Massey University Departments

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/568

Browse

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Mental health

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Refugee resettlement and ways forward : a dissertation submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2004) Ibrahim, Hassan Haji
    New Zealand has hosted refugees since World War II and is currently one of only ten countries in the world with a refugee resettlement programme, yet little is known about the experiences and unique needs of new refugees who are culturally, racially and ethnically extremely different from New Zealand mainstream society. The focus of this research is to provide an overview of the experiences the Afghan and Somali refugees have undergone prior to resettlement in New Zealand and the hindrances to realising their dreams in New Zealand as their country of resettlement. The structure and aims of the research were guided by Alternative Development theory which focuses on eliminating injustice being done to a particular group on the basis of their race, colour, religion or gender and addressing the priority needs of people to achieve sustainable society. To achieve the research objectives, the research has applied participatory methods (individual in-depth interviews, focus groups with interactive activities and discussion and document review). The research findings indicate that resettlement is a continuum process in which the new refugees are making effort to move away from situation of under-development to a favourable situation of development worthy of decent human life. The research findings also suggest that refugee resettlement, having links with Alternative Development and Human Rights, goes beyond meeting physical needs of refugees. It also covers the restoration and sustainability of people's capabilities. Finally, the research presents practical ways to empower refugees and foster opportunities to develop their own livelihoods and integrate with structures and systems of New Zealand society.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Leveraging the Samoan Mental Health Policy for Policy Development in Niue
    (Massey University, 2019) Corcoran, Dale; Stewart-Withers, Rochelle
    Mental health is a prevalent, but often ignored area of health. Mental illness can significantly impact the mentally unwell, their families, and the wider community, yet access to proper care can be hindered by availability, ignorance, discrimination, and stigma, and result in human rights violations. This is especially true in developing countries where services may be inadequate or non-existent. Mental health policies can alleviate this situation by improving and prioritising mental health services at a national level. Based on Samoa and Niue’s similarities in terms of their mental health context and the positive analysis and evaluation of the 2006 Samoan policy, this paper concludes that the work done in Samoa is a viable choice for Niue to leverage in their future policy work. Niue would benefit from developing their mental health policy based on the precepts of South-to-South Cooperation by collaborating and sharing knowledge with their neighbour Samoa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The involvement of vulnerable children in child friendly spaces in Aceh, Indonesia : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2008) MacLeod, Heather
    The negative impact of natural and man-made disasters on children is well recognized and over the years different interventions have been introduced in communities so as to address the needs of affected children during humanitarian responses. In recent years though, the rights of children in humanitarian emergencies have been addressed more intentionally than previously. This has resulted in a new type of intervention that has evolved to address the psychosocial and protection needs of children through a range of creative, informative and supportive play activities and referral services offered in disaster affected communities. The activities have been supported by a range of Non Governmental Organisations and the United Nations. Commonly called 'Child Friendly Spaces'(CFSs), these programmes are now offered in most humanitarian emergencies. Drawing on literature from a range of social sciences and an analysis of qualitative research conducted in Tsunami affected Aceh, Indonesia, this study demonstrates that Government, United Nations and NGO stakeholders' understanding and approach to CFS programmes differs in terms of definitions of key concepts. The study also identifies the challenges in defining vulnerability at a community level and discusses whether CFS programmes do offer services to the most vulnerable children.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The implementation of trauma informed care in acute mental health inpatient units : a comparative study : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2013) Ashmore, Toni Rae
    Trauma informed care (TIC); particularly related to interpersonal violence, is a burgeoning topic for mental health services in both New Zealand and Australia. This thesis compares the implementation of trauma informed care, particularly in relation to interpersonal violence, in an acute mental health inpatient unit in New Zealand and a similar unit in New South Wales, Australia. A policy analysis was undertaken of current policy documents that guide each unit, along with semistructured interviews with ten senior staff, five from each unit to investigate implementation of key features of trauma informed care, particularly in relation to interpersonal violence. Results showed a difference in overall implementation between the two units. Single interventions rather than a whole of service change of philosophy were evident. Differences were identified in relation to policies referring to interpersonal violence, staff knowledge and understanding of trauma informed care, access to training and resources, how safety was provided for, collaborative care arrangements and workplace power dynamics for both clients and staff. Across both units were identified a lack of guidance to inform implementation of TIC, consumer involvement and practice around diversity. Contributing factors for TIC implementation include having a clear definition of TIC, commitment at all governance levels, access to TIC training for all staff, and policies underpinned by TIC. Further research investigating these results may enhance service delivery, resulting in better outcomes for the promotion of recovery and healing of those with histories of interpersonal violence.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A Tongan talanoa about conceptualisations, constructions and understandings of mental illness : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Vaka, Sione Lavenita
