title: Work-family Conflict: A Study of Chinese Immigrants in New Zealand

authors: Shang, Sudong

subjects: work-family conflict

abstract: This study of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand arose in response to the growing ethnic diversity in the labour force. The research investigated the work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand. Only sparse attention within the work-family literature has been given to immigrants’ work-family experiences. However, the Chinese ethnic group is fast growing and a critical part of the current and future labour market in New Zealand. Therefore, the antecedents, consequences, and coping strategies of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand require attention. Furthermore, the majority of work-family studies assume that individuals function within a single culture, and overlook the impact of acculturation, which refers to the process of immigrants adapting to a new culture. The present research included acculturation as a major contributor to the work-family nexus. 
       This study makes an original contribution to the work-family literature by broadening our comprehension of work-family experiences among immigrant populations. First, the research investigated the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict experienced by Chinese immigrants. Second, the potential role of acculturation in work-family experience among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand was also explored. Third, this research also investigated strategies used by individuals for coping with work-family conflict. 
       The thesis was designed and conducted through four separate studies, which are presented in four research articles designed to examine the above issues, and aimed to describe work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants. Each is a peer reviewed publication, and has been accepted, resubmitted, or under-review in peer reviewed journals or premium conferences. 
       Study 1 examined the antecedents of work-family conflict, and the mediation effects of work-family conflict on well-being among Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, along with the moderating role of acculturation (cross-sectional analysis, n=557), using structural equation modelling to test mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study provided some evidence that both Chinese and New Zealand cultures could exert influences on the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants. 
Study 2 investigated the mechanisms linking acculturation, work-family conflict and subjective well-being (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test two rival mediation models. The results suggested that subjective well-being mediated the effect of acculturation on work-family conflict, while acculturation did not directly influence work-family conflict. 
       Study 3 examined the mediation effects of work interference with family (one direction of work-family conflict) between interpersonal conflict at work and well-being, as well as the moderation effects of acculturation (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test both mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study found that interpersonal conflict at work was a significant strain-based predictor of work interference with family, and strain-based work interference with family had more effects on well-being than did time-based work interference with family. In addition, visible artefact acculturation had little moderation effect on these relationships. 
       Study 4 was a qualitative study exploring the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. Participants (33) were selected from the Study 2 and those who got the lowest 10% and the highest 10% of scores on the work-family Conflict Scales were selected for inclusion. The selection was designed in order to compare responses from the two extreme groups (high and low work-family conflict). This study found that most Chinese immigrants had a low level of value acculturation, and strongly held their traditional Chinese cultural values, which largely affected their coping strategies and the antecedents of work-family conflict. 
Overall, this thesis develops and extends previous research on work-family conflict by providing a broader understanding of complex work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants, such as the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. This broadened understanding paves the way for future work-family research among immigrant populations to continue to explore the role of value acculturation in their work-family experiences. The thesis also provides some practical recommendations for Chinese immigrants in aiming to balance their work and family demands, and for organizations to develop family-friendly policies to support immigrant workers, as well as for government to enact cultural awareness training to ensure their successful cultural adaptation.

text: Work-family Conflict: A Study of Chinese Immigrants in New Zealand This study of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand arose in response to the growing ethnic diversity in the labour force. The research investigated the work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand. Only sparse attention within the work-family literature has been given to immigrants’ work-family experiences. However, the Chinese ethnic group is fast growing and a critical part of the current and future labour market in New Zealand. Therefore, the antecedents, consequences, and coping strategies of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand require attention. Furthermore, the majority of work-family studies assume that individuals function within a single culture, and overlook the impact of acculturation, which refers to the process of immigrants adapting to a new culture. The present research included acculturation as a major contributor to the work-family nexus. 
       This study makes an original contribution to the work-family literature by broadening our comprehension of work-family experiences among immigrant populations. First, the research investigated the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict experienced by Chinese immigrants. Second, the potential role of acculturation in work-family experience among Chinese immigrants in New Zealand was also explored. Third, this research also investigated strategies used by individuals for coping with work-family conflict. 
       The thesis was designed and conducted through four separate studies, which are presented in four research articles designed to examine the above issues, and aimed to describe work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants. Each is a peer reviewed publication, and has been accepted, resubmitted, or under-review in peer reviewed journals or premium conferences. 
       Study 1 examined the antecedents of work-family conflict, and the mediation effects of work-family conflict on well-being among Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, along with the moderating role of acculturation (cross-sectional analysis, n=557), using structural equation modelling to test mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study provided some evidence that both Chinese and New Zealand cultures could exert influences on the antecedents and consequences of work-family conflict among Chinese immigrants. 
Study 2 investigated the mechanisms linking acculturation, work-family conflict and subjective well-being (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test two rival mediation models. The results suggested that subjective well-being mediated the effect of acculturation on work-family conflict, while acculturation did not directly influence work-family conflict. 
       Study 3 examined the mediation effects of work interference with family (one direction of work-family conflict) between interpersonal conflict at work and well-being, as well as the moderation effects of acculturation (two-wave longitudinal analysis, n=264), using structural equation modelling to test both mediation and moderation effects. Overall, this study found that interpersonal conflict at work was a significant strain-based predictor of work interference with family, and strain-based work interference with family had more effects on well-being than did time-based work interference with family. In addition, visible artefact acculturation had little moderation effect on these relationships. 
       Study 4 was a qualitative study exploring the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. Participants (33) were selected from the Study 2 and those who got the lowest 10% and the highest 10% of scores on the work-family Conflict Scales were selected for inclusion. The selection was designed in order to compare responses from the two extreme groups (high and low work-family conflict). This study found that most Chinese immigrants had a low level of value acculturation, and strongly held their traditional Chinese cultural values, which largely affected their coping strategies and the antecedents of work-family conflict. 
Overall, this thesis develops and extends previous research on work-family conflict by providing a broader understanding of complex work-family experiences among Chinese immigrants, such as the antecedents and coping strategies of work-family conflict in the context of acculturation. This broadened understanding paves the way for future work-family research among immigrant populations to continue to explore the role of value acculturation in their work-family experiences. The thesis also provides some practical recommendations for Chinese immigrants in aiming to balance their work and family demands, and for organizations to develop family-friendly policies to support immigrant workers, as well as for government to enact cultural awareness training to ensure their successful cultural adaptation.

