Bachelor with Honours Dissertations - open access

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https://hdl.handle.net/10292/14987

The "Bachelor with Honours Dissertations - open access" collection contains digital copies of AUT University B(Hons) dissertations approved for open access. B(Hons) dissertations are required to be open access from April 2022. Past students may contact the Tuwhera team (tuwhera.opentheses@aut.ac.nz) if they wish to make their B(Hons) open access.

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A Qualitative Study Examining the Opinions and Experiences of New Zealand Participants Regarding Beliefs of Sugar as an Addictive Substance
(Auckland University of Technology, 2023) Rosser, Alexandra
The present study aims to examine New Zealand participants’ perceptions of sugar as an addictive substance. The concept of sugar addiction is not new and there has already been some research around this, however due to ethical implications in human research, most studies have used animal experiments. Despite the myriad of health concerns caused by sugar overindulgence, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, tooth decay and other issues, we do not yet have a conclusive answer as to the validity of sugar addiction. This study asked participants to draw from their understanding and experiences of sugar to explain whether they believed it should be classified as addictive. Qualitative content analysis was used to draw meaning and context from the rationale described by participants. Both inductive and deductive methods were used to determine whether perceptions and experiences by individuals in this study aligned with established scientific criteria surrounding substance dependence. For a considerable majority, signs and symptoms relating to excessive sugar intake conformed to current understandings of addiction. Conversely, those who did not believe sugar was addictive referenced how various biopsychosocial influences may contribute to sugar overindulgence, highlighting the complex nature of sugar consumption. While relying exclusively on subjective measures has inherent limitations, understanding individual experiences with sugar is essential in comprehending how a range of factors may shape indulgence. Given the consistency between participant experiences of sugar addiction and scientific literature concerning substance dependence, further measures should be implemented in evaluating the credibility of sugar as an addictive substance.
A Scoping Review of the Potential Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Pain in Adulthood
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Hamilton-Bos, Kelly
In previous years, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been identified as having a potential relationship with poor health outcomes. Chronic pain is one health outcome that has a high prevalence worldwide and the numbers are continuing to grow. Thus, the aim of this scoping review was to review what the current research posited about the potential relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in adulthood. Using a combination of PRISMA-ScR and Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review frameworks, five databases were searched. Overall, 66 articles were included and further analysed by using a thematic analysis. From this thematic analysis, three themes were identified: there is a potential relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in adulthood; the relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in complex; and there is more that needs to be done to understand the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult chronic pain. Depression, anxiety and resilience emerged as mediating factors in the relationship between ACEs and chronic pain but do require further clarification. This scoping review did not identify any relevant studies within a New Zealand/Aotearoa context and recommendations include validating the ACE questionnaire for the New Zealand/Aotearoa population and identifying whether the ACE domains are relevant, and culturally sensitive and appropriate. This scoping review contributes to the understanding of the relationship between ACEs and chronic pain in adulthood in order to develop treatment options which might in turn contribute to reduction in negative health outcomes and an increase in healthcare utilization
An Exploration of Food Quality Across Dietary Patterns: Towards an Understanding of Ketogenic, Low-Carbohydrate, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diet Quality
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Kayla-Anne, Lenferna De La Motte
