Open Theses & Dissertations
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Tuwhera Open Access Theses & Dissertations contains digital copies of theses, dissertations and research projects from AUT's postgraduate research, deposited with the Library since 2002. The full text digital files are available if the author has given permission for their thesis, dissertation or research projects to be available open access.
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Browsing Open Theses & Dissertations by Supervisor "Abbott, Max"
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- ItemThe contribution of the mental health support worker to the mental health services in New Zealand: an Appreciative Inquiry approach(Auckland University of Technology, 2015) Hennessy, Julia LesleyThe discipline of mental health support work in New Zealand comprises a significant part of the total mental health workforce. This study explored the contribution of mental health support workers taking an Appreciative Inquiry approach. It examines how mental health support workers add value to the quality of mental health services by asking “what is working well?” It examines future possibilities for the role of a mental health support worker and discusses what it is that they do that is different from other health professionals in the mental health sector. The findings from this study recognise the contribution being made by this group of health workers, highlighting what is working well and what could be different while examining the nature of relationships between mental health support workers, mental health consumers and other key stakeholders. This study also informs discussion around the regulation/professionalism of the support worker’s role and future workforce development. Mental health support workers, in this study, sought to be part of aspirational service developments. The role of the mental health support worker is different and complementary to the roles of other professionals working in mental health services. Mental health support workers facilitate the consumer’s journey of recovery. They are able to spend time with mental health consumers and not have those interactions restricted through legislation. Mental health support workers provide the human contact sought by mental health consumers because their role is seen as non-clinical and non-judgmental. They create space in the life of the consumer that enables hope for recovery to be the consumer’s aspirational future. Managers, educators and other health professionals require an understanding about what it is that mental health support workers bring to the relationship that they have with consumers and how that knowledge can assist other health professionals.
- ItemLiving with it: a grounded action on family involvement in compulsory treatment for severe addiction(Auckland University of Technology, 2016) Caldwell, VanessaThis grounded action research sought to first understand the involvement of family and whānau in the process of committing a whānau member for compulsory addiction treatment under the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966 (ADA Act) and second to develop an action plan to address the issues identified. Although several reviews have been undertaken there is little known about the impact of this Act on the people whom it directly affects. The aims of the research were to: (1) identify the process occurring in this situation and produce a grounded theory to explain what is happening for family as they seek to place their family member, who is experiencing the severe effects of addiction, in compulsory treatment; and (2) develop a grounded action plan to address the concerns identified in the theory. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 11 participants involved in placing a family member under the ADA Act, addiction practitioners, reviewing court reports and conducting informal conversations with key informants. Data were analysed using constant comparative analysis and coded using open, selective and theoretical coding. Analysis using memoing and theoretical sampling was also used to generate a substantive grounded theory and further comparative analysis was undertaken using the theory components to develop a cohesive systemic action plan. The theory ‘living with it’ was identified as the families’ key strategy for managing living with and supporting a family member with severe addiction. ‘Living with it’ is an interactive system comprised of the main categories; ‘fracturing relationships’, ‘working it out myself’ and ‘holding my breath’. These categories and their properties that tell the story of a profound lack of professional support for families seeking help. The grounded action plan resulting from this theory includes: influencing the proposed wording for the revised legislation so family are recognised in this process, improving the responsiveness of the workforce through training in the use of evidence based models of family inclusive practice and building families’ resilience using a website redesign (www.kina.org.nz) that specifically provides tailored information and support for family members. These activities will contribute to a change in practice for addiction practitioners to enable them to effectively engage and support family who are ‘living with it’.