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    The effect of army support services on satisfaction with army life experienced by partners of service personnel and their subsequent willingness to remain within the military enclave : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) Renaud, Marguerite
    The present short-term study is a survey of the effect of Army support services on satisfaction with Army life as experienced by partners of service personnel and their subsequent willingness to remain within the military enclave. It aimed to elicit the personal perspective of partners on deployment issues, the efficacy of current Army support services, and attitudes to continuing an association with the Army. Participants were recruited from the families of those soldiers who had returned from peacekeeping deployments between January to July 2000. New Zealand Army Administration staff supplied a list of 317 addresses. Of these, 291 partners could be contacted by mail and subsequently 184 individuals returned a completed 16-page New Zealand Partner Support Survey (2000) questionnaire. This questionnaire elicited data about: socio-demographic characteristics; perceived support; Army support services; general issues; potential deployment problems; general health (GHQ-30); parenting issues and anecdotal narratives. Using quantitative methods the data was analyzed with an additional aim to collect data for a future longitudinal study on the retention of Army personnel. The participants' anecdotal narratives showed that deployments do impact the family and that family factors such as attitudes to Army lifestyle and support services do influence the soldiers' decision to remain in service. The study revealed that partners tend to mainly expect support from the Army with what they perceive is an Army related problem. These issues primarily concerned communication links with deployed partners and dissemination of information regarding soldiers. Based on this evidence it is suggested that the Army consolidate current support services to establish positions of full-time, dedicated Information Officers. The main responsibility of this position would be to liase between the soldiers' families and the Army. From this short-term study it is apparent that the decision to remain in service can be influenced by the Army's demonstration that the soldiers' families are valued members of the Military community. The provision of a quality support service specifically tailored to meet the needs of those it purports to serve is tangible evidence of this regard.
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    Exploring Māori identity behind closed doors : an investigation of Māori cultural identity and offender change within Waikeria Prison's Māori Focus Unit, Te Aō Marama : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Chalmers, Tess
    The Ministry of Justice (2013) continually reports an over-representation of Maori within the incarcerated population. An attempt to address these concerns led to the development of the Maori Focus Unit (MFU). The MFU aims to strengthen an offender’s Maori cultural identity through therapeutic programmes rich in tikanga Maori (customs), potentially resulting in offenders, once released from prison, leading pro-social, non-offending lifestyles (Department of Corrections, 2009b; Ministerial Review Report, 2005). However, limited studies inform the relationship between MFU participation, Maori cultural identity and offender change. The current research, based at Waikeria Prison’s MFU, Te Ao Marama, attempted to explore offender change through cultural identity theory of indigenous offending (Chalmers, Williams, & Gavala, 2012; Snowball and Weatherburn, 2008). This theory proposed that, through the destructive effects of colonisation, indigenous peoples lost aspects of their values, beliefs and traditions, while becoming acculturated into the colonising population. This was suggested to have resulted in a decrease in Maori cultural identity, wellbeing and pro-social behaviour, and an increase in anti-social attitudes, cognitions and behaviour (Gale, Bailey-Harris, & Wundersitz, 1990; Pearson, 2001). The current study employed a repeated measures research design in the naturalistic setting of Te Ao Marama. Quantitative measures explored the relationship between Maori cultural identity, wellbeing, anti-social cognitions and attitudes, and pro-social and anti-social behaviour over time spent in Te Ao Marama. Further, participant feedback generated through interviews explored what offenders believed contibuted to any changes experienced. Results suggested that offenders experienced a significant increase in Maori cultural identity, wellbeing and pro-social behaviour, and a significant decrease in anti-social attitudes, cognitions and behaviour over time spent in Te Ao Marama. Furthermore, offenders predominantly reported that their experience in Te Ao Marama had strengthened their Maori cultural identity, and that as a result, they had experienced the changes across the aforementioned constructs. In conclusion, the study may potentially provide information in the establishment of other therapeutic environments aimed at increasing Maori cultural identity.
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    Te Paewai o te Rangi : a framework for measuring iwi outcomes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Hudson, James Tautari
    This Study is about the measurement of iwi outcomes and how progress, from an iwi perspective, might be considered. A conventional response to this question might simply reflect on established measures and indices – financial gains, land holdings, economic development opportunities or perhaps social statistics, health profiles or employment figures. However, the extent to which these types of measures, statistics, or indices match the needs and expectations of iwi is less certain. At the heart of this Study is the notion that iwi outcomes cannot easily be measured, and that while conventional tools or indicators can be useful, they may fail to capture the more subtle and less measureable aspects of iwi development. Although difficult to collect, measure, or compare, these nebulous characteristics of iwi progress may in fact hold greater relevance to the aspirations of iwi members and Māori communities. In exploring this issue, a range of research methods and techniques have been applied, including reviews of literature, consultations, presentations, and key informant interviews. The methodological approach also garnered data from the analysis of two major tribal case studies – Ngāti Tūrangitukua (Turangi) and Ngaitai (Tōrere). Findings from the research reveal that in many ways Māori notions of progress or development are consistent with universal markers or indicators, such as economic vi growth and prosperity, social development, health and well-being. However, a range of aligned measures, indicators, or preferences also exists. Many of these are unique to Māori and can be described as culturally specific. When these culturally specific and universal measures are combined, a more comprehensive measure of iwi development is possible. The research has resulted in a framework – Te Paewai o te Rangi - that integrates principles, outcomes, constructs, indicators, and measures relevant to iwi. The framework’s name translates loosely to the horizon that can be viewed by sea vessels navigating journey’s across the ocean. The name was suggested during korero with whānau. The name was viewed as appropriate to convey the imagery of iwi navigating their way through a multiple of contexts into the future. The framework and measures are designed to be used alongside more conventional indicators so that a more comprehensive impression of iwi development can be obtained. It is an integrated tool in that each component is linked and consistent with broader principles relevant to measuring iwi outcomes.
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    Days of our lives : people with intellectual disabilities describe their experience and viewpoints of services : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Perkins, Jan
    This thesis is drawn from the experiences and viewpoints expressed by five individuals with intellectual disabilities. The objectives of the research in this thesis were to establish a view from below of disability services, and to identify an agenda for change. The main research question is; how can we improve the quality of daily lived experience in disability services for people with intellectual disabilities? In this research I developed a set of emancipatory principles on which the process was based. The participants voices were heard through individual interviews and group meetings. On analysis their viewpoints combined into ten themes that described their past and current experiences and gave clear direction as to how services should change. I set out to provide an opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to speak safely outside of the service structure and create the agenda as to what was important for them to share. The issues raised by the participants revealed the power and control exercised by service providers and the lack of opportunity service users have to exercise choice over fundamental aspects of their lives; who they live with, where they live, how they are supported and how their daily environments are structured. The messages they give are simple and clear. They ask that people listen to them and include them in decisions made about their lives. The viewpoints that are reflected here place the participants as part of an oppressed group, within a service structure dominated by the principle of normalisation and an ideology of disability based upon personal tragedy. Through gaining an understanding of their oppression and also of their achievements, we can create a new set of goals based on emancipatory principles: namely reciprocity and empowerment. It is argued that we can move beyond the binary division of service provider and service user to services based on partnership.