Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Filters

Settings

Has files: No

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 987
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Political polarization and wellbeing: Investigating potential intrapersonal harm From affective polarization
    (Ubiquity Press, 2025-12-01) McMurtrie B; Roemer A; Philipp M; Hebden R; Williams M
    Affective polarization—antipathy towards members of one’s political out-group—may pose challenges to social cohesion and personal wellbeing. Prior studies have suggested that one’s affective polarization may cause intrapersonal harm as well as interpersonal harm. It has been associated with reduced social support, increased stress, and worse physical health. This pre-registered study investigated the intrapersonal harm of affective polarization using a six-wave longitudinal survey (N = 470). Affective polarization, social support, perceived stress, and self-rated health were measured fortnightly for three months preceding the 2024 US presidential election. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models were employed to investigate the within-person effects of affective polarization on these indicators of wellbeing. Contrary to hypotheses, none of the hypothesized cross-lagged effects were significant, suggesting that changes in affective polarization did not predict changes in social support, stress, or health. However, cross-sectional analyses did reflect past findings, showing that higher levels of affective polarization were associated with lower social support, greater stress, and worse health. We additionally found evidence for perceived stress causing moderate increases in affective polarization. Stable differences by political orientation were also observed in our sample, with liberals reporting higher affective polarization and stress, lower social support, and worse health. Despite the lack of significant effects, potentially due to limitations such as sample size and measurement constraints, our findings underscore the importance of further investigations with appropriate robust designs to clarify the relationship between affective polarization and wellbeing. These results challenge the assumption that affective polarization directly drives declines in wellbeing.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    ‘Through hybrid eyes : empathetic entanglement as a lens for human to animal metamorphosis in Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation’ and ‘Becoming Amphibian’ : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Creative Writing at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 10th November 2027
    (Massey University, 2025) Smith, Ryan
    This thesis comprises two sections: a 13,000-word critical exegesis of Annihilation (2014), a novel by Jeff VanderMeer, and a 27,000-word creative excerpt from an original speculative horror novella, Becoming Amphibian. In the critical portion of this thesis, I conduct a close reading of Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation in which I ask, how does empathetic entanglement provide a lens through which to look at human to animal metamorphosis in fiction? I investigate the human-animal metamorphosis of the unnamed biologist protagonist in Annihilation, particularly considering how her metamorphosis transforms the biologist’s perception of the nonhuman world, her relationships with nonhuman animals, and the benefits and challenges of expressing her new nonhuman abilities and agency. I argue that the biologist’s metamorphosis is an embodiment of philosopher Lori Gruen’s concept of ‘empathetic entanglement’ – a form of human-nonhuman cohabitation where human and nonhuman agency are valued more equally. I assert that the biologist’s unique Nagelian hybrid view of the world can be used as a lens to envision this empathetic entanglement. I also draw on ecocritical researcher Jack Dudley’s idea that actively embracing the trauma of transformation towards ecocentric relationships with animals is ultimately beneficial, and preferable to passively enduring Earth’s slow apocalypse. I further argue that VanderMeer’s fictional pristine ecosystem Area X – in which the bulk of Annihilation is set – could be read as a representation of ecofeminist theorist Donna Haraway’s Chthulucene, her suggested alternative to the current human-centred Anthropocene era. The creative portion of my thesis is an excerpt of an original speculative horror fiction novella called Becoming Amphibian. The narrative is centred around a human protagonist’s metamorphosis into an amphibian, and the metamorphosis of a mid-range clothes shop in the Wellington central business district into a swampland. My story picks up on similar contemporary animal studies research that is present in Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation – in particular, a push back against the human gaze; the value of nonhuman animal agency and behaviours in fictional depictions; and human-nonhuman entanglement. Becoming Amphibian also explores interspecies cooperation, as outlined in research by Donna Haraway, and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Deer velvet removal haemostasis : a product development investigation. EMBARGOED until 27th May 2028
    (Massey University, 2025) Sims, Gemma
    This project researched, designed, developed, and tested a haemostasis concept and prototype for the deer farming velvet industry, specifically to reduce bleeding after the removal of deer velvet antler.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Quantifying opponent process dynamics in pornography use and masturbation: An exploratory ecological momentary assessment study
    (Springer, 2025-11-21) Henry N; Pedersen M; Williams M; Donkin L
    The causal relationships between pornography use, masturbation, moral incongruence, and mental health are poorly understood. While the link between problematic pornography use (PPU) and depression is well documented, the temporal dynamics associated with pornography use and masturbation have not yet been quantified. Utilizing an exploratory ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design, we measured the temporal dynamics of cognitive and affective state variables collected from 22 participants before, during, and after pornography use and masturbation, and examined the moderating role of moral incongruence in these relationships. Participants completed an initial survey followed by a four-week EMA, capturing data on sexual activities and cognitive and affective state variables. Bayesian hierarchical mixed-effects models were employed to analyze temporal dynamics. Findings suggest that pornography use and masturbation were linked to changes in affective and cognitive states that spiked both before and after sexual episodes. These states were generally more pronounced and sustained in participants with high moral incongruence, who experienced transient increases in shame, guilt, difficulty thinking, relationship disconnectedness, craving for sexual intercourse, and mood deterioration after pornography use and masturbation. These shifts typically persisted for several hours before decaying to baseline levels. High-incongruence participants also experienced strong spikes in craving prior to sexual episodes, while low-incongruence participants experienced craving spikes after pornography use and masturbation, indicating possible sensitization effects. Our findings also signalled potential evidence for “brain fog” following pornography use in both low and high-incongruence participants. Further, we discovered opponent process dynamics in the mood of high-incongruence participants, providing a possible causal mechanism that may explain how PPU can lead to depression.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Essays on corporate finance in Indian markets : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Finance at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 10 November 2027.
