Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Filters

2008 - 200912010 - 20151

Settings

Subject: search.filters.subject.Africans

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The motivation to migrate, acculturation, and finding employment : the case of African migrants in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of a Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2008) Udahemuka, Martine Marie-Gloria
    The present study tested a model whereby Psychological Acculturation mediated the relationship between the Psychological Motives to Migrate and the Employment Outcome of African migrants in New Zealand. These concepts had not been previously studied together. Job search strategies, interview behaviours, qualifications and duration of time in the host country are principally known as predictors of employment outcome; therefore, their impacts were also taken into consideration. One hundred and five African migrants completed a questionnaire, which included a number of reliable measures used to assess the concepts of: (a) Psychological Motives to Migrate (Tharmaseelan, 2005), (b) Psychological Acculturation preferences (Ward & Rana-Deuba, 1999) and (c) Employment Outcome (Mace, 2004; Tharmaseelan, 2005). Job search strategies and interview behaviours were assessed with Mace's (2004) measures. Multivariate analyses showed that over and above demographic migration categories (economic, family, humanitarian, student and visitor), psychological motives to migrate (financial betterment, family building, exploration and escaping) predicted acculturation preferences. Specifically, voluntary migrants (those motivated by 'family building' and 'exploration') preferred to adapt to New Zealand culture, while less voluntary migrants (those motivated by 'escaping') had a higher preference to maintain their culture of origin. Acculturation preferences were not found to mediate the relationship between motives to migrate and employment outcome. The predicted links to employment outcome were not supported. Duration of time in New Zealand was correlated with acculturation preferences. Implications of the findings point to the fundamentally of assessing reasons to migrate from a psychological perspective, and also provide important linkages between motivational theory and acculturation theory. The implication must however be interpreted cautiously as per the limitations of the study. It was recommended that future researchers test the same model with improved measures and with a larger sample. In addition, future researchers could assess and compare the acculturation preferences and employment experiences of the 1.5 generation and their adult parents.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Holes in the family : exploring a black African parents's HIV education to young people in the absence of extended family in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Mhlanga, Fungai
    HIV and AIDS is a serious public health issue in New Zealand. As with other communities Black Africans may be exposed to HIV. There is a need to explore ways of reducing HIV exposure to this community. This study sought to generate information that could help in addressing the associated risk. Currently, such information is sparse in New Zealand scholarly work. Black African parents who settled in New Zealand face challenges when communicating HIV and sexual health messages to young family members. This is because, in many African communities, it is taboo for parents to discuss sexual matters with their teenage children. It is the responsibility of extended family members, aunties and uncles. However, advancements in other information sources have challenged the relevance and place for uncles and aunties in the mentoring of young people around sexual topics in the Black African Diaspora. The researcher used secondary data sources and explored how parents are bridging this gap in their families. The main findings from the present study showed that the dynamics in many African family structures have changed as a result of migration and settlement in New Zealand. There have been changes in values which have seen more young people taking up the host culture while a majority of the parents have retained their culture. The perception among some African community members that New Zealand is a low-risk country in terms of HIV transmission has contributed to complacency as regards adopting safer sexual behaviour. Parents are reluctant to have, and avoid, direct communication about sex with their children. Culture and religion have a strong influence on the Black African community beliefs around sex education. Sexual topics are still considered sensitive. African migrants bring strengths and resilience to New Zealand. The recommendations from this research include the need for HIV and AIDS Health Promoters to explore ways of increasing their relationship with religious leaders and further research into ways to develop the skills and confidence of parents around sex education.