A study of patchiness in mid-season dairy pastures : consequences and control : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science at Massey University

There is interest among some dairy farmers in increasing herbage intake of cows during spring by increasing pasture cover but without compromising pasture quality into the summer. "Late control" is a grazing management strategy developed in Massey University that meets those requirements (Matthews et al., 1996). In addition, it has been demonstrated in previous trials that Late control increases pasture production in the summer-autumn period by increasing ryegrass tillering vigour. Late control requires a period of lax grazing during spring to allow some reproductive growth development on ryegrass pastures, which is then controlled by hard grazing in late spring before anthesis. However, patchiness may develop in Late control during the lax grazing period when the herbage allowance is high. The objectives for the present experiment were to compare the pasture characteristics under Late control and conventional "Early control" spring management strategies in December-January, with particular reference to the consequences of vegetation heterogeneity to pasture production and utilisation over this period, and to discuss the implications to spring grazing management. The experiment involved detailed studies on three paddocks chosen from each of two farmlets of 22 paddocks used for a system trial comparing Early and Late control spring management on herds of 120 cows. Herbage mass distributions were estimated by taking 200 capacitance meter readings at random on each paddock. Relationships between herbage mass and utilisation and accumulation were estimated by using two 30 m permanent transects in each paddock. To determine botanical composition and tiller population variability within a sward, five tall patches and five short patches were sampled in each paddock. Paddocks in Late control before the control phase in December had more herbage mass than paddocks in Early control (3600 vs. 5000 kg DM/ha), but the variability of herbage mass was similar (1000 vs. 1000, standard deviation in kg DM/ha). The skewness of the herbage mass distribution was positive but greater in Early control than in Late control (0.57 vs. 0.32). Botanical composition was similar between treatments and within paddocks. Pasture morphology showed tiller size-density compensation in both treatments. Pasture characteristics in late control were not an impediment for efficient pasture removal in late control and more herbage was harvested than in Early control (1900 vs. 1000 kg DM/ha), although herbage allowance was greater in Early control. Short patches in both treatments were defoliated in less proportion than tall patches, but in Late control the proportion of short patches was less than in Early control. Therefore, low herbage mass and greater proportion of short patches in Early control had a negative effect on total herbage utilisation. Harvesting efficiency was controlled on Late control paddocks to avoid limitations to herbage intake, and the skewness of the distribution of herbage mass after grazing increased compared to Early control, as well as the proportion of tall poorly utilised patches. Topping of pastures after grazing was effective in removing poorly utilised material and in decreasing patchiness in January. In January, Late control paddocks had more herbage mass, but less patchiness than Early control paddocks (6300 vs. 4700 kg DM/ha). Sward characteristics were affected by treatment, and in general Late control increased ryegrass content and its leafiness during January compared to Early control. In January, herbage utilisation was greater in Late control than in Early control (3000 vs. 1700 kg DM/ha). It was concluded that because Late control had greater responses in tall patches, the objective should be to modify management to a longer rotation length before controlling reproductive growth in late spring, to allow a greater proportion of the sward to achieve high herbage mass. The combination of grazing and topping of pastures gave high herbage intakes and effective pasture control. More pasture was produced in Late control than in Early control and the rotation length can also be increased during the summer in Late control, which may benefit further ryegrass tillering

Un estudio descriptivo de la vivencia de la parentalidad en usuarias de Servicios Sociales

Este estudio se centra en describir la vivencia de la parentalidad en familias usuarias de servicios sociales. Concretamente, se analizan diferentes dimensiones como la percepción de control o eficacia y la satisfacción o el estrés parental. Además, se toman en consideración prácticas parentales como la responsividad y el control psicológico para su análisis. Se ha contado con una muestra de 109 madres de familias en riesgo con un expediente abierto en servicios sociales, y con la información facilitada por los profesionales que las apoyan. En esta muestra, con un perfil demográfico y económico caracterizado por la precariedad, se observó un alto nivel de estrés y sentido de eficacia, así como un locus de control parental externo y una moderada satisfacción como madre. Los análisis efectuados evidenciaron que un bajo estrés parental, un locus de control más interno, un alto sentido de eficacia y un sentimiento de satisfacción con el rol, se relacionaron con altas puntuaciones de responsividad. Por otro lado, un locus de control más externo y una baja satisfacción con el rol parental se asociaron con un alto control psicológico. Se discute la importancia de considerar estas variables como claves para trabajar con las familias.This study describes the experience of parenting in families assisted by child and family social service programs. Specifically different dimensions such as locus of control, parental efficacy and satisfaction or parenting stress were analyzed. In addition, parental practices such as responsiveness and psychological control are considered. A sample of 109 mothers of at-risk families and the professionals who support them were included. In this sample, with a demographic and economic profile characterized by precariousness, a high level of stress and sense of efficacy was observed, as well as an external locus of parental control and a moderate satisfaction as a mother. Relationships between parental dimensions and parental practices were observed. The analyzes showed that, in one hand, a lower parental stress, an internal parental locus of control, a higher sense of efficacy and parental satisfaction, were related to higher scores of responsiveness. On the other hand, an external locus of control and a lower parental satisfaction were associated with a higher psychological control. The importance of considering these variables as keys to work with families is discussed

