title: Ngā kanohi hou – identifying and exploring the issues: Experiences of an intern

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

subjects: Maori

abstract: The current paper reflects upon the discovery of an intern from the post graduate diploma in community psychology programme (PGDipPsych (Com). The PGDipPsych (Com) is currently facilitated through the University of Waikato School of Arts and Social Sciences, Psychology Department. This journey of discovery is presented from the perspective of a Māori student who is employed in a mainstream public health organisation. The perspective of a person who is new to the workforce, and the “real world,” who views the surrounding environment with a pair of fresh eyes.

This paper highlights the importance of the internship period as it supports the student who moves from a structured environment with a strong emphasis on theory, towards a competitive, semi structured environment that is driven by deadlines, budgets and contracts.

Factors identified are the demands of Māori communities on Māori health researchers, supportive versus competitive environments, the benefits and drawbacks of being based in a mainstream health organisation, and the future direction of Māori health research. It is hoped that the current paper will encourage further discussion about the future direction of a diploma programme such as the PGDipPsychCom for Māori graduates of a New Zealand tertiary institution.

text: Ngā kanohi hou – identifying and exploring the issues: Experiences of an intern The current paper reflects upon the discovery of an intern from the post graduate diploma in community psychology programme (PGDipPsych (Com). The PGDipPsych (Com) is currently facilitated through the University of Waikato School of Arts and Social Sciences, Psychology Department. This journey of discovery is presented from the perspective of a Māori student who is employed in a mainstream public health organisation. The perspective of a person who is new to the workforce, and the “real world,” who views the surrounding environment with a pair of fresh eyes.

This paper highlights the importance of the internship period as it supports the student who moves from a structured environment with a strong emphasis on theory, towards a competitive, semi structured environment that is driven by deadlines, budgets and contracts.

Factors identified are the demands of Māori communities on Māori health researchers, supportive versus competitive environments, the benefits and drawbacks of being based in a mainstream health organisation, and the future direction of Māori health research. It is hoped that the current paper will encourage further discussion about the future direction of a diploma programme such as the PGDipPsychCom for Māori graduates of a New Zealand tertiary institution.

year: 1999

title: Mental health of people of diverse genders and sexualities in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Findings from the New Zealand Mental Health Monitor

authors: Tan, Kyle K. H.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Issues addressed: To examine mental health inequities, and social exclusion and isolation and protective factor differences between people of diverse genders and sexualities (lesbian/gay, bisexual, gender diverse, and takatāpui) and cisgender and heterosexual people in Aotearoa/New Zealand.  Methods: We employed data from the pooled probability sample of 2016 and 2018 New Zealand Mental Health Monitor. The sample comprised of 2,938 people at least 15 years old, of which 93 had diverse gender and sexuality identities. Generalised linear models were used to test for differences in mental health (current and lifetime mental distress, depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide), social exclusion and isolation, and friend and family support for people of diverse genders and sexualities. We also conducted exploratory linear regression analyses to examine whether mental health difficulties were associated with social exclusion and isolation and friend/family support.  Results: People of diverse genders and sexualities had high rates of mental health difficulties across all variables we examined. For example, people identifying as diverse genders and sexualities had three times the risk of considering self-harm and suicide than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts (22% vs 5%; RR = 3.12). People of diverse genders and sexualities also scored an average of 6.08 points higher on the 27-point PHQ-9 depression scale when they had experienced social isolation, and 4.01 points higher when they experienced social exclusion. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with current literature on the large mental health inequities faced by people of diverse genders and sexualities.  So what?: Policy makers and healthcare providers in Aotearoa/New Zealand should consider the negative mental health consequences of social exclusion and isolation for people of diverse genders and sexualities.

text: Mental health of people of diverse genders and sexualities in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Findings from the New Zealand Mental Health Monitor Issues addressed: To examine mental health inequities, and social exclusion and isolation and protective factor differences between people of diverse genders and sexualities (lesbian/gay, bisexual, gender diverse, and takatāpui) and cisgender and heterosexual people in Aotearoa/New Zealand.  Methods: We employed data from the pooled probability sample of 2016 and 2018 New Zealand Mental Health Monitor. The sample comprised of 2,938 people at least 15 years old, of which 93 had diverse gender and sexuality identities. Generalised linear models were used to test for differences in mental health (current and lifetime mental distress, depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide), social exclusion and isolation, and friend and family support for people of diverse genders and sexualities. We also conducted exploratory linear regression analyses to examine whether mental health difficulties were associated with social exclusion and isolation and friend/family support.  Results: People of diverse genders and sexualities had high rates of mental health difficulties across all variables we examined. For example, people identifying as diverse genders and sexualities had three times the risk of considering self-harm and suicide than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts (22% vs 5%; RR = 3.12). People of diverse genders and sexualities also scored an average of 6.08 points higher on the 27-point PHQ-9 depression scale when they had experienced social isolation, and 4.01 points higher when they experienced social exclusion. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with current literature on the large mental health inequities faced by people of diverse genders and sexualities.  So what?: Policy makers and healthcare providers in Aotearoa/New Zealand should consider the negative mental health consequences of social exclusion and isolation for people of diverse genders and sexualities.

year: 2021-10-03

title: From concussion to classroom: Predicting post-concussion pediatric school functioning

authors: Kennedy, Kristen

abstract: Pediatric concussion is a common injury that can impact many children annually, and while most children return to school within 2 weeks post-concussion, many experience ongoing symptoms that can significantly impair school functioning. Moreover, children with preexisting learning conditions may be at even greater risk for delayed return-to-learn. However, there is limited research examining what factors predict school functioning 1 month post-concussion. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether initial post-concussion symptom severity predicted school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

This research involved 275 children and adolescents aged 5-17 years old who had sustained a concussion. Parent reports were analysed which included the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, as well as study specific demographic questions. We used a hierarchical multiple linear regression to examine whether initial PCSI symptom severity predicted PedsQL school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

The results showed that more severe initial PCSI symptoms significantly predicted worse school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion (R2 = .12, F(6, 158) = 3.53, p = .003), supporting our main hypothesis. However, pre-existing learning conditions did not significantly predict school functioning outcomes, which failed to support our second hypothesis. The final model accounted for 11.8 percent of the variance in school functioning outcomes. 

In conclusion, this research demonstrates that initial post-concussion symptom severity predicts school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while pre-existing learning conditions did not. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive symptom assessment and individualised support plans for children returning to school.

text: From concussion to classroom: Predicting post-concussion pediatric school functioning Pediatric concussion is a common injury that can impact many children annually, and while most children return to school within 2 weeks post-concussion, many experience ongoing symptoms that can significantly impair school functioning. Moreover, children with preexisting learning conditions may be at even greater risk for delayed return-to-learn. However, there is limited research examining what factors predict school functioning 1 month post-concussion. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether initial post-concussion symptom severity predicted school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

This research involved 275 children and adolescents aged 5-17 years old who had sustained a concussion. Parent reports were analysed which included the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, as well as study specific demographic questions. We used a hierarchical multiple linear regression to examine whether initial PCSI symptom severity predicted PedsQL school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

The results showed that more severe initial PCSI symptoms significantly predicted worse school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion (R2 = .12, F(6, 158) = 3.53, p = .003), supporting our main hypothesis. However, pre-existing learning conditions did not significantly predict school functioning outcomes, which failed to support our second hypothesis. The final model accounted for 11.8 percent of the variance in school functioning outcomes. 

In conclusion, this research demonstrates that initial post-concussion symptom severity predicts school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while pre-existing learning conditions did not. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive symptom assessment and individualised support plans for children returning to school.

year: 2025