochemical variables influence Phormidium proliferations and toxin concentrations and indicate that the relative importance of these variables differs among rivers and sites.

text: Effect of river flow, temperature, and water chemistry on proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium Proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium are increasing in prevalence in cobble-bed rivers worldwide. This proliferation is of particular concern when rivers are used as sources of drinking water or for recreation. Little is known about the physicochemical variables promoting proliferations, and our existing knowledge is based on data from only a few rivers. We assessed Phormidium cover, physicochemical variables, and anatoxin concentrations at 10 sites in 7 New Zealand rivers every week for 2 y. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) identified dissolved inorganic N (DIN) over the accrual period <0.8 mg/L, dissolved reactive P accrual <0.005 mg/L, water temperatures >15°C, and conductivity as having positive and statistically significant effects on % Phormidium cover. Flow intensity, expressed relative to the long-term median, had a positive effect up to 0.4× the median flow and a negative effect when >0.5× the median flow. Quantile regression models showed marked variability among sites in relation to the flow intensity required to reduce % Phormidium cover (90ᵗʰ percentile ranged 0.65–249× the long-term median flow). Anatoxins were detected in variable concentrations in samples from 7 of the 10 sites. GAMMs identified strong relationships between elevated toxin concentrations and low conductivity and increasing % Phormidium cover, and significantly lower toxin concentrations when DIN was <0.2 mg/L. These data demonstrate that multiple physicochemical variables influence Phormidium proliferations and toxin concentrations and indicate that the relative importance of these variables differs among rivers and sites.

year: 2016-12-15

title: Ngā wāhine ariki tapairu o Te Arawa: Te Kuraimonoa, Kearoa, Whakaotirangi

authors: Retikaukau, Georgia-Louise

subjects: Te Arawa

abstract: Similar to many other iwi (tribes) in Aotearoa, the Arawa people have a rich ancestral heritage that traces back to our origins in Hawaiki through our esteemed canoe traditions. However, within these narratives, the prominence of our heroic male ancestors tends to overshadow the stories of their wives, who are often mentioned merely as secondary characters. Te Kuraimonoa, Kearoa, and Whakaotirangi represent the first three women to be named in Te Arawa traditions, yet their narratives remain vague, existing only from a male perspective. Although their names can be found scattered throughout European and Māori literature, their stories are fragmented and incomplete, varying from tribe to tribe.

The objective of this research is to delve into these three ancestresses' lives from a Te Arawa female perspective, aiming to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding. Employing a mixed-method research approach, this study will investigate Māori and European literature, supplemented by thematical analysis to study and compare data gathered from interviews with female Te Arawa descendants. The insights gained from this endeavour will contribute to the creation of substantial knowledge that can benefit both present and future generations.

Comprising of seven chapters, this thesis unfolds as follows: Chapter one introduces the research purpose and provides an overview of the subsequent chapters. Chapter two outlines the research methodology employed. Chapter three presents an in-depth exploration of Te Arawa iwi, elucidating their significance and cultural context. Chapter four encompasses a comprehensive literature review, while chapter five is solely dedicated to the insights derived from the interview dialogues. Chapter six delves into the findings and engages in detailed discussions, offering a comprehensive analysis. Lastly, chapter seven serves as the conclusion, summarizing the key findings and their implications.

text: Ngā wāhine ariki tapairu o Te Arawa: Te Kuraimonoa, Kearoa, Whakaotirangi Similar to many other iwi (tribes) in Aotearoa, the Arawa people have a rich ancestral heritage that traces back to our origins in Hawaiki through our esteemed canoe traditions. However, within these narratives, the prominence of our heroic male ancestors tends to overshadow the stories of their wives, who are often mentioned merely as secondary characters. Te Kuraimonoa, Kearoa, and Whakaotirangi represent the first three women to be named in Te Arawa traditions, yet their narratives remain vague, existing only from a male perspective. Although their names can be found scattered throughout European and Māori literature, their stories are fragmented and incomplete, varying from tribe to tribe.

The objective of this research is to delve into these three ancestresses' lives from a Te Arawa female perspective, aiming to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding. Employing a mixed-method research approach, this study will investigate Māori and European literature, supplemented by thematical analysis to study and compare data gathered from interviews with female Te Arawa descendants. The insights gained from this endeavour will contribute to the creation of substantial knowledge that can benefit both present and future generations.

Comprising of seven chapters, this thesis unfolds as follows: Chapter one introduces the research purpose and provides an overview of the subsequent chapters. Chapter two outlines the research methodology employed. Chapter three presents an in-depth exploration of Te Arawa iwi, elucidating their significance and cultural context. Chapter four encompasses a comprehensive literature review, while chapter five is solely dedicated to the insights derived from the interview dialogues. Chapter six delves into the findings and engages in detailed discussions, offering a comprehensive analysis. Lastly, chapter seven serves as the conclusion, summarizing the key findings and their implications.

year: 2023