The role of parenting styles on behavior problem profiles of adolescents

Parental behavior is one of the most influential factors on the development of adolescent externalizing and internalizing behavior problems. These behavioral problems are closely related and often co-occur. The objectives of this work were: (i) to identify adolescents profiles according to their behavior problems; (ii) to explore individual, family, and social characteristics associated with these profiles; and (iii) to analyze the potential role of parenting styles in belonging to adolescents’ profiles. A total of 449 Spanish adolescents (223 from families declared at-risk and enrolled in Child Welfare Services and 226 from families from the general population) participated in this study. The analyses revealed three profiles of adolescents based on external and internal behavior problems (adjusted, external maladjustment, and internal maladjustment). Parenting styles explained the adolescents’ belonging to different profiles, in which the indulgent style was the most favorable in general terms. The distinctive role of parenting styles on two types of maladjustment profiles was confirmed. The relationship between parenting styles and adolescent adjustment is a key component that should be included in interventions according to adolescents’ behavior problem profiles. Furthermore, the results shed light on the need that family interventions are complemented with individualized interventions with adolescents that accumulate stressful life events.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad EDU2013-41441-

Psychological well-being in non-dependent active elderly individuals and its relationship with self-esteem and self-efficacy

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological well-being, self-efficacy and self-esteem in non-dependent individuals over the age of 60. The participants included 148 seniors between 60 and 96 years of age. Data were collected through the following questionnaires: autonomy and physical and social activity scale, self-efficacy for aging scale, self-esteem scale, and the Spanish version of the wellness psychology scale. The results suggest that psychological well-being was not associated with age, but with a set of psychological factors. Psychological well-being was associated with health perception, physical and sports activities, self-efficacy, self-esteem and autonomy. The last three variables are predictors of psychological well-being. Consequently, self-efficacy and self-esteem are considered promoters of physical, psychological and social well-being, encouraging participation in physical and sports, recreational, social and cognitive activities promoting wellness and, ultimately, active aging.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar las relaciones entre el bienestar psicológico, la autoeficacia para envejecer y la autoestima en personas mayores de 60 años no dependientes. Han participado 148 personas con edades comprendidas entre 60 y 96 años, completando una batería de instrumentos relacionados con la autonomía, el grado y tipo de actividad, la autoeficacia para afrontar el proceso de envejecimiento, la autoestima y el bienestar psicológico. Los resultados indican que el bienestar psicológico no está asociado con la edad, sino con un conjunto de factores de corte psicológico. En concreto la percepción de la salud, las actividades físico-deportivas, la autoeficacia para envejecer, la autoestima y la autonomía se relacionan con el bienestar psicológico, aunque sólo los tres últimos indicadores lo explican. Por tanto la autoeficacia y la autoestima funcionan como promotores del bienestar físico, psicológico y social, de manera que resulta fundamental motivar la participación de los mayores en actividades físico-deportivas, recreativas, sociales y cognitivas promoviendo así su bienestar.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Parenting stress, coping strategies and risk assessment in mothers from at-risk families assisted by Child and Family Protection Services

En este artículo se analizan los niveles de estrés asociados al rol parental y las estrategias para hacerle frente en una muestra de 109 madres de familias con un expediente de riesgo en los Servicios Sociales Comunitarios. Los resultados indican que más de la mitad de las mujeres experimentaban niveles clínicos de estrés, y que las estrategias de afrontamiento en mayor medida utilizadas fueron las centradas en el problema. Tanto el estrés parental como el tipo de afrontamiento guardaron relación con diferentes características socio-demográficas de las usuarias y de sus familias. El nivel de riesgo de estas mujeres de acuerdo con los profesionales que las atenían se relacionó con el estrés parental que experimentaban estas usuarias.In this study parenting stress and coping strategies in a sample of 109 mothers from at-risk families were analyzed. Results obtained show over half of these women experienced clinical levels of parenting stress, and problem focused coping strategies were the most commonly used. Moreover, the main characteristics of these families and their trajectories in Child and Family Protection Services were correlated with parenting stress and coping strategies. The global valuation of family risk informed by professionals was significantly related to parenting stress

