title: Ultra-Brief Clinical Outcome Evaluations in New Zealand: A New Zealand Perspective on the Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale

authors: Pay, Rebecca Ngaire

subjects: Outcome Evaluations

abstract: Outcome evaluations are becoming a routine aspect of psychotherapy, yet many measures are deemed inappropriate for everyday clinical use. Outcome evaluations help to inform clinical decision making and enhance treatment effects, whilst guiding therapy and tracking the client’s progress. Many current outcome evaluations are overly complex, lengthy and are not providing information in the most effective format possible. Given that mental health services nationally are increasingly being accessed, it is essential that the most effective and feasible outcome evaluations are being administered to maintain the meaningfulness of therapy. 

The present study explored an ultra-brief treatment session outcome measure called the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), and compared it to the current New Zealand mandated outcome evaluation Health of Our Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOSCA) (N = 98). A quantitative, non-experimental correlational approach was taken, as studied in a clinical sample. Data was obtained through Lakes District Health Board, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

The findings suggest that the ORS measures change and that it is comparable to HoNOSCA on 4 of the 13 HoNOSCA items. Interestingly, these 4 HoNOSCA items all significantly correlate with ORS’s ‘Overall’ measure. Higher ORS scores positively correlate with higher SRS scores, highlighting the importance of therapeutic alliance. Maori intake scores are slightly lower than European intake scores, but even out following therapy. Implications for future clinical directions and future research are discussed.

text: Ultra-Brief Clinical Outcome Evaluations in New Zealand: A New Zealand Perspective on the Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale Outcome evaluations are becoming a routine aspect of psychotherapy, yet many measures are deemed inappropriate for everyday clinical use. Outcome evaluations help to inform clinical decision making and enhance treatment effects, whilst guiding therapy and tracking the client’s progress. Many current outcome evaluations are overly complex, lengthy and are not providing information in the most effective format possible. Given that mental health services nationally are increasingly being accessed, it is essential that the most effective and feasible outcome evaluations are being administered to maintain the meaningfulness of therapy. 

The present study explored an ultra-brief treatment session outcome measure called the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), and compared it to the current New Zealand mandated outcome evaluation Health of Our Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOSCA) (N = 98). A quantitative, non-experimental correlational approach was taken, as studied in a clinical sample. Data was obtained through Lakes District Health Board, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

The findings suggest that the ORS measures change and that it is comparable to HoNOSCA on 4 of the 13 HoNOSCA items. Interestingly, these 4 HoNOSCA items all significantly correlate with ORS’s ‘Overall’ measure. Higher ORS scores positively correlate with higher SRS scores, highlighting the importance of therapeutic alliance. Maori intake scores are slightly lower than European intake scores, but even out following therapy. Implications for future clinical directions and future research are discussed.

year: 2017

title: The ever-changing landscape of New Zealand vocational education and training: The Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) and the current and planned changes sought by the current coalition government

authors: Piercy-Cameron, Gemma

abstract: A market model to industry training was introduced in 1992 since then vocational education and training has been in a state of constant change.

My presentation will:
- Assess the capacity of the current VET system to deliver long-term improvement to vocational training,
- Explain RoVE reforms,
- Outline current changes, 
- Offer views on likely impacts, on-going issues.

text: The ever-changing landscape of New Zealand vocational education and training: The Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) and the current and planned changes sought by the current coalition government A market model to industry training was introduced in 1992 since then vocational education and training has been in a state of constant change.

My presentation will:
- Assess the capacity of the current VET system to deliver long-term improvement to vocational training,
- Explain RoVE reforms,
- Outline current changes, 
- Offer views on likely impacts, on-going issues.

year: 2025

title: Indigenous fertility in Aotearoa New Zealand: How does ethnic identity affect birth spacing and timing?

authors: Rarere, Moana

abstract: The survival of Indigenous peoples in the CANZUS states of Canada, Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the United States is nothing short of remarkable. Not only have Indigenous peoples thwarted colonial tropes of the vanishing native but, for decades, Indigenous population growth rates have significantly outpaced those of the dominant settler populations. The future survival of Indigenous peoples fundamentally rests on continued natural increase, and understanding the causes and consequences of fertility behaviour is critical. While total fertility rates for Indigenous women in CANZUS countries are relatively low, childbearing tends to be concentrated at younger ages in contrast to the dominant white populations. The fertility transitions of both settler and Indigenous populations in the CANZUS states are well documented, however, a significant gap remains: how cultural factors shape contemporary Indigenous fertility behaviours. Using Aotearoa as a case study, we explore the relationship between Māori cultural identity, birth timing, and the duration of birth intervals. We use the 1995 New Zealand Women: Family, Employment and Education survey data to further test the impact of cultural identity on birth transition rates using the piecewise exponential model and Kaplan-Meier estimates. We find that women who identify Mainly Māori (exclusively or primarily) are at greater risk of bearing much earlier to first birth but not necessarily subsequent births. However, because of the earlier start, Māori have a longer reproductive window to bear more children, and at higher birth orders still bear earlier than non-Māori. The empirical evidence strengthens our case to suggest that cultural orientation has some influence on Indigenous fertility and contributes to the development of Indigenous-centred theories of fertility and demography more broadly.

text: Indigenous fertility in Aotearoa New Zealand: How does ethnic identity affect birth spacing and timing? The survival of Indigenous peoples in the CANZUS states of Canada, Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the United States is nothing short of remarkable. Not only have Indigenous peoples thwarted colonial tropes of the vanishing native but, for decades, Indigenous population growth rates have significantly outpaced those of the dominant settler populations. The future survival of Indigenous peoples fundamentally rests on continued natural increase, and understanding the causes and consequences of fertility behaviour is critical. While total fertility rates for Indigenous women in CANZUS countries are relatively low, childbearing tends to be concentrated at younger ages in contrast to the dominant white populations. The fertility transitions of both settler and Indigenous populations in the CANZUS states are well documented, however, a significant gap remains: how cultural factors shape contemporary Indigenous fertility behaviours. Using Aotearoa as a case study, we explore the relationship between Māori cultural identity, birth timing, and the duration of birth intervals. We use the 1995 New Zealand Women: Family, Employment and Education survey data to further test the impact of cultural identity on birth transition rates using the piecewise exponential model and Kaplan-Meier estimates. We find that women who identify Mainly Māori (exclusively or primarily) are at greater risk of bearing much earlier to first birth but not necessarily subsequent births. However, because of the earlier start, Māori have a longer reproductive window to bear more children, and at higher birth orders still bear earlier than non-Māori. The empirical evidence strengthens our case to suggest that cultural orientation has some influence on Indigenous fertility and contributes to the development of Indigenous-centred theories of fertility and demography more broadly.

year: 2023