title: High-risk victims of intimate partner violence within the Integrated Safety Response pilot: An examination of psychosocial stressors and repeat victimisation

authors: Tomkins, Jordan

abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious social issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, especially for victims at high risk of experiencing ongoing harm–or even death–as a result of IPV. Yet there is relatively limited empirical research that quantifies the stressors faced by high-risk victims, nor investigates whether these factors predict IPV recurrence. Using Dutton’s (2006) nested ecological theory to frame this longitudinal study, we examined 165 high-risk IPV cases from the Integrated Safety Response (ISR) pilot. With a primary focus on victims, we manually coded 39 baseline variables across the individual, relationship and community ecological levels; recorded initial engagement with ISR interventions; and examined IPV recurrence reported to police during the 12-month follow up. Results demonstrated that extensive stressors were experienced by these victims and that most victims had at least one IPV recurrence reported to police during follow up. Whilst only a modest number of variables significantly predicted IPV recurrence, physical IPV recurrence or offence detection; we identified that nonfatal strangulation, victim fear, relationship status and the victim’s initial engagement with ISR interventions all uniquely predicted these outcome measures across multivariate analyses. Theoretically, we found empirical support for Dutton’s (2006) nested ecological framework, although the explanatory mechanisms for the four key predictors need to be examined in future research. Practically, improved awareness of high-risk victims’ needs can guide collaborative support responses and, among a group with several possible risk factors, identifying predictors of repeat victimisation can inform risk assessments and prevention strategies for high-risk IPV cases. Finally, we consider limitations of the current research and make several important recommendations for future research.

text: High-risk victims of intimate partner violence within the Integrated Safety Response pilot: An examination of psychosocial stressors and repeat victimisation Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious social issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, especially for victims at high risk of experiencing ongoing harm–or even death–as a result of IPV. Yet there is relatively limited empirical research that quantifies the stressors faced by high-risk victims, nor investigates whether these factors predict IPV recurrence. Using Dutton’s (2006) nested ecological theory to frame this longitudinal study, we examined 165 high-risk IPV cases from the Integrated Safety Response (ISR) pilot. With a primary focus on victims, we manually coded 39 baseline variables across the individual, relationship and community ecological levels; recorded initial engagement with ISR interventions; and examined IPV recurrence reported to police during the 12-month follow up. Results demonstrated that extensive stressors were experienced by these victims and that most victims had at least one IPV recurrence reported to police during follow up. Whilst only a modest number of variables significantly predicted IPV recurrence, physical IPV recurrence or offence detection; we identified that nonfatal strangulation, victim fear, relationship status and the victim’s initial engagement with ISR interventions all uniquely predicted these outcome measures across multivariate analyses. Theoretically, we found empirical support for Dutton’s (2006) nested ecological framework, although the explanatory mechanisms for the four key predictors need to be examined in future research. Practically, improved awareness of high-risk victims’ needs can guide collaborative support responses and, among a group with several possible risk factors, identifying predictors of repeat victimisation can inform risk assessments and prevention strategies for high-risk IPV cases. Finally, we consider limitations of the current research and make several important recommendations for future research.

year: 2020

title: Olsemwanem kastom blong tring kava i save afektem tingting blong man mo wei we man i draev (Traditional kava-drinking, cognition and driver fitness)

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

abstract: Kava, we oli singautem tu se ‘plant blong ol god’, hemi gro plante long ol tropikol aelan blong Pacific.  Ol man oli yusum kava olsem lokol meresin. Mo tu, oli kranem rus blong hem, afta strenem long wota blong oli save tring blong mekem oli fil rilaks. Long saed blong kastom, kava i kat impotent mining, be naoia we man i stap tring tumas kava, i kat wari i kamaot from ifekt blong hem long saed blong seifti taem man i draev. Dokta ‘Apo’ Aporosa, we hemi stap karem aut risej long Waikato University long Aotearoa New Zealand, hemi bin stadi wei we kava i afektem tingting blong man taem man i draev. 

