title: A systematic review of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder research: Taking a behavioural approach

authors: Erasmus, Alyssa

abstract: Restrictive eating disorders (EDs) are a category of disorders, defined broadly here by including any range of repeated behaviours which result in an individual significantly restricting their nutritional intake. Although the rate of diagnosed eating disorders in the general population is relatively low (Demmler et al., 2020), restrictive EDs have the highest mortality rate of any other mental disorder (Fichter & Quadflieg, 2016, Smirk et al., 2012, Steinhausen, 2002), and while EDs typically develop during the transition to adulthood, they can persist into adulthood if they go untreated (Potterton et al., 2020). The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of this literature using PRISMA guidelines, on the treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder using three established psychological interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and behavioural therapy).

This thesis reconceptualised understandings of restrictive EDs in behavioural analytical terms by applying a functional, individual-focused lens to evaluating research in this space. Eight articles published since 2013 were identified for analysis by the search. The methodology, scientific rigor and social validity of research in this space was considered in analysis, and this thesis applied the ABA lens to understanding where and how treatments may be failing to produce socially significant, lasting results.

text: A systematic review of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder research: Taking a behavioural approach Restrictive eating disorders (EDs) are a category of disorders, defined broadly here by including any range of repeated behaviours which result in an individual significantly restricting their nutritional intake. Although the rate of diagnosed eating disorders in the general population is relatively low (Demmler et al., 2020), restrictive EDs have the highest mortality rate of any other mental disorder (Fichter & Quadflieg, 2016, Smirk et al., 2012, Steinhausen, 2002), and while EDs typically develop during the transition to adulthood, they can persist into adulthood if they go untreated (Potterton et al., 2020). The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of this literature using PRISMA guidelines, on the treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder using three established psychological interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and behavioural therapy).

This thesis reconceptualised understandings of restrictive EDs in behavioural analytical terms by applying a functional, individual-focused lens to evaluating research in this space. Eight articles published since 2013 were identified for analysis by the search. The methodology, scientific rigor and social validity of research in this space was considered in analysis, and this thesis applied the ABA lens to understanding where and how treatments may be failing to produce socially significant, lasting results.

year: 2024

title: The Coconut Tree and the Computer Tiger: Information Technology in Traditional Pacific Societies

authors: Philp, Roger

subjects: information technology

abstract: This literature review explores the extent to which Information Technology (IT) has affected the cultures of small traditional Pacific societies, with the South Pacific region as the point of focus. The assumption is that the educational systems of Pacific nations are in the developmental stage with the associated sophisticated technological applications. The thesis asks what if any, cultural challenges of adopting information technology have arisen? The review finds that traditional culture and information technology are in competition in the power stakes of human consideration, reflected in South Pacific indigenous academics seeking independence as researchers and acceptance in their own right. The realisation that culture and technology need to function together requires attaining academic freedom in the aftermath of post-colonial restrictions placed on the indigenous sociological and anthropological imagination. The first part examines the history of  information technology generally, and the significance of work already done, providing a perspective of how the subject has developed and become established, assisting in the development and acquisition of the appropriate vocabulary. The review explains and describes the occurrence of information technology in the South Pacific, the effect of globalisation and shared knowledge through ethno-methodology, every day culture in action, describing the ways in which people make the sense they do and through the ways they communicate. In the second part the focus is on the detail of the commonsense character of everyday life and the practices by which they make their actions understandable by others. Scrutiny of how people do what they do provides an explanation of what those people do and why they do it in the way they do. Western form of governance is a reality, with nation building based on Western models of development. National independence and  sovereignty with a wave of neo-colonialism and aid dependency led to economic globalisation, with resentment against value systems that erode indigenous values, producing a wave of re-indigenisation facilitated by the revolution known as  information technology . There is a coherent body of Pacific thought, with a shared philosophy and ethic on the public agenda. In the material covered, elements standing out are the awareness among growing numbers of Pacific academics of the need for a genuine and far-reaching contextualisation, acknowledging the relevance and applicability of indigenous cultural values in contemporary settings. Second is the success of communities whose initiatives have followed familiar traditional ways they know and understand, reaping rewards. The region has development and governance failures in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji to name a few; the national state of affairs in some countries is not encouraging. Where  good development and governance are occurring, it is usually through the direct initiative of local communities using their knowledge base. The information upheaval is creating new opportunities in the lives of people from small traditional societies. Information Technology expands throughout the social structure of the Pacific in direct proportion to personal computer access literally at one's finger tips.

