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"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    The 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 Lesley
    The 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.
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    Living With It: A Grounded Action on Family Involvement in Compulsory Treatment for Severe Addiction
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2016) Caldwell, Vanessa
    This 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’.
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    Tirohanga Taiohi: Taiohi Perspectives on Gambling Among Whānau, Hapu, Iwi and Urban Māori Communities
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2018) Herd, Ruth
    In Aotearoa, New Zealand, the cultural milieu has been re-shaped by commercial gambling. Urban taiohi Māori experience diverse realities and for many ‘gambling is a fact of life.’ Commercial gambling was viewed as a good thing by those whose marae or sports clubs were supported by community trusts and Lottery funding. While others view gambling as damaging communities where people are already struggling. The purpose of this exploratory study was to discuss with taiohi Māori their perspectives on gambling among their whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. The aims of the study were to: (a) to explore the thoughts and views of taiohi (aged between 16 and 24 years of age) about gambling, and (b) to understand these thoughts and views as they relate to preventing and reducing harm from problem gambling among Māori whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities. This Māori-centred qualitative research utilised a kaupapa Māori framework Te Pae Mahutonga (Durie, 2003) to explore the perspectives of taiohi Māori about gambling and problem gambling among their whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities, and interpret these perspectives as they relate to a public health approach to preventing and minimising harm of problem gambling. Twenty-two urban taiohi Māori took part in 7 focus group discussions and their information was thematically analysed. A historical tribal narrative from the carved gateway of the marae was used as an interpretive lens to understand the findings. The thesis is structured utilising marae as a metaphor for the research process. Three key themes were identified; A sense of whānau and belonging; Gambling, it’s a fact of life and the Impact of gambling on taiohi. Three sub-themes were identified under each of these three main themes and are explored in-depth in the findings chapter. The results showed that taiohi are exposed to the inter-generational impacts of gambling, due to the close nature of their families and extended families who use gambling as recreation and as fundraising activities for family and cultural purposes. While many of the taiohi identified culturally as Māori, the culture is not necessarily a buffer against gambling harm as Māori communities are increasingly reliant on gambling activities and funding to maintain and upgrade marae facilities, whānau, sports and social activities. Taiohi reported gambling-related harms and were negatively impacted. Taiohi internalised whakamā or puuhi (shame, embarrassment, stigma) that hinders positive taiohi development, self-esteem and general wellbeing. Taiohi also offered solutions and pathways to reducing harm of gambling in their communities. Whānau was identified as a cultural strength as many taiohi were well connected with urban Māori communities, and maintained hapū and iwi and connections with their marae in the rural areas. Conversely, some taiohi were less well connected and required external support. The original contribution of this thesis is the TEKA model that allows for taiohi inclusion in the design of Māori health promotion programmes aimed at increasing knowledge among taiohi about the harms of problem gambling and reducing whakamā through programmes that promote high engagement with marae to reduce the harms of problem gambling for Māori whānau, hapū, iwi and urban Māori communities.

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