Adolescent perception of maternal practices in Portugal and Spain: similarities and differences

The aim of this study was to compare parenting in two southern European countries, Spain and Portugal, according to adolescent perceptions from a situated perspective. A total of 445 Portuguese (58.88%) and Spanish (41.12%) adolescents completed a questionnaire about maternal practices and provided socio-demographic information. Portuguese and Spanish mothers were more responsive than coercive in controlling adolescents’ compliance and non-compliance situations. Spanish mothers scolded, revoked privileges, and punished physically more often than Portuguese mothers, who used dialogue more often. Multivariate analysis showed three groups of parenting practices. Portuguese mothers were represented mainly in the Indulgent group (81.70%), and Spanish mothers in the Authoritative group (74.40%), whereas the third group (Neglectful) was independent of the country of origin. These results support the theory that research and family intervention should recognize cultural aspects in order to grasp the parenting process.FCT: UID/PSI/04345/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Family diversity: a teaching experience in social work degree

El estudio del cambio familiar, la diversidad familiar y sus implicaciones desde el ámbito asistencial y de los Servicios Sociales es una parte fundamental de la formación del Trabajador Social. Este trabajo propone una experiencia vinculada a la innovación docente que apuesta por el enfoque interdisciplinar y transversal en la formación del trabajador social y tiene por objetivos: (1) describir una actividad formativa investigadora sobre diversidad familiar desarrollada en el Grado de Trabajo Social; y (2) presentar los resultados de investigación de la actividad formativa realizada. Un total de 216 estudiantes participaron recopilando información de 258 personas con edades comprendidas entre los 22 y los 85 años con ayuda de un cuestionario que evalúa aspectos relacionados con el concepto de familia y la aceptación hacia los nuevos modelos familiares. Los resultados de esta actividad mostraron que las personas entrevistadas por el alumnado tomaron en cuenta para definir el concepto de familia criterios funcionales y relacionales. Además, se observó que el grado de aceptación hacia las diversas formas familiares era elevado, aunque se encontraron diferencias en función del perfil del entrevistado. Esta actividad favorece la toma de conciencia por parte del alumnado de la importancia de la investigación social en la práctica profesional así como la existencia de prejuicios ante determinadas situaciones familiares no convencionales.The study about family change, family diversity, and the implications for care and Social Services fields, are central topics in the academic training of Social Workers. The present paper shows an innovative educational experience characterized by an interdisciplinary and cross-curricular approach. The main purposes of this paper are: (1) to describe an educational and research activity carried out in the Social Work Degree; and (2) to present the research results obtained in the activity. A group of 216 university students collected data about a sample of 258 subjects (age range: 22 to 85 years) using a questionnaire focused on the concept of family and the acceptance of new models of families. Results obtained showed that the concept of family was mainly based on both functional and relational criteria, and also a high level of acceptance of the different types of families, but with differences associated to the subjects’ profile. For students, this activity promotes the awareness of both the importance of social research for the practice and the existence of prejudice about nonconventional families.El presente trabajo ha sido realizado en parte gracias al programa de becas de Formación de Personal Docente e Investigador (FPDI) de la Consejería de Economía, Innovación y Ciencia de la Junta de Andalucía

An analysis of different resources and programmes supporting at-risk families in Spain

The purpose of this research was to present an overview of the existing family support resources in Spain for at-risk families. We analysed 64 family support services from 16 agencies belong to 11 regions of Spain. In a second phase, 20 positive parenting programmes were analysed in depth to ascertain the extent to which they met evidence-based programme quality criteria. Our results suggest that services for at-risk families are delivered by public, local and social agencies. Most interventions were psycho-educational and aimed at parental training. The analysis of the positive parenting programmes ’ quality showed both strengths and weaknesses. Most programmes relied on a previous needs analysis and interventions were, to some extent, outlined in a manual. Nevertheless, few programmes have been evaluated according to evidence-based programme criteria. In light of these results, we discuss several practical implications for services and family support policies aimed at at-risk families.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España EDU2013-41441-