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Elevated levels of parenting stress have been reported in parents raising an Autistic child. Previous studies have identified a multitude of predictors of parenting stress, including both child-related and parent-related factors, though findings across studies are not always in agreement. In the present study we investigate the determinants of parenting stress using a Network Analysis approach, which is then used to inform a subsequent structural equation model. New Zealand parents ( n =  490) of a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) provided data on their Autistic child (e.g., ASD core symptoms, problem behaviours) and themselves (i.e., parenting stress). The analysis revealed that both child and parent demographic factors were poor predictors of parenting stress, while the child’s current language and communication ability were correlated with diagnostic age and parenting stress. An earlier diagnostic age, in turn, suggested better behavioural and emotional outcomes for children. Overall, the Network Analysis showed itself to be an informative approach to understanding parenting stress in the ASD context. Findings further advocate for the implementation of ASD-related and language-related interventions as early as possible, and that language delays during early infancy justify prompt clinical assessment.

Purpose Sensory impairment is a common aftereffect of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, their influence upon treatment outcomes and quality of life has yet to be investigated. This study sought to determine the effects of noise and light sensitivity upon the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with a TBI. Methods A cross-sectional adult sample obtained from a longitudinal study ( n  = 293) provided measures of light and noise sensitivity and quality of life 12 months post injury. Sensitivities were taken from the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, while quality of life was estimated using the Short-Form 36 health survey (SF-36). Results Approximately 42% of participants reported ongoing difficulties with noise and light sensitivity. Additionally, those reporting sensory difficulties also reported lower SF-36 domain and composite scores compared to those reporting no such symptoms. After controlling for known co-factors, hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that the combination of light and noise sensitivity explained between 8 and 35% of the variance in SF-36 scores. Conclusions Light and noise sensitivity appear to degrade the quality of life of those with a mild TBI. Our findings challenge contemporary rehabilitation practices that tend to sideline sensory complaints and instead focus on the remediation of acute TBI symptoms.

Background Caregivers of people with eating disorders (EDs) often support refeeding, behavioural monitoring, and co-ordinate therapeutic and medical appointments. Available support is often focused on the person with the ED and rarely on the caregiver. This study examined the impact of caregiving in New Zealand (NZ). Methods Current and previous caregivers completed an online, anonymous survey exploring their experience of caregiving and its psychological impact using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Eating Disorders Symptom Impact Scale (EDSIS), and questions about the long-term impact of caregiving on caregivers’ mental health. A comparison was made with data on Australian caregivers. Results Current caregivers reported higher levels of depression and stress than those not currently caregiving, as well as higher levels of depressive symptoms than Australian caregivers. The impact of ED symptoms were also generally higher in NZ participants compared with Australian caregivers.The perceived impact of the ED was associated with the psychological distress experienced by caregivers with greater impact being linked to more distress. Of those whose loved ones were in recovery, more than 25% experienced ongoing post-traumatic symptoms related to their caregiving experience. Conclusion NZ caregivers reported ongoing effects related to caregiving even when the person with the ED had recovered. NZ caregivers experience a high level of distress and burden that can persist once recovery is achieved. Comprehensive ED support should include interventions to improve caregivers’ wellbeing. Plain English summary Caring for someone with an eating disorder (ED) can impact all aspects of daily life. We surveyed 153 New Zealand adults who are, or have been, the main caregiver for a loved one with an ED to learn how this role affects them. Most were parents, and about 70% cared for someone with anorexia nervosa. The toughest part was emotional: more than 60% of caregivers described relentless fear, anxiety, and isolation as their biggest challenges. Common mental health tests showed current caregivers had moderate depression and stress and mild anxiety—higher than scores in both the general public and Australian ED caregivers. Roughly one third also reported nightmares, flashbacks, or strong physical reactions when reminded of the caregiving period, pointing to trauma-like stress. Overall, the findings show that ED services need to recognise and actively support caregiver wellbeing during treatment and long after recovery, not just focus on the person with the ED.

