Trajectories of material living standards, physical health and mental health under a universal pension

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Effects of anger management and social contact on alcohol and tobacco consumption: a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

Relationships between anger management, social contact, and alcohol and tobacco consumption were investigated to examine a number of issues: (1) That anger management and social contact would be correlated to each other and therefore possibly confounded, (2) that anger management and social contact would be independently related to alcohol and tobacco consumption, (3) that anger management and social contact would jointly influence alcohol and tobacco consumption, (4) that anger management, social contact and alcohol and tobacco consumption would vary across age, sex and socioeconomic status, (5) that age, sex and socioeconomic status would moderate the effects of anger management and social contact on alcohol and tobacco consumption, and (6) that alcohol and tobacco consumption would, in conjunction with psychosocial and sociodemographic variables, operate interactively on each other. A secondary analysis was undertaken on a sub-sample of 831 control subjects taken from the general population as a part of the Auckland Heart Study. Analyses revealed that anger discussion was positively correlated with social availability. No other significant correlations were found between anger management and social contact variables. Multiple regression analyses showed no independent effects of anger management and social contact variables on alcohol and tobacco,consumption, but revealed a number of significant interaction effects involving sociodemographic variables. Only one significant interaction effect was found involving both anger management and social contact on either alcohol or tobacco consumption. Analyses revealed that anger management, social contact and alcohol and tobacco consumption varied by age, sex and socioeconomic status. It was concluded that anger management and social contact were not confounded, and were not independently or jointly related to alcohol and tobacco consumption. Results were thus inconsistent with a mediating relationship for smoking and alcohol consumption between psychosocial variables and health outcomes. The number of significant interaction effects was supportive of the value of an interactive approach to health variables. Conceptual and methodological issues are discussed in view of the general lack of support for the research questions and hypotheses

The Religious Life of Nabataea

‘The Religious Life of Nabataea’ examines the evidence for the religious practices and beliefs of the inhabitants of the Nabataean kingdom. It analyses material produced in the large area of the north-western Arabian Peninsula that was under the rule of the Nabataean king until the annexation of his kingdom by Rome in AD 106. Because of the scarcity of literary sources describing Nabataea, this study is largely dependent on inscriptions, with architectural and archaeological remains helping to put these better into their context. It is argued that a number of methodological problems with earlier studies have produced an inaccurate picture of a ‘Nabataean religion’ that cannot be easily reconciled with this material. The focus has been on recovering the identities and characteristics of individual gods and the relationships between them. Inconsistencies and diversities in the evidence have often been minimised in order to produce a coherent model or system of beliefs that ‘the Nabataeans’ followed. Underpinning this has been the scholarly perception of Nabataea as a culturally monolithic bloc that was inhabited by a people following the same way of life. This study takes a different approach, analysing the material first and foremost in its local context. Each chapter therefore focuses on a different centre or region of Nabataea, before the conclusion compares these to consider the kingdom as a whole. It is concluded that there is very little sign of a coherent pattern of religious practice covering Nabataea. On the contrary, it is the variety of practices that emerges most strongly. Although this area was all under the control of the Nabataean king, its religious life was dominated by a diversity of much more local traditions

The Basileion of Isis and the religious art of nabataean Petra

Cet article examine le culte d’Isis et l’emploi du basileion d’Isis dans l’iconographie de Pétra à l’époque nabatéenne. Il défend l’idée que la déesse ne doit pas être considérée comme « étrangère » dans la ville, et que l’emploi varié de son iconographie, à travers les sphères aniconique et anthropomorphique, est représentative de la manière dont on doit aborder les vestiges des idoles de Pétra. D’abord, l’idée que les modes de représentation aniconique et anthropomorphique avaient une signification opposée ne peut se maintenir, surtout en ce qui concerne la composition du sanctuaire d’Isis du Wadi Siyyagh. Ensuite, il nous permet d’appréhender la perception, par les fidèles, des idoles géométriques (« bétyles ») de Pétra, dont les multiples de formes ont été un sujet de perplexité pour des générations de chercheurs. Au lieu de réduire la complexité des formes représentées, et de tenter de les identifier avec des divinités de Pétra plus connues, cet article mettra plutôt l’accent sur la variété de ces monuments et ce qu’ils nous révèlent de la signification personnelle des divinités à Pétra et dans le royaume nabatéen.This article examines the cult of Isis and the use of the Isis basileion in the iconography of Nabataean Petra. It is argued that the deity should not be viewed as a ‘foreigner’ in the city, and that the variety in the use of her iconography, across both the aniconic and anthropomorphic spheres, is representative of how we should approach the rest of Petra’s idols. Firstly, the idea that the aniconic and anthropomorphic modes of representation had some kind of opposing significance cannot be maintained, particularly in light of the sculptural arrangement of the sanctuary of Isis in the Wadi Siyyagh. Secondly, it allows us an insight into how Petra’s geometric idols (‘betyls’), whose multitude of forms have puzzled scholars for generations, were perceived by worshippers. Instead of reducing the complexity of forms represented and attempting to equate these with Petra’s better known deities, we should rather emphasise the variety in these monuments and what they show us of the personal significance of gods in Petra and Nabataea.خلاصة – يعالج هذا البحث عبادة إيزيس وإستعمال « بازيليون» إيزيس في أيقونوغرافية بترا في العهد النبطي. يدافع عن فكرة أن الآلهة لا يجب إعتبارها غريبة في المدينة، وإن الإستعمال المتنوّع لأيقونوغرافيتها، من خلال التيارات الفكرية المناهضة للأيقونات أو المحبّذة للأيقونات ذات الأشكال الإنسانية هي خير مثال على الطريقة التي يجب أن نتناول بها بقايا أصنام بترا. بداية، إن فكرة التناقض في تمثيل الأشكال الإنسانية أو عدمها لايمكن أن تصمد، بالأخص في تركيبة معبد إيزيس في وادي سياغ. من ثم، تسمح لنا إدراك تصوّر المؤمنين للأصنام ذات الأشكال الهندسية (الأنصاب) في بترا، حيث ان تعدد الأشكال كان موضوع محيّر لأجيال من الباحثين. بدل ان نقلل من تعددية الأشكال الممثلة، والشروع في محاولة مطابقتها مع الآلهة المعروفة أكثر في بترا، يضع هذا البحث، بالأحرى، الثقل على تعددية المباني وماتظهر من معانٍ شخصية/خاصة للآلهة في بترا وفي المملكة النبطية

