published_or_final_version / abstract / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Genetic counseling for women with advanced maternal age is well established medical standard of care. However, only one study has yet been done to test the validity of that policy. Records of 283 patients referred for genetic counseling with advanced maternal age as a primary indication were examined. Of these, 57.6% had at least one additional indication. This value did differ significantly from Rubin's data which reported a 43.3% rate (X2 = 13.01, p > 0.001). The additional indications were broken down according to McKusick's system, and a statistical difference between my and Rubin's data was found in the autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, potential teratogenic exposure and miscellaneous categories. There was no significant statistical difference between my and Rubin's data in the X-linked, chromosomal anomalies and multifactorial groups. These data underscore the need for physicians to refer patients with advanced maternal age for genetic counseling, and provides a scientific basis for doing so.

Physical activity is associated with greater independence in old age. While most research has focused on the frequency, intensity and time spent in activity, inconsistent findings have emerged, possibly due to differences across different types of physical activity. Physical activities differ in terms of their non-metabolic, mental, physical and social demands, however, to date, the effects of these demands on functional independence are unexplored. The present thesis aimed to investigate the effect of different types of physical activity on functional independence in old age. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) found a significant, beneficial effect of physical activity on functional performance, with the largest effects found for moderate physical activity levels, and activity types with high levels of mental (e.g. memory, attention), physical (e.g. coordination, balance) and social (e.g. social interaction) demands. These findings generated the hypothesis that physical activities high in mental, physical and social demands are associated with greater functional independence. Thus, a novel typology of physical activities was generated by systematically coding the mental (i.e. attention/concentration, memory, decision-making and strategy), physical (i.e. flexibility, balance, coordination, speeded reactions) and social (i.e. social interaction) demands of 59 physical activities. The typology was then used to recode data from the Understanding Society survey. Findings revealed that as the non-metabolic, physical activity demands increased, functional independence improved. Associations remained significant after controlling for demographics. Key findings included differences across gender, in that the mental and physical demands of activity predicted muscular strength in males, whereas social demands predicted muscular strength in females. In conclusion, physical activities with higher mental, physical and social demands (e.g. dancing) are associated with greater functional independence in old age, compared with simpler types (e.g. walking). Future research is required to test whether these novel findings are replicated elsewhere, ideally using longitudinal or RCT designs.

This study was designed to investigate mid-life desistance from crime as a function of general mid-life change. Adult developmental theory postulates that major occupational or lifestyle changes occur during mid-life, more so than during other developmental periods in adulthood. Such changes are said to occur in conjunction with specific transitional processes experienced by the middle-aged male. The abandonment of a criminal career at mid-life is viewed as a significant occupational and lifestyle change. It is examined in relation to the postulated transitional processes affecting aspects of the life areas of work and social relationships, as well as health and psychological well-being. Structured interviews were conducted with a small group of former career criminals and a small group of currently imprisoned middle-aged career offenders. Career offenders were compared with middle-age general population men, and former career offenders were compared with imprisoned career offenders. Limitations of the research design and the sampling methods are also discussed. The findings suggest that middle-aged career offenders, regardless of whether they have terminated their criminal careers or are still imprisoned, in large part resemble general population men in terms of mid-life concerns. A comparative analysis of ex-offender and inmate responses suggests that while the men resemble each other closely in the area of mid-life concerns, successful change away from a criminal career at mid-life means that mid-life developmental tasks must be accompanied by relatively well-developed social relationships and the ability to gain control of drug and alcohol problems.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title from title page (viewed Apr. 23, 2007) Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-114).

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Texas at Arlington, 2008.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (p. 198-217). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Special report study entitled: Landscape for the elderly. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes special report study entitled: Communal realm of Herman Hertzberger. Includes bibliographical references.