Quality of life for caregivers of a child aged 6-16 years with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and/or an intellectual disability : a comparative study : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Turitea, New Zealand

Quality of life for caregivers of children with autistic spectrum disorder and/or an intellectual disability was compared to quality of life for those caring for a normally developing child. Participants were caregivers of children between 6 - 16 years of age who were divided into two groups: Caregivers of disabled children (Group 1, n = 60) and caregivers of normally developing children (Group 2, n = 13). The research investigated differences of overall quality of life between groups. Within Group One the influence on quality of life for caregivers was investigated in relation to the child's behaviour, level of support the child requires to complete activities of daily living, caregivers marital status, caregivers socio-economic level, and caregivers satisfaction with perceived supports. The Quality of Life Index and the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form were used to determine quality of life and problem behaviours. Results showed a difference in overall quality of life between groups. Child's behaviour was found to have a significant relationship with caregiver‘s quality of life. Satisfaction with perceived supports had a weak relationship to caregiver‘s quality of life. No statistically significant relationship was found between caregiver‘s quality of life and the child's activities of daily living requirements, caregiver‘s marital status or caregiver‘s socio-economic status. Quality of life for caregivers of developmentally disabled children was shown to be lower than the general population. New Zealand is currently in a state of flux in regards to addressing and refining disability support services. Research that further investigates these results may enhance service delivery and result in better outcomes for those supporting children with a disability

The response of Physical Science post-graduates to training courses and the connection to their PhD studies

Training in both employability and discipline-specific skills has been provided and expanded over a number of years for post-graduate research students, (PGRs) in the Faculty of Physical Sciences administered by the Physical Sciences Graduate School (PSGS) at the University of Glasgow. This project explored the training provided in 2005/06 with a view to further developing a programme that students and faculty alike consider appropriate, timely and developmental for the needs of research students. The training provided by the PSGS had grown over a number of years in response to suggestions from academic staff in the Faculty of Physical Sciences. Data were collected from Postgraduate Research students (PGRs) from all the stages of the 3 year PhD process to enable a complete map of views to emerge. In particular, the way PGR students perceive the training they undergo in relation to their core PhD research and career progression was examined. The students in our study also identified clearly where they perceived they were developing such transferable skills, and training sessions are not seen as the sole or even major source; the research group itself would appear to play a major role. The authors believe the finding could inform the provision of PGR training in other UK institution

Ireland's EU Referendum Experience

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it surveys Ireland’s European Union referendum experience, tracing the key actors, issues and political dynamics of seven European referendums from 1973 to 2008. It unpicks the institutional rules of the referendum game in Ireland stemming from the McKenna and Coughlan judgements, the operation of the Referendum Commission and the effect of this institutional environment on referendum campaigns and outcomes. Second, building on a framework originally developed by Darcy and Laver (1990), this article investigates the emergence of a dynamic in Irish referendums on EU treaties with two key elements: elite withdrawal and populist capture

European Works Councils and the healthcare sector

Profiles of healthcare companies with European Works Councils and some eligible companies

Issues in contemporary documentary

Documentary is fast changing: with the digital revolution and the enormous increase in Internet usage, the range of information and outlets for distribution continues to become more diverse. In this context, are the traditional themes and frequently irreconcilable critical positions of study still valid - or are they changing, and if so, how? In short, what are the issues for documentary studies now

Editorial

This is my last editorial before I step down from the ALT-J editorial team. Rhona Sharpe and Frances Bell, will form the new ALT-J editorial team and I wish them the best of luck in developing the direction of ALT-J in the future. I would also like to thank the rest of outgoing editorial team, the ALT-J editorial board, the reviewers and authors that I have worked with over the last six issues of ALT-J, who each in their way has contributed to furthering our knowledge and understanding of the relationship between technology and learning