Bachelor with Honours Dissertations - open access

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https://hdl.handle.net/10292/14987

The "Bachelor with Honours Dissertations - open access" collection contains digital copies of AUT University B(Hons) dissertations approved for open access. B(Hons) dissertations are required to be open access from April 2022. Past students may contact the Tuwhera team (tuwhera.opentheses@aut.ac.nz) if they wish to make their B(Hons) open access.

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Deaf and Television News: Finding a Better Path to Knowledge
(Auckland University of Technology, 2011) Mulrennan, Danielle; Sissons, Helen
Practitioners’ Knowledge and Understanding of Acquired Brain Injury in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence in New Zealand
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Durrant, Magdalena; Theadom, Alice; O’Donovan, Claire
The Impact of Childhood Parentification and the Impact on Adult Intimate Relationships. A Scoping Review.
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Mathias, Indigo Rose; Thorpe, Mark
The dissertation analyses the topic area of the childhood impacts of parentification on adult intimate relationships. This is done through a scoping review methodology, the researcher utilised the Arksey and O’Malley framework (2005), where the researcher examined two main psychological databases; PsycINFO via OVID and MEDLINE via PubMed, the University journal database and the university library. The results show an initial 137 sources relating to parentification and relationships, this was reduced to 12 sources. The 12 sources included 7 quantitative studies, 4 qualitative studies and one book that included case analysis. The quantitative studies used surveys and questionnaires as interventions and the qualitative study and book used couples and family therapy as an intervention. The researcher clearly saw the incorporation of both the construct of parentification and its relation to adult intimate relationships. The researcher thematically analysed the 12 sources and produced four themes; • Relationships as a challenge – feelings of dissatisfaction • Re-enactment of childhood relationships • Development of insecure attachment style – taken into adulthood • Transgenerational repetition of parentification
Police in the Media: A Critical Analysis of Police Ten 7
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Pukeiti, Wairua; Deckert, Antje; Tauri, Juan
Phosphate Sensors Formed by the Self-Assembly of Fluorescent Probes
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Matich, Olivia; Chen, Jack
Exploring the Types, Functions and Impacts of Formal and Informal Supports Used by Ambulance Personnel at St John
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Pilbrow, Olivia; Shepherd, Daniel
Background: Ambulance personnel experience significant stress in their day-to-day work as they respond to medical emergencies that are often traumatic and challenging. Cumulative events and ongoing stressors have been linked to increased mental health issues among emergency responders, especially ambulance personnel. Social support has been identified as a coping strategy that positively affects the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions. However, there is limited research within the New Zealand emergency medical response area regarding what formal and informal social support ambulance personnel use to cope. Aim: This study aims to document the use of formal and informal social support of ambulance personnel at St John in New Zealand. There are ten different types of formal support within the St John organisation. Informal support includes nine types of support that ambulance personnel may access external to St John. This study also aims to examine the characteristics of ambulance personnel related to the social supports they utilise, and their perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the available functions of support. These functions look at, but are not limited to, ease of job, emotional and financial support, inclusion, and guidance. Method: Ambulance personnel were recruited through emails from the St John employee weekly bulletin. The participants answered an online questionnaire gathering personal demographic information, level of perceived stress, and individual perception of formal and informal supports available and utilised. A total of 89 participants were included in the study. Results: The perceived stress scale (PSS) was found to have high reliability for the study. The average PSS score showed high levels of stress. Informal support of spouse/partner, family, and friends showed more emotional support. Spouse/partner and family provided more financial support; overall, spouse/partner showed more social support. Colleagues showed more support than most other formal supports, followed by peer support in certain support functions. Conclusion: New Zealand ambulance personnel experience high perceived stress as part of their work. They utilise mostly informal social supports from spouses/partners, and family, while colleagues are often the go-to support in the workplace. Implications of this study were discussed, along with recommendations for future research.
