Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915

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    Social Connections and Future Horizons: Socioemotional Selectivity Among Midlife and Older Adults in Aotearoa/New Zealand During COVID-19
    (Springer Nature, 2024-01-20) Newton NJ; Breheny M; Stephens C
    The current study uses socioemotional selectivity theory (SST; Carstensen in Psychology and Aging. 7(3):331–338,1992,10.1037/0882-7974.7.3.331) as a framework to examine the experiences of older adults during COVID-19 in Aotearoa/New Zealand. SST posits that when time horizons are perceived as limited—such as with increasing age, or during times of medical uncertainty—people selectively focus on spending time with emotionally close others and in personally fulfilling activities. This may be the case particularly when uncertainty is experienced by older people. Aotearoa/New Zealand instigated an elimination strategy early in the pandemic (prior to widespread vaccine availability), employing a series of lockdowns that further challenged older adults’ perceptions of future horizons, their ability to maintain social connections with loved ones, and engagement in pleasurable activities. This study used thematic analysis to analyze existing qualitative COVID-19-related data drawn from the experiences of 510 older adults who participated in the 2021 Health, Work, and Retirement study (HWR). Participants ranged in age from 56 to 87 (Mage = 69.73); 15.9% identified as Māori, and 76.2% identified as female. Two broad themes were revealed: Social Connection and Anticipating the Future. Although most participants expressed comparatively more positive than negative experiences, some also expressed frustration and anxiety about health directive-related divisions in relationships, and the inability to share in important life events (such as weddings, births, and funerals). Findings highlight the complex impact of COVID-19 on older adults’ perceptions of time horizons, and the opportunities presented by the pandemic for reassessment of social relationships and activities.
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    Fine Companions: Critical Realism and Framework Analysis
    (SAGE Publications, 2023-12-06) Jayne M; Jackie S; Munford R
    This article discusses the alignment of framework analysis with a critical realist philosophy in qualitative analysis. Whilst both are used in social sciences and prioritise meaning making of complex phenomena, the two approaches have not been combined prior to the study outlined in this article. The article describes critical realist ontology and epistemology, the implications of this philosophy for data analysis and the structured processes of framework analysis. Using an example from a study of youth programmes in Aotearoa/New Zealand, the article demonstrates the value of framework analysis for critical realist studies. Emphasis is placed on the capacity of framework analysis to support varied foci on data, theory, and different modes of inferencing which are used in critical realist studies to provide an explanatory account of data.
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    Sleep health in later life: Interviews exploring experiences, attitudes and behaviours of older people
    (Cambridge University Press, 21/04/2022) Crestani F; Williams G; Breheny M; Tupara H; Cunningham C; Gander P; Gibson R
    Sleep is vital for health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. Ethnic differences have been observed with regards to the prevalence and predictors of self-reported sleep problems. An understanding of sleep experiences with ageing and across ethnicities is required to better support older people. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 23 people living in Aotearoa/New Zealand aged 61-92 years (12 MAori and 11 non-MAori) concerning current sleep status, changes over their lifecourse and personal strategies for supporting good sleep. Participants typically expressed satisfaction with current sleep (usually pertaining to duration) or feelings that sleep was compromised (usually pertaining to waking function). Comparisons to a socially perceived 'ideal' sleep were common, with sleep transitions presented as a gradual and accepted part of ageing. Participants resisted medicalising sleep disruptions in older age. While participants were aware of ways to enhance their sleep, many acknowledged engaging in practices that undermined it. Unique insights from some MA ori participants indicated that sleep disruptions were not so readily pathologised compared to Western views and that sleeplessness could provide opportunity for cultural or spiritual connection. Common narratives underpinning the themes were: 'You don't need as much sleep when you're older', 'Sleep just fits in' and 'Having the time of my life'. Findings provide personal experiences and cultural interpretations relating to sleep and ageing. This provides the foundation for future participatory research to co-design sleep health messages which are meaningful for ageing well across ethnicities.