title: Future time perspectives and career commitment. Does age influence this? A quantitative examination of a New Zealand working population.

authors: Crooks, Eric William U'ren

subjects: Career

abstract: The inability to commit to a career can have long-term negative consequences on the quality of life of individuals. Those who have obtained career success have been found to possess high levels of future time perspective, the capacity to not only place a high value on future goals but to also identify what actions are required to achieve future goals. To date, there has been no research conducted examining the relationship between future time perspective and career commitment in a working New Zealand population; nor has any research investigated if there are any differences between different age cohorts of New Zealanders. This study examined this relationship by conducting correlation, regression, analysis of variance, and moderation analyses on data taken from 96 employed New Zealand citizens/residents who participated in an online survey. The correlational analysis suggests that connectedness and valence are positively associated with commitment-making and identification, and negatively associated with self-doubt, and flexibility. Regression analysis suggests that connectedness influences flexibility, and valence influences commitment-making, identification, and flexibility. ANOVA analysis shows that there is a difference between individual’s aged 16 – 44, and 45 – 75+ concerning commitment-making, self-doubt, and flexibility. Moderation analysis results suggest that age has a buffering effect on the relationship between connectedness and self-doubt in those aged 16 – 44 years old, and an enhancing effect in those aged 45 – 74+. Method of participant recruitment, categorisation of age cohorts, and the constraint of this study examining a single time period contribute to this studies limitations. Future research and practical implications of the current study are discussed.

text: Future time perspectives and career commitment. Does age influence this? A quantitative examination of a New Zealand working population. The inability to commit to a career can have long-term negative consequences on the quality of life of individuals. Those who have obtained career success have been found to possess high levels of future time perspective, the capacity to not only place a high value on future goals but to also identify what actions are required to achieve future goals. To date, there has been no research conducted examining the relationship between future time perspective and career commitment in a working New Zealand population; nor has any research investigated if there are any differences between different age cohorts of New Zealanders. This study examined this relationship by conducting correlation, regression, analysis of variance, and moderation analyses on data taken from 96 employed New Zealand citizens/residents who participated in an online survey. The correlational analysis suggests that connectedness and valence are positively associated with commitment-making and identification, and negatively associated with self-doubt, and flexibility. Regression analysis suggests that connectedness influences flexibility, and valence influences commitment-making, identification, and flexibility. ANOVA analysis shows that there is a difference between individual’s aged 16 – 44, and 45 – 75+ concerning commitment-making, self-doubt, and flexibility. Moderation analysis results suggest that age has a buffering effect on the relationship between connectedness and self-doubt in those aged 16 – 44 years old, and an enhancing effect in those aged 45 – 74+. Method of participant recruitment, categorisation of age cohorts, and the constraint of this study examining a single time period contribute to this studies limitations. Future research and practical implications of the current study are discussed.

year: 2018

title: Motivations, Experiences and Potential Impacts of Visitors to a Monastery in New Zealand: A Case Study

authors: Rodrigues, Sanaya Anna Maria

subjects: Visitor Impacts on Monasteries

abstract: This thesis presents a case study of the potential impacts of pilgrimage and religious tourism in a Catholic context, with a focus on the perspectives of visitors and the host monastic community. The selected research site is the Tyburn Monastery, the only monastery and retreat centre in the Hamilton Catholic Diocese in New Zealand. The monastery is situated in the North Island near Rotorua, a tourist destination in New Zealand that is well known for its geo- thermal activity, adventure sports and promotion of the indigenous Maori culture. Specifically, this thesis studies visitors’ motivations and experiences for visiting the monastery, and the potential impact these visitors have on the monastery and on the monastic community. To achieve this end, and adopting a mixed methods research approach, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with visitors who had been to the monastery, from which key themes were elicited, and also a questionnaire based study was conducted with 42 visitors to the monastery. The analysis sheds light on the profile of visitors, the activities in which the visitors participated, and also the visitors’ motives and experiences for the visit. In-depth interviews were conducted with three of the monastic nuns to gain an insight into how visitors potentially impact their monastic life.