A Scoping Review of the Potential Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Pain in Adulthood
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Hamilton-Bos, Kelly; du Preez, Elizabeth; van Kessel, Kirsten
In previous years, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been identified as having a potential relationship with poor health outcomes. Chronic pain is one health outcome that has a high prevalence worldwide and the numbers are continuing to grow. Thus, the aim of this scoping review was to review what the current research posited about the potential relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in adulthood. Using a combination of PRISMA-ScR and Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review frameworks, five databases were searched. Overall, 66 articles were included and further analysed by using a thematic analysis. From this thematic analysis, three themes were identified: there is a potential relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in adulthood; the relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in complex; and there is more that needs to be done to understand the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult chronic pain. Depression, anxiety and resilience emerged as mediating factors in the relationship between ACEs and chronic pain but do require further clarification. This scoping review did not identify any relevant studies within a New Zealand/Aotearoa context and recommendations include validating the ACE questionnaire for the New Zealand/Aotearoa population and identifying whether the ACE domains are relevant, and culturally sensitive and appropriate. This scoping review contributes to the understanding of the relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in adulthood in order to develop treatment options which might in turn contribute to reduction in negative health outcomes and an increase in healthcare utilization
Parental Mind-Mindedness and Children’s Helping Behaviour
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Gordon, Shaniah; Ying , Wang; Landhuis, Erik
Prosocial behaviour in children is related to many positive outcomes in the social and educational domains. Therefore, it has been of interest to researchers to study the antecedents of these behaviours. This research project examines the relationship between parental mind-mindedness and children’s helping behaviours, exploring whether mind-mindedness could be an antecedent. Parental mind-mindedness has been found to relate to children’s social competence development, such as acceptance and interactions with school-aged peers. However, few studies have looked at mind- mindedness in relation to early developing prosocial behaviour. This study hypothesized that mind- mindedness would be positively associated with toddler’s prosocial actions as measured by their readiness to help an experimenter in need. One hundred and eighty-four parent-child dyads were assessed for parental mind-mindedness and helpful behaviour on helping tasks ranging in difficulty. The results showed that the relationship between mind-mindedness and children’s behaviour on simple helping tasks was weakly, but statistically significantly correlated. However, this association went away after controlling for parental verbosity. Mind-mindedness was unrelated to children’s performance on more difficult helping tasks. These findings were not aligned with the expectation. Reasons why were outlined and future recommendations were made to examine the relationship between children’s developing prosocial behaviour and the role that parental behaviour and language, such as mind-mindedness might play.
A Systematic Review of the Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on the Central and Autonomic Nervous System
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Vashista, Geet; Thoma, Christian; Shepherd, Daniel
The Therapeutic Application of MDMA: Knowledge and Attitudes of Psychologists in Aotearoa
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Cullen, David Lloyd; Csako, Rita
This exploratory cross-sectional, survey-based pilot study investigated the knowledge and attitudes of psychologists in Aotearoa towards the therapeutic application of MDMA (‘3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine’, colloquially known as ‘Ecstasy’). MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (‘MDMA-PT’, which involves the adjunctive use of MDMA with psychotherapy) has been designated as a ‘breakthrough therapy’ by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (‘PTSD’), and is on track to become an approved prescription therapy in the U.S. by 2023. Psychologists play a pivotal role in MDMA-PT and PTSD treatment, and as a core pillar of the mental health workforce in Aotearoa, their knowledge and attitudes will significantly impact the support and potential implementation of this treatment locally. Sixty-five psychologists completed an anonymous, online survey which explored their self-reported knowledge and attitudes of MDMA-PT, as well as their personal attitudes towards recreational MDMA and substance use. The results demonstrated that participants had varying levels of knowledge about MDMA-PT research, but were unlikely to be well informed about the treatment. Psychologists had generally favourable attitudes towards MDMA-PT, which was underpinned by a sense of caution and an awareness of the limits of their knowledge of the treatment. The study provides additional evidence to suggest that personal attitudes and stigma are likely to play a role in shaping healthcare workers’ attitudes towards MDMA-PT and its acceptance as a legitimate treatment. Increased levels of psychoeducation are needed to ensure psychologists are properly informed of MDMA-PT’s evidence base and to reduce stigma. Future research is needed to better understand the attitudes and knowledge of other relevant healthcare professionals towards MDMA-PT, the phenomenon of self-medication, and the implications of these results specifically for psychological practice in Aotearoa.