    The New Zealand Mental Health Survey, Te Rau Hinengaro (Oakley-Browne, Wells, & Scott, 2006), reported that Tongan people have high prevalence rates of mental illness, do not utilise mental health services, and the risks of mental illnesses were different between Tongan people born in Tonga and those who were born in New Zealand. The risks were higher for those who were born in Aotearoa New Zealand (A/NZ). The overall aim of this research is to explore the meaning of mental illness for Tongan people in A/NZ, and the research question is, what is the meaning of mental illness for Tongan people in A/NZ? The Tongan cultural framework talanoa was used as a conceptual framework to inform this research and also as a method for collecting the data. Using talanoa engaged this research in the circular and collective ideologies of Tongan people. Tongan cultural contexts are used to strengthen this engagement and the collection of data, and Tongan concepts are used to discuss the findings. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. These Tongan concepts construct (tufunga) mental illness from Tongan perspectives and interpretations. This research found that Tongans in New Zealand perceive and interpret mental illness in three ways: through traditional Tongan interpretations, through Western and biomedical influences, and also through an intersection of Tongan interpretations and Western/ biomedical influences. These interpretations are presented as themes. These themes were tufunga faka-Tonga (Tongan constructions of mental distress); tufunga faka-paiōsaikosōsiolo (biopsychosocial constructions of mental distress), and the tufunga fepaki mo e fetaulaki he vaha‘a ‘o e tufunga faka-paiōsaikosōsiolo mo e tufunga faka-Tonga (intersections between biopsychosocial and Tongan constructions of mental distress). The research findings, therefore, highlight challenges associated with applying a biomedical linear, individually focused Western mental health system to a traditional Tongan, circular, and collective community in A/NZ.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Mediating Role of Happiness in the Relationship Between Older Adults’ Intentional Activities and Health
    (School of Psychology, Massey University, 2012) Henricksen, Annette; Stephens, Christine
    The present study examined the nature of relationships between older adults’ intentional happiness-enhancing activities, happiness and health outcomes, and extended previous research by testing the prediction that happiness mediates the relationship between intentional activities and health. Multiple regression analysis of survey responses from a representative population sample of 2289 adults (aged 55-73 years) was employed to test predictions. Happiness was found to fully mediate the relationship between socially related activities and physical health, to partially mediate the relationships between personal interest and achievement oriented activities and physical health, and to fully mediate the relationships between these types of intentional activity and mental health. Results support the utility of investigating older adult’s intentional activities as a determinant of happiness and indicate that they also benefit health outcomes through happiness.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Schizophrenia, a way of being-in-the-world : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1995) Walton, Jo Ann; Walton, Jo Ann
    This phenomenological study describes what it is like to live with a schizophrenic illness and relates the understanding gained from this descripton to implications for nursing practice. The participants in the study were ten adults who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, who take regular medication and who are living independent lives in the community. Over a period of sixteen months they were interviewed about the effects of the illness on their everyday lives. During this time they explained the challenges and difficulties which have faced them, both during and long after the resolution of acute illness. As they describe it, schizophrenia is a part of who they are. The narrative contained in this thesis presents the participants' stories in aggregated form, setting their experiences alongside ideas from the early work of Martin Heidegger, whose phenomenological writing informed the analysis and interpretation of the data. As the participants explain, schizophrenia has touched every aspect of their lives. Living with schizophrenia is shown to affect their whole Being-in-the-world. It incorporates Being-with-others, living carefully and taking a stand on life. While hoping for a cure, their reality is of living with a chronic illness which has major effects on their lives. At the same time the participants are shown to define themselves not in terms of their illness and treatment, but in respect of their hopes and dreams and the stance each is taking on his or her own life. In this way their existential predicament is highlighted in the study. Participants are on the one hand very much like all other people, while on the other hand they have to contend with very different concerns than do most others. In itself the description of the experience of schizophrenia contained in the thesis is useful for its potential to increase understanding of the illness by nurses and other health professionals. Further than this, however, the study is shown to have implications in terms of nursing practice and the provision of health care. With regard to the seriously mentally ill the data bring into question some of the theoretical positions which have held sway in nursing for many years. The research demonstrates that it is practicable to attend to the subjective experiences of people who suffer from schizophrenia and to understand their needs and desires from the position of fellow human being, without the need for a guiding theory from which to interpret what they are saying or what their words "really mean." It is argued that relationships between nurses and clients which are based on understanding and trust rather than distance hold promise in the care of those with schizophrenia. Heidegger's concept of solicitude as care for others is addressed in this regard, and is shown to be most appropriate as a basis for nursing care in the mental health arena.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Resiliency, Connectivity and Environments: Their roles in theorizing approaches to the promoting the wellbeing of young people
    (Clifford Beers Foundation, 2004-02) McCreanor, Tim; Watson, Peter
    Early theory and findings in the area of resilience among young people emphasised individual differences and personality characteristics to explain different reactions to stress and risk. The ‘modern’ resiliency literature views the possible explanatory variables for different outcomes in broader contexts such as family, schools and community. Despite this change over time the individualising, problem focused orientation of resilience approaches continues to obscure the environment, leaving it an under-interrogated factor in youth wellbeing. The importance of this rests on its impact on policy and practice in the fields of youth development and health promotion. In this paper we argue that contemporary resiliency theory and research continue to fall short of the paradigm shift called for by those orienting to environmentally-based public health measures to improve population level wellbeing among young people.