A Framework for Building Technological Learning: Evidence from the New Zealand Dairy Industry

One aspect of the process of technology adoption is technological learning (TL), the way farmers gather information and turn it into knowledge. In a study of the New Zealand dairy industry, researchers examined the factors that affect TL. Findings suggest that the speed with which farmers engage in TL is influenced by the efficiency of the innovation system, the maturity of the farm system, and the individual characteristics of the farmer. The article presents a model demonstrating how these three sets of factors may affect TL that can be used by Extension agents to help them develop a strategy for engaging farmers in TL

What factors enable mid-life carers to re-enter the labour market in New Zealand?

Objective.- To assess the characteristics of carers and the caregiving situation associated with return to paid employment among older unemployed carers in New Zealand. Methods.- A baseline sample of 280 unemployed carers was identified from responses by people aged 55-70 to the 2012-2016 biennial waves of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement longitudinal survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess characteristics uniquely predicting employment status at two-year follow-up. Results.- Sixteen percent were employed at follow-up. Economic living standards, physical health and preference to be in paid employment were positively associated with being employed at follow-up. There were no statistical differences according to age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education and care characteristics. Conclusion.- Individual preferences were the strongest predictor of return to paid employment. Despite New Zealand employment legislation allowing all employees to request flexible working arrangements, economic and health differences in workforce retention among carers persist

Perceptions towards aqua-based exercise among older adults with osteoarthritis who have discontinued participation in this exercise mode

Aim: This study aimed to investigate reasons for ceasing participation in aqua-based exercise among older adults with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Eleven adults over 60 years of age with OA participated in one of two focus groups, during which they discussed barriers to aqua-based exercise and the potential benefits of this exercise mode. Each focus group was audiotaped, transcribed and then analysed using the general inductive thematic approach. The investigators reached a consensus on all coding categories and then identified themes. Results: Key barriers identified were: a lack of suitable classes; insufficient instructor knowledge, which often led to increased pain; cold water and the changing facilities. Key perceived benefits included increased physical ability in water and social interaction. Conclusions: A greater understanding of reasons for ceasing participation in aqua-based exercise among older adults with OA may help facilitate development of suitable exercise programs that minimise barriers for this group

Loneliness in men 60 years and over : the association with purpose in life

Loneliness as a consequence of getting older negatively impacts on the health and well-being of men as they age. Having a purpose in life may mitigate loneliness and therefore positively impact on health and well-being. Limited research into loneliness and purpose in life has been undertaken in older men. This study seeks to understand the relationship between loneliness and purpose in life in a group of older men. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of 614 men aged 60 years and over living in New Zealand, bivariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken to examine the relationship between loneliness and purpose in life using a range of demographic, health, and social connection variables. Bivariate analysis revealed that being unpartnered and having low socioeconomic status, limited social networks, low levels of participation, and mental health issues were associated with loneliness. Multivariate analysis showed that having poor mental health and lower purpose in life were indicators of loneliness. Consequently, improving mental health and purpose in life are likely to reduce loneliness in at-risk older men. As older men are a heterogeneous group from a variety of sociocultural and ethnic backgrounds, a multidimensional approach to any intervention initiatives needs to occur

Interventions for reducing sedentary behaviour in community-dwelling older adults

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To identify the effects and assess the effectiveness of interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour (total sedentary time and the pattern of accumulation of sedentary time) in older adults. To summarise the effects of interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour on quality of life, depression, and health status in older adults. To summarise any evidence on the cost-effectiveness of interventions that reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults

Daytime fatigue as a predictor for subsequent retirement among older New Zealand workers

Objectives: There is limited information on the role of fatigue on retirement, either independently or in association with poor sleep. The aim of this study was to examine the prospective association between daytime fatigue, measured as feeling tired or feeling worn out, independently and in relation to dissatisfaction with sleep, and subsequent retirement among 960 older workers in New Zealand. Methods: Data from 2 consecutive surveys (2008 and 2010) of the New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. Poisson regression was used to investigate whether feeling tired and feeling worn out in 2008, along with dissatisfaction with sleep, were associated with self-reported retirement either due to health reasons or other reasons by 2010. Results: The risk for retirement due to health reasons during a 2-year follow-up was 1.80-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.45) among those who felt tired and 1.99-fold (95% CI 1.34-2.64) among those who felt worn out when compared to those not tired or not feeling worn out after adjusting for several sociodemographic, work characteristics and self-rated health. The risk for retirement due to health reasons was even higher when participant experienced both tiredness and feeling worn out. Dissatisfaction with sleep did not predict retirement due to health or other reasons. Conclusions: Our results highlight that workers at risk of subsequent retirement due to health reasons may be identified with rather simple questions on tiredness and feeling worn out even among generally healthy older workers. </p