The Synthesis of Phenol Glycosides as Markers for Smoke Taint in Wine
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) D'souza, Shaun; Chen, Jack
Wildfires can cause a number of different issues for the winemaker such as damages to crops and property, with the biggest issue being economic losses due to smoke-tainted wine. This project looked into finding a lasting solution to the problem of smoke-tainted wine. The main aim of this project was to synthesise the novel phenolic glycoside, para-cresol gentiobioside, which is one on many compounds that are responsible for smoke taint in wine. The compound, when synthesised will then be used by the industrial collaborators involved in this project to develop molecularly imprinted polymers to selectively remove the same or other closely-related compounds. All reactions in the proposed synthetic scheme for para-cresol gentiobioside were performed and were also optimised where necessary to obtain a better yield at that step. 0.0750 grams of the novel compound, para-cresol gentiobioside was successfully synthesised in this project. In the final stages of the project an alternative synthetic route which was more efficient and which could potentially provide faster access to other phenolic glycosides responsible for smoke taint was explored.
Developing a Micropropagation System for Medicinal Cannabis (Cannabis Sativa L.)
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Domigan, Elizabeth Rose; Seyfoddin, Ali; Simon, Mary; Morgan, Edmond
The micropropagation of medicinal Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) offers an aseptic, scalable method for production and preservation of pharmaceutically elite Cannabis genotypes (strains) with specific chemical profiles. The present study investigated various factors influencing the establishment and progression of Cannabis through micropropagation. Four initial explant types (apical bud, second, fourth and sixth axillary nodes) and commercial genotypes (Amnesia, Glueberry Kush, Mokum’s Tulip and NZ Cheese) were used to investigate the establishment of Cannabis in vitro on 1⁄2 strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The in vitro progression of Cannabis on 1⁄2 MS medium across two rounds of plant tissue culture multiplication were investigated using secondary and tertiary explant material (shoot tips and axillary nodes) from responding apical bud explants across the four genotypes. The effect of plant growth regulator (PGR), meta-Topolin (m-T) at eight concentrations (0-5 μm/L) in MS medium supplemented with activated charcoal (0.5 g/L) was investigated using three genotypes (Amnesia, Glueberry Kush and Mokum’s Tulip), and the effect of activated charcoal was investigated using one genotype (Amnesia). The apical bud explant had the lowest rates of endogenous contamination (2%), highest rates of proliferation (97%) and the greatest provision of secondary plant material (3.84 average secondary explants). Genotype influenced the provision of secondary and tertiary explant material, proliferation response, canopy area, plant health and plant height. Plant health was affected by m-T concentration, with the best health achieved at 5 μm/L. Plants grown on PGR free MS medium had significantly higher shoot production, canopy area and plant height compared to media including m-T (at 2 and 5 μm/L). Activated charcoal supplementation was shown to negatively impact proliferation response, shoot production, canopy area and plant height. Findings from this study lay an important foundation for the development of a robust and replicable micropropagation system for medicinal Cannabis.