Background: Understanding and measuring diet quality is a topic that has received increasing attention in recent years with the NOVA system being a catalyst for this change in 2009. Recent advances in this area suggest that, at a population level, diets are shifting toward a reliance on hyper-palatable ultra-processed foods (UPFs) across the globe. While the development of UPFs was once strictly about creating convenient, mass-producible foods; with the increasing interest in alternative dietary patterns (ADPs) there is now a milieu of specialty UPFs marketed towards individuals consuming lower-carbohydrate and plant-based diets. Common lower-carbohydrate diets include the ketogenic diet (KD) and low-carbohydrate, healthy fat (LCHF) diet, while the vegan (VEGAN) and vegetarian (VEGE) are common plant-based diets. Despite the growing interest and number of UPFs available for these once-niche groups, little is known about the translation of dietary guidelines into practice and how the availability of UPFs impacts overall diet quality (DQ) in these individuals. This research aimed to explore the DQ of adults adhering to ADPs for at least 6-months using a modified questionnaire and two novel food classification systems. Methods: In this pilot study, a modified online dietary habits questionnaire was developed and disseminated; results were interpreted using the NOVA (not an acronym) and HISS (Human Interference Scoring System) food classification tools. Participants were recruited via social media platforms between Friday 26th August and Sunday 18th September 2022 and responded to the questionnaire, anonymously, via Qualtrics. Data were quantitatively analysed using descriptive and parametric statistics (oneway repeated measures ANOVA, two-way repeated measures ANOVA and linear regression) in the software programme, JASP (version 0.16.3.0). Results: There was a total of 168 responses comprising 56 KD (m=16, f=39), 66 LCHF (m=13, f=53), 14 VEGAN (m=4, f=10), and 32 VEGE (m=5, f=27). Respondents were predominantly of European descent, female, and classified as moderate-income professionals. Analysis of DQ revealed that individuals adhering to a lower-carbohydrate diet (either KD or LCHF) tended to consume a smaller proportion (% of total serves) of their diet from UPFs and a larger proportion from unprocessed and minimally processed foods (KD 53 ±12; LCHF 51 ±13). There was a statistically significant difference in NOVA% among the four ADPs F(6.150, 336.184) = 8.285, p < 0.001, with a medium effect size (η²= 0.063). Food groups contributing to intake in NOVA 1 (minimally processed food category) and NOVA 4 (ultra-processed food category) were similar among lower-carbohydrate individuals and plant-based individuals respectively. There was an inverse relationship between perceived and actual DQ, and NOVA and HISS were only similar across the fourth level of processing (UPFs). These data show that diet quality assessment tools can be applied to a range of dietary patterns. Conclusion: These data indicate that in free-living individuals, DQ (as assessed by the proportion of dietary intake as a number of serves, across different levels of food processing) is higher among those adhering to lower-carbohydrate diets compared to those adhering to plant-based diets. However, these individuals are not exempt from the consumption of UPFs or the belief that their diet quality is superior to what it is. Future research should explore the difference in DQ in larger samples, validate existing tools for the quantification of DQ and assess whether there are safe thresholds for the consumption of UPFs in the context of different dietary patterns.
Attachment Insecurity and Psychological Intimate Partner Abuse: A Scoping Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Woodd, Anna
Behavioural Biometrics: A Novel Approach to User Authentication in Information Systems Security
(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Mulligan, Joshua
As information technology (IT) evolves, user authentication has shifted towards innovative approaches, with behavioural biometrics (BB) emerging as a leading contender. However, there are no studies that investigate the factors that shape user acceptance and trust in the biometric authentication systems. This dissertation employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to investigate these focusing on behavioural biometrics. Past studies indicate that there is immense potential for BB as a robust authentication method to enhance user acceptance and trust. Therefore, this examination of the existing literature aims to provide a nuanced understanding of trust in IT and its intersection with BB. The outcomes of this study will inform the refinement of biometric technologies and provide crucial insights for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, advancing secure and user-friendly digital authentication solutions in an ever-evolving technological landscape. By employing an SLR methodology, this research endeavours to bridge existing gaps. Based on a review of 88 articles, it is evident that the quality of data related to BB is often inconsistent, with inadequate quality assessment and poor reporting of detailed information. This study presents key reporting items to improve the transparency and comparability of future research on user authentication and adoption. It also emphasizes that user trust and acceptance of BB are poorly assessed and reported in both empirical and conceptual research, as well as across multiple industries. Additionally, it highlights common challenges faced by BB applications, including regulatory, technical, social, and research-related issues that need to be addressed for progress in the field.
