Browsing by Author "Macfarlane, Joanna"
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- ItemAttitudes and intentions towards mental health assistance by New Zealand's baby boomers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2015) Macfarlane, JoannaLittle information exists regarding baby boomers‘ attitudes and intentions towards mental health help-seeking. This is surprising considering this generation, known for its size and living through the most influential period of social change in history, is associated with increased rates of certain mental health disorders. As this cohort age over 65, information about intentions or attitudes towards help-seeking for increasingly common disorders in older age (depression, anxiety, the dementias and substance abuse) is crucial. This research examined this subject by: investigating any intention or attitude differences relating to age; examining intention towards professional and preventive help for the four mental health concerns outlined above; and determining the association between and contribution of relevant variables towards the baby boomers‘ stated help-seeking intentions within the framework of a social cognitive model of help-seeking: the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Participants were a convenience sample of 256 New Zealand baby boomers (aged 49-69), who completed an anonymous, self-report questionnaire measuring demographic variables, intention towards professional and preventive help for four disorders, attitudes towards help-seeking, emotional distress and a previous professional help rating. Attitudes towards seeking psychological help and intentions towards seeking professional and preventive help showed no significant differences with relation to age. The cohort were generally positive about seeking both preventive and professional help, and attitude towards seeking help for mental health problems was also positive. Intention towards professional help was higher for depression and substance abuse than for anxiety and forgetfulness (the dementias). For preventive help, intentions were uniformly high across all four disorders. Within the TPB model, support was achieved for the TPB variables Psychological Openness (PO) and to an extent Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) as significant predictors of professional help-seeking behaviour and their contribution in explaining help-seeking behaviour in this cohort. PO and PBC associated significantly with professional and preventive intent across most disorders investigated. The implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
- ItemIntergenerational attitudes and experiences of older adults : a narrative analysis set within a retirement village participating in a intergenerational programme (IGP) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2018) Macfarlane, JoannaiPlayed is an intergenerational programme (IGP) taking place between residents of a retirement village in Wellington, New Zealand and preschoolers at a childcare facility nearby. IGPs have been designed to address an increasingly age segregated society and have been shown to have multiple benefits for older people, including generativity (a need to nurture and guide younger people). As no research on the IGP experience of older adults exists in New Zealand, this research aimed to not only understand this, from the older adults’ perspective, but to also understand their views and experiences of IGPs in general, and about preschool aged children. In-depth interviews were conducted with eighteen retirement village dwelling older adults about their experiences and then analysed using narrative analysis. From the eight identified narratives the iPlayed experience was found to be a brief, life affirming experience and one in which they had to adopt certain roles in order to enhance enjoyment. Beyond this, no deeper meaning was assigned to it. The influence of ageing being a time of contribution back to society was evident, and, for some, iPlayed was positioned within this narrative as an option to accomplish this. iPlayed was also located within the context of a retirement village as a means to reclaim some of the social identity lost through moving to this environment. Deep meaning was ascribed to the role of great grandparent or grandparent and familial generative exchanges were identified as operating indirectly through the parents of the preschoolers and not via an exchange of cultural artefacts, wisdom or knowledge with the young child. With non-kin children, the traditional direction of generativity was challenged, with older adults implying that the younger person’s knowledge of modern technologies was of more benefit to them compared to what they had to offer. Participants identified that, in general, interacting with preschool aged children is stimulating and beneficial, but is not for all older people. In its current design iPlayed was queried, by those not participating in it, for how this might be impacting on its ability to provide an opportunity for older people to be generative or even as a means for people to contribute to the community they live within. These findings recognise a different social milieu in operation today, the experience of ageing in New Zealand and how intergenerational exchange fits within this. Set amongst the powerful social narrative to age ‘successfully’ active today, this research has identified that IGPs can carry out an important role within this structuring force. Building on from this study, researchers should aim to further understand the views and perceptions of older people on younger people which will, in turn, help policymakers and IGP developers harness the best of what both young and old have to offer each other. Finally, for those working in the IGP field, the concept of generativity between non-kin older people and preschoolers needs further exploration.