Journal Articles
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915
Browse
28 results
Search Results
Item Psychological impacts and self-management by responders to emergency and disaster events involving animals: findings from a cross-sectional international survey(Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, 2025-10-01) De Grey SJ; Riley CB; Thompson KR; Squance HE; Cogger NAims: To examine the self-reported psychological impacts for professional and volunteer responders associated with attending animal-related emergencies and disasters, focusing on their experience and self-reported management. Methods: An online survey of professional and volunteer responders to animal-related emergencies was shared via social media and international response organisations. Questions addressed demographic, training and event-related factors, perceptions of effects on well-being and post-event management recovery techniques. A particular event was recalled in free-text, and respondents indicated how they had been affected using free-text reflection and Likert scale assessment. The revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) was used to identify evidence of possible post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Factors associated with the self-assessed binary outcome of compromised mental well-being (yes or no) were evaluated using single-predictor and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Of 227 responses deemed sufficiently complete for analysis, participants’ rescue experience ranged from 1–60 years; 67% identified as female. Most respondents (57%; 129/227) reported that the incident described affected their mental well-being. A multivariable model found female responders more likely than males to report compromised well-being (OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.25–4.57; p = 0.009). The presence of an animal injury (OR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.44–5.75; p = 0.003), injuries to a member of the public (OR = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.68–8.99; p = 0.002), or a team member (OR = 8.65 95% CI 2.25–57.67; p = 0.006), increased the odds of self-reported adverse mental health outcomes. Six per cent (13/227) of respondents had an IES-R score for which partial PTSD may be a clinical concern, and 3% (7/227) had a score indicative of possible PTSD, including four with a score that has been associated with PTSD and long-term health consequences. Of those who tried well-being support techniques, 95% (187/197) ranked talking with friends, family or teammates as effective. Debriefing with the team or mentor was also effective (95%; 187/197). Socialising was effective for 88% (119/135), and mindfulness or meditation for 87% (91/105). Conclusion and clinical relevance: Responders to emergencies involving animals are at risk of psychological trauma associated with these events, potentially leading to the compromise of mental well-being. Psychosocial supports self-identified as helpful for recovery include talking with others, socialising, physical or recreational activity, debriefing, and mindfulness or meditation, but their effectiveness requires objective evaluation so that education on mitigation and recovery strategies is well-informed.Item Supporting the mental health of dietetics students: Perspectives from work placement supervisors(New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education, 2024-11-29) Soniassy R; Martin AJ; Kruger RThis study explores workplace supervisors’ perceptions of student mental health during their work-integrated learning (WIL) programme and their role in supporting these students. Research methods involved analyzing online survey (n = 80) results and semi-structured recorded interviews (n = 11) with supervisors from the MSc WIL programme (Nutrition and Dietetics) at Massey University, New Zealand. Supervisors noted student’s mental health being influenced across individual-, relationship- and organizational areas. However, most supervisors (69%) only felt ‘somewhat confident’ or ‘not confident at all’ in recognizing signs of anxiety and depression, and almost all (92%) had no formal mental health training. Supervisors supported student mental health during WIL by creating a sense of belonging for students within the workplace, using appropriate supervisory styles which align with mentoring and coaching techniques, and adopting culturally responsive supervision. Potential strategies identified to support workplace supervisors in their role were mental health first aid and resilience training.Item Representations of Youth Climate Anxiety: A Framing Analysis of Emotional Responses to the Climate Crisis in International News Media(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-06-02) Murray L; Breheny M; Cumming R; Doig T; Erueti B; Mooney M; Severinsen C; Shanly JReports of children feeling distressed, anxious, or angry about the impacts of climate change have appeared in the international news media with increasing frequency since 2019. There is international evidence that young people are increasingly worried about climate change, and such distress negatively affects their daily lives. The ways that such distress is framed in public discourse vary widely. We conducted a framing analysis of 274 articles from the international news media (published between 2019 and 2021) to explore how the media frames young peoples' emotional reactions to the climate crisis. Our findings revealed three key frames: (1) Climate distress as inevitable “teen angst” fueled by activists and the media. (2) Climate distress as an appropriate response to a genuine threat, and (3) Climate distress as embodied social suffering caused by societal inaction on climate change. These framings of negative emotional responses to climate change have implications for public health responses to youth mental health in a changing climate. Framing distress in terms of social suffering brings about productive possibilities for social change. This framing avoids pathologizing widely felt experiences, builds empathy between generations, and situates young people's mental distress in the context of their present