Gardening and wellbeing

Section A is a literature review, exploring the psychological theories behind gardening-based mental health interventions and providing an overview of the current evidence to support their use. It builds on the last comprehensive review conducted in 2003, finding that the evidence-base has developed considerably over the past decade but that there is still a need for higher quality research in this field. Section B considers the value of gardening in promoting wellbeing in a non-clinical sample. A qualitative study is presented in which six suburban allotment-holders completed in-depth interviews about their allotment gardening and its perceived impact on their wellbeing. Transcripts were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Seven main themes emerged from the data: fundamental importance of food, protection and safety, feeling connected, esteem, pleasure of being in nature, development and values. Parallels were drawn between these themes and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. While each participant talked to some extent about all of the themes, a different theme was dominant for each individual, suggesting that allotments are flexible environments that may enable people to meet their individual needs, in order to enhance wellbeing. Implications for clinical and community psychology are discussed

Besoins en logement des collectivités des Premières nations du Québec

Cette étude offre un aperçu des besoins en logement des ménages autochtones vivant dans les collectivités des Premières nations du Québec en 2001. Plus du tiers des ménages autochtones vivant dans ces collectivités ont mentionné que leur logement n’était pas adéquat. L’estimation des besoins et de la demande future de logements dans les réserves pour la période de 25 ans allant de 2002 à 2026 tient compte des conditions actuelles d’habitation, de la mise aux normes canadiennes, du vieillissement du parc, de la structure des familles et des perspectives démographiques. Les investissements nécessaires supplémentaires par rapport aux sommes déjà prévues se chiffrent à plus de 2 milliards de dollars.This study provides an insight into the housing needs of Aboriginal households living in First Nations communities in Quebec in 2001. Over one third of Aboriginal households living in these communities reported that their housing was inadequate. Estimation of needs and of future demand for housing in these reserves for the 25 year period between 2002 and 2026 takes into account the housing circumstances, the alignment with Canadian norms, the aging of the housing stock, the family structures and demographic perspectives

Modifications apportées en 1985 à la Loi sur les Indiens : répercussions sur les Premières nations du Québec

Les modifications apportées en 1985 à la Loi sur les Indiens ont entraîné d’importants changements pour les populations des Premières nations. Ce texte législatif a accordé le statut d’Indien inscrit aux personnes radiées du Registre des Indiens en vertu de certaines règles des versions antérieures de la Loi, surtout des femmes, et a permis une « première » inscription de leurs enfants. Les modifications de 1985 ont également établi de nouvelles règles pour le droit à l’inscription au Registre des Indiens de tous les enfants nés à compter du 17 avril 1985, et donné à chaque Première nation la possibilité d’établir ses propres règles d’appartenance à la bande. Dans cette étude, nous nous penchons sur les effets démographiques à court et à long termes de ces changements à la Loi sur les Indiens pour la population des Premières nations du Québec.The 1985 amendments to the Indian Act had significant effects on First Nations populations. This legislation granted the status of registered Indian to persons removed from the Indian Register by virtue of certain rules in earlier versions of the Act, particularly women, and enabled a “first” registration of their children. These amendments also established new rules on the right of registration in the Indian Register of all children born after 17 April 1985, and gave each First Nation the authority to draw up its own rules for band membership. This study examines the short and long term demographic effects of these amendments to the Indian Act for the First Nations population of Quebec

The art of magical narrative

Bibliography: leaf 61.What is a magical narrative? How can the inconsistencies and strange repetitions in the plots of Malory's Arthurian cycle be explained? What are their purposes and why are they essential to the plot? In this dissertation, I have attempted to answer these questions by applying Anne Wilson's theory of magical narrative (The magical quest) to a selection of tales from the beginning of Malory's Arthurian cycle (The tale of King Arthur) and from the latter half (The book of Sir Launcelot and Queen Quinevere)

Are analysts' loss functions asymmetric?

Recent research by Gu and Wu (2003) and Basu and Markov (2004) suggests that the well-known optimism bias in analysts? earnings forecasts is attributable to analysts minimizing symmetric, linear loss functions when the distribution of forecast errors is skewed. An alternative explanation for forecast bias is that analysts have asymmetric loss functions. We test this alternative explanation. Theory predicts that if loss functions are asymmetric then forecast error bias depends on forecast error variance, but not necessarily on forecast error skewness. Our results confirm that the ex ante forecast error variance is a significant determinant of forecast error and that, after controlling for variance, the sign of the coefficient on forecast error skewness is opposite to that found in prior research. Our results are consistent with financial analysts having asymmetric loss functions. Further analysis reveals that forecast bias varies systematically across style portfolios formed on book-to-price and market capitalization. These firm characteristics capture systematic variation in forecast error variance and skewness. Within style portfolios, forecast error variance continues to play a dominant role in explaining forecast error.

Are analysts? loss functions asymmetric?

Recent research by Gu and Wu (2003) and Basu and Markov (2004) suggests that the well-known optimism bias in analysts? earnings forecasts is attributable to analysts minimizing symmetric, linear loss functions when the distribution of forecast errors is skewed. An alternative explanation for forecast bias is that analysts have asymmetric loss functions. We test this alternative explanation. Theory predicts that if loss functions are asymmetric then forecast error bias depends on forecast error variance, but not necessarily on forecast error skewness. Our results confirm that the ex ante forecast error variance is a significant determinant of forecast error and that, after controlling for variance, the sign of the coefficient on forecast error skewness is opposite to that found in prior research. Our results are consistent with financial analysts having asymmetric loss functions. Further analysis reveals that forecast bias varies systematically across style portfolios formed on book-to-price and market capitalization. These firm characteristics capture systematic variation in forecast error variance and skewness. Within style portfolios, forecast error variance continues to play a dominant role in explaining forecast error.