Most of the visitors were from Hamilton; they were mainly female visitors and over the age of 40 years; they were predominantly day visitors who used their own transport to get to the monastery as there is no public transport available. These visitors were mostly accompanied by family and friends. All the respondents in this study were Catholic. Findings of the qualitative interviews elicited three key motivational themes which were: religious, personal and social motives. Furthermore, the quantitative data revealed the main motives for visiting the monastery were to ‘spend time with God’, ‘to nurture your faith’, ‘and ‘to pray’. Three key experiential themes emerged from the qualitative analysis through the respondents’ narratives of their experiences at the monastery. These were, ‘religious element’ ‘personal experience’ and ‘social setting element’. The monastery significantly influenced the visitors as they expressed that ‘I felt a special spirituality at the monastery’ to be a significant experience. The most popular activities at the monastery, as established from the quantitative analysis, included ‘attending mass’, ‘reciting prayers’ and ‘meditating’. The visitors acknowledged that they were fortunate to be allowed into the monastery, were very satisfied with their visit, and would visit the monastery again.

Findings of the interview with three of the nuns at the monastery revealed that all visitors were welcome and are not treated as a burden; in contrast to findings that are perhaps argued in existing religious tourism literature. These findings thereby contribute to the existing scholarly knowledge of how Catholic cloistered monasteries are efficiently managed; this is because of the Benedictine rule that they follow, which lays out principles of governing or administrating and hospitality. The monastery is still new, and limited advertising is done through Catholic magazines and newsletters of the Hamilton dioceses. In spite of this, the monastery receives a number of day visitors, and their retreat rooms also have a high occupancy rate. Care has been taken to insure that visitor numbers do not cause any negative impacts on the monastery environment.

In addition, from this research, it can also be concluded that at this monastery there is gender equality, since all visitors are allowed to participate in all the activities of the monastery. This monastery is visited primarily for devotional reasons, as it has no cultural or historical significance unlike the ancient monasteries in Europe and China. The unique experience noted in this research was also because of the rural setting, which therefore could be used to attract international visitors. Essentially, the research findings will aid in the understanding of visitors’ behaviour in relation to religious site management.

text: Motivations, Experiences and Potential Impacts of Visitors to a Monastery in New Zealand: A Case Study This thesis presents a case study of the potential impacts of pilgrimage and religious tourism in a Catholic context, with a focus on the perspectives of visitors and the host monastic community. The selected research site is the Tyburn Monastery, the only monastery and retreat centre in the Hamilton Catholic Diocese in New Zealand. The monastery is situated in the North Island near Rotorua, a tourist destination in New Zealand that is well known for its geo- thermal activity, adventure sports and promotion of the indigenous Maori culture. Specifically, this thesis studies visitors’ motivations and experiences for visiting the monastery, and the potential impact these visitors have on the monastery and on the monastic community. To achieve this end, and adopting a mixed methods research approach, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with visitors who had been to the monastery, from which key themes were elicited, and also a questionnaire based study was conducted with 42 visitors to the monastery. The analysis sheds light on the profile of visitors, the activities in which the visitors participated, and also the visitors’ motives and experiences for the visit. In-depth interviews were conducted with three of the monastic nuns to gain an insight into how visitors potentially impact their monastic life.

Most of the visitors were from Hamilton; they were mainly female visitors and over the age of 40 years; they were predominantly day visitors who used their own transport to get to the monastery as there is no public transport available. These visitors were mostly accompanied by family and friends. All the respondents in this study were Catholic. Findings of the qualitative interviews elicited three key motivational themes which were: religious, personal and social motives. Furthermore, the quantitative data revealed the main motives for visiting the monastery were to ‘spend time with God’, ‘to nurture your faith’, ‘and ‘to pray’. Three key experiential themes emerged from the qualitative analysis through the respondents’ narratives of their experiences at the monastery. These were, ‘religious element’ ‘personal experience’ and ‘social setting element’. The monastery significantly influenced the visitors as they expressed that ‘I felt a special spirituality at the monastery’ to be a significant experience. The most popular activities at the monastery, as established from the quantitative analysis, included ‘attending mass’, ‘reciting prayers’ and ‘meditating’. The visitors acknowledged that they were fortunate to be allowed into the monastery, were very satisfied with their visit, and would visit the monastery again.

Findings of the interview with three of the nuns at the monastery revealed that all visitors were welcome and are not treated as a burden; in contrast to findings that are perhaps argued in existing religious tourism literature. These findings thereby contribute to the existing scholarly knowledge of how Catholic cloistered monasteries are efficiently managed; this is because of the Benedictine rule that they follow, which lays out principles of governing or administrating and hospitality. The monastery is still new, and limited advertising is done through Catholic magazines and newsletters of the Hamilton dioceses. In spite of this, the monastery receives a number of day visitors, and their retreat rooms also have a high occupancy rate. Care has been taken to insure that visitor numbers do not cause any negative impacts on the monastery environment.

