scholarly journals Demographic and Psychological Factors and Preparation for Earthquakes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Matthew John Spittal
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Unrealistic Optimism ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Major Earthquake ◽  
Earthquake Preparation ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Control Risk

<p>New Zealand, like many countries, is at risk from a number of natural disasters including flooding, volcanoes, and earthquakes. The risk of exposure to such disasters over the course of a lifetime is substantial (Norris, 1992). Despite this, many New Zealanders are unprepared for the consequences of a natural disaster; nearly a quarter of New Zealand homes have flaws which could see them seriously damaged or detached from their foundations in a major earthquake (Ansell & Taber, 1996). Recent research suggests that psychological variables contribute to people's lack of preparation for natural disasters. A limitation, however, of much of this research has been the lack of attention paid to the psychometric quality of the instruments used to measure key constructs. The present investigation aimed to examine the relationships between different dimensions of personality and earthquake preparation in a large sample of Wellington residents using psychometrically sound measures. Measures of locus of control, risk, and earthquake preparation were first evaluated in a series of studies using both university students and Wellington residents. These questionnaires were then administered, along with items pertaining to the construct of unrealistic optimism, to a total of 358 Wellington residents. The results showed that locus of control, risk precaution, home ownership, and length of residence were significant predictors of earthquake preparation. Moreover, people exhibited evidence of unrealistic optimism, as demonstrated by both a belief that they were better prepared for a major earthquake than an acquaintance, or other Wellingtonians, and by a belief that they were personally less likely than others to suffer injury in a major earthquake. The implications of these results for emergency managers are discussed and several recommendations are made.</p>

scholarly journals Demographic and Psychological Factors and Preparation for Earthquakes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Matthew John Spittal
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Unrealistic Optimism ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Major Earthquake ◽  
Earthquake Preparation ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Control Risk

<p>New Zealand, like many countries, is at risk from a number of natural disasters including flooding, volcanoes, and earthquakes. The risk of exposure to such disasters over the course of a lifetime is substantial (Norris, 1992). Despite this, many New Zealanders are unprepared for the consequences of a natural disaster; nearly a quarter of New Zealand homes have flaws which could see them seriously damaged or detached from their foundations in a major earthquake (Ansell & Taber, 1996). Recent research suggests that psychological variables contribute to people's lack of preparation for natural disasters. A limitation, however, of much of this research has been the lack of attention paid to the psychometric quality of the instruments used to measure key constructs. The present investigation aimed to examine the relationships between different dimensions of personality and earthquake preparation in a large sample of Wellington residents using psychometrically sound measures. Measures of locus of control, risk, and earthquake preparation were first evaluated in a series of studies using both university students and Wellington residents. These questionnaires were then administered, along with items pertaining to the construct of unrealistic optimism, to a total of 358 Wellington residents. The results showed that locus of control, risk precaution, home ownership, and length of residence were significant predictors of earthquake preparation. Moreover, people exhibited evidence of unrealistic optimism, as demonstrated by both a belief that they were better prepared for a major earthquake than an acquaintance, or other Wellingtonians, and by a belief that they were personally less likely than others to suffer injury in a major earthquake. The implications of these results for emergency managers are discussed and several recommendations are made.</p>

After the Earth Quakes

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Elizabeth Hough ◽  
Roger G. Bilham
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Major Earthquake ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Elastic Rebound ◽  
Future Earthquake ◽  
Human Capacity ◽  
Historic Earthquakes ◽  
Earthquake Science

Earthquakes rank among the most terrifying natural disasters faced by mankind. Out of a clear blue sky-or worse, a jet black one-comes shaking strong enough to hurl furniture across the room, human bodies out of bed, and entire houses off of their foundations. When the dust settles, the immediate aftermath of an earthquake in an urbanized society can be profound. Phone and water supplies can be disrupted for days, fires erupt, and even a small number of overpass collapses can snarl traffic for months. However, when one examines the collective responses of developed societies to major earthquake disasters in recent historic times, a somewhat surprising theme emerges: not only determination, but resilience; not only resilience, but acceptance; not only acceptance, but astonishingly, humor. Elastic rebound is one of the most basic tenets of modern earthquake science, the term that scientists use to describe the build-up and release of energy along faults. It is also the best metaphor for societal responses to major earthquakes in recent historic times. After The Earth Quakes focuses on this theme, using a number of pivotal and intriguing historic earthquakes as illustration. The book concludes with a consideration of projected future losses on an increasingly urbanized planet, including the near-certainty that a future earthquake will someday claim over a million lives. This grim prediction impels us to take steps to mitigate earthquake risk, the innately human capacity for rebound notwithstanding.

Max Rosenfeld, The Home Architect

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Daniele Abreu e Lima
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Domestic Architecture ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Aesthetic Style ◽  
Building Practice ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Modern Building

1949 marks the beginning of a radical change in the relation between New Zealanders and their homes. The new government at that time began encouraging home ownership in opposition to the existing policy of renting state houses. In those days, one of the most influential architects in the country was Max Rosenfeld, a Czech immigrant who became known mainly through the Auckland magazine The Weekly News. Rosenfeld hadn't produced any iconic building or brought any revolutionary aesthetic style. Nevertheless his contribution to New Zealand domestic architecture was tremendous, though today he is hardly ever mentioned. This paper proposes to shed light on the work of this architect focusing on his participation in The Weekly News publication which started in 1949. For almost a decade Rosenfeld became known as the "Home Architect" following the name of his magazine column. His ideas and architectural advice became very popular and his publications inspired owners and helped builders to familiarize themselves with the Modern way of living and building. Rosenfeld is mainly quoted in reference to the popularization of New Zealand plan books, a kind of publication renowned for containing projects made to fit just about any taste, budget and site. Seen with disdain by some, those books were, nevertheless, the most efficient vehicle for the dissemination of architecture into the everyday life of ordinary Kiwis. In that sense Rosenfeld can be seen as one of the essential contributors to the modern building practice we find in New Zealand, which decisively influences the way Kiwis live today.

