title: Social support, coping strategies and the impact on relationships for adolescents who have experienced cancer

authors: Evans, Rebecca Sian

subjects: adolescent cancer

abstract: Adolescence is a period characterised by a number of biological, social and psychological changes. Those facing a cancer diagnosis in adolescence find that they have further challenges and changes to deal with, in addition to the normal challenges associated with adolescence. The purpose of this research was to understand the experiences of adolescents who have had cancer. The aim was to examine the impact their illness had on their social relationships, to explore how they coped and found support, and to investigate the impact having cancer had on the developmental tasks associated with adolescence. While there has been extensive literature on these topics internationally, there has been limited research conducted within a New Zealand context. Semi-structured interviews were completed with eight young people who had been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 13 and 20. These interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Two topics that seemed to encapsulate the overall experiences of the participants were identified. These topics were coping with cancer and life will never be the same. In addition, seven themes were identified, which included: coping strategies, the importance of social support, obtaining illness related information, cancer as loss, cancer as a time of growth and development, relationships change and after the cancer is gone. The findings of this study highlighted the importance of providing information for adolescents at the right time in their cancer journey. Another major finding in this study was that many young people with cancer felt that their peers were not equipped to deal with their illness or offer support, and as a result many relationships were lost. Despite this, many participants reported that they were able to utilise social support by meeting others with cancer and receiving support from parents, siblings and some peers. Another key finding from this study was that following the completion of treatment, adolescents continue to face a number of challenges. Some of these challenges include dealing with the long term effects of their illness such as infertility or learning to adjust to a new identity as a cancer survivor. While findings in this study suggested that cancer was conceptualised as a time of loss including a loss of identity and a loss of opportunities, all participants were able to identify positive changes as a result of their illness. These changes included a newfound appreciation for life and making the most of opportunities they were provided. This thesis provides recommendations for professionals, agencies and services working with this population to ensure that appropriate emotional and psychological support is continued to be offered to young people and their families, particularly following completion of treatment. There was also a need identified for peers of young people with cancer to be given some sort of education in order to help support their peers through their cancer journey.

text: Social support, coping strategies and the impact on relationships for adolescents who have experienced cancer Adolescence is a period characterised by a number of biological, social and psychological changes. Those facing a cancer diagnosis in adolescence find that they have further challenges and changes to deal with, in addition to the normal challenges associated with adolescence. The purpose of this research was to understand the experiences of adolescents who have had cancer. The aim was to examine the impact their illness had on their social relationships, to explore how they coped and found support, and to investigate the impact having cancer had on the developmental tasks associated with adolescence. While there has been extensive literature on these topics internationally, there has been limited research conducted within a New Zealand context. Semi-structured interviews were completed with eight young people who had been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 13 and 20. These interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Two topics that seemed to encapsulate the overall experiences of the participants were identified. These topics were coping with cancer and life will never be the same. In addition, seven themes were identified, which included: coping strategies, the importance of social support, obtaining illness related information, cancer as loss, cancer as a time of growth and development, relationships change and after the cancer is gone. The findings of this study highlighted the importance of providing information for adolescents at the right time in their cancer journey. Another major finding in this study was that many young people with cancer felt that their peers were not equipped to deal with their illness or offer support, and as a result many relationships were lost. Despite this, many participants reported that they were able to utilise social support by meeting others with cancer and receiving support from parents, siblings and some peers. Another key finding from this study was that following the completion of treatment, adolescents continue to face a number of challenges. Some of these challenges include dealing with the long term effects of their illness such as infertility or learning to adjust to a new identity as a cancer survivor. While findings in this study suggested that cancer was conceptualised as a time of loss including a loss of identity and a loss of opportunities, all participants were able to identify positive changes as a result of their illness. These changes included a newfound appreciation for life and making the most of opportunities they were provided. This thesis provides recommendations for professionals, agencies and services working with this population to ensure that appropriate emotional and psychological support is continued to be offered to young people and their families, particularly following completion of treatment. There was also a need identified for peers of young people with cancer to be given some sort of education in order to help support their peers through their cancer journey.

year: 2015

title: An exploratory study of the sexual health knowledge and attitudes of Asian male student sojourners in New Zealand

authors: Omura, Saburo

subjects: Asian male

abstract: This study looked into the sexual and general health attitudes of Asian male student sojourners in New Zealand. The following issues on sexual and general health were probed: level of awareness, views and perceptions, levels of knowledge, main sources of information, and cultural factors in seeking health information. An Internet-mediated survey was employed to gather data on this sensitive topic. Sixty-six participants from Waikato, Massey, Canterbury, and Otago Universities answered the questionnaire. In addition, key-informant interviews with health providers were conducted to provide additional data. Data from the survey indicated a high level of health awareness concerning both general and sexual health maintenance, but there was cultural reluctance to discuss health issues, especially sexual health. General and sexual health matters were regarded as highly personal and sensitive, which they discussed with close associates. Findings from the study suggest the need for culturally appropriate approaches to improve Asian male students' access to health services.

text: An exploratory study of the sexual health knowledge and attitudes of Asian male student sojourners in New Zealand This study looked into the sexual and general health attitudes of Asian male student sojourners in New Zealand. The following issues on sexual and general health were probed: level of awareness, views and perceptions, levels of knowledge, main sources of information, and cultural factors in seeking health information. An Internet-mediated survey was employed to gather data on this sensitive topic. Sixty-six participants from Waikato, Massey, Canterbury, and Otago Universities answered the questionnaire. In addition, key-informant interviews with health providers were conducted to provide additional data. Data from the survey indicated a high level of health awareness concerning both general and sexual health maintenance, but there was cultural reluctance to discuss health issues, especially sexual health. General and sexual health matters were regarded as highly personal and sensitive, which they discussed with close associates. Findings from the study suggest the need for culturally appropriate approaches to improve Asian male students' access to health services.