Childhood Toothbrushing Behaviours and their Association with Personal and Family Characteristics among Pacific Children in New Zealand
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Hanif, Naailah Zahraa
Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common non-communicable disease among children worldwide. In New Zealand, ECC among Pacific children is significant and pervasive. Toothbrushing twice daily is an effective self-care measure for preventing ECC. However, no studies have investigated longitudinal patterns of toothbrushing. Additionally, no studies have investigated personal and family characteristics associated with childhood toothbrushing behaviours among Pacific children. This research aimed to investigate childhood toothbrushing behaviours among Pacific children in New Zealand and determine whether toothbrushing behaviours are associated with personal and family characteristics. The first objective of this study was to identify and describe early childhood toothbrushing trajectories among Pacific children in New Zealand. The second objective was to investigate the strengths of association between toothbrushing behaviours and personal and family characteristics. A quantitative methodology was utilised to conduct data analysis from a birth cohort study, the Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study. The current study analysed personal and family characteristics data from the 6-weeks postpartum, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9-year phases of the longitudinal PIF study. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to assign children into distinct groups based on their toothbrushing frequencies reported at ages 4, 6 and 9-years. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to examine the strength of potential personal and family characteristics with the toothbrushing trajectories. Four distinctive trajectories of toothbrushing behaviours were identified: these were characterised as ‘adoption’ (19.3%), in which children adopted the favourable behaviour of brushing twice daily; ‘cessation’ (15.7%), in which children stopped brushing twice daily; ‘consistent’ (21.9%), in which children brushed twice daily at all ages; and ‘inconsistent’ (43.1%), in which children had mixed brushing frequencies. After controlling for personal and family characteristics, children of mothers who brushed twice daily had a lower risk of following the ‘adoption’ trajectory than the ‘consistent’, which was also true for children in home-owning families. Male children had a higher risk of following the ‘inconsistent’ toothbrushing trajectory than the ‘consistent’, relative to female children. Children of 2 mothers brushing at least once daily, children using children’s toothpaste, and children with higher maternal education had a lower risk of following the ‘inconsistent’ trajectory than the ‘consistent’. Children of mothers who economised on fruit and vegetables at ages 4 and 9years were significantly more likely to follow an unfavourable toothbrushing trajectory than those who never had to economise. This study established that four distinct trajectories of toothbrushing can exist among Pacific children in New Zealand and were closely associated with parents’ socioeconomic advantage and mothers’ oral self-care behaviours. The findings provide stakeholders, such as policymakers, with evidence to remove financial barriers to toothbrushing. The findings also suggest that toothbrushing behaviour interventions targeting young children should focus on both the children and their caregivers, particularly novice or socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers. Further research examining toothbrushing trajectories into adulthood and associated oral health outcomes among Pacific peoples in New Zealand will help to better understand the current study’s findings.
Clinicians’ Lived Experience of Using the AIM3 Assessment Model to Assess Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Adolescents
(Auckland University of Technology, 2023) Hume, Tom
Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is a universal issue transcending class, race and economic status. The harm that HSB causes to individuals, families, and society cannot be overstated. However, the shame and secrecy around it make it a universal taboo, creating difficulties in discovering the true extent. As something which causes so much harm, it is vital that we have the tools to be able to intervene and to treat this behaviour to be able to create societies that are free from sexual abuse. The AIM3 is the tool that is used by specialist clinicians to assess the HSB exhibited by CYP, and to help establish goals for their clinical intervention. It does this by scoring the young person (YP) across five domains: sexual behaviour; general behaviour; developmental; environmental; self-regulation. This study explored the lived experience of clinicians who specialise in treating HSB, and their use of the AIM3 model of assessment in this work. Six clinicians agreed to participate in this study, exploring their experiences of using the AIM3 in their work. Semi-structured interviews were used to look at their perspectives on this assessment model. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data that was collected from the interviews. Six key themes were identified which were then discussed in relation to current research on HSB and its occurrence in a New Zealand context. It was discovered that the clinicians had a very favourable view of the AIM3, although there were some areas of concern. Clinicians noted that cultural issues were sometimes invisible, and there was sometimes a risk of bias or subjectivity in scoring. Most of the clinicians felt as though those potential issues could be mitigated through their own experience, or through co-working.
