Queer(y)ing the family : an investigation into theories of family : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Women's Studies at Massey University

Within society there are many varieties of family arrangements, however some New Zealand social policies overlook any groups which do not reflect the dominant family type. Certain aspects of social policy prevent their recognition, preventing the receipt of state welfare assistance. I argue provision exists for primarily one type of family group: the heterosexual nuclear family. Beginning with the definition of the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings (Statistics New Zealand, 1994), I examine the implications that such a narrow definition may hold for alternatives to the dominant heterosexual model. This discussion develops into an examination of the construction of our social policy and the underlying ideologies which inform such policy. Specifically I examine some of the literature from a sociology of the family and provide an explanation for the disturbing fact that in New Zealand society it would appear that families which do not fit the definition outlined above are rendered invisible. This research engages with theoretical material to examine both the construction and ideology of New Zealand social policy. Given the current trend towards greater choice for the individual, the important nature of such research is emphasised. I refer to the concern of the New Zealand Income Support Service that a woman who chooses to become pregnant outside of a couple relationship, and then requires income support assistance may be viewed as having become pregnant for financial gain. Alongside this, I examine the ideology of the deserving and undeserving poor which underpins much of New Zealand's welfare history and defines who is deemed worthy of assistance

Impacts of ocean acidification on fitness and chemical communication in a model marine invertebrate, Nereis succinea

Oceanic uptake of anthropogenically produced atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) alters carbonate chemistry and increases the acidity of seawater. Current forecasts estimate the pH of our oceans will drop by 0.3-0.4 pH units by the turn of the century. Past research has focused majorly on the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) upon calcifying organisms and few studies have incorporated longJterm exposure to OA conditions. Additionally, the impacts associated with OA are variable between species. The presented research shows long-term culture (4-6months) in near future OA conditions (CO₂ enriched to pH 7.8) delays metamorphosis in the marine polychaete, Nereis succinea. Culture in pH 7.8 seawater also caused interference with the reception of chemical cues in this species. Recognition of 3 feeding stimulants (glycine, taurine and fish food extract) was reduced in adult N.succinea cultured in pH 7.8 seawater for 32 days (in comparison with pH 8.2 cultured control worms). The typical behavioural response of males to female sex pheromone, cysteine-glutathione disulfide (CSSG), was also impacted by culture in acidic conditions (pH 7.8, 4-6 months) with fewer males eliciting expected sexual behaviours and males also requiring a higher dose of pheromone to release gametes in comparison to control cultured males (pH 8.2, 4-6 months). This thesis discusses how disruption to chemical communication may occur via pH driven conformational change in signal molecules and/or protein receptors, reducing receptor-ligand interactions. As the chemical sense is dominant in ocean environments, any reduction in its efficiency will likely have negative implications for the survival of marine organisms. This research highlights how near future OA will impact several important survival processes in N. succinea (metamorphosis, food detection, sexual behaviour) which in combination may potentially reduce species persistence

Do media portrayals of drinking and sexual/romantic relationships shape teenagers' constructions of gendered identities?

