title: Psychosocial Needs of Parents and Children Utilising Paediatric Outpatient Clinics

authors: Case, Rosalind Jane Leamy

subjects: paediatric psychology

abstract: Abstract


When a child is diagnosed with a significant health problem, they and their families are at increased risk of experiencing psychological distress and disorder. The objectives of this study were twofold: firstly, they were to examine the relationships amongst child illness, parental and child distress, quality of life and medical regimen adherence; and secondly, to understand the degree of parent interest in receiving psychological support and paediatricians' perceptions of family psychosocial needs. Participants were 152 parents of children utilising a paediatric outpatient clinic who completed a battery of self-report questionnaires including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Quality of Life Scale, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Information regarding demographics and child health status were collected and paediatricians completed a measure of health status, medication adherence and perceived need for psychosocial support for each participant. Parent ratings of stress symptoms were significantly higher than in normative populations and their children were rated as having a significant degree of emotional, hyperactivity, conduct and peer problems. Increased levels of depression, stress and anxiety in parents were associated with higher ratings of child hyperactivity and peer problems. Parent stress and anxiety levels were also related to emotional symptoms in children.  A large proportion of the sample perceived paediatric psychology services as being important and were interested in accessing such support. Parent interest was associated with having an older child, congenital illness, elevated distress scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and higher mean ratings of quality of life. Paediatricians suggested that many families could benefit from psychosocial input for issues relating to their child's health problem and child's age and quality of life were shown to also account for a large proportion of the variance in these ratings. Implications for the delivery of paediatric health psychology services are discussed.

text: Psychosocial Needs of Parents and Children Utilising Paediatric Outpatient Clinics Abstract


When a child is diagnosed with a significant health problem, they and their families are at increased risk of experiencing psychological distress and disorder. The objectives of this study were twofold: firstly, they were to examine the relationships amongst child illness, parental and child distress, quality of life and medical regimen adherence; and secondly, to understand the degree of parent interest in receiving psychological support and paediatricians' perceptions of family psychosocial needs. Participants were 152 parents of children utilising a paediatric outpatient clinic who completed a battery of self-report questionnaires including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Quality of Life Scale, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Information regarding demographics and child health status were collected and paediatricians completed a measure of health status, medication adherence and perceived need for psychosocial support for each participant. Parent ratings of stress symptoms were significantly higher than in normative populations and their children were rated as having a significant degree of emotional, hyperactivity, conduct and peer problems. Increased levels of depression, stress and anxiety in parents were associated with higher ratings of child hyperactivity and peer problems. Parent stress and anxiety levels were also related to emotional symptoms in children.  A large proportion of the sample perceived paediatric psychology services as being important and were interested in accessing such support. Parent interest was associated with having an older child, congenital illness, elevated distress scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and higher mean ratings of quality of life. Paediatricians suggested that many families could benefit from psychosocial input for issues relating to their child's health problem and child's age and quality of life were shown to also account for a large proportion of the variance in these ratings. Implications for the delivery of paediatric health psychology services are discussed.

year: 2009

title: Matamata Piako District: Socio-Demographic Profile 1986-2031

authors: Jackson, Natalie

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Matamata-Piako District has a larger proportion of those of European/New Zealand/Other ethnicity than either the Waikato Region or Total New Zealand, and a smaller proportion of both Maori and Pacific Island than the Waikato. Matamata-Piako also has substantially fewer people of Asian origin. In all cases, the number in each ethnic group has grown except for European/NZ/other. This group saw a small decline in its number in the 1996-2006 period, while Maori grew by 8 per cent, accounting for approximately 34 per cent of Matamata-Piako District’s growth, compared with 16 per cent of the Waikato’s.

text: Matamata Piako District: Socio-Demographic Profile 1986-2031 Matamata-Piako District has a larger proportion of those of European/New Zealand/Other ethnicity than either the Waikato Region or Total New Zealand, and a smaller proportion of both Maori and Pacific Island than the Waikato. Matamata-Piako also has substantially fewer people of Asian origin. In all cases, the number in each ethnic group has grown except for European/NZ/other. This group saw a small decline in its number in the 1996-2006 period, while Maori grew by 8 per cent, accounting for approximately 34 per cent of Matamata-Piako District’s growth, compared with 16 per cent of the Waikato’s.

year: 2013-03

title: Pushing the process: A whānau journey through the Treaty of Waitangi claims process

authors: Harrison, Reece David

subjects: Whanau Claims

abstract: This thesis follows the journey of a Whānau (ngā uri a Arama Whakatau) in its Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1986. In particular, it looks at inter-Whānau dynamics before, during and after the Claims process. The connections to the claimant area through whakapapa and establishing ahi kaa rights are identified, as are problems faced by lodging a Claim at the Whānau level. Aspects of inter-Whānau, inter-Hapū and inter-iwi politics are considered along with Crown agencies' processes. The primary question posed in the thesis is whether a Whānau Claim is the more appropriate avenue compared to making a Claim through the Hapū or iwi. However, the inter-Whānau dynamics are the core focus of the thesis in this 'warts-and-all' discussion from the perspective of the participant-observer.

text: Pushing the process: A whānau journey through the Treaty of Waitangi claims process This thesis follows the journey of a Whānau (ngā uri a Arama Whakatau) in its Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1986. In particular, it looks at inter-Whānau dynamics before, during and after the Claims process. The connections to the claimant area through whakapapa and establishing ahi kaa rights are identified, as are problems faced by lodging a Claim at the Whānau level. Aspects of inter-Whānau, inter-Hapū and inter-iwi politics are considered along with Crown agencies' processes. The primary question posed in the thesis is whether a Whānau Claim is the more appropriate avenue compared to making a Claim through the Hapū or iwi. However, the inter-Whānau dynamics are the core focus of the thesis in this 'warts-and-all' discussion from the perspective of the participant-observer.

year: 2007