Background In New Zealand, a public health programme on gambling policy development is part of a national gambling harm reduction and prevention strategy mandated by the Gambling Act 2003 . Funded by the Ministry of Health, the programme directs workplace/organisational gambling policies , non-gambling fundraising policies , and local council policies on electronic gaming machines (EGMs). We carried out a process evaluation of this programme to identify practical information (e.g. advocacy approaches; challenges and ameliorating strategies) that can be used by programme planners and implementers to reinforce programme effectiveness and serve to guide similar policy-focused public health initiatives elsewhere. Methods Evaluation criteria, based on the programme’s official service specifications , guided our evaluation questions, analysis and reporting. To identify informative aspects of programme delivery, we thematically analysed over 100 six-monthly implementer progress reports (representing 3 years of programme delivery) and transcript of a focus group with public health staff. Results Identified output-related themes included purposeful awareness raising to build understanding about gambling harms and the need for harm-reduction policies and stakeholder relationship development. Outcome-related themes included enhanced community awareness about gambling harms, community involvement in policy development, some workplace/organisational policy development, and some influences on council EGM policies. Non-gambling fundraising policy development was not common. Conclusions The programme offers an unprecedented gambling harm reduction approach. Although complex (due to its three distinct policy focus areas targeting different sectors) and challenging (due to the extensive time and resources needed to develop relationships and overcome counteractive views), the programme resulted in some policy development. Encouraging workplace/organisational policy development requires increased awareness of costs to employers and society and appreciation of policy value. Although encouraging non-gambling fundraising policies will likely remain challenging, public debate on ethical aspects could stimulate policy consideration. Influencing council EGM policy decisions will remain important for minimising EGM accessibility among vulnerable communities. Public involvement in EGM policy decisions has strong implications for policy effectiveness. Given the expanding range of gambling activities (including online gambling) presently accessible to communities worldwide, both organisational and public policies (as advocated through the programme) are needed to minimise gambling harms.

Investigates to what extent the World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire captures the range of facets considered important by New Zealanders for their quality of life (QOL). Outlines the subsequent development of national items for the NZ version of the questionnaire. Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.

This study examined the relationships between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, care-related activities, and satisfaction with life (SWL) in 184 parents caring for a child with ASD in New Zealand. The relationships between coping styles and SWL were also examined. The parents’ SWL scores indicated they were slightly dissatisfied with their lives. A stepwise linear regression showed three predictors (care-related health problems, carer esteem and financial difficulties) explained 47% of the variance in SWL scores. Several coping styles were associated with lowered SWL, and only emotional support was related to increased SWL. The regression model provides a focus for monitoring parental wellbeing, and stresses the importance of recognition and support for the substantial responsibilities parents of children with ASD face.

The current study was a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected in New Zealand. Parents ( n  = 291) of an autistic child completed an online survey that included temporal/demographic questions relating to the parent and child, and parent ratings of the child’s core ASD symptoms, their parenting stress, and psychological well-being. Child and parent ages were related to ASD core symptoms, parenting stress, and psychological well-being, the parent-child age gap was not. Diagnostic delay was only positively associated with parent depression and negatively associated with child communication impairment. Findings indicated that temporal variables can be predictive of parent well-being and child autism symptoms. The findings suggest that focusing interventions on communication abilities may have positive impacts parental mental health.

The challenges faced by parents caring for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can amplify parenting stress, though the impacts of these challenges can be alleviated by social supports. A sample of 674 parent volunteers completed a survey probing the types of social supports currently being used, what function (i.e., tangible, emotional, financial, informational) they judged them to perform, and how each of the utilised supports reduced parenting stress and was considered helpful. Results indicated that informal social supports and social media were perceived as more helpful than formal supports, which were typically perceived in a neutral manner by parents. Overall, the study indicates that addressing the support needs of parents of a child with ASD remains a priority.

Air pollution originating from road traffic is a known risk factor of respiratory and cardiovascular disease (both in terms of chronic and acute effects). While adverse effects on cardiovascular health have also been linked with noise (after controlling for air pollution), noise exposure has been commonly linked to sleep impairment and negative emotional reactions. Health is multi-faceted, both conceptually and operationally; Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is one of many measures capable of probing health. In this study, we examine pre-collected data from postal surveys probing HRQOL obtained from a variety of urban, suburban, and rural contexts across the North Island of New Zealand. Analyses focus on the covariance between air pollution annoyance and noise annoyances, and their independent and combined effects on HRQOL. Results indicate that the highest ratings of air pollution annoyance and noise annoyances were for residents living close to the motorway, while the lowest were for rural residents. Most of the city samples indicated no significant difference between air pollution- and noise-annoyance ratings, and of all of the correlations between air pollution- and noise-annoyance, the highest were found in the city samples. These findings suggest that annoyance is driven by exposure to environmental factors and not personality characteristics. Analysis of HRQOL indicated that air pollution annoyance predicts greater variability in the physical HRQOL domain while noise annoyance predicts greater variability in the psychological, social and environmental domains. The lack of an interaction effect between air pollution annoyance and noise annoyance suggests that air pollution and noise impact on health independently. These results echo those obtained from objective measures of health and suggest that mitigation of traffic effects should address both air and noise pollution.

Understanding why parents choose some interventions but not others for their child with autism is important for a number of reasons. Estimating the proportion of evidence-based interventions engaged, identifying the agencies influencing parental decisions, and elucidating the barriers or reasons leading to intervention rejection or discontinuation can result in better service provision. New Zealand parents (n = 570) of a child with autism reported what interventions were being engaged, and why some interventions were engaged but not others. Funding was a major determinant of intervention engagement, while medical professionals exerted the most influence. Sources of support were not related to intervention engagement, but parental perceptions of their child’s symptom severity were. Finally, non-engagement does not necessarily reflect parental opposition to an intervention, but rather the existence of barriers.