Comparing the Perceived Orgasm Satisfaction and Responses to Orgasmic Difficulty of Heterosexual, Bisexual and Homosexual Women in New Zealand
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Gavelle, Java Cristina Taina
Introduction: This research will aim to compare the orgasmic satisfaction, orgasm difficulty and perceived partner response to orgasm difficulty women in New Zealand with different sexual orientations. The study uses a non-probability based convenience sampling in the form of an online self-report survey to gather information. Methods: The sample consisted of 667 women aged from 18 to 76 years old who identified as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. A Kruskal-Wallis was conducted to compare all three sexual orientation groups and orgasm satisfaction, orgasm difficulty and partner response to orgasm difficulty. More specific Mann-Whitney U tests followed these to see exactly where the differences lie between the groups. Results: There were no significant differences in orgasm satisfaction between the different sexual orientations. Significant differences in partner response to difficulty and orgasmic difficulties were observed across the different sexual orientation groups. Bisexual women reported the highest level of personal distress to orgasm difficulty, and both heterosexual and bisexual women reported higher levels of perceived partner distress to orgasm difficulty compared to homosexual women. Conclusion: This study contains several limitations; however, this study provides novel research into women of different sexual orientations and orgasm satisfaction, orgasm difficulty and perceived partner distress to orgasm difficulty.
Contributing Factors to Parental Stress and Health-Related Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
(Auckland University of Technology, 2023) Beattie, Seona Katherine
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a life-long neurodevelopmental condition often requiring substantial support from parents. Research has identified that parents of children with ASD tend to experience increased stress and lower quality of life (QoL) compared to parents of typically developing children. However, little research has investigated child factors related to ASD and the impact of these on parental stress and QoL in New Zealand. Aim: The present study aims to explore how the severity of child core ASD symptoms, child comorbidities, and problem behaviours might impact upon parent stress and health-related QoL (HR-QoL). Method: Using a quantitate approach and cross-sectional design, 494 parents of children with ASD were recruited for the study between August and September 2021 by voluntary sampling. Participants completed the Autism Impact Measure (AIM), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a comorbidities checklist, Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and Short Form-36 Questionnaire (SF-36) to assess parent-rated child factors and obtain self- rated measures of stress and QoL. Results: Pearons’s correlation analyses revealed all child factors and parent mental and physical HR-QoL were significantly associated with parent stress. The mental HR-QoL of parents declined significantly with increasing parental stress. Path analysis demonstrated that child problem behaviours significantly predicted mental HR-QoL directly, and indirectly with partial mediation via stress. Moreover, the only child factor significantly predicting parent physical HR-QoL was a positive direct effect observed from ASD symptom severity. Parental stress was a direct and significant predictor of QoL in both mental and physical health domains for parents of children with ASD. Conclusion and implications: Findings of the present study add to the body of literature investigating the impact of child factors on parent stress and quality of life for parents caring for a child with ASD in New Zealand. It has been highlighted that child factors can impact both the mental and physical HR-QoL of these parents, with mental HR-QoL most affected. The exploration of environmental and personal factors acting to mediate child variables and parent outcomes could further develop our understanding of how best to support parents and guide development of mental health intervention.
Deaf and Television News: Finding a Better Path to Knowledge
(Auckland University of Technology, 2011) Mulrennan, Danielle
Developing a Micropropagation System for Medicinal Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.)
