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    Māori cultural identity : a determinant of wellbeing for older Māori : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, Aotearoa New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2020) Apiti, Ariana Rutawa Rose
    Kaumātua is a term used to describe older Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. Encompassing both males and females, the term serves a functional purpose that reflects a sense of leadership within given communities. With various researchers making contributions to strategies and focusing on how older adults navigate this phase of life, it is important to ensure the voices of kaumātua are accounted for in ageing discourse. When exploring determinants of health for older Māori, an emphasis on Māori cultural identity (MCI) as a determinant of wellbeing specifically, may provide a more empowering perspective towards the ageing process. The research aim for this thesis is to explore the relationship between Māori cultural identity and well-being for older Māori adults. The research objectives are outlined below: 1. To examine the different levels of MCI present in this sample of older Māori adults. 2. To examine the relationship between each level of MCI and the four dimensions of well-being, as encompassed by Te Whare Tapa Whā. 3. To examine the relationship between demographic variables and well-being for older Māori adults. The data for the present study was collected as secondary data, sourced from the 2018 Health, Work and Retirement (HWR) study survey. A total of 970 participants who self identified as Māori, aged 55 years and over and provided answers to all MCI items were included in the sample. The data was analysed using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, Mann Whitney U tests and multiple linear regression. Main findings from the present study indicate that Māori cultural identity plays a role in shaping wellbeing for older Māori adults. Older Māori adults who reported a secure MCI also reported experiencing a greater sense of overall wellbeing, supporting MCI as a significant determinant of wellbeing, for older Māori adults.
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    "I like to be treated like a person, a little smile never costs a thing" : weaving kaumātua experiences of living with osteoarthritis in Hawkes's Bay, Aotearoa New Zealand into a collaborative osteoarthritis-management toolkit : a thesis presented for the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Awatere, Sharon A.
    The global burden of osteoarthritis has major ramifications for societies and governments around the world. Despite a high rate of osteoarthritis, there is a low level of osteoarthritis-management knowledge and awareness in the Māori community. Numerous studies of Māori health have identified a need for new health communication approaches to osteoarthritis-management, in order to close the disconnection between Māori and non-Māori disease rates. Positive health management is the topic of the present thesis, as viewed through Māori eyes. It has been informed by the memories and aspirations of kaumātua who have lived through the challenges of living with osteoarthritis, but have emerged with qualities that enable them to enjoy older-age and to contribute to their own whānau, the Māori world, and wider society. These factors have been brought together into a Māori-centred toolkit, appropriate to modern health promotion, as they apply to Māori health perspectives of kaumātua in Hawke’s Bay. The present research was undertaken within the interpretivist paradigm using qualitative methods and Māori principles, aligned to a tīkanga (cultural principles) base. It is argued that Western science and a Māori-centered approach are relevant to research concerning osteoarthritis-management in the contemporary context, and reflect the realities of kaumātua with osteoarthritis, who live in both the Māori world, and wider society. The study drew upon the experiences, attitudes and beliefs of 20 kaumātua with osteoarthritis, employing interviews and group hui, to inform constructing an osteoarthritis-management toolkit, process and outcome appraisal. The research found that osteoarthritis-management for kaumātua, can be characterised by a two dimensional concept that incorporates a process dimension and an interpretive appraisal dimension. The process dimension is consistent with a values perspective. The appraisal dimension can be described in terms of complementary Māori specific outcome indicators of osteoarthritis-management. The outcome indicators are encapsulated by the idea that kaumātua, family and whānau know what issues deserve their attention and what is needed to address local problems. The Māori-specific outcome indicators for optimal osteoarthritis-management identified in the present study are: ‘Manākitanga’ (kind support); ‘Tino rangatiratanga’ (self-determination, and; ‘Oritetanga’ (equity and assessment). The overarching indicator is ‘Manākitanga-ā-tinana’ (culturally relevant approach to osteoarthritis management and relationship-based care).
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    Successful ageing : a critical analysis : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Sociology, Social Policy, and Social Work at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Holmes, Jeanne
    The demographics and implications of the growth of the world's population of older people have been well publicised. Frequently, this is linked to concerns about growing demands for social services. In liberal western nations, this rise in the proportion of elderly people is occurring at a period in history when governments are attempting to contain state spending on health care and welfare. Within this context, the gerontological concept of 'successful ageing', which encourages productivity and self-reliance among older people, has emerged. The term 'successful ageing' was coined by R. J. Havighurst in 196l and developed by Rowe and Kahn into a gerontological concept in 1998. Rowe and Kahn's search to identify the factors "that conspire to put one octogenarian on cross-country skis and another in a wheelchair" led them to put forward the view that 'successfully aged' old people are those who remain healthy and socially engaged. The concept of successful aging is widely regarded as promoting well-being in old age. As a result, it has become highly influential in the fields of nursing, social work, and social care. However, the concept has also attracted criticism, mainly for praising the fortunate and privileged elders who have managed to prolong healthy middle age; whilst labelling unwell, disabled, and lonely old people as unsuccessful. In this thesis, my central criticism of the concept of successful ageing is that its definition of 'success' in old age is not based on the views and real life experiences of older people, but instead, on the expertise of scientists and researchers, many of whom have yet to experience the decline and losses normally associated with old age. Consequently, there is a significant difference between the concept of successful ageing and a proportion of elderly people regarding the requirements for the best possible old age. The purpose of this study is to discover the factors which a diverse group of old people regard as essential to optimal old age. It compares and contrasts their self-assessed components of well-being with the externally assessed components of 'successful aging'. The process involved in-depth research with thirty elderly people in New Zealand and the United States. The majority were women. Several ethnic groups were represented. Participants included First Nations people, first generation immigrants, and the descendants of European settlers. Although it was not intentional, my entire sample consisted of people who would have been defined as unsuccessfully aged by the 'successful ageing' paradigm. Yet these people showed resilience, resourcefulness, and often, great satisfaction with their lives. This research demonstrates that there is an incomplete fit between the factors, which older people say produce the best possible old age, and those promoted by the concept of successful ageing. It concludes that in order to promote optimum well-being among older people, it is necessary to take note of the experiences, views, and values of elders themselves.