In addition, from this research, it can also be concluded that at this monastery there is gender equality, since all visitors are allowed to participate in all the activities of the monastery. This monastery is visited primarily for devotional reasons, as it has no cultural or historical significance unlike the ancient monasteries in Europe and China. The unique experience noted in this research was also because of the rural setting, which therefore could be used to attract international visitors. Essentially, the research findings will aid in the understanding of visitors’ behaviour in relation to religious site management.

year: 2012

title: Te mana o te wahine: Young mothers healthcare experiences in pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood

authors: Kolo, Mia Elaine

subjects: Health

abstract: In Aotearoa-New Zealand being a young mother is often associated with clinical and societal ‘risks.’ Younger women have higher rates of maternal depression and suicide, complications during birth, and their babies are more likely to be born preterm, and of smaller gestational age and weight (Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 2012; Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, 2023b, 2023a). Research also indicates that young mothers experience stigmatisation and discrimination that they attribute to their age and/or ethnicity (Adcock, 2016; Makowharemahihi et al., 2014; Rawiri, 2007; Ware, 2019).
In discussion with researchers, discrimination was the topic that young mothers at He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre wanted to talk about. They shared a strong desire to see change in the way that doctors, nurses, and midwives service young parents and were passionate about ensuring that future young mothers had more support. Thus, in responding to their call, 22 parents, including two fathers attending (or recent school-leavers of) He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre volunteered to participate in this study. This qualitative kaupapa Māori study employed a series of wānanga, individual kōrero, and an investigator-triangulation thematic analysis. The research questions explored both the positive and negative healthcare experiences of this cohort during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood.
The aim of this study was to listen and learn about the experiences of these young parents and co-design informational and/or educational materials to help healthcare practitioners better understand and support young mothers/parents. To spread awareness of the experiences of these young parents, the co-design materials and findings of this study were disseminated via various healthcare seminars and meetings around the Waikato region. The findings of this study contribute to previous research that revealed over the last 20 years young parents have continued to report predominantly negative experiences in their maternity journey. Participants of this study reported experiences of unsolicited judgement and advice, a general lack of manaakitanga (care, empathy, respect), communication, and support from doctors, nurses, and midwives. The relatively small number of positive experiences shared in this study emphasises the importance of manaakitanga regardless of age. An unexpected finding was the impact that receptionists had on young parents’ healthcare experiences, as the face and entry point of healthcare services.

text: Te mana o te wahine: Young mothers healthcare experiences in pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood In Aotearoa-New Zealand being a young mother is often associated with clinical and societal ‘risks.’ Younger women have higher rates of maternal depression and suicide, complications during birth, and their babies are more likely to be born preterm, and of smaller gestational age and weight (Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 2012; Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, 2023b, 2023a). Research also indicates that young mothers experience stigmatisation and discrimination that they attribute to their age and/or ethnicity (Adcock, 2016; Makowharemahihi et al., 2014; Rawiri, 2007; Ware, 2019).
In discussion with researchers, discrimination was the topic that young mothers at He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre wanted to talk about. They shared a strong desire to see change in the way that doctors, nurses, and midwives service young parents and were passionate about ensuring that future young mothers had more support. Thus, in responding to their call, 22 parents, including two fathers attending (or recent school-leavers of) He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre volunteered to participate in this study. This qualitative kaupapa Māori study employed a series of wānanga, individual kōrero, and an investigator-triangulation thematic analysis. The research questions explored both the positive and negative healthcare experiences of this cohort during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood.
The aim of this study was to listen and learn about the experiences of these young parents and co-design informational and/or educational materials to help healthcare practitioners better understand and support young mothers/parents. To spread awareness of the experiences of these young parents, the co-design materials and findings of this study were disseminated via various healthcare seminars and meetings around the Waikato region. The findings of this study contribute to previous research that revealed over the last 20 years young parents have continued to report predominantly negative experiences in their maternity journey. Participants of this study reported experiences of unsolicited judgement and advice, a general lack of manaakitanga (care, empathy, respect), communication, and support from doctors, nurses, and midwives. The relatively small number of positive experiences shared in this study emphasises the importance of manaakitanga regardless of age. An unexpected finding was the impact that receptionists had on young parents’ healthcare experiences, as the face and entry point of healthcare services.

year: 2024