Pacific and Pasifika Theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/4764

The theses listed in this collection were all completed at Massey University in a range of different departments and institutes. They have been included in this collection if the topic is strongly related to Pasifika/the Pacific.

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Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.451607 Pacific Peoples health promotion

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    Exploring the unique Brown Buttabean Motivation’s (BBM) approach to obesity intervention and prevention in South Auckland : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Finau, Gloria Katokakala
    This research explores the impact of a South Auckland community-led health innovation From the Couch (FTC) programme developed by Buttabean Motivation (BBM) for Pacific people living with obesity. It examines the unique ways in which BBM engages, motivates and connects with underserved Pacific people living with obesity in South Auckland. Pacific peoples residing in South Auckland experience economic and societal challenges directly affecting access to health-related essential services, resources and opportunities. As marginalised communities, these disparities persist particularly in comparison to the broader New Zealand population. Talanoa with three groups of FTC participants was used for data collection, a Pacific method suitable for working with Māori and Pacific participants. Reflexive thematic analysis was then used for data analysis coupled with Fa’afaletui-dialectical analysis, a Pacific cultural analysis that ensures a culturally safe and relevant research process. The results highlighted the success of BBM FTC, which stemmed from embodying Pacific values in their approach including family, collectivism, social connection, reciprocity and respect. Four overarching themes were discovered: ‘A space visible and invisible’; ‘Impact of improved overall wellbeing’; ‘Family by blood and by choice’ and ‘Utilising cultural knowledge’. These themes showcase the prioritisation of Pacific ways of knowing, being, and doing that are exemplified inherently through the BBM programme. This approach allows participants to engage and feel reassured in a space that supports their lived experience. It is a model for success that other lifestyle intervention programmes can learn from for effective Pacific community-led engagement.
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    Synergising youth empowerment and co-design to transform Pasifika youth into agents of social change : a novel approach to advance healthy lifestyles in Pasifika communities : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health at Massey University, Wellington campus, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2020) Prapavessis, Dani
    Current population health statistics demonstrate the need for innovative approaches to improve health outcomes and prevent non-communicable disease (NCD) for Pasifika peoples. This research builds off pilot studies on the effects of youth empowerment programmes to address obesity-related issues amongst Pasifika communities. It developed and tested an original model of co-design embedded within the youth empowerment framework of the Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme. The programme was co-delivered with two community health service providers (one rural and one urban), employing Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) methodology. N=29 youth (aged 15-24 years) participated in eleven educational and capacity-building modules that comprised the empowerment and co-design components during weekly sessions from MayOctober 2018. At the end of the programme, the model of co-design generated two individualised community intervention action plans to reduce prediabetes in their communities. This research employed a qualitative research design with four data collection techniques and thematic analysis to evaluate the effects of the tested programme. It used an original framework of social change to determine the impacts on the youth’s values, knowledge, and behaviours as well as the community organisations, and the socio-cultural norms of each community. It also explicated the contextual considerations of programme uptake in each location. Overall, this research illustrated that co-design is an effective addition to empowerment frameworks. It demonstrated how to operationalise co-design in a community-based setting with youth, and the tested model provided a practical framework to translate empowerment ii outcomes into the community. The programme analyses also led to a more nuanced understanding of social change. This research developed a concept of the process of social change that can be used to inform future programme development and evaluation. This research suggests future translations of the programme to maximise uptake and postulates different community contexts and settings for delivery, beyond Pasifika prediabetes prevention.