(Kava, or ‘the plant of the gods’, grows widely across tropical Moananuiākea (the Pacific). Used in traditional medicine, its roots are also pounded and strained through water to make a drink with relaxant effects. Kava has deep cultural significance, but because it is drunk in large quantities over several hours, concerns have been raised about its effects on driver safety. Dr ‘Apo’ Aporosa, a Research Fellow at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, has studied the impact of traditional kava use on cognition and its implications for driver fitness. The findings of that research are presented here in Bislama/Pidgeon language.)

text: Olsemwanem kastom blong tring kava i save afektem tingting blong man mo wei we man i draev (Traditional kava-drinking, cognition and driver fitness) Kava, we oli singautem tu se ‘plant blong ol god’, hemi gro plante long ol tropikol aelan blong Pacific.  Ol man oli yusum kava olsem lokol meresin. Mo tu, oli kranem rus blong hem, afta strenem long wota blong oli save tring blong mekem oli fil rilaks. Long saed blong kastom, kava i kat impotent mining, be naoia we man i stap tring tumas kava, i kat wari i kamaot from ifekt blong hem long saed blong seifti taem man i draev. Dokta ‘Apo’ Aporosa, we hemi stap karem aut risej long Waikato University long Aotearoa New Zealand, hemi bin stadi wei we kava i afektem tingting blong man taem man i draev. 

(Kava, or ‘the plant of the gods’, grows widely across tropical Moananuiākea (the Pacific). Used in traditional medicine, its roots are also pounded and strained through water to make a drink with relaxant effects. Kava has deep cultural significance, but because it is drunk in large quantities over several hours, concerns have been raised about its effects on driver safety. Dr ‘Apo’ Aporosa, a Research Fellow at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, has studied the impact of traditional kava use on cognition and its implications for driver fitness. The findings of that research are presented here in Bislama/Pidgeon language.)

year: 2023

title: Kia tata mai te pae tāwhiti: Nurturing success in psychology for Māori and Pasifika

authors: Bidois, Devyn

abstract: Embarking on the university education journey is commonly perceived as a pathway to success and enhanced career prospects. However, for Māori and Pasifika students in psychology, this trajectory is distinctly burdened with challenges beyond their control, particularly concerning low clinician representation and educational achievement. This thesis thus explores the experiences, barriers, and aspirations of Māori and Pasifika students engaged in psychology studies in Tauranga Moana. Guided by the principles of Kaupapa Māori, the overarching goal of this thesis is to empower and advocate for students, shedding light on their unique journeys and fostering a platform for meaningful change within the academic landscape. Two group interviews with undergraduate students and two individual interviews with postgraduate students were conducted to explore the research topic. These were then analysed using inductive thematic analysis, and a social constructionist epistemology within a Kaupapa Māori paradigm, to contextualise participant experiences. Three core themes are identified in this analysis. The first theme, the Western Educational Environment, underscores the challenges students face within a system shaped by Western norms. A monocultural, individualistic approach to curriculum, assessments, and teaching methods impacts the diverse cultural perspectives of students, shaping their overall study experiences. The second theme, Pathways, explores the nuanced journeys of tauira navigating various options related to papers, qualifications, and future career prospects. The third theme, Equity, critically examines the (lack of) equity in relation to facilities and services at the Tauranga campus compared to those in Hamilton. Recommendations for the School of Psychology focus on improving discipline relevance for Māori and Pasifika students through methods integrating Kaupapa Māori content and strategies as well as addressing historical issues aims to empower, retain, and support students to higher positions in psychology.

text: Kia tata mai te pae tāwhiti: Nurturing success in psychology for Māori and Pasifika Embarking on the university education journey is commonly perceived as a pathway to success and enhanced career prospects. However, for Māori and Pasifika students in psychology, this trajectory is distinctly burdened with challenges beyond their control, particularly concerning low clinician representation and educational achievement. This thesis thus explores the experiences, barriers, and aspirations of Māori and Pasifika students engaged in psychology studies in Tauranga Moana. Guided by the principles of Kaupapa Māori, the overarching goal of this thesis is to empower and advocate for students, shedding light on their unique journeys and fostering a platform for meaningful change within the academic landscape. Two group interviews with undergraduate students and two individual interviews with postgraduate students were conducted to explore the research topic. These were then analysed using inductive thematic analysis, and a social constructionist epistemology within a Kaupapa Māori paradigm, to contextualise participant experiences. Three core themes are identified in this analysis. The first theme, the Western Educational Environment, underscores the challenges students face within a system shaped by Western norms. A monocultural, individualistic approach to curriculum, assessments, and teaching methods impacts the diverse cultural perspectives of students, shaping their overall study experiences. The second theme, Pathways, explores the nuanced journeys of tauira navigating various options related to papers, qualifications, and future career prospects. The third theme, Equity, critically examines the (lack of) equity in relation to facilities and services at the Tauranga campus compared to those in Hamilton. Recommendations for the School of Psychology focus on improving discipline relevance for Māori and Pasifika students through methods integrating Kaupapa Māori content and strategies as well as addressing historical issues aims to empower, retain, and support students to higher positions in psychology.

year: 2024