    (Massey University, 2025) Puri, Swati Kumaria
    A strong and well-regulated financial system is essential for sustained economic growth. Financial sector reforms play a vital role in promoting efficient resource allocation, enhancing inclusion, mitigating business risks, and fostering long-term stability. India’s financial landscape has undergone a major transformation since the liberalization of the 1990s, transitioning from a highly regulated economy to a more open, market-oriented, and globally integrated system. Two landmark reforms—the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) introduced in 2016 and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) law enacted in 2013—have significantly reshaped India’s financial and corporate framework. The IBC has improved the ease of doing business by providing a structured mechanism for insolvency resolution and creditor protection, while the CSR law has institutionalized responsible corporate behaviour by aligning business goals with social and environmental objectives. Despite these progressive measures, India’s financial system continues to face persistent external challenges such as rising crime, which creates uncertainty, increases transaction costs, and undermines investor confidence. This thesis examines the impact of legal reforms, corporate social responsibility, and crime on debt financing and investment efficiency in the Indian context. It provides robust empirical evidence that well-designed legal frameworks and governance mechanisms significantly enhance corporate performance, while external challenges like crime hinder firms’ investment efficiency. Collectively, the three essays in this study underscore the pivotal role of institutional frameworks in shaping corporate behaviour and economic outcomes—beginning with legal reform and extending to governance and enforcement. The findings reveal that proactive policy interventions such as the IBC and CSR reforms can enhance credit access and investment efficiency, contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth. However, the persistence of crime highlights the need for complementary governance and transparency measures to mitigate investment inefficiencies. Overall, this research contributes to understanding how institutional mechanisms and external constraints interact to influence firm behaviour and economic development in emerging markets. Importantly, these insights extend beyond India, offering valuable implications for policymakers and businesses in other developing economies seeking to strengthen institutions, promote economic resilience, and achieve sustainable progress.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Part 1. Critical essay : Reconciling the Self – A Journey Through Memory in Annie Ernaux’s A Girl’s Story. Part 2. Creative essays : Let It Be a First Step : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Creative Writing at Massey University, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 7th October 2027
    (Massey University, 2025) O'Sullivan, Fiona Therese
    This thesis has two parts, a critical examination of the French writer Annie Ernaux with a particular focus on her nonfiction work, A Girl’s Story, and a creative which comprises a collection of essays that explore childhood memories and the formative influence of childhood experiences on our adult selves.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Effect of Ammonia Inhalants on Mental-Fatigue-Related Force Loss
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2025-12-01) Barnes MJ; O’Connor E; van Zanten J
    Objectives: Ammonia inhalants (AIs) are commonly used in competition with the assumption that they will increase arousal and reduce the detrimental effects of mental fatigue on performance. However, as the effect of AIs on mental fatigue is unclear, this study investigated (1) whether mental-fatigue-related changes in mood states are associated with reductions in maximal lower-body force production and (2) whether AIs reduce any mental-fatigue-induced changes in performance. Methods: In a randomized, crossover designed study, nine resistance trained males completed two trials, with and without AIs. Profile of mood states, isometric midthigh pull force, and electromyography were measured before and after completion of a 75 min AX-continuous performance test (AX-CPT). For AI trials, AIs were used prior to post-AX-CPT IMTPs. Results: The AX-CPT significantly increased all negative mood subscales, while decreasing vigor (all p < 0.05), resulting in an increase in total mood disturbance (pre-AX-CPT: 27.1 ± 3.17 vs. post-AX-CPT: 64.49 ± 4.01; p = 0.005). Additionally, compared to baseline, force was reduced immediately (1699 ± 345 vs. 1521 ± 324 N; p = 0.009), but not five minutes post-AX-CPT (p = 0.328). Electromyography did not change over time, and no differences between treatments were evident for any of the measures. Conclusions: Mental fatigue, and related mood disturbance, has the potential to acutely reduce lower-body, maximal force. This finding may have implications for athletes competing in strength sports where mental focus, arousal and maximal force production determine optimal performance. However, AIs offer no benefit to alleviating the detrimental effects of mental fatigue.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The nexus of human security and militarisation : a case study of Balochistan, Pakistan : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Defence and Security Studies at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 31 October 2028.