year: 2006

title: Māori wards in Tauranga Moana and Aotearoa: Liminal local government democracy

authors: Des Forges, Sandra

subjects: Māori wards

abstract: This thesis focuses on Māori representation within the highly contested arena of local government democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Limitations of the current Eurocentric model of local government democracy are considered at various spatial scales. Legislative changes to enable councils to establish Māori wards were launched in the early 2000s. Māori wards are defined locations where those on the Māori electoral roll vote for Māori ward candidates, resulting in dedicated Māori representation at elected member level. Until 2021 when the legislation was amended to remove the ability for public referenda to challenge council decisions on establishing Māori wards, however, little change occurred. Since then, 35 councils have established Māori wards for the 2022 local body elections.
The research asks how, and in what ways, do Māori wards decolonise local government and encourage greater Māori representation? To explore this question, the empirical chapters are framed around three key aspects of liminality; the in-between positioning of Māori wards reflecting a time of change; this liminal space being a time where unease and discomfort is experienced by some as Indigenous disparity is addressed; and the threshold positioning of Māori wards as a place of opportunity and creativity, where new ideas and practices may be considered. Geographical concepts of (un)belonging, exclusion and deep colonising reveal challenges for Māori participation at the level of local government decision-making. 
The research uses an Indigenous methodological framework, Te Ara Tika, based on a framework of Kaupapa Māori, and developed specifically for non-Māori researchers. Māori wards have been widely debated in the media, particularly at the time of changes to the Māori ward legislation in 2021. Thematic analysis of 122 media representations of the Māori ward debate constitutes part of the empirical evidence. Fourteen individual interviews with local government representatives, including elected Council members from Tauranga Moana and members of Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana Partnership, were conducted. Additionally, participant observations took place at three public meetings on Māori wards.
The way the current form of local government representative democracy impacts Māori representation is identified. The research demonstrates how local government continues to act as a tool of colonialism by privileging Western worldviews, institutions, and systems. The research finds that Māori wards are liminal democratic options that are both decolonising and deep colonising. Evidence shows that the liminal space of Māori wards is an opportunity to consider options for a way forward to reimagine local government as a place of belonging underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori principles. 
The research builds on decolonisation literatures that seek to unsettle the hegemony of Eurocentric institutions and systems within colonised countries such as Aotearoa. Providing a critical spatial perspective on the intersection of democracy, colonisation and Indigeneity, this thesis advances decolonising geographical knowledges. In particular, this research advances debates about democratic processes, exposing ways in which colonially-based local authority democratic mechanisms contribute to under-representation issues. A reimagined local government allows current hegemonic approaches to be rethought and provides insights for a shift towards genuine decolonising processes.

text: Māori wards in Tauranga Moana and Aotearoa: Liminal local government democracy This thesis focuses on Māori representation within the highly contested arena of local government democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Limitations of the current Eurocentric model of local government democracy are considered at various spatial scales. Legislative changes to enable councils to establish Māori wards were launched in the early 2000s. Māori wards are defined locations where those on the Māori electoral roll vote for Māori ward candidates, resulting in dedicated Māori representation at elected member level. Until 2021 when the legislation was amended to remove the ability for public referenda to challenge council decisions on establishing Māori wards, however, little change occurred. Since then, 35 councils have established Māori wards for the 2022 local body elections.
The research asks how, and in what ways, do Māori wards decolonise local government and encourage greater Māori representation? To explore this question, the empirical chapters are framed around three key aspects of liminality; the in-between positioning of Māori wards reflecting a time of change; this liminal space being a time where unease and discomfort is experienced by some as Indigenous disparity is addressed; and the threshold positioning of Māori wards as a place of opportunity and creativity, where new ideas and practices may be considered. Geographical concepts of (un)belonging, exclusion and deep colonising reveal challenges for Māori participation at the level of local government decision-making. 
The research uses an Indigenous methodological framework, Te Ara Tika, based on a framework of Kaupapa Māori, and developed specifically for non-Māori researchers. Māori wards have been widely debated in the media, particularly at the time of changes to the Māori ward legislation in 2021. Thematic analysis of 122 media representations of the Māori ward debate constitutes part of the empirical evidence. Fourteen individual interviews with local government representatives, including elected Council members from Tauranga Moana and members of Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana Partnership, were conducted. Additionally, participant observations took place at three public meetings on Māori wards.
The way the current form of local government representative democracy impacts Māori representation is identified. The research demonstrates how local government continues to act as a tool of colonialism by privileging Western worldviews, institutions, and systems. The research finds that Māori wards are liminal democratic options that are both decolonising and deep colonising. Evidence shows that the liminal space of Māori wards is an opportunity to consider options for a way forward to reimagine local government as a place of belonging underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori principles. 
The research builds on decolonisation literatures that seek to unsettle the hegemony of Eurocentric institutions and systems within colonised countries such as Aotearoa. Providing a critical spatial perspective on the intersection of democracy, colonisation and Indigeneity, this thesis advances decolonising geographical knowledges. In particular, this research advances debates about democratic processes, exposing ways in which colonially-based local authority democratic mechanisms contribute to under-representation issues. A reimagined local government allows current hegemonic approaches to be rethought and provides insights for a shift towards genuine decolonising processes.

year: 2023