title: Worry Domains, Perceived Stress and Social Anxiety Among Tertiary-Level Students in New Zealand

authors: Richards, James Desmond

subjects: worry

abstract: Contemporary research into the health concerns of students is sparse, particularly in New Zealand. Overseas literature indicates that students in tertiary education institutions may be at increased risks for physical health problems, stress-related syndromes and emotional dysfunctions. Of particular concern are anxiety disorders as, in addition to their negative impact on quality of life, they are associated with impaired academic performance and poorer educational outcomes.
     Skilled, educated individuals are a social asset and it is therefore surprising that so little interest has been paid to the ways in which involvement with the tertiary education impacts on student welfare and anxiety levels. As a first step towards redressing the lack of health data for tertiary populations, this thesis investigates aspects of anxiety among students at a New Zealand university. The primary research aims were to establish an estimate of the levels of anxiety experienced by students and to outline the requirements of tertiary study that students perceive to be the most anxiety-inducing. To achieve the former, students (n = 1,082) were invited by e-mail to participate in an online psychometric survey; to explore the latter, discussion groups were arranged wherein students (n = 18) were asked to talk about their anxiety-related experiences.
     Anxiety has many forms and can be conceptualised in a number of different ways. In recognition of the diverse nature of tertiary study, it was decided that a broad framework would be needed to thoroughly investigate the ways in which it might manifest in tertiary student populations. Thus, a tripartite conceptualisation was constructed, viewing anxiety in cognitive, physiological and interpersonal terms. Specifically, the study assessed worry, stress and social anxiety among tertiary students and invited participants to comment on personal experiences in each of these areas.
     Comparing study data to norms for student populations in America revealed that New Zealand tertiary students report greater levels of worry, stress and social anxiety than their American counterparts. Within-group comparisons were made as a function of student gender, age, school of study, ethnicity and birth status. Significant differences on at least one survey measure were noted within each of these categories, with the exception of school of study. The possible implications of and explanations for these findings are discussed.

text: Worry Domains, Perceived Stress and Social Anxiety Among Tertiary-Level Students in New Zealand Contemporary research into the health concerns of students is sparse, particularly in New Zealand. Overseas literature indicates that students in tertiary education institutions may be at increased risks for physical health problems, stress-related syndromes and emotional dysfunctions. Of particular concern are anxiety disorders as, in addition to their negative impact on quality of life, they are associated with impaired academic performance and poorer educational outcomes.
     Skilled, educated individuals are a social asset and it is therefore surprising that so little interest has been paid to the ways in which involvement with the tertiary education impacts on student welfare and anxiety levels. As a first step towards redressing the lack of health data for tertiary populations, this thesis investigates aspects of anxiety among students at a New Zealand university. The primary research aims were to establish an estimate of the levels of anxiety experienced by students and to outline the requirements of tertiary study that students perceive to be the most anxiety-inducing. To achieve the former, students (n = 1,082) were invited by e-mail to participate in an online psychometric survey; to explore the latter, discussion groups were arranged wherein students (n = 18) were asked to talk about their anxiety-related experiences.
     Anxiety has many forms and can be conceptualised in a number of different ways. In recognition of the diverse nature of tertiary study, it was decided that a broad framework would be needed to thoroughly investigate the ways in which it might manifest in tertiary student populations. Thus, a tripartite conceptualisation was constructed, viewing anxiety in cognitive, physiological and interpersonal terms. Specifically, the study assessed worry, stress and social anxiety among tertiary students and invited participants to comment on personal experiences in each of these areas.
     Comparing study data to norms for student populations in America revealed that New Zealand tertiary students report greater levels of worry, stress and social anxiety than their American counterparts. Within-group comparisons were made as a function of student gender, age, school of study, ethnicity and birth status. Significant differences on at least one survey measure were noted within each of these categories, with the exception of school of study. The possible implications of and explanations for these findings are discussed.

year: 2008

title: Talanoa, vā and picturebook pedagogy to support Pacific identities in a kindergarten setting

authors: Fuimaono, A

abstract: It is important that children see themselves in the picturebooks that are available to them in their early childhood education [ECE] settings (Adam & Barratt-Pugh, 2021). Pacific picturebooks create spaces for meaningful conversations and emergent curriculum related to the identities, cultures and languages of Pacific families and whānau in the ECE setting. Using a Talanoa-vā approach, the researchers worked alongside teachers in a Pacific kindergarten to observe how they and the children interacted with picturebooks featuring Pacific communities and languages. Three vignettes were created typifying the variety of ways in which teachers and children connected with the picturebooks and each other to make links to the ‘funds of knowledge’ and ‘cultural capital’ of Pacific learners and their families. Many of our findings about the affordances of Pacific picturebooks connect with Te Whāriki (Ministry of Education [MoE], 2017) and Tapasā (MoE, 2018) which together provide the framework for culturally responsive pedagogy for Pacific learners in ECE settings.

text: Talanoa, vā and picturebook pedagogy to support Pacific identities in a kindergarten setting It is important that children see themselves in the picturebooks that are available to them in their early childhood education [ECE] settings (Adam & Barratt-Pugh, 2021). Pacific picturebooks create spaces for meaningful conversations and emergent curriculum related to the identities, cultures and languages of Pacific families and whānau in the ECE setting. Using a Talanoa-vā approach, the researchers worked alongside teachers in a Pacific kindergarten to observe how they and the children interacted with picturebooks featuring Pacific communities and languages. Three vignettes were created typifying the variety of ways in which teachers and children connected with the picturebooks and each other to make links to the ‘funds of knowledge’ and ‘cultural capital’ of Pacific learners and their families. Many of our findings about the affordances of Pacific picturebooks connect with Te Whāriki (Ministry of Education [MoE], 2017) and Tapasā (MoE, 2018) which together provide the framework for culturally responsive pedagogy for Pacific learners in ECE settings.

year: 2023

title: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Stakeholder perspectives

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori students

abstract: To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
There are a number of stakeholders who do not have a direct role in the provision of
Te Rau Puawai. These people are not involved in the day to day running of Te Rau
Puawai (as do, for example, the coordinator, support team or academic mentors),
nevertheless they play an important role, contributing in a variety of ways to the
programme.

text: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Stakeholder perspectives To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
There are a number of stakeholders who do not have a direct role in the provision of
Te Rau Puawai. These people are not involved in the day to day running of Te Rau
Puawai (as do, for example, the coordinator, support team or academic mentors),
nevertheless they play an important role, contributing in a variety of ways to the
programme.

year: 2002-05-01