Wave Energy Dynamics and Coastal Erosion: A Case Study on Narrow Neck Bay Auckland
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Samaratunga, Chloe Tiara; Hinchliffe, Graham; Michael, Petterson
Coastal zones mark the boundary between land and sea and are actively evolving due the constant movement of waves. Sea waves are a dynamic feature of coastal zones that play a large role in the erosional processes that occur along the coast (Brocx & Semeniuk, 2009). Coastal views and accessibility to beaches is desired by many and has resulted in the suburban development of the coastal cliff edges at Narrow Neck, Auckland, New Zealand (Jongens, Gibb and Alloway, 2006). The properties along the cliff edge are very vulnerable to coastal hazards and therefore understanding the processes and factors of the coastal zone is important for the mitigation of potential hazards. This study aimed to track the waves impacting along the coast of Narrow Neck to determine wave dynamics such as direction, frequency, concentration and refraction, in order to understand wave energy transfer between sea waves and the coast. The link between sea waves and coastal geomorphology was also investigated to understand the wave dynamics observed and determine the influence wave action has on the coastal erosion occurring at Narrow Neck. The study was carried out by collecting both physical and digital field data. A physical geological survey was undertaken at the field location and digital, full motion video (FMV) footage of the coastal waves was captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The analysis was undertaken primarily using ArcGIS Pro software to process the data and produce the visual results. It was found that coastal waves and coastal erosion are strongly interconnected. The coastal wave dynamics of wave direction, concentration and frequency are influenced significantly by the geological landscape. The geological landscape was found to be heterogeneous along the coastline resulting in corresponding variation in sea wave dynamics. Differential erosion is occurring along the coast due to this variation, resulting in the development of erosional features which shape the coastline.
The Health of Auckland’s Natural & Constructed Urban Wetlands
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Maiyor, Adrian Michael; Bishop, Craig
I analysed data from 31 Auckland urban wetland monitoring plots within the Auckland metropolitan urban area. These plots were initially established from 2010 – 2014 by the Auckland council as part of a wider program to provide representative, region-wide monitoring of wetland health and biodiversity values. Data comprised two measures: the first baseline measurement and the 1st re-measurement after 5 years. It is planned to continue measuring these plots every five years, but only two measures were available for analysis in this study. The plots were selected using a 4km x 4km ‘wetland grid’ superimposed across the Auckland region to ensure representative spatial coverage. Each plot used a smaller grid setup of a square 15m x15m plot in which a 10m x 10m square and nine 2m x 2m plots were established within. This study aimed to assess the ‘health’ of Auckland’s urban wetlands using this data through the calculation and analysis of multiple indicators of ‘environmental condition’. These indicators were also evaluated through their usefulness towards the overall assessment of ecosystem ‘health’. The first indicator was the analysis of plant species richness in the plot. Indicator 2 was ‘naturalness’ which compares native vs exotic plant species richness. The third indicator was naturalness (biomass) which provided more information on the growth and proliferation of native plant species in the plots. Indicator 4 was based on the Shannon Diversity index which incorporates aspects of species richness and the relative abundance of those same species (using biomass). Indicator 5 represented Weed Dominance, in which the level of weedy plant species biomass was evaluated over the plot to determine the plots resistance to invasions. Indicator 6 was the proportions of dryland plants, which shows the proportionate value of Dryland plant biomass across the whole plot in order to ascertain the level of ‘drying out’ or changes in hydrological regimes. Indicator 7 was based on the Dieback of plant species, where dead biomass of native and exotic plant species is measured over the total biomass and expressed as a proportion. Prior to analysis, the wetland plots were classed into four different wetland types, Coastal wetlands – Induced, Coastal wetlands -Natural, Freshwater wetland -Natural and Freshwater – Restored. Using statistical tests, no significance differences were found between the baseline measures and 5-year re-measurement across all the indicators. However, there were some significant differences between wetland types in indicators 1, 3 and 4. The lack of significance may be due to the low amount of datapoints as the lack of a 2nd re-measurement would have provided more data over a longer period (of 10 years). At Kohuora Park, four replicate plots were re- measured after 9-years as to compare indicator values and predict the change in ‘health’ of Auckland urban wetland plots after a 9-year period. However, due to the low sample size, no significant differences were detected.