This study explores the possible influence of the media on teenagers’ constructions of gendered identities, with a specific focus on drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual/romantic relationships. Understanding the factors underlying alcohol consumption and sexual activity in this age group is an important public health priority. Teenagers in ‘western’ countries are drinking more alcohol than ever before and these drinking habits may be associated with risky behaviour, such as unprotected sex, and with morbidity and mortality. In comparison to other west European nations, the UK demonstrates a poor history of sexual health in teenagers, with the highest levels of teenage pregnancy and the second-highest level of abortions in women under the age of 20. Approximately half of all sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in the UK in 2009 were seen in the under-25s. Research also suggests that the mass media influence teenagers’ behaviours, including drinking alcohol and sexual practices. The question about the influence of the media is complex. There are two opposing theoretical positions which purport to explain the influence of the media: the 'media as powerful' versus the 'media audience as powerful'. This study adopts a theoretical approach which accommodates both of these: the 'influence of presumed media influence' theory (Milkie, 1999). A contentious issue is how the media is understood by teenagers to influence their alcohol consumption and their sexual/romantic relationships. This thesis has sought to address these issues by answering the following research questions: 1: Is the media integrated into the lives of teenage boys and girls? 2: How do teenagers’ understandings of gender-appropriate alcohol-use relate to media portrayals of alcohol use? 3: How do teenagers’ understandings of gender-appropriate engagement in sexual/romantic relationships relate to media portrayals of sexual/romantic relationships? 4: Is Milkie’s (1999) ‘influence of presumed media influence’ theory a useful way to understand the media’s position in teenagers’ lives, and specifically their understandings of gender-appropriate alcohol use, and of romantic and sexual relationships? 5: How are teenagers’ understandings of gender-appropriate behaviours with regards to drinking alcohol and sexual/romantic relationships used in the construction of their gendered identities? Fieldwork was conducted with teenagers aged 13-16 years, specifically in Edinburgh and in Ayrshire. The main sample comprised 25 semi-structured group discussions with 11 follow-up individual interviews, during which participants were asked to reflect on, and interpret, images from popular British television programmes that portrayed instances of alcohol use and sexual/romantic relationships. This method was intended both to prompt discussion on the process of media influence and to allow the participants to reflect on similar situations in their own lives. The research found that the mass media does shape teenagers’ perceptions and expectations of drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual/romantic relationships; and in doing so shapes their gendered identities. Importantly, the research confirmed Milkie’s ‘influence of presumed media influence’ theory that resolved the apparently incompatible ‘powerful media’ versus ‘powerful audience’ approaches to media influence. This suggests that media influence might be all the stronger for not being readily recognised or acknowledged as being influential. Media were more influential for teenagers’ understandings of gender-appropriate engagement in sexual/romantic relationships than they were for teenagers’ understandings of gender-appropriate drinking. The reason that media portrayals of drinking were considered to be only a minor influence among other stronger influences such as peers and family may be that these activities are more public. Sexual behaviour is less public therefore teenagers rely more on media to shape their images of what is considered to be appropriate behaviour. Sexual behaviour and drinking alcohol were intertwined. Many participants talked of how sexual negotiation and activities were often accompanied by drinking. Being drunk, or, importantly, pretending to be drunk, may be understood as a process that is useful for teenagers when trying out perceived gender-appropriate identities as they engage in their relationships. As with alcohol, romantic and sexual relationships are acted out in a particular way which is informed by discourses which specify gender-appropriate behaviour, attitudes and roles (and with the help of alcohol itself, which acts as a social ‘lubricant’) and in doing so is a component of the project of identity construction. The implication of this research is that existing concern about the influence of the media should be concentrated on the media portrayals of behaviours that are less public, such as sexual/romantic relationships, rather than media portrayals of behaviours that are more public, such as drinking alcohol

Mental health promotion for young people – the case for yoga in schools

Background: Mental wellbeing among young people is deteriorating. Poor mental wellbeing can be related to unmanaged stress. Adverse Childhood Experiences are widespread and result in young people having stressful lives. Stress has many manifestations, and coping with it can lead to risky health-related behaviours. Main body: A safe, scientifically-supported, efficient and effective set of stress-reduction skills is provided by the practice of yoga. At present, yoga is available privately, not publicly. After appropriately designed and evaluated interventions, the public provision of yoga could be integrated within the school curriculum, thereby reducing the high prevalence of prescription medication and offering a preventative strategy to promote positive mental health among young people. Short conclusion: We suggest that the long-term benefits of an investment in a curriculum-embedded school-based yoga programme would do much to reduce stress both now for future generations

