Browsing by Author "Hopner, Veronica"
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- ItemAphrodite's bosom : an analysis of how breast augmentation is constructed at the site of cosmetic surgery websites in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University(Massey University, 2006) Hopner, VeronicaCosmetic surgery, such as breast augmentation is made possible by the intersections of dominant understandings and practices of gender, medicine, and consumerism. In contemporary western world societies, the female breast is increasingly drawn into medicalized processes of commodification. Through practices of breast augmentation, the breast is able to be exchanged and transformed. The breast as a commodity is understood and (re)produced as a cultural object of femininity. Dominant understandings of femininity not only shape constructions of subjectivities for women, but also act to normalize other social arrangements, and practices of gender, embodiment, medicine, and consumption. This study provides an analysis of the discursive understandings that surround practices of breast augmentation, at the site of cosmetic surgery websites in New Zealand. The World Wide Web is a key knowledge technology and marketplace, and provides an important source through which processes of breast augmentation are represented. In an analysis of texts on New Zealand websites for cosmetic surgery, two representations of breast augmentation were identified, 'breast augmentation as solution' and 'breast augmentation as choice'. Breast augmentation was represented as a solution to small or 'problematic breasts' and a loss of femininity and self-esteem, and as a choice of self determination for women. Together these representations indicated that processes of breast augmentation hold in place dominant notions of femininity. These notions of femininity were drawn upon to construct women as their bodies, and their bodies as idealized objects. Notions of this ideal female breast and body were further and authoritatively held in place by the male, and medicalized knowledges of the cosmetic surgeons in these representations of breast augmentation. These notions of femininity reproduced in these websites representations were employed to limit possibilities of choice, for breast implant size, shape and position for women in practices of breast augmentation. These representations were understood, and discussed for what they may mean for women as well as in relation to wider social understandings, and relationships in contemporary New Zealand society.
- ItemHome from war : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Auckland(Massey University, 2014) Hopner, VeronicaHome from War is an account of which factors strengthen and aid coping with the impact of war, combat experiences and military service post-war for New Zealand veterans. While there is extensive and valuable research into combat-related stress reactions, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, little attention has been given to what might support veterans’ abilities to cope with war experiences across the life span. Oral histories of 25 First World War veterans, 25 Second World War veterans, and 20 Vietnam War veterans were analysed to build themes from patterns in the men’s talk about coping with war and life afterwards. Thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse, interpret and summarise themes or patterns in the qualitative data. Three themes were identified. ‘Personal growth and development’ is a discussion of the psychological and emotional growth which occurred from benefits of military service. Such growth included emotional and intellectual maturity, independence and tolerance which developed from experiences of travel, general positive effects of military service and Posttraumatic Growth. ‘Social regard and status’ was found to be important to facilitate veterans’ return from war, especially genuine positive acknowledgement expressed at social and political levels through rehabilitation assistance, social respect and sites of remembrance. Social care, respect and compassion provided a sense of social connectedness necessary for psychological recovery from war. ‘Dealing with the war’ was about making sense of war. War experiences were either actively incorporated into the life story through identity practices, moral validation and processes of normalisation, or suppressed using repressive coping strategies and silence. Processes of dealing with the war were mediated by social support. Coping with war was strengthened by the social support veterans received from wives and partners, other veterans and organisations such as the RSA. Coping with war is a complex process and the effects of war are expressed across the veteran’s lifespan. Experiences of trauma and well-being were embedded through wartime service and incorporated into how veterans dealt with life post-war.
- ItemWhat contributes to alcohol and substance misuse recovery while parenting in integrated residential rehabilitation? : thesis submitted in partial completion of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Stanley, LauraAlcohol and substance use recovery while parenting is a complicated endeavour. People in alcohol and substance misuse recovery while parenting have unique and complex needs, which mainstream treatment approaches cannot always meet. Treatment often focuses solely on substance misuse and fails to pay attention to parenting, and most often, parents and their children are separated during residential treatment. Parents often face the tough decision to either take care of themselves or take care of their children. Integrated treatment services, which include both drug and alcohol treatment and parenting support, have been developed to break the often intergenerational cycle of substance use and troubled parenting. These programmes have rendered successful outcomes in participants achieving and maintaining abstinence, improving their mental health, and supporting responsive parenting. However, little is known about what particular factors in integrated services support these positive changes made in recovery while parenting. The current research explores the unique factors that have contributed to parents’ recovery at the Family Centre, an integrated parent-child rehabilitation facility. The research additionally illustrates the needs of these individuals in recovery. Experiences of recovery and parenting were explored in semi-structured interviews and case studies with mothers undertaking a recovery programme. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, three themes were constructed: ‘The Construction of Self’ ‘The Therapeutic Milieu’, and ‘Relational Recovery’. The complex histories and recovery journeys of research participants were given context through the use of case vignettes. The findings highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of recovery while parenting, particularly the role that parenting plays in driving recovery-orientated change. The relational nature of recovery was a prevalent factor in recovery, providing a developing perspective on how recovery is viewed in research and practice.