scholarly journals Support structure design for New Zealand Forest Products Ltd's No. 5 Recovery Boiler

1987 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
R. D. Sharpe
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Time History ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Seismic Resistance ◽  
Simple Application ◽  
Major Earthquake ◽  
Lateral Forces ◽  
Industrial Boilers

Internationally, the seismic resistance of large industrial boilers appears to be addressed by the most simple application of relatively low equivalent static lateral forces which are resisted elastically. This paper describes measures taken to ensure a predictable
and controlled seismic performance of such a boiler
during a major earthquake. Inelastic time-history methods of analysis were used to confirm that the desired performance would be achieved. As a result the client was able to purchase a relatively standard boiler in the international marketplace and still achieve a level of seismic resistance consistent with the best NZ practices.

scholarly journals Unexpected Faults: Managing Entomology Collections through the 2010/11 Canterbury Earthquakes

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e27268
Author(s):  
John Marris ◽  
Cor Vink
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Seismic Events ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Research Collection ◽  
Heritage Building ◽  
The City ◽  
Lincoln University ◽  
Storey Building

On 4 September 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Darfield, 40 kilometres west of Christchurch, New Zealand. The quake caused significant damage to land and buildings nearby, with damage extending to Christchurch city. On 22 February 2011, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, causing extensive and significant damage across the city and with the loss of 185 lives. Years on from these events, occasional large aftershocks continue to shake the region. Two main entomological collections were situated within close proximity to the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes. The Lincoln University Entomology Research Collection, which is housed on the 5th floor of a 7 storey building, was 27.5 km from the 2010 Darfield earthquake epicentre. The Canterbury Museum Entomology Collection, which is housed in the basement of a multi-storeyed heritage building, was 10 km from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake epicentre. We discuss the impacts of the earthquakes on these collections, the causes of the damage to the specimens and facilities, and subsequent efforts that were made to prevent further damage in the event of future seismic events. We also discuss the wider need for preparedness against the risks posed by natural disasters and other catastrophic events.

scholarly journals Medication omission rates in New Zealand Residential Aged Care Homes: a national description

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M Garratt ◽  
Ngaire M Kerse ◽  
Kathryn Peri ◽  
Monique F Jonas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Level Of Care ◽  
Ownership Type ◽  
Level Data

Abstract Background A medication omission is an event where a prescribed medication is not taken before the next scheduled dose. Medication omissions are typically classed as errors within Residential Aged Care (RAC) homes, as they have the potential to lead to harm if poorly managed, but may also stem from good clinical decision-making. This study aimed to quantify the incidence, prevalence, and types of medication omissions in RAC homes on a national scale, using a New Zealand-based sample. Methods We conducted retrospective pharmacoepidemiology of de-identified medication administration e-records from December 1st 2016 to December 31st 2017. Four tiers of de-identified data were collected: RAC home level data (ownership, levels of care), care staff level data (competency level/role), resident data (gender, age, level of care), and medication related data (omissions, categories of omissions, recorded reasons for omission). Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 and Microsoft Excel.Results A total of 11, 015 residents from 374 RAC homes had active medication charts; 8,020 resided in care over the entire sample timeframe. A mean rate of 3.59 medication doses were omitted per 100 (±7.43) dispensed doses/resident. Seventy-three percent of residents had at least one dose omission. The most common omission category used was ‘not-administered’ (49.9%), followed by ‘refused’ (34.6%). The relationship between ownership type and mean rate of omission was significant (p=0.002), corporate operated RAC homes had a slightly higher mean (3.73 versus 3.33), with greater variation. The most commonly omitted medications were Analgesics and Laxatives. Forty-eight percent of all dose omissions were recorded without a comment justifying the omission. Conclusions This unique study is the first to report rate of medication omissions per RAC resident over a one-year timeframe. Although the proportion of medications omitted reported in this study is less than previously reported by hospital-based studies, there is a significant relationship between a resident’s level of care, RAC home ownership types, and the rate of omission.

Life when renting for older Māori

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Cram ◽  
Morehu Munro
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Family Group ◽  
Good Relationship ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
The Future

The proportion of older Māori (55+ years) living in rental accommodation is set to rise as home ownership has become less attainable. To anticipate what the future of rental accommodation may hold for older Māori, 42 older Māori (18 men, 24 women) renters in the Hawke’s Bay region of Aotearoa New Zealand were asked about their experiences. Participants had moved to their current home to be closer to whānau (extended family, family group) or out of necessity, and their whānau had often helped them make the decision to move. Many participants who found paying their rent manageable or hard also struggled with other living costs. Most enjoyed a good relationship with their landlord or agent and wanted to stay living where they were. The findings suggest that older Māori renters will require more easing of their living costs, including pathways out of renting and into home ownership.

A comparison of health locus of control beliefs in low-back patients from the U.S. and New Zealand

Pain ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Tait ◽  
Douglas DeGood ◽  
Harold Carron
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Low Back ◽  
The U.S
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