Overconsumption Consumer Behaviour Paradoxes: A Systematic Literature Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Powell, Sarah Irene; Kapitan, Sommer
This research explores the factors related to consumer behaviour paradoxes of overconsumption, through a systematic literature review format. The main focus of this review was the notion of paradox, or tensions between opposing forces which create discrepancies in consumer behaviour where either option can be chosen, depending on the influencing factors present. Following the systematic literature review method (Paul et al., 2021), 33 articles were identified as appropriate to review. From the article sample collected, it was identified that there are 8 factors which interact with each other as both enabling and disabling factors to overconsumption from a paradoxical lens. The disabling factors to overconsumption are social factors, cultural and religious factors, economic factors, and consumer intentions. These were in balance with the enabling factors to overconsumption which include: the dominant social paradigm, materialism factors, marketing/business intentions, and external environmental factors. These values in tension were explored based on the insights gleaned from the article sample. Further to this, future research recommendations were made based on the identified gaps between the articles and were summarised in the future research recommendations section of this article. Limitations include the theoretical nature of this review, in how qualitative/qualitative/mixed method studies could help bolster the review by testing some of the factors in real-life situations. Further, the use of books or other varying types of literature could have been used, yet due to an inaccurate ability to gauge the quality of the other types of publishing were excluded. Further, more researchers from Eastern parts of the world could offer their unique cultural perspectives on this topic and conduct more studies to increase diversity and insights into paradoxes and overconsumption.
Quality of Life and Experiences of Psychological Distress and Burnout Among Aotearoa New Zealand Psychologists
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Blayney, Marty; Kercher, Amy
The Experience of Caregivers Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities During Hospitalisation: A Qualitative Study
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Fuller, Emma; Donkin, Liesje; Verhoeven, Marleen
This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of caregivers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) during hospitalisation within Aotearoa. Whilst there has been research that has examined the hospitalisation experiences of caregivers supporting adults with ID internationally, there has been little research undertaken in Aotearoa within this context. Identifying caregivers’ experiences of whether caregivers have been adequately supported during hospital stays supporting their adult with ID, and establishing what worked well and what did not work well, is a crucial element to understanding whether the caregivers were overwhelmed or had insufficient support at any point of the hospital stay with their adult with ID in Aotearoa. This study utilises a qualitative methodology as it enabled lived experiences to be shared, which will help to determine what services within the Aotearoa hospital system are necessary to better support this population in the future. Caregivers of six adults with intellectual disabilities were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Transcripts from these interviews and thematic analysis have been used to identify key themes. The findings discovered the increasing reliance placed on caregivers of adults with ID whilst in hospital. These were highlighted through the interdependence within the themes developed in this research; advocacy, environment, lack of support, lack of awareness, interpersonal care, informed consent, communication, health experience and sense of abandonment. This study broadens the body of knowledge through understanding the challenges caregivers face. Caregivers involved in this study were predominately family caregivers, therefore non-qualified, supporting findings that they are involved in processes beyond their personal competencies. The findings highlight that caregivers experienced insufficient support whilst supporting their adult with ID when in hospital in Aotearoa. This study can be used to show awareness of the challenges that caregivers face in Aotearoa, with further research looking into how these challenges can be addressed. Future research needs to consider the use of artificial intelligence and technology advances that provide assistance with advocating, communication, and supporting ID adults, thus relieving their caregivers of some of these burdens. This is expected to provide positive outcomes.
Comparing the Perceived Orgasm Satisfaction and Responses to Orgasmic Difficulty of Heterosexual, Bisexual and Homosexual Women in New Zealand
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Gavelle, Java Cristina Taina; Czako, Rita
Introduction: This research will aim to compare the orgasmic satisfaction, orgasm difficulty and perceived partner response to orgasm difficulty women in New Zealand with different sexual orientations. The study uses a non-probability based convenience sampling in the form of an online self-report survey to gather information. Methods: The sample consisted of 667 women aged from 18 to 76 years old who identified as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. A Kruskal-Wallis was conducted to compare all three sexual orientation groups and orgasm satisfaction, orgasm difficulty and partner response to orgasm difficulty. More specific Mann-Whitney U tests followed these to see exactly where the differences lie between the groups. Results: There were no significant differences in orgasm satisfaction between the different sexual orientations. Significant differences in partner response to difficulty and orgasmic difficulties were observed across the different sexual orientation groups. Bisexual women reported the highest level of personal distress to orgasm difficulty, and both heterosexual and bisexual women reported higher levels of perceived partner distress to orgasm difficulty compared to homosexual women. Conclusion: This study contains several limitations; however, this study provides novel research into women of different sexual orientations and orgasm satisfaction, orgasm difficulty and perceived partner distress to orgasm difficulty.