and unfolding social milieu.Item Neighborhood Qualities Are Related to Better Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Loneliness Over 6 Years: Pathways Through Social Engagement and Social Support to Aging Well(Oxford University Press on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America, 2025-06) Stephens C; Bakhshandeh Bavarsad M; Castle NGBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Growing research evidence supports the importance of neighbourhoods for the wellbeing of older people. The aim of this study was to investigate key pathways (social engagement and social support) through which neighbourhood qualities (accessibility, safety, and social cohesion) may affect older people's mental wellbeing (mental health, quality of life, and loneliness) over 6 years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A structural equation model was used to test the model while controlling for individual limitations such as physical health and SES. The population sample included 2750 New Zealanders over the age of 55 (M = 65.64 ± 6.30) years who responded to Health, Work and Retirement (HWR) longitudinal surveys in 2016 and 2022. RESULTS: The results showed that greater neighbourhood accessibility to important facilities in 2016 predicted better mental health and quality of life and less loneliness in 2022 through provision of social support. Neighbourhood social cohesion predicted social engagement, which was related to higher social support predicting better mental health and quality of life and less loneliness in 2022. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings confirm a body of research highlighting the importance of neighbourhood qualities and show the socially oriented pathways through which neighbourhoods support ageing well. These findings have direct implications for the development of social policy that focuses on the development of housing situations to support healthy ageing.Item Students' experiences of distress during work-integrated learning(Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand, 2025-02-28) Tudor R; Chilvers D; Hay K; Yeung PWhile work-integrated learning (WIL) is praised as effective for providing opportunities for knowledge, skills, and value development in authentic workplaces, student experiences may not always be positive. In New Zealand, the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Students) Code of Practice [Pastoral Care Code of Practice] (2021) requires tertiary providers ensure the wellbeing and safety of their learners. This article analyses survey data on social work students’ experiences of distress during WIL. Results suggest students experienced different distresses, but financial hardship and feeling unsupported on placement were particularly impactful. Material impacts from these and other stressors included reduced confidence, anxiety, adverse physical or mental health, and sleep disruption. The participants utilised personal strategies to manage distress and had mixed experiences of receiving information and support from their tertiary institution. To mitigate distressing experiences recommendations to improve current systems and processes as well as individual students’ experiences will be outlined.Item Editorial: Wellbeing and work-integrated learning(Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand, 2025-02-28) Hay K; Fleming J; Fleming J; Hay KHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) have important responsibilities for the duty of care of their students, and to ensure the wellbeing of students is kept front and center of curriculum and institutional developments. While the focus has primarily been on physical campuses, it is critical that these responsibilities extend to off campus activities, such as work-integrated learning (WIL). This special issue includes 11 articles focusing on the wellbeing of WIL students, with many authors drawing on empirical research. Key themes include students’ understanding of WIL wellbeing; students’ experiences of WIL and wellbeing; strategies for preparing WIL students to support wellbeing; understanding the wellbeing needs of diverse WIL students; and the important role of workplace supervisors in supporting WIL wellbeing. Several authors amplify the voices of students and all share thought-provoking teaching and curriculum strategies. All WIL stakeholders have a responsibility to support the learning success and wellbeing of students.Item Digital mental health strategies used by young people in Aotearoa New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic: ‘Just do it yourself, DIY’(SAGE Publications Ltd., 2024-07-25) Gibson K; Trnka S; Jonas M; Pomare P; Thomson S; Tiatia-Siau J; Aimiti Ma'ia'i K; Aoake M; Bouttier-Esprit T; Spray I; Vyas SObjective: With rising rates of mental health distress amongst youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, digital resources have been identified as a valuable tools for delivering support to young people. However, many of the websites and apps developed by professionals to support the youth do not take account of the importance young people place on exercising their own agency in managing their mental health. This article investigates how young people in Aotearoa New Zealand used digital resources to manage their mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study gathered information from semi-structured interviews with 34 young people aged 16–22 years. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Six themes were identified including: searching for online information about mental health; evaluating digital mental health resources; controlling mood through online activity; looking for escape in the virtual world; staying connected online; and giving and receiving support. Conclusion: Young people’s practices demonstrated their investment in their own agency, a general reluctance to engage with professional resources and recognition of the need to balance the risks and benefits of the informal strategies they preferred. Young people appeared sceptical of professionally-designed mental health resources and interventions and preferred to adapt and re-purpose the wide range of platforms and networks available in their informal digital worlds.Item Exploring the Challenges of Context in Accessing Mental Health Support in Rural New Zealand: A Case Study Approach.