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    "Celebrate, uplift, resist!" : a mixed methods exploration of suicidality among queer and takatāpui people in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Schimanski, Irie
    In Aotearoa, a growing body of research has demonstrated a greater ‘risk’ for suicidal ideation, self-harm, and attempted suicide among people with diverse sexualities and genders, compared with cisgender-heterosexual counterparts. Few studies have investigated the applicability of explanatory theories of suicide with queer and takatāpui samples. Of those which have, the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and the Minority Stress Model are commonly utilised, arguably attributing suicidal risk and resilience to one’s internalised processes in application. Alternatively, the Three-Step Theory of suicide and the Theory of Decompensation provide frameworks for understanding how social processes elicit and attenuate suicidality among queer and takatāpui people. The current mixed-methods research consisted of a survey examining the applicability of the Three-Step Theory, and a qualitative study, informed by the Theory of Decompensation, exploring queer and takatāpui people’s perspectives on suicide. In study one, the three steps were tested using survey data from 250 queer and takatāpui people. Step-one, discrimination and hopelessness were positively associated with suicidal ideation, but the interaction of these variables did not predict suicidal ideation. Step-two, among participants with high discrimination and hopelessness, social support was negatively associated with suicidal ideation when social support exceeded discrimination. Step-three, participants who previously attempted suicide (SI/SA subgroup) had greater self-harm behaviours than participants who experienced suicidal ideation but never attempted suicide (SI/- subgroup). Self-harm more precisely categorised SI/SA subgroup membership than SI/- subgroup membership. In study two, twenty queer and takatāpui people were interviewed to explore understandings of suicidality, discrimination, and resilience. Five themes were developed using a theory-driven approach to reflexive thematic analysis, underpinned by social constructionism and the Theory of Decompensation. These themes were “Not just this Amorphous Subject”, “You’re Removing the Responsibility from Society”, “Social Norms Require a Deviant Group”, “the Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back”, and Ethnicity and Resilience to Suicidality. The applicability of step-two and step-three processes were supported, and the influences of ideologies, intersectionality, and privilege on suicidality were discussed by participants. These findings are situated within literature on suicide and the two respective theories used. Implications for clinical practice are discussed in relation to processes of suicidality and co-appraisal of suicide risk assessment.
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    The whānau experience of suicide loss : what contributes to resilience and wellbeing? : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Albany, Aotearoa New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) McAllister, Amber
    The aim of this research was to explore and understand Māori whānau experiences of suicide loss and factors that increase resilience and wellbeing within this context. Māori have the highest suicide rates in New Zealand, yet there is limited literature that focuses exclusively on Māori whānau bereaved to suicide. Furthermore, there is limited literature that views Māori suicide bereavement through a family/whānau resilience lens. The present study took a Kaupapa Māori approach that validated Māori knowledge and tikanga and was cognisant of social structures and power imbalances that surround whānau. Six whānau bereaved by suicide were interviewed, as well as five Māori key informants who have extensive experience working with whānau in their various roles within community mental health, mental health services, and suicide prevention. Findings pointed to the ripple effect that a suicide has on a whānau and its members over the long term and intergenerationally. This is hindered by the stigma that is still evident in the dominant society and within Māori culture that creates a barrier to resilience and wellbeing. Resilience was enacted within whānau units, through wairuatanga, and connection to Te Ao Māori and mātauranga Māori. The current formal support available did not adequately support whānau resilience and wellbeing. The findings have implications at a societal level and for therapists or services engaged in supporting suicide bereaved whānau.
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    No time to say goodbye : the personal journeys of whānau bereaved by suicide : the experiences of four parents bereaved by suicide : a dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work
    (Massey University, 2013) Aupouri-Mclean, Caroll
    Nominal literature exists concerning the experiences of Māori whānau bereaved by suicide. Māori are vastly denoted in the suicide mortality statistics. The sudden and unexpected loss of a whānau member to suicide is an overwhelming occurrence for peoples of various different ethnic and cultural milieus. Informed by means of a Māori paradigm; Māori research procedures are merged alongside each other to become the keystones to this study. A Case Study approach to research was applied in conjunction with Māori methodologies and which also provided the researcher with the course to circumnavigate the research procedure. These four whānau who contributed to this research are the manawa or core of this study and in the course of sharing their stories, they proffer knowledge and describe experiences of their bereavement as a consequence of the suicide of their young adult child. Different sources of evidence were gathered together and included participant interviews, researcher observations, and literature that documented the experiences of whānau bereaved by suicide. The four Māori whānau identified several iwi (tribal) connections and came from a variety of small rural communities, took part in the interviews. These participants experienced losing their young adult child to suicide within the last 9 years. The interviews were all audio taped, each transcribed and analysed thematically. This research found, that whānau bereaved by suicide undergo various emotional responses. Shock, anger, denial, helplessness and guilt were some of the responses identified by the whānau. Coping in response to suicide entailed seeking and gaining support, psychological and social isolation as well as searching for reasons as to ‘why’ the suicide occurred. Self-blame or blaming others for the suicide were also imperative factors in how whānau coped in response to suicide.