The molecular genetic investigation of paediatric liver disease

Liver disease in children is rare but often serious, life long, and in many cases leads to death. Advances in diagnosing and treating liver disease (including liver transplant) have improved the outlook for children in many cases however little is known about the molecular pathogenesis of the disease, an understanding of which may identify specific therapeutic options. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the molecular genetics of rare liver disorders as the first step in advancing the understanding of liver disease pathogenesis. As a paediatric hepatologist I have identified cohorts of children in whom there is paucity of knowledge about the disease pathogenesis. I have studied three conditions in detail to encompass different clinical presentations. Chapter 3 summarises the investigation of the multisystem disorder, phenotypic diarrhoea of infancy (PDI), which causes cirrhosis or liver failure. Autozygosity mapping was used to identify the gene TTC37 in which mutations are associated with the PDI disease phenotype. Further work is now required to characterise TTC37, and use knockdown studies to identify whether TTC37 mutations are causative of the PDI phenotype. Chapter 4 describes the molecular genetic investigation of Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (JATD), a chondrodysplasia with extra skeletal manifestations including hepatic ductal plate malformation and renal cyst development. Using autozygosity mapping, IFT80 was dentified in which mutations are associated with the JATD disease phenotype in 4% of ases. The diverse linical phenotype of JATD limits the utility of utozygosity mapping s it suggests there is genetic heterogeneity. The identification of IFT80 has led to JATD eing classified as a ciliopathy. Chapter 5 is the first description of eonatal liver failure to be associated with variants in ABCB11 which previously have only been associated with chronic liver disease and liver disease in pregnancy. This thesis has described the identification of the molecular genetic basis of rare causes of paediatric liver disease which has provoked many additional research questions. Future work will be to extend our knowledge of molecular genetics to all aspects of paediatric liver physiology so to classify disease according to the molecular pathogenesis such as a ciliopathy or bile salt transport defect.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Mental health promotion for young people - the case for yoga in schools

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The prevalence of constant supportive observations in a high, medium and low secure service

Aims and Method We explored the prevalence and use of constant supportive observations (CSO) in high, medium and low secure in-patient services in a single NHS mental health trust. From clinical records, we extracted data on the length of time on CSO, the reason for the initiation of CSO and associated adverse incidents for all individuals who were placed on CSO between July 2013 and June 2014. Results A small number of individuals accounted for a disproportionately large amount of CSO hours in each setting. Adverse incident rates were higher on CSO than when not on CSO. There was considerable variation between different settings in terms of CSO use and the reasons for commencing CSO. Clinical Implications The study describes the prevalence and nature of CSO in secure forensic mental health services and the associated organisational costs. The marked variation in CSO use between settings suggests that mental health services continue to face challenges in balancing risk management with minimising restrictive interventions

Mapping regional risks from climate change for rainfed rice cultivation in India

Global warming is predicted to increase in the future, with detrimental consequences for rainfed crops that are dependent on natural rainfall (i.e. non-irrigated). Given that many crops grown under rainfed conditions support the livelihoods of low-income farmers, it is important to highlight the vulnerability of rainfed areas to climate change in order to anticipate potential risks to food security. In this paper, we focus on India, where ~ 50% of rice is grown under rainfed conditions, and we employ statistical models (climate envelope models (CEMs) and boosted regression trees (BRTs)) to map changes in climate suitability for rainfed rice cultivation at a regional level (~ 18 × 18 km cell resolution) under projected future (2050) climate change (IPCC RCPs 2.6 and 8.5, using three GCMs: BCC-CSM1.1, MIROC-ESM-CHEM, and HadGEM2-ES). We quantify the occurrence of rice (whether or not rainfed rice is commonly grown, using CEMs) and rice extent (area under cultivation, using BRTs) during the summer monsoon in relation to four climate variables that affect rice growth and yield namely ratio of precipitation to evapotranspiration (PER), maximum and minimum temperatures (Tmax and Tmin), and total rainfall during harvesting. Our models described the occurrence and extent of rice very well (CEMs for occurrence, ensemble AUC = 0.92; BRTs for extent, Pearson's r = 0.87). PER was the most important predictor of rainfed rice occurrence, and it was positively related to rainfed rice area, but all four climate variables were important for determining the extent of rice cultivation. Our models project that 15%–40% of current rainfed rice growing areas will be at risk (i.e. decline in climate suitability or become completely unsuitable). However, our models project considerable variation across India in the impact of future climate change: eastern and northern India are the locations most at risk, but parts of central and western India may benefit from increased precipitation. Hence our CEM and BRT models agree on the locations most at risk, but there is less consensus about the degree of risk at these locations. Our results help to identify locations where livelihoods of low-income farmers and regional food security may be threatened in the next few decades by climate changes. The use of more drought-resilient rice varieties and better irrigation infrastructure in these regions may help to reduce these impacts and reduce the vulnerability of farmers dependent on rainfed cropping