Social Policy and Social Work

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/1265

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    From unconscious to self-conscious : cognitive rehabilitation from the perspective of symbolic interactionism : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Policy and Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Sutherland, Deborah
    There is increasing awareness and concern that psychosocial problems prevent people with brain damage reestablishing an acceptable quality of life. Changes in perception and cognition appear to alter a person's relationships, preventing a successful reintegration into the community. As a result, many researchers and rehabilitation practitioners have been calling for more holistic models of recovery which recognise the psychosocial domain and which offer strategies to counteract these problems. In this study, the principles of symbolic interactionism are used to explore the experience of four people with traumatic brain injury. A life history was collected for each person and the four life histories were examined for common patterns and themes. A videocamera was then used to record their daily life in a residential rehabilitation programme. The film collected included formal one-to-one therapy sessions, group situations and informal interaction in the living areas, dining room and passageways etc. The four people (and also those with whom they interacted) were shown selected excerpts from this film and interviewed about what was happening. Several common themes emerged from this process and these themes are examined within a theoretical framework which recognises the central role of a dual, interacting and interpreting self, creating meaning through an adapting and accommodating process. Theory and literature about brain damage and about inner brain processes is revisited from this perspective of the person as a meaning negotiator and some conclusions are reached about the impact of brain damage upon lived experience. In particular, the role of a moral self or an inner conjured audience is considered, as well as the role of emotional intersubjectivity within relationships. Some new insights are offered as to how people resolve the problem of continuing to interact with their world when it is difficult for them to make sense of it or interpret it, and how other people's responses influence this process. The findings of the research suggest adaptations to both settings and relationships may be necessary for a successful recovery after brain injury. The importance of providing scaffolding of the meaning-negotiating process during a liminal period of recovery is noted. Some suggestions are offered as to interactive strategies which foster adaptive, purposeful and independent lifestyles. The thesis concludes that because realities are created through interaction, the principles of symbolic interactionism should become more central in the designing of rehabilitation programmes.
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    The nature and role of the extended family in New Zealand, and its relationship with the State : based on a study of a provincial city : a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at School of Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) McPherson, Mervyl J.
    In New Zealand there is a widespread perception that European/Pakeha do not have extended families in the way that Maori and Pacific Islands' cultures do. Yet in recent years social policy has been moving away from reliance on the state towards increasing reliance on one's self and one's family. This study uses survey research, a focus group, demographic analysis and policy analysis to investigate the nature of the extended family in predominantly European/Pakeha New Zealand, and perceptions of the respective roles of the family and the state. Discrepancies are identified between what families are doing, what people think they should be doing, and what policy assumes they will do. The key factors affecting the supply of and demand for extended family support are identified and the trends in these analysed. These issues are then integrated in order to assess the implications for policy and the impact of policies on families and the intergenerational social contract. This thesis found that the predominantly European/Pakeha society of New Zealand does have extended families, in the modified sense rather than the classical sense, as categorised by Litwak (1965). That is, extended families which are based on egalitarianism and choice rather than power and control, and are characterised by a loose, informal set of kin relationships involving an interlocking set of nuclear families which may be geographically dispersed and economically independent, but are bound by a sense of obligation based on affective relationships and the exchange of mutual aid services. These family networks are not large, and little support extends to the wider family beyond parents, adult children and siblings. Also of concern for policymakers is that approximately a quarter to a third of participants in this study did not have extended family living close enough to provide any kind of practical support. This study also found that while people generally believe in helping family members, they believe this help should be given by choice, not obligation, and that nuclear family and labour force commitments take priority over commitments to the extended family. A further finding is that in the future we will face increasing demand for support from both family and the state, and a declining supply of family support, especially if policies make it necessary for the young elderly to stay in the labour force. Families are unable and unlikely to do more than they are already doing, which is already the bulk of social support. Theorists such as Thomson (1981) have proposed that there will be breakdown in the intergenerational social contract at the macro-level of the state as a result of neo-liberal policies of self-reliance, particularly for younger generations, and policies which have favoured the older generation at the expense of the young. It is concluded from this study that the balance of support towards the young rather than the old at the micro-level of the family is preventing this macro-level breakdown. But if more responsibility is put onto families, this will cause breakdown in the micro-level intergenerational contract and upset the balance. Thus there is a need for increased rather than decreased state support to complement what families are able to do and prevent breakdown in the intergenerational contract at both the micro-level of the family and the macro-level of society.