Journal Articles

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Kei te moe te tinana, kei te oho te wairua–As the body sleeps, the spirit awakens: exploring the spiritual experiences of contemporary Māori associated with sleep
(Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group, 2024-08-13) Haami D; Gibson R; Lindsay N; Tassell-Matamua N
For Aotearoa New Zealand Māori, sleep and wairua (spirit) are closely intertwined. During sleep the wairua awakens and journeys across multiple dimensions of time and space to attain the tools and knowledge the individual needs to navigate waking life. While this function of sleep is understood within Mātauranga Māori (bodies of knowledge regarding everything within the universe) (Hikuroa D. 2017. Mātauranga Māori—the ūkaipō of knowledge in New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 47(1):5–10.), it has yet to be explored within psychological sleep research. This qualitative study contributes to addressing this gap by exploring nine Māori participants’ personal experiences of wairua during sleep. A whakapapa thematic analysis identified two interconnected layers. The first layer contributed to a spiritual explanatory framework for sleep, developed to encompass participants’ beliefs regarding wairua, which were utilised to interpret their sleep experiences. The second layer describes these interpretations, comprised of three central themes: (1) Tohu/Guidance; (2) Ako/Space and time for learning; and (3) Tau/Attaining a state of stability, peace, and purpose. These findings suggest that the spiritual experience of sleep supported participants in navigating their waking lives safely, purposefully, and meaningfully, contributing to Indigenous and Māori scholarship regarding the spiritual and cultural purpose of sleep, and with important implications for clinical, social, and academic approaches to understanding and supporting sleep.
Sleep as a social and cultural practice in Aotearoa: a scoping review
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-09-22) Ross I; Signal L; Tassell-Matamua N; Meadows R; Gibson R
Traditionally, sleep science is grounded in biology, physiology, and medicine. But socio-cultural considerations provide a crucial lens into sleep health. Exploring the sociology of sleep in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) could broaden our understandings and better represent sleep-related practices among our diverse communities. This scoping review represents the pre-existing literature concerning sleep as a social or cultural practice in AoNZ. The initial search (via Discover and Scopus) search yielded 2,442 results. Of these results, 113 manuscripts were characterised of interest, but only 20 were directly related and included in the review. This literature was presented in relation to Meadows’ (2005) modes of ‘sleep embodiment’ including sleep practice norms, the pragmatics of sleep and social roles, individual experiences and feelings related to sleep, and the visceral need for sleep. The findings highlight the progress of sleep literature in AoNZ. This covers diverse sleep practices, perspectives and experiences of sleep and sleeping, as well as the broader socio-cultural factors and unique AoNZ context that influence sleep. However, gaps in the field of local sleep research are also identified. Findings lay the foundation for further research in AoNZ to explore sleep-related discourses and practices that will ultimately broaden existing perspectives.
Optimising function and well-being in older adults: protocol for an integrated research programme in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2022-03-16) Lord S; Teh R; Gibson R; Smith M; Wrapson W; Thomson M; Rolleston A; Neville S; McBain L; Del Din S; Taylor L; Kayes N; Kingston A; Abey-Nesbit R; Kerse N; AWESSoM Project Team
Background Maintaining independence is of key importance to older people. Ways to enable health strategies, strengthen and support whanāu (family) at the community level are needed. The Ageing Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility (AWESSOM) programme in Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ) delivers five integrated studies across different ethnicities and ages to optimise well-being and to reverse the trajectory of functional decline and dependence associated with ageing. Methods Well-being, independence and the trajectory of dependence are constructs viewed differently according to ethnicity, age, and socio-cultural circumstance. For each AWESSoM study these constructs are defined and guide study development through collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, and with reference to current evidence. The Compression of Functional Decline model (CFD) underpins aspects of the programme. Interventions vary to optimise engagement and include a co-developed whānau (family) centred initiative (Ngā Pou o Rongo), the use of a novel LifeCurve™App to support behavioural change, development of health and social initiatives to support Pacific elders, and the use of a comprehensive oral health and cognitive stimulation programme for cohorts in aged residential care. Running parallel to these interventions is analysis of large data sets from primary care providers and national health databases to understand complex multi-morbidities and identify those at risk of adverse outcomes. Themes or target areas of sleep, physical activity, oral health, and social connectedness complement social capital and community integration in a balanced programme involving older people across the ability spectrum. Discussion AWESSoM delivers a programme of bespoke yet integrated studies. Outcomes and process analysis from this research will inform about novel approaches to implement relevant, socio-cultural interventions to optimise well-being and health, and to reverse the trajectory of decline experienced with age. Trial registration The At-risk cohort study was registered by the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry on 08/12/2021 (Registration number ACTRN 12621001679875).

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