Browsing by Author "Bennett, Simon Te Manihi"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Cultural identity and academic achievement of Māori undergraduate university students : a thesis presented in partial fulfulment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Bennett, Simon Te Manihi
    Cultural identity, academic outcome and psychological wellbeing were investigated among a non-random sample of 72 undergraduate Māori university students studying at Massey University. Student problems were examined to identify the types of difficulties that were most prevalent among this population. The relationships between student problems and academic outcome, and student problems and psychological wellbeing were then examined to assess the degree to which cultural identity moderates these relationships. Major findings are that (a) there are consistent negative relationships between student problems and grade point average, and student problems and perceived stress levels; (b) cultural identity is associated with a number of positive psychological and educational outcomes; (c) cultural identity moderates the effect of student problems on grade point average in that a high degree of problems were associated with decreases in grade point average among respondents with low cultural identity, while among respondents with high cultural identity student problems had little negative effect on grade point average; (d) cultural identity moderates the effect of student problems on perceived stress in that under conditions of low problems, students low in cultural identity have significantly higher levels of perceived stress in comparison with students high in cultural identity. Despite limitations the findings have important implications for Māori students, deliverers of tertiary education, tertiary education providers, and those involved in the development and implementation of tertiary education policy. The findings also highlight the need for further research aiming to optimise positive academic and psychological outcome among Māori students.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Te huanga o te ao Maori : Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Maori clients with depression : development and evaluation of a culturally adapted treatment programme : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2009) Bennett, Simon Te Manihi
    A manualised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme was culturally adapted for use with adult Maori clients with depression who were receiving treatment from Te Whare Marie, a Maori Mental Health service that covers the greater Wellington region. The manual was developed in consultation with local and international literature pertaining to CBT with minority groups and the recommendations of an advisory team. The treatment programme integrated significant Maori concepts with the traditional strategies associated with CBT. The intervention was trialled with 16 Maori clients from Te Whare Marie with a primary diagnosis of depression. Case study and group analysis indicated that the adapted intervention was effective in reducing depressive symptomatology and negative cognition, and increasing general wellbeing in four culturally relevant dimensions. Differences between pre- and post- treatment scores were statistically significant in each of these areas. The intervention did not have a significant impact on the construct of cultural identity. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction with the treatment, and in general the adaptations were positively received. Treatment was characterised by particularly low dropout rates with 15 of the 16 participants attending seven or more sessions. These results were discussed with reference to their implications for effective delivery of clinical service delivery to Maori consumers of mental health services in New Zealand.