    (Massey University, 2025-10-16) Tareen, Mati Ullah
    This research explores the nexus of human security and militarisation by taking natural resource rich Balochistan in Pakistan as a case study. The literature has often found that natural-resource-rich regions in developing countries have the highest levels of human security challenges. External and domestic actors converge to form structures that exploit these regions, marginalise the local population and have encouraged the local people to armed resistance. However, the literature ignores the fact that each region should be investigated to understand its own contextual and historical factors to address these challenges, which is the focus of this thesis. The concept of “political security” within the construct of human security serves a theoretical framework in this research to investigate the factors that promote or demote militarisation and human security challenges. Political security as a concept provides a comprehensive approach that is especially relevant in the context of Balochistan’s vulnerability in the geopolitical and geoeconomic sense. This research extends the boundaries of political security in three dimensions. Political autonomy security explores the role of constitutional, administrative, and financial rights within the formal and informal governance structure of the state. Political identity security explores the socio-cultural norms of the indigenous ethnic population in analysing the historical, domestic, and external factors that may impact political processes in a positive or negative way. Political interest security explores the role of national, provincial, and local politicians/parties; tribal leaders; and social movements in advocating political, social, and economic security. This research adopted a qualitative approach by taking Balochistan and one of its cities, Gwadar, as a case study. Balochistan’s geopolitical and geoeconomic significance, rich in natural resources and its lower human security indicators are the reasons for taking it as a case study. Gwadar was taken as a sub-case study because of its importance in China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. The research conducted 25 semi-structured in-depth interviews with people in six different groups, including bureaucrats, politicians, academics, tribal leaders, judiciary, and commerce. By using the process tracing method, which traces an event through its cause-and-effect relationships, the research conducted a historical analysis, constitutional analysis, and a policy document analysis to complement the primary data. To understand political autonomy security, this research aimed to analyse how the politics of centralisation and decentralisation in Pakistan’s constitutions have impacted political security in Balochistan. The research found that political autonomy security is compromised because of Balochistan’s location and its associated geopolitical and geoeconomic vulnerability in the colonial and post-colonial eras. Therefore, Balochistan has always been run by a centralised governance system. Through delays in the constitution making and getting the status of a province, Balochistan experienced a controlled political process historically, increasing the role of the military to establish control and eventually leading to the lower human and financial resource capacity of its provincial and local governments. The government and militants both use political, financial, and social narratives to advance their perspective. After the 18th Amendment of the constitution in 2010, Balochistan received more financial and institutional autonomy. However, because of a lack of human resources at the provincial level and a lack of devolution of power to the local government level, human security issues have not been improved. To understand political identity security, this research aimed to analyse how Balochistan’s ethnic groups are recognised in the multiethnic post-colonial state. The research found a trust deficit between Balochistan and the central government which compromises the identity of the indigenous population. This trust deficit has developed a fear of demographic changes, as evident in Gwadar as a result of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. The identity of the ethnic groups tied to the territory is considered a matter of grace and honour explaining their historical roots, cultural, and social norms, which has been ignored. Therefore, this research emphasised acknowledging Balochistan’s political identity in conceptualising political security that recognises the indigenous people’s sense of ownership over their land. This conceptualisation helps develop human security and discourage militarisation. To understand political interest security, this research aimed to analyse the role and impact of tribalism and interest groups on political security. The research found that the political groups and parties at the national and provincial level made alliances with the governments and the military to achieve their mutual political and financial objectives, making a way for this nexus to impact the domestic politics of Balochistan. The research shows that this nexus existed in both colonial and post-colonial Balochistan. However, this nexus and a policy of strict control have negatively impacted the development of individuals’ human security and have led to the marginalisation of Baloch. The research shows that Gwadar exhibits a new dimension of Balochistan’s politics, where the political interest is widely based on challenges to city’s development and local issues. The emergence of social movements in Gwadar have shaped contemporary politics and narratives. This thesis concluded that these three dimensions of political security are fundamental to understand and promote to realise human security challenges in Balochistan. These three dimensions of political security are complex and tightly interlinked but addressing these dimensions will help the country to counter the external and internal challenges entrenching marginalisation and promoting militarisation in Balochistan. This thesis contributes to knowledge of political security in analysing post-colonial multiethnic states by exploring the perspective of indigenous people. The research identifies gaps in top-down policies in Balochistan which need to be addressed systematically through a political security lens.