http://hdl.handle.net/10179/1256 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:20:32 GMT 2018-01-23T17:20:32Z http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7420 Are we failing them? : an analysis of the New Zealand criminal youth justice system : how can we further prevent youth offending and youth recidivism? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Policy at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand Johnson, Charlotte Youth crime is a prominent social issue in New Zealand that causes emotional and physical harm and loss to the numerous victims. This research provides an analysis of the current youth criminal justice system in New Zealand, beginning with a timeline of the history and evolvement of the youth justice system to illustrate how New Zealand has arrived at the present system. The drivers of youth crime and youth involvement in criminal offending were found to be initially born from a lack of engagement with education; neurological disorders; learning difficulties and mental illness; as well as the impact of young people’s childhood, which can include exposure to family violence; drug and alcohol abuse. Comparative policy evaluation was applied with comparative methodology and comparative cross national research to undertake an analysis of the youth justice system in New Zealand. International comparisons were used to discover plausible and practical improvements to the current youth justice system in New Zealand. The OECD countries used in the comparative analysis included Canada, Scotland, England & Wales, United States and Austria, who between them have significantly diverse and contrasting youth justice models ranging from welfare, care and protection centred models, to community-based rehabilitation models; preventative education and support to punitive models in their response to youth crime. ii It was found that several aspects of New Zealand’s current youth justice system function well when compared internationally. However, the comparative analysis also highlighted that New Zealand’s youth justice system presents a problematic gap in both the sheer lack of preventative methods in response to youth offending as well as community support during the rehabilitation stage. A number of policy recommendations are included within this report in response to the present shortcomings of the existing youth justice system in New Zealand. These policy recommendations provide practical solutions; adopting a preventative policy focus with plausible improvement suggestions to the existing youth justice system. The objectives are to ameliorate the youth justice system to better support youth offending and youth recidivism. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7420 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7406 Whakaoranga whānau : a whānau resilience framework : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand Waiti, Jordan Te Aramoana McPherson This research explored the capacity of whanau (family, extended family) to overcome adversity, flourish and enjoy better health and well-being. While external factors, internal dynamics, and financial pressures often constrain capacity, whanau have nevertheless demonstrated an innate ability to respond to these challenges – to make use of limited resources, and to react in positive and innovative ways. Three key objectives were identified to help seek and understand Maori notions of whanau resilience and how they are utilised by whanau for positive growth and development. The three objectives were: 1. To identify resilience mechanisms which exist within whanau; 2. To consider the cultural underpinnings of resilience; and 3. To construct an evidenced based framework for resilient whanau. A thematic analysis detailed the components of a Whanau Resilience Framework. The framework consists of four resilience platforms: (1) Whanaungatanga (networks and relationships); (2) Pukenga (skills and abilities); (3) Tikanga (values and beliefs); and (4) Tuakiri-a-Maori (cultural identity). This thesis highlights both the synergies and dissonance between Maori and non-Maori perspectives of resilience and how cultural factors might best guide Maori and whanau development. Insofar as this framework exhibits similar resilence strategies to other populations, it is at the micro-level where there are differences between Maori and other cultures or populations. Chapter 4 published as: Neely, E., Walton, M., & Stephens, C. (2014). Young people's food practices and social relationships - a thematic analysis. Appetite, 82, 50-60. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2014.07.005 Chapter 7 to be published as: Neely, E., Walton, M., & Stephens, C. (in press). Fostering relationships through food rituals in a New Zealand school. Health Education. Chapter 8 published as: Neely, E., Walton, M., & Stephens, C. (2015). Building school connectedness through shared lunches. Health Education, 115(6), 554-569. doi:10.1108/HE-08-2014-0085 Chapter 9 to be published as: Neely, E., Walton, M., & Stephens, C. (in press) Food practices and school connnectedness: A whole-school approach. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7406 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7396 Satisfaction with life and social comparison among older people : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand Rodgers, Vivien Kaye Introduction: In a rapidly greying world, successful ageing is an important concept and goal. While this remains poorly-defined in the literature, there is wide agreement that satisfaction with life is a major contributor, together with health and functional ability. It has been suggested that the perception of satisfaction with life might be affected by social comparison, but little is known about this relationship, particularly among older people. Consequently, this study investigates the impact of health-related and social comparison variables on the perception of satisfaction with life at various stages of old age. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 542 community-dwelling people aged 65+ was conducted to measure health (physical and mental), functional ability, satisfaction with life and social comparison dimensions. Participants were randomly selected from the general electoral role of the Manawatu region of New Zealand. The Short Form-12 Health Survey measured perceived physical and mental health, the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale measured functional ability, the Satisfaction With Life Scale measured life satisfaction and the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure assessed social comparison. Additional demographic information was collected. Age groups (65-74, 75-84, 85+) were compared. Results: A marked difference was found in satisfaction with life before and after age 85 years, that was not explained by health (physical or mental), functional ability, demographic factors or comparison frequency. The oldest participants (aged 85+) consistently reported the highest levels of satisfaction with life. This same group reported predominantly making downward social comparisons (with those doing worse). Conclusions: Important links were found between satisfaction with life and downward social comparison. Better understanding of comparison drivers across older age will progress the discussion on what impacts the perceptions of satisfaction with life and contributes to successful ageing. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7396 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7213 Māori women, health care, and contemporary realities : a critical reflection : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Health) at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand Parton, Beverley May Māori women, health care and contemporary realities is a critical reflection on the context of my nursing practice, a Pākehā nurse employed by Kokiri Marae Health and Social Services (KMHSS), Lower Hutt, Aotearoa New Zealand. In addressing the disparities Māori experience KMHSS has the motto, “Committed to the holistic development of whānau, hapū, and iwi”. The research aimed to explore from the experiences of urban Māori women, influences on their health and health care engagement. Kawa Whakaruruhau, the critical nursing theory of cultural safety for Māori health care, informs a qualitative approach, a human rights perspective, with its categories of difference, power, and subjective assessment. In turn, whiteness theory, with its categories of white (and not so white) power and privilege, informs Kawa Whakaruruhau. The women’s stories were received in an unstructured interview method and analysed thematically. The historical, social, cultural, economic, political, racial and gendered factors contributing to Māori women’s health and health care engagement are presented as a geography of health, and as landscapes past, present and future. Landscapes past tell of the disruption of the whakapapa connections of land, language and health by the historical and ongoing processes of colonisation. Landscapes present tell of health care places and spaces that by their policies, cultures, structures, and health professional practice, network and connect to include or to exclude Māori women and their families. Landscapes future are envisioned by the women as they remember what is and has been, and then imagine for themselves and at times succeeding generations, what they require as Indigenous to be central to health care. The women imagine what they need to parent for their children to have a good life; they imagine a therapeutic landscape. (In)authentic identities are presented as chronicities of risk, inhabiting disease and poverty. The women expressed authentic mana wāhine identity uniquely and heterogeneously. Recommendations have been made for nursing practice, research site and research. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10179/7213 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z