year: 2017

title: Development and field assessment of a quantitative PCR for the detection and enumeration of the noxious bloom-former Anabaena planktonica

authors: Rueckert, Andreas

subjects: biology

abstract: Anabaena planktonica is a harmful, bloom-forming freshwater cyanobacterium, which has arrived recently in New Zealand. In the short time since its incursion (<10 yr), A. planktonica has spread rapidly throughout lakes in the North Island. To date, the identification and enumeration of A. planktonica has been undertaken using light microscopy. There is an urgent demand for a highly sensitive and specific quantitative detection method that can be combined with a high sample processing capability in order to increase sampling frequency. In this study, we sequenced 36 cyanobacterial 16S rRNA genes (partial), complete intergenic transcribed spacers (ITS), and 23S rRNA genes (partial) of fresh-water cyanobacteria found in New Zealand. The sequences were used to develop an A. Planktonica specific TaqMan QPCR assay targeting the long ITS1-L and the 5´ terminus of the 23S rRNA gene. The QPCR method was linear (R2 = 0.999) over seven orders of magnitude with a lower end sensitivity of approximately five A. planktonica cells in the presence of exogenous DNA. The quantitative PCR (QPCR) method was used to assess the spatial distribution and seasonal population dynamics of A. planktonica from the Lower Karori Reservoir (Wellington, New Zealand) over a five-month period. The QPCR results were compared directly to microscopic cell counts and found to correlate significantly (95% confidence level) under both bloom and non-bloom conditions. The current QPCR assay will be an invaluable tool for routine monitoring programs and in research investigating environmental factors that regulate the population dynamics and the blooming of A. planktonica.

text: Development and field assessment of a quantitative PCR for the detection and enumeration of the noxious bloom-former Anabaena planktonica Anabaena planktonica is a harmful, bloom-forming freshwater cyanobacterium, which has arrived recently in New Zealand. In the short time since its incursion (<10 yr), A. planktonica has spread rapidly throughout lakes in the North Island. To date, the identification and enumeration of A. planktonica has been undertaken using light microscopy. There is an urgent demand for a highly sensitive and specific quantitative detection method that can be combined with a high sample processing capability in order to increase sampling frequency. In this study, we sequenced 36 cyanobacterial 16S rRNA genes (partial), complete intergenic transcribed spacers (ITS), and 23S rRNA genes (partial) of fresh-water cyanobacteria found in New Zealand. The sequences were used to develop an A. Planktonica specific TaqMan QPCR assay targeting the long ITS1-L and the 5´ terminus of the 23S rRNA gene. The QPCR method was linear (R2 = 0.999) over seven orders of magnitude with a lower end sensitivity of approximately five A. planktonica cells in the presence of exogenous DNA. The quantitative PCR (QPCR) method was used to assess the spatial distribution and seasonal population dynamics of A. planktonica from the Lower Karori Reservoir (Wellington, New Zealand) over a five-month period. The QPCR results were compared directly to microscopic cell counts and found to correlate significantly (95% confidence level) under both bloom and non-bloom conditions. The current QPCR assay will be an invaluable tool for routine monitoring programs and in research investigating environmental factors that regulate the population dynamics and the blooming of A. planktonica.

year: 2007

title: Food insecurity in urban New Zealand. The case of the Kopa family

authors: Graham, Rebekah Sarah

abstract: Poverty brings insecurity and chaos into the home, forcing families to develop strategies for navigating the difficulties of food insecurity. We document how one household, the Kopa family, responds to poverty in ad hoc and agentive ways that assist and hinder their attempts to keep themselves fed. This study is based on a series of eight qualitative interviews with family members, including photo-elicitation and go-along techniques, as well as extensive field notes from more casual research interactions such as shared meals. Our analysis demonstrates how food insecurity shapes this family’s culturally patterned social practices surrounding the procurement, consumption, and sharing of food.

text: Food insecurity in urban New Zealand. The case of the Kopa family Poverty brings insecurity and chaos into the home, forcing families to develop strategies for navigating the difficulties of food insecurity. We document how one household, the Kopa family, responds to poverty in ad hoc and agentive ways that assist and hinder their attempts to keep themselves fed. This study is based on a series of eight qualitative interviews with family members, including photo-elicitation and go-along techniques, as well as extensive field notes from more casual research interactions such as shared meals. Our analysis demonstrates how food insecurity shapes this family’s culturally patterned social practices surrounding the procurement, consumption, and sharing of food.

year: 2018