text: The Coconut Tree and the Computer Tiger: Information Technology in Traditional Pacific Societies This literature review explores the extent to which Information Technology (IT) has affected the cultures of small traditional Pacific societies, with the South Pacific region as the point of focus. The assumption is that the educational systems of Pacific nations are in the developmental stage with the associated sophisticated technological applications. The thesis asks what if any, cultural challenges of adopting information technology have arisen? The review finds that traditional culture and information technology are in competition in the power stakes of human consideration, reflected in South Pacific indigenous academics seeking independence as researchers and acceptance in their own right. The realisation that culture and technology need to function together requires attaining academic freedom in the aftermath of post-colonial restrictions placed on the indigenous sociological and anthropological imagination. The first part examines the history of  information technology generally, and the significance of work already done, providing a perspective of how the subject has developed and become established, assisting in the development and acquisition of the appropriate vocabulary. The review explains and describes the occurrence of information technology in the South Pacific, the effect of globalisation and shared knowledge through ethno-methodology, every day culture in action, describing the ways in which people make the sense they do and through the ways they communicate. In the second part the focus is on the detail of the commonsense character of everyday life and the practices by which they make their actions understandable by others. Scrutiny of how people do what they do provides an explanation of what those people do and why they do it in the way they do. Western form of governance is a reality, with nation building based on Western models of development. National independence and  sovereignty with a wave of neo-colonialism and aid dependency led to economic globalisation, with resentment against value systems that erode indigenous values, producing a wave of re-indigenisation facilitated by the revolution known as  information technology . There is a coherent body of Pacific thought, with a shared philosophy and ethic on the public agenda. In the material covered, elements standing out are the awareness among growing numbers of Pacific academics of the need for a genuine and far-reaching contextualisation, acknowledging the relevance and applicability of indigenous cultural values in contemporary settings. Second is the success of communities whose initiatives have followed familiar traditional ways they know and understand, reaping rewards. The region has development and governance failures in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji to name a few; the national state of affairs in some countries is not encouraging. Where  good development and governance are occurring, it is usually through the direct initiative of local communities using their knowledge base. The information upheaval is creating new opportunities in the lives of people from small traditional societies. Information Technology expands throughout the social structure of the Pacific in direct proportion to personal computer access literally at one's finger tips.

year: 2009

title: Early childhood teachers partnering with teacher educators to connect children to taiao (the natural world) through place-based learning

authors: Postlewaight, Gillian

abstract: Initial cycles of an action research project brought together local early childhood (ECE) teachers, and tertiary ECE teacher educators, to explore possible uses of the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC), adjoining the campus at Hawke’s Bay’s Te Aho a Maui Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Napier, New Zealand. EIT is situated below Ōtātara Pa, a historic site that holds cultural and historical significance for local Māori, specifically Ngati Pārau Hapū and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi. Education in New Zealand is underpinned by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi), ensuring that the principles; partnership, participation and protection of kaupapa Māori are supported through bicultural curricula. Māori holistic perspectives strengthen this focus and shifting understanding that place-based learning authenticates environmental approaches to education and cultural knowledge. During the first meeting, participants walked the hillside site and shared group discussions. From these conversations, the teachers identified three main themes: establishing connections between children and the physical place, new opportunities for teacher learning and challenges to implementing spontaneous teaching and learning in this unique environment. Future cycles of the research will focus on workshops for teachers to address these themes for teachers’ working with children in the space.

text: Early childhood teachers partnering with teacher educators to connect children to taiao (the natural world) through place-based learning Initial cycles of an action research project brought together local early childhood (ECE) teachers, and tertiary ECE teacher educators, to explore possible uses of the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC), adjoining the campus at Hawke’s Bay’s Te Aho a Maui Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Napier, New Zealand. EIT is situated below Ōtātara Pa, a historic site that holds cultural and historical significance for local Māori, specifically Ngati Pārau Hapū and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi. Education in New Zealand is underpinned by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi), ensuring that the principles; partnership, participation and protection of kaupapa Māori are supported through bicultural curricula. Māori holistic perspectives strengthen this focus and shifting understanding that place-based learning authenticates environmental approaches to education and cultural knowledge. During the first meeting, participants walked the hillside site and shared group discussions. From these conversations, the teachers identified three main themes: establishing connections between children and the physical place, new opportunities for teacher learning and challenges to implementing spontaneous teaching and learning in this unique environment. Future cycles of the research will focus on workshops for teachers to address these themes for teachers’ working with children in the space.

year: 2023-04-27