Nurse Burnout Group Versus Individual Mindfulness Interventions: A Systematic Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Cascante Diaz, Gabriella; O'Donovan, Claire
Background: Nurses are prone to burnout due to the physically and emotionally taxing characteristics of the job and the high workloads required. This has been particularly apparent in the context of COVID-19. In New Zealand, almost 50% of nurses have reported experiencing work-related burnout, although this is a worldwide phenomenon. Mindfulness-based interventions have been proven to mitigate burnout and foster resilience in healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to determine whether mindfulness interventions for burnt out nurses are better implemented in a group or individual format. Methods: A systematic review was chosen to investigate this question and the PRISMA systematic review guidelines were followed. The databases used to search for articles on this topic were CINAHL, Medline, EMCare, PsycINFO, Scopus and Science Direct databases. The searches occurred in September 2022 and included studies from 2012 to 2022. Studies were included if they treated burnout symptoms in nurses with mindfulness-based interventions. Studies had to be quasi-experimental, randomised control trials, non-randomised control trials and pilot studies that included pre- and post-burnout measurements. The study quality was assessed using the RoB2 and ROBINS-I tools. Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Two were randomised control trials, one was a non-randomised control study, three were a quasi-experimental study, and one was a mixed method study some of which were pilot studies. The seven studies used the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, and the ProQOL scale. They used a mix of mindfulness-based interventions such as, mindfulness-based yoga, abbreviated mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention, and Mindful Living with Stress intervention and the Community Resilience Model mindfulness-based intervention. Five interventions used a group format and two an individual one. Both formats showed statistically significant improvements in burnout. Discussion: Findings showed that group and individual-format mindfulness interventions were both effective in improving burnout in nurses. Only one study specified the reasoning of using a group format, the other studies did not. It did not appear to be an important consideration although it is possible that aspects of both could have affected the outcome of the interventions. In the group format, coordination of groups appeared to be a barrier to engagement, but peer support may have been a beneficial aspect. In the individual format, participants reported liking the flexibility and brevity of practice. In conclusion, all studies showed an improvement in burnout scores, although not all were statistically significant. Overall, there was not enough evidence and the evidence included was varying in quality. Thus, it was impossible to conclude which format better supported an improvement in burnout for nurses. Therefore, further research is needed to further our understanding of the treatment of burnout for nurses.
Prepared to Crash? A Preliminary Study on Traffic Accidents Caused by Risky Driver Behaviors Captured on Livestream Social Media
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Lalli, Jaspreet Kaur; Phillips, James
Road traffic incidents result in 1.3 million deaths a year (World Health Organization, 2022). Typically, an understanding of factors contributing to accidents is derived from external evidential factors such as witnesses, skid marks, and closed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. However, new technologies are now capturing driving behaviours inside a vehicle as they occur. The present study attempts to shed light on traffic accidents, utilising livestream video footage to conduct Ecological Momentary Assessments of these real-time driver behaviours. In an Archival study, data was collected from the online domain (i.e., electronic news sources, web-based video networking sites, social networking sites), carefully screening potential videos for inclusion and then coded into relevant categories. Fisher’s Exact Tests were then used to explore relationships between different variables (i.e., phone manipulation, driver injury, driving maneuverers and behaviours). Although statistical power was low, trends were observed indicating potential relationships between phone use and poor driving manoeuvres, namely interference from talking was impairing lane overtaking or lane turning. Specific cases were then examined, revealing that these traffic incidents involved intoxication, speeding for personal thrills, driver distraction, and mobile phone use. This study offers insight into the capabilities of the proposed roadside cameras that are currently being implemented to capture driver distraction.

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