Pharmacotherapy is the most frequently used treatment modality among the older adult population. Consequently, medication adherence represents an important treatment consideration. The present study was conducted to assess the extent of medication adherence in the New Zealand sample, and evaluate the effectiveness of an external cognitive support in a sample of 50 community-dwelling older adults (M = 70.70, Mdn = 72.00, SD = 8.12). A randomised controlled trial to compare the usual medication practice with a medication calendar was conducted. The present sample had high levels of medication adherence, with high adherence measured on an adherence ratio 97% (range 82% to 109%), and low rate of medication errors (19 errors). There were no significant differences in medication adherence between intervention and control groups (ps > .05). However, consistent with prior research, there was some evidence to suggest that female participants were less compliant and made more errors than male participants. Further research on larger more representative older adult samples is warranted.

Eighty-four predictor variables were identified from thirty-four studies that researched return to work after workplace injury. The six most studied variables were then critically reviewed. The variables were age, sex, living arrangements, employment maintenance, delay to rehabilitation, and employment type. Based on the number of statistical findings, and on review of the articles, age, employment maintenance, and delay to rehabilitation demonstrated strong relationships with return to work. The variables of sex, living arrangements and employment type did not demonstrate such relationships. While this research brought together the current knowledge base the inability to quantitatively analyse previous results was a major limitation. It was recommended that ongoing research in this area ensures that analysis and publication of results provides information that would allow such secondary analysis in the future. It was also recommended that the current research focus on demographic variables be shifted to more prospective intervention based research.

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a treatment that combined techniques from cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to alleviate the psychological distress and symptom severity resultant from psychotic-type disorders. This treatment (EVoLVE Therapy; an acronym for Exposing Virtues of Living Valued Existences) was designed to primarily target the psychological distress associated with psychosis and secondarily to facilitate improvement in psychotic-type symptoms. Participants in this study were selected based on previous diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and other psychiatric disorders with psychotic features. Seven participants, who each had been long-term consumers of mental health services, completed 10 weeks of therapy. Postgraduate clinical psychology students, in training to become professional psychologists, delivered supervised therapy using a structured treatment manual written by the researchers. Pretreatment, posttreatment and 5-week follow-up data were collected, using a variety of measures to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Results were very encouraging, with some clients making considerable improvements at the end of therapy and at the 5-week follow-up assessment. All 7 participants showed a decrease in symptom severity after treatment. In addition, 6 out of the 7 participants reported an improved quality of life and marked improvements in both positive and negative affect were also evident.

An adapted model of the ICF, which incorporates subjective dimensions of functioning, has proven useful in classifying variables for research. This model was tested for its potential for further development. The following study evaluates the relationships between the components of the adapted ICF model. Five hundred and sixty surveys from adults aged 65+ from the Manawatu region of New Zealand were analyzed to test the proposed model. An adapted model of the ICF, developed in prior research exploring the impact of vision impairment on the lives of older adults, was tested. There was evidence to support the proposal that the adapted ICF model is valid and that there are moderate and strong relationships between the components. Results can influence further development of the ICF and details of this study can enhance research, practice, policy and education related to aging and human service delivery. Providers, educators and researchers should be encouraged to incorporate subjective dimensions of functioning, such as satisfaction measures, into assessments related to rehabilitation of older adults.

Understanding the distribution of Mãori across stages of health behaviour change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance) may inform the development of public health programs. In a replication and extension of a study by Nigg et al. (1999) we described the distribution of 73 Mãori male questionnaire respondents (age 18 to 59 years) across these stages for 8 healthy behaviours (avoiding dietary fat, eating fibre, reducing weight, regularly exercising, reducing stress, reducing sun exposure, using sunblock, and conducting cancer self-examinations). Respondents were also asked to rate their general health, health worries, and health locus of control. Evidence found of a continuum of change for ‘ignoring’, to ‘thinking about1 to ‘performing’ healthy behaviour provides moderate support for the idea that behaviour change is not an all-or-nothing event. There were no significant age effects. Respondents who rated their health more positively were more likely to report using sunblock, exercising regularly, and eating a high fibre diet. Respondents who felt they had more control over their health were more likely to eat a diet high in fibre. Eating a high fibre diet, exercising and managing stress were most strongly associated with the other health behaviours which may illustrate the concept of gateway behaviours proposed by Nigg et al. (1999).