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Domigan, Elizabeth Rose
The micropropagation of medicinal Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) offers an aseptic, scalable method for production and preservation of pharmaceutically elite Cannabis genotypes (strains) with specific chemical profiles. The present study investigated various factors influencing the establishment and progression of Cannabis through micropropagation. Four initial explant types (apical bud, second, fourth and sixth axillary nodes) and commercial genotypes (Amnesia, Glueberry Kush, Mokum’s Tulip and NZ Cheese) were used to investigate the establishment of Cannabis in vitro on 1⁄2 strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The in vitro progression of Cannabis on 1⁄2 MS medium across two rounds of plant tissue culture multiplication were investigated using secondary and tertiary explant material (shoot tips and axillary nodes) from responding apical bud explants across the four genotypes. The effect of plant growth regulator (PGR), meta-Topolin (m-T) at eight concentrations (0-5 μm/L) in MS medium supplemented with activated charcoal (0.5 g/L) was investigated using three genotypes (Amnesia, Glueberry Kush and Mokum’s Tulip), and the effect of activated charcoal was investigated using one genotype (Amnesia). The apical bud explant had the lowest rates of endogenous contamination (2%), highest rates of proliferation (97%) and the greatest provision of secondary plant material (3.84 average secondary explants). Genotype influenced the provision of secondary and tertiary explant material, proliferation response, canopy area, plant health and plant height. Plant health was affected by m-T concentration, with the best health achieved at 5 μm/L. Plants grown on PGR free MS medium had significantly higher shoot production, canopy area and plant height compared to media including m-T (at 2 and 5 μm/L). Activated charcoal supplementation was shown to negatively impact proliferation response, shoot production, canopy area and plant height. Findings from this study lay an important foundation for the development of a robust and replicable micropropagation system for medicinal Cannabis.
Do Social Norms Predict Equestrians' Likelihood of Using Safety Equipment?
(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Hathaway, Alexandra
Equestrian sports carry a high risk of injury. Despite the well known risks carried by these activities, there are still many riders who choose to not utilise safety equipment when working with horses. The current study examined whether social norms or differences in personality traits influenced riders’ decision to use various types of safety equipment. An online questionnaire (N = 115) was used to investigate whether agreeance with descriptive norms, injunctive norms, or differences in sensation seeking and conscientiousness predicted the use of helmets, protective vests, or safety stirrups. Consistent with prior research, the study found descriptive norms and injunctive norms both influenced the proportion of use of various safety equipment. More specifically, descriptive norms predicted the proportion of helmet and safety stirrup use, while personal and peer injunctive norms predicted the proportion of safety vest use. Sensation seeking was only found to be a predictor of helmet use and did not correlate to the proportion of safety vest or safety stirrup use. Conscientiousness was not found to be a predictor of any variable. The findings are significant within the equestrian community as they contribute to the understanding of what influences safety equipment use, allowing for more informed interventions to increase safe practices within equestrian sport.
Does Sibling Attachment Mediate the Effects of Parental Attachment on Future Romantic Relationships?
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Challa, Lalitha Sameera
Individual’s experiences with social relationships across adolescence, young adulthood and particularly during formative years in childhood are of substantial value in the context of well-being and health. Various scholars have researched the influence of parent and peer attachments on romantic relationships; however, little is known about the role siblings play in romantic relationships. A nation-wide survey in Aotearoa reported that 60% of families with children have more than two children (Statistics NZ, 2020). Accordingly, this research examined the links between sibling attachment, parental attachment, and romantic relationship quality. 151 students aged 18 or older, from the psychology department at the Auckland University of Technology answered an anonymous survey which explored their attachment with their parents, and siblings in childhood, and romantic partners in adulthood. Results from the data analysis reported sibling attachment to be the strongest predictor of romantic quality. In comparison, maternal attachment was a stronger predictor of romantic relationship quality, than paternal attachment. Furthermore, findings from the path analyses revealed that sibling attachment mediated the impacts of parental attachment on the quality of romantic relationships. Some of the study limitations included the sample being small and female dominated; however, recommendations for future research were discussed. Overall, the current study contributes to understanding how sibling attachments influence parental attachment impacts on romantic relationships, and highlights how attachments with various family members in early life plays into their romantic relationships. This research hopes to facilitate an exciting direction for future research around sibling and parental attachment.
Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on New Zealand’s International Trade in Dairy Products: An Empirical Investigation
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Deng, Fylgessio A A
The New Zealand dairy industry typically accounts for 30% of the global dairy exports. These exports contribute approximately $20 billion annually to the New Zealand economy. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 led to the closure of international borders and the implementation of restrictive measures, adversely impacting New Zealand's exports and imports of dairy goods, which has hitherto not been studied empirically. This study contributes empirically to the literature by investigating the extent to which COVID-19 impacted New Zealand's dairy exports and imports in 2020, whether the COVID-19 impact had been uniform or heterogeneous across the categories of dairy goods and over the months following the outbreak of COVID-19, and whether the existing regional trade agreements (RTAs) had alleviated this impact. To this end, we analyse, by applying the Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) method to the gravity model of international trade, the monthly bilateral trade data of dairy goods traded between New Zealand and 155 trading partners from January 2019 to December 2020. The findings of our research can be summarised as follows. First, except for whey and milk constituents, we find that COVID-19 significantly reduced the growth rates of New Zealand's dairy exports and imports in 2020. However, the reduction was more severe in the most traded product categories and the product categories most exposed to China's market. As China continues to pursue its zero COVID-19 approach, it is most likely that the exports of these product categories may continue to be adversely affected. Thus, this study emphasises (i) a diversification of New Zealand risks in terms of export markets and (ii) government support for the industry. Second, the economic impact of COVID-19 on New Zealand’s dairy exports and imports was different each month for most product categories. The effect was relatively stronger during the months associated with stricter COVID-19 containment measures, such as January to April 2020, when China locked down the Hubei province and 19 other provinces/regions. Third, RTAs helped mitigate the negative economic impact of COVID-19 on New Zealand’s dairy exports and imports, but New Zealand’s dairy imports benefited more than exports. This unequal impact of RTAs on New Zealand’s dairy exports and imports was partly due to the fact that New Zealand Dairy exporters face significant barriers in the form of high compliance costs of non-tariff measures (NTMs) – such as the 59 sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures imposed by China on dairy imports from New Zealand (TRAINS, n.d.) – which may not have been addressed even as part an RTA.
The Effect of Emotional Comments on Cortisol in Healthy Adults
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Brady, Niamh
Expressed emotion (EE), is a measure of the emotional temperature of the family environment which encompasses different interaction patterns and the quality of the relationships within the family. Evidence suggests that perceived EE is one of the major psychological stressors that predicts clinical outcomes in various mental disorders. Few studies have investigated the effect of EE on hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA)-axis activity suggesting the potential linear relationships. However, the level of perceived EE can be modulated by individual characteristics, such as negative mood and attachment with family. This study investigated the link between levels of the stress hormone cortisol and sensitivity to EE (through ratings of arousal and relevance), as well as attachment and psychological well-being (stress, anxiety and depression) using standardised psychometric measures among participants (N= 26). This study found that there was no significant correlation between cortisol levels and EE (arousal and relevance ratings) across the positive, critical, or neutral comment condition. The findings from this study suggest that salivary cortisol changes might be somewhat independent from self-report perception of EE, at least in healthy participants. However, individual sensitivity to criticism is likely to be heightened by ones perceived life stress, current depressive mood, and anticipation of punishment (or punishment and reward sensitivity). Further research is recommended to further investigate this link in depth with a larger sample and the addition of a clinical population to assess the differences and further validate the current findings.
Examining News Media Portrayals of Family Harm in Aotearoa: Is Animal Abuse Part of the Discourse?
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Singh, Nirisha
In New Zealand, domestic violence is a severe problem. The role of media products in depicting incidents and information related to domestic abuse, as seen in newspapers, highlights significant discrepancies. While there are many forms of abuse, the media tends to focus on physical violence rather than psychological abuse. The possibility for abuse directed toward pet companions to cause psychological harm to victims has been investigated through research. This study aims to investigate which forms of harm are most reported in New Zealand newspapers and whether animal abuse is reported in the context of family violence. A media content analysis of 77 newspaper articles was undertaken from July 5th to October 5th, 2021. According to the findings, physical and sexual abuse is most commonly reported in the news media. Furthermore, financial, psychological, and animal cruelty are rarely reported forms of emotional abuse. According to the study's findings, emotional forms of abuse are rarely covered in New Zealand newspapers, especially animal abuse. Limited coverage means the public's ability to understand family violence is hindered if they are uninformed of emotional forms of harm.
