title: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

text: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

year: 2019

title: Māori in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: An analysis of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science data records from 1997-2002

authors: Ashwell, Allanah

subjects: Maori students

abstract: The Ministry of Education has compiled annual reports on the participation of Maori in
tertiary education. The 2002 report presented a comprehensive description of Maori
participation across all tertiary institutions within New Zealand in that year. The figures
show that Maori are markedly under-represented in tertiary institutions, particularly
universities.
The barriers encountered by Maori students can either directly or indirectly impact on
Maori participation, retention and success. The more disturbing outcome is that of
withdrawal or dropping out of higher education, is more likely when a Maori student
experiences and has to confront multiple rather than single barriers.
With this in mind, the aim of this study was to examine and identify trends apparent in
data records of Maori students enrolled in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences at the University of Waikato between 1997 and 2002 and to make
recommendations to the Faculty about how negative trends might be addressed. Specific
areas for analysis are detailed in the report.

text: Māori in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: An analysis of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science data records from 1997-2002 The Ministry of Education has compiled annual reports on the participation of Maori in
tertiary education. The 2002 report presented a comprehensive description of Maori
participation across all tertiary institutions within New Zealand in that year. The figures
show that Maori are markedly under-represented in tertiary institutions, particularly
universities.
The barriers encountered by Maori students can either directly or indirectly impact on
Maori participation, retention and success. The more disturbing outcome is that of
withdrawal or dropping out of higher education, is more likely when a Maori student
experiences and has to confront multiple rather than single barriers.
With this in mind, the aim of this study was to examine and identify trends apparent in
data records of Maori students enrolled in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences at the University of Waikato between 1997 and 2002 and to make
recommendations to the Faculty about how negative trends might be addressed. Specific
areas for analysis are detailed in the report.

year: 2003-06

title: Effects of coping style, social relationships and support on New Zealanders well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

authors: Perry, Andrea

subjects: COVID-19

abstract: In early 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand Government implemented unprecedented measures such as lockdowns and social distancing. This research investigated the relationships between different coping styles, social support, social networks, social activity, and the impact on the mental health of adult New Zealanders during July and August 2020. At this point, New Zealand had successfully eliminated COVID-19 from the community (with the only cases being reported in quarantine facilities from arrivals to the country). 

Adult participants (18 years or above) were recruited in New Zealand through Facebook community groups and flyers placed in community locations such as medical centres, schools, and university campuses, to participate in an online survey between 13th July 2020 and 11th August 2020. The survey included: demographic questions, study-specific COVID-19 related questions, and seven standardised measures. We assessed three aspects of social support (perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS)), social network (Lubben Social Network Scale – revised (LSNR-R), social activities (Social Activity Log (SAL)), coping styles (Brief COPE), depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)), post-traumatic stress (The Abbreviated PCL-C - The Post-Traumatic Checklist), and post-traumatic growth (Post Traumatic Growth Inventory).

Our research investigated predictors of well-being and distress, including demographic variables (age group and gender), previous mental health diagnoses, coping styles, and social support. We hypothesised that higher scores in dysfunctional coping styles and lower scores on social support measures would be associated with higher distress and lower well-being. Our final sample contained 698 valid responses, consisting of 67% female (n=468), 31% male (n=217) and 2% other gender or did not specify (n=13). 

Our models significantly predicted variance in depression (55%), anxiety (48%), stress (52%), PTSD (56%), and post-traumatic growth (41%). Mean scores for depression, anxiety, stress, and dysfunctional coping styles were significantly higher for the youngest age group (18- to 24-year-olds) compared to older age groups. In addition, 18- to 24-year-olds experienced the biggest loss of perceived social support and size of social networks since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in our regression models, the dysfunctional coping styles of behavioural disengagement and self-blame and a previous mental health diagnosis were consistently among the most common predictors for depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD. Higher perceived social support was associated with lower levels of depression and PTSD, and higher social activity was associated with lower depression and stress scores. 

Furthermore, significant common predictors of distress included reduced perceived social support since the COVID-19 pandemic (for anxiety and stress) and social networks (for depression and PTSD). Social activity and adaptive coping styles (active coping, positive reframing, religion, emotional support) were significant predictors of post-traumatic growth. Overall, coping styles accounted for more variance (across all mental health outcomes) than age group, gender, previous mental health diagnoses or social support variables.

This research highlighted the disproportional effect that the COVID-19 pandemic was having on younger adults in New Zealand and stressed the need for strong social support and education on adaptive coping styles to reduce distress and improve well-being.

text: Effects of coping style, social relationships and support on New Zealanders well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic In early 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand Government implemented unprecedented measures such as lockdowns and social distancing. This research investigated the relationships between different coping styles, social support, social networks, social activity, and the impact on the mental health of adult New Zealanders during July and August 2020. At this point, New Zealand had successfully eliminated COVID-19 from the community (with the only cases being reported in quarantine facilities from arrivals to the country). 

Adult participants (18 years or above) were recruited in New Zealand through Facebook community groups and flyers placed in community locations such as medical centres, schools, and university campuses, to participate in an online survey between 13th July 2020 and 11th August 2020. The survey included: demographic questions, study-specific COVID-19 related questions, and seven standardised measures. We assessed three aspects of social support (perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS)), social network (Lubben Social Network Scale – revised (LSNR-R), social activities (Social Activity Log (SAL)), coping styles (Brief COPE), depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)), post-traumatic stress (The Abbreviated PCL-C - The Post-Traumatic Checklist), and post-traumatic growth (Post Traumatic Growth Inventory).

Our research investigated predictors of well-being and distress, including demographic variables (age group and gender), previous mental health diagnoses, coping styles, and social support. We hypothesised that higher scores in dysfunctional coping styles and lower scores on social support measures would be associated with higher distress and lower well-being. Our final sample contained 698 valid responses, consisting of 67% female (n=468), 31% male (n=217) and 2% other gender or did not specify (n=13). 

Our models significantly predicted variance in depression (55%), anxiety (48%), stress (52%), PTSD (56%), and post-traumatic growth (41%). Mean scores for depression, anxiety, stress, and dysfunctional coping styles were significantly higher for the youngest age group (18- to 24-year-olds) compared to older age groups. In addition, 18- to 24-year-olds experienced the biggest loss of perceived social support and size of social networks since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in our regression models, the dysfunctional coping styles of behavioural disengagement and self-blame and a previous mental health diagnosis were consistently among the most common predictors for depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD. Higher perceived social support was associated with lower levels of depression and PTSD, and higher social activity was associated with lower depression and stress scores. 

Furthermore, significant common predictors of distress included reduced perceived social support since the COVID-19 pandemic (for anxiety and stress) and social networks (for depression and PTSD). Social activity and adaptive coping styles (active coping, positive reframing, religion, emotional support) were significant predictors of post-traumatic growth. Overall, coping styles accounted for more variance (across all mental health outcomes) than age group, gender, previous mental health diagnoses or social support variables.

This research highlighted the disproportional effect that the COVID-19 pandemic was having on younger adults in New Zealand and stressed the need for strong social support and education on adaptive coping styles to reduce distress and improve well-being.

year: 2022