(John Wiley and Sons Ltd., 2024-10-28) Ferris-Day P; Harvey C; Minton C; Donaldson AObjective This paper explores the complexities that impact access to mental health services in rural New Zealand. Historical, cultural, social and political factors will be examined against the philosophical positioning of Foucault and Fairclough. Study Design This research is a single-embedded case study design exploring participants' discourses in the context of a rural, bounded geographical area of New Zealand. Results The results show that mental health support that addresses people's actual needs rather than the needs that governments map against ever-changing policy is required and that an awareness of context within case study research is important. Discussion The process of case study design is described, including building upon a rationale for selecting the case, collecting data and conducting case analysis and interpretation. This study examines factors influencing the real-life rural context of accessing mental health support. This article demonstrates that case-study research can be valuable for navigating context complexity and developing nuanced understandings of complex phenomena. Conclusion The paper highlights how the multifaceted case study context is more than mapping discourses against a rural backdrop. It is necessary to consider the power dynamics that shape experiences and their impact on service creation and its consequent delivery. Implications for Research Policy and Practice Rather than services being created that are complex and not meeting people's needs, there is a need to listen to the people who have experienced mental health distress and provide services and support in locations other than clinical settings.Item How did the depression and anxiety levels of older New Zealanders change during the COVID-19 pandemic?(Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group, 2024-10-10) McLean T; Williams M; Stephens CThere has been widespread concern about the mental health impact of the global COVID-19 outbreak. Fears have been raised that depression and anxiety among older people may have increased in the pandemic, and that adverse health behaviours, such as increased alcohol use and decreased physical activity, may have contributed to the mental health decline. This study aimed to examine changes in depression, anxiety, alcohol use and physical activity scores of people aged 55 and older in New Zealand over the initial months of the pandemic. The sample included 3,171 people who responded to wave 7 (August-November 2018) and wave 8 (June-September 2020) of the Health, Work and Retirement Study. Analyses were carried out using paired t tests and multilevel mediation modelling. There was no evidence of significant changes in depression or anxiety. Alcohol use and physical activity were shown to decrease significantly, albeit to a small degree, and there was evidence of an indirect effect of time on depression via physical activity. These findings suggest a general resilience among older people 3 to 6 months into the pandemic. However, increased attention should be paid to promoting physical exercise among older people, as a means of decreasing depression risk.Item What Does Social Support Sound Like? Challenges and Opportunities for Using Passive Episodic Audio Collection to Assess the Social Environment.(Frontiers Media S.A., 2021-03-29) Poudyal A; van Heerden A; Hagaman A; Islam C; Thapa A; Maharjan SM; Byanjankar P; Kohrt BA; Kyriakopoulos MBackground: The social environment, comprised of social support, social burden, and quality of interactions, influences a range of health outcomes, including mental health. Passive audio data collection on mobile phones (e.g., episodic recording of the auditory environment without requiring any active input from the phone user) enables new opportunities to understand the social environment. We evaluated the use of passive audio collection on mobile phones as a window into the social environment while conducting a study of mental health among adolescent and young mothers in Nepal. Methods: We enrolled 23 adolescent and young mothers who first participated in qualitative interviews to describe their social support and identify sounds potentially associated with that support. Then, episodic recordings were collected for 2 weeks from the mothers using an app to record 30 s of audio every 15 min from 4 A.M. to 9 P.M. Audio data were processed and classified using a pretrained model. Each classification category was accompanied by an estimated accuracy score. Manual validation of the machine-predicted speech and non-speech categories was done for accuracy. Results: In qualitative interviews, mothers described a range of positive and negative social interactions and the sounds that accompanied these. Potential positive sounds included adult speech and laughter, infant babbling and laughter, and sounds from baby toys. Sounds characterizing negative stimuli included yelling, crying, screaming by adults and crying by infants. Sounds associated with social isolation included silence and TV or radio noises. Speech comprised 43% of all passively recorded audio clips (n = 7,725). Manual validation showed a 23% false positive rate and 62% false-negative rate for speech, demonstrating potential underestimation of speech exposure. Other common sounds were music and vehicular noises. Conclusions: Passively capturing audio has the potential to improve understanding of the social environment. However, a pre-trained model had the limited accuracy for identifying speech and lacked categories allowing distinction between positive and negative social interactions. To improve the contribution of passive audio collection to understanding the social environment, future work should improve the accuracy of audio categorization, code for constellations of sounds, and combine audio with other smartphone data collection such as location and activity.
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »