title: Is the mental health system in Aotearoa New Zealand providing quality care to young people? A critical analysis utilising the perspectives of mental health professionals and sociological insights.

authors: Haycock , Isobel Grace

subjects: Mental health

abstract: The increasing rate of mental illness among young people, and mental health systems inadequate responses, have been critically analysed within various academic publications and government/ international agency reports. Comparatively, a critical analysis of the systemic issues that contribute to or perpetuate these inadequacies, specifically analysis that utilises sociological perspectives, is lacking within academic literature. This thesis utilises a sociological lens to investigate the challenges present within the Aotearoa New Zealand mental health system, identifying likely systemic causes and presenting alternative approaches that may alleviate some of the challenges. Employing a qualitative, interpretivist approach, 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health professionals from various clinical disciplines, who currently work within the system in the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui of Aotearoa New Zealand. Thematic analysis was conducted on the 11 transcripts and 6 themes were identified. The data analysis suggests that, from the perspective of the mental health professionals, many of the current challenges within the system, specifically staffing and funding issues, are linked to operation strategies that focus on efficiency, profit margins, standardization, and individualism, all elements of neoliberalism. Other challenges identified by participants such as the reliance on biomedicine and a crisis management system, which are both approaches that encourage standardisation can also be understood as elements that are conducive with an efficiency focussed neoliberal system. Participants presented alternative approaches that they would like to see implemented in the system, these included therapeutic interventions and structural changes. The alternative approaches draw on relational concepts such as continuous patient-centred care and holism and this may be contrasted with the current standardised and efficiency-focused practices. These findings highlight two differing approaches to mental health care drawing upon contrasting ideologies. Challenges identified by participants suggest that individualist principles are underpinning the current system, whereas a more relational approach underpins the alternative models suggested by participants. Moving forward this research suggests that the mental health system might possibly consider shifting its focus from individualism and neoliberalism and instead incorporate practices that draw on relationality, continuous patient-centred care, and holistic approaches to mental health.

text: Is the mental health system in Aotearoa New Zealand providing quality care to young people? A critical analysis utilising the perspectives of mental health professionals and sociological insights. The increasing rate of mental illness among young people, and mental health systems inadequate responses, have been critically analysed within various academic publications and government/ international agency reports. Comparatively, a critical analysis of the systemic issues that contribute to or perpetuate these inadequacies, specifically analysis that utilises sociological perspectives, is lacking within academic literature. This thesis utilises a sociological lens to investigate the challenges present within the Aotearoa New Zealand mental health system, identifying likely systemic causes and presenting alternative approaches that may alleviate some of the challenges. Employing a qualitative, interpretivist approach, 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health professionals from various clinical disciplines, who currently work within the system in the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui of Aotearoa New Zealand. Thematic analysis was conducted on the 11 transcripts and 6 themes were identified. The data analysis suggests that, from the perspective of the mental health professionals, many of the current challenges within the system, specifically staffing and funding issues, are linked to operation strategies that focus on efficiency, profit margins, standardization, and individualism, all elements of neoliberalism. Other challenges identified by participants such as the reliance on biomedicine and a crisis management system, which are both approaches that encourage standardisation can also be understood as elements that are conducive with an efficiency focussed neoliberal system. Participants presented alternative approaches that they would like to see implemented in the system, these included therapeutic interventions and structural changes. The alternative approaches draw on relational concepts such as continuous patient-centred care and holism and this may be contrasted with the current standardised and efficiency-focused practices. These findings highlight two differing approaches to mental health care drawing upon contrasting ideologies. Challenges identified by participants suggest that individualist principles are underpinning the current system, whereas a more relational approach underpins the alternative models suggested by participants. Moving forward this research suggests that the mental health system might possibly consider shifting its focus from individualism and neoliberalism and instead incorporate practices that draw on relationality, continuous patient-centred care, and holistic approaches to mental health.

year: 2024

title: Speed Choice, Speed Preference and Risk Perception: Relevance for the Problem of Speed Variability in Traffic

authors: Ahie, Liv Marit

subjects: Speed Variability

abstract: Fifty percent of drives have been found to frequently violate speed limits (OECD/ECMT, 2006), and speed limit compliance appears to depend on the perceived credibility of a road’s speed limit (Goldenbeld & van Schagen, 2007). Credibility of speed limits, in turn, appears to be determined by the match between drivers’ speed preferences and the design of the road (Goldenbeld & van Schagen, 2007). Yet, a challenge has been that not all drivers’ prefer the same speeds, and individual differences with regards to speed preference lead to speed variability and speed conflicts in traffic (Elvik, 2010). The aim of this thesis was to explore whether the speed drivers like to drive when motivated by different driving goals (speed preference) correspond to the speeds that they actually drive on those same roads (speed choice). Additionally, this thesis sought to explore the relationship between speed preference and risk perception. Data was collected in two ways, from a speed gun and from a questionnaire. The speed gun collected on-road measures of driving speeds on seven different roads, while the questionnaire collected measures of drivers’ self-reported speed, speed preference and risk perception. For the speed preference measures, participants were asked what speed they would choose on a given road when: 1) motivated by safety, 2) considering fuel savings, or 3) motivated by fun, and additionally 4) what speed they usually drove on the road. In total 200 drivers were interviewed at five different parking lots, and they referred to the seven roads that were sampled with the speed gun. The results indicated that speed preference helped to explain actual driving speeds. More specifically, drivers’ different driving goals and their large individual differences with regards to speed preference corresponded to different speed choices. No relationship was found, however, between drivers’ speed preferences and their risk perceptions. The results are discussed with regards to implications for the problem of speed variability in traffic.

text: Speed Choice, Speed Preference and Risk Perception: Relevance for the Problem of Speed Variability in Traffic Fifty percent of drives have been found to frequently violate speed limits (OECD/ECMT, 2006), and speed limit compliance appears to depend on the perceived credibility of a road’s speed limit (Goldenbeld & van Schagen, 2007). Credibility of speed limits, in turn, appears to be determined by the match between drivers’ speed preferences and the design of the road (Goldenbeld & van Schagen, 2007). Yet, a challenge has been that not all drivers’ prefer the same speeds, and individual differences with regards to speed preference lead to speed variability and speed conflicts in traffic (Elvik, 2010). The aim of this thesis was to explore whether the speed drivers like to drive when motivated by different driving goals (speed preference) correspond to the speeds that they actually drive on those same roads (speed choice). Additionally, this thesis sought to explore the relationship between speed preference and risk perception. Data was collected in two ways, from a speed gun and from a questionnaire. The speed gun collected on-road measures of driving speeds on seven different roads, while the questionnaire collected measures of drivers’ self-reported speed, speed preference and risk perception. For the speed preference measures, participants were asked what speed they would choose on a given road when: 1) motivated by safety, 2) considering fuel savings, or 3) motivated by fun, and additionally 4) what speed they usually drove on the road. In total 200 drivers were interviewed at five different parking lots, and they referred to the seven roads that were sampled with the speed gun. The results indicated that speed preference helped to explain actual driving speeds. More specifically, drivers’ different driving goals and their large individual differences with regards to speed preference corresponded to different speed choices. No relationship was found, however, between drivers’ speed preferences and their risk perceptions. The results are discussed with regards to implications for the problem of speed variability in traffic.

year: 2014

title: Ka Māpuna: Towards a rangatiratanga framework for the governance of waterways

authors: Martin, Betsan

abstract: Rangatiratanga is thenavigational courseforthis research, the aspiration that guides a frameworkfor thegovernance which, in respect ofwaterways and Te Taiao secures mauri, ecosystem health, and water for domestic and commercial use. Rangatiratanga encompasses mana whakahaeredecision-making throughout all relevantgovernance systems. In respect of resource governance, this needs to be achieved through mana whenua authorities and co-governance institutions and procedures.

text: Ka Māpuna: Towards a rangatiratanga framework for the governance of waterways Rangatiratanga is thenavigational courseforthis research, the aspiration that guides a frameworkfor thegovernance which, in respect ofwaterways and Te Taiao secures mauri, ecosystem health, and water for domestic and commercial use. Rangatiratanga encompasses mana whakahaeredecision-making throughout all relevantgovernance systems. In respect of resource governance, this needs to be achieved through mana whenua authorities and co-governance institutions and procedures.

year: 2021