Experiences of Belonging for Malay Immigrant Youth in Aotearoa New Zealand: An Interpretive Description Study
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Harmi Izzuan, Husna Humaira Binti
Although Malay youth have been immigrating to New Zealand since the 1950s, little is known about their experiences of belonging in this country. Experiencing a sense of belonging in one’s community context is important to health and wellbeing. Without a sense of belonging, immigrant youth may struggle to form positive relationships with their peers, family members, and the wider community. A lack of belonging is associated with feeling excluded or marginalised. For these reasons, this interpretive description study will focus on a growing immigrant group within New Zealand's multicultural society known as Malay youth. Consistent with Wilcock’s assertion that people’s sense of being, belonging and becoming is grounded in what they do, the position taken in this dissertation is that a sense of belonging is developed through engaging in meaningful occupations. Accordingly, this study addressed the question, "How does participation in home- and community-based occupations influence the experiences of belonging in New Zealand for Malay immigrant youth?". Following ethics approval, this research was advertised on various channels that Malay youth accessed, such as community pages, university noticeboards, and school newsletters. Once potential participants expressed their interest, a purposive sampling method was used to select five Malay participants aged 14 to 21. An online focus group discussion was conducted to collect data. Then, thematic analysis techniques were used to analyse the transcribed data. All participants resided in Auckland, New Zealand, when this study was conducted. The findings of this study uncovered new knowledge concerning the experiences of belonging in New Zealand for Malay immigrant youth. The analysis revealed that participating in shared occupations that enabled Malay immigrant youth to retain their cultural beliefs and values created a positive sense of belonging in their community. This knowledge is reflected in the first theme: Preserving the Home Culture. At times, participants anticipated that joining in with community occupations would conflict with preserving their cultural beliefs and values, so they felt like A Social Outsider in New Zealand’s Youth Culture. To overcome this conflict, the Malay immigrant youth developed alternative ways of joining in with the community, which are reflected in the last theme: Strategies for Belonging. The knowledge obtained from this study is beneficial for improving healthcare practice as it provides health practitioners with new understandings of belongingness from a cultural perspective. Additionally, this research paves the foundation for future research with the Malay population that can be built upon to enhance information on New Zealand’s multicultural society.
Experiences of Pasifika Fathers Who Care for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Apulu-Pamatatau, Nicholas Iloa
This research explored the parenting experiences of Pasifika fathers’ caring for a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder living in New Zealand. Although caregiving is a highly examined topic that focuses on the challenges and demands placed upon caregivers and the resources that help caregivers overcome the challenges and demands, Polynesian parents being a specific area of interest is not greatly researched. Objective and subject burdens can sometimes outweigh resources which lead to stress, depression, and financial burdens. Caregivers manage burdens through several emotional, cognitive, and action-based coping mechanisms, which include, daily routine and planning, seeking social support and getting educated and aware of autism spectrum disorder. Despite being valuable and effective, most of the established models were developed from maternal data compared to paternal experiences which are relatively unaccounted for. The national documented strategies and guidelines, specifically the New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines (2008), and the most recent New Zealand Carers Strategy Action Plan 2019-2023, make it appropriate to embark on qualitative research to reach a level of in-depth and thorough understanding of Pasifika fathers’ experiences in New Zealand. Five Pasifika fathers were recruited to participate in this research through advertisements which were shared by two Pasifika focused support groups. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via zoom. An interpretive phenomenological analysis was utilised to distinguish three superordinate theme categories: Support, coping mechanisms, and emotional aspects of parenting experiences. These superordinate themes consisted of seven emergent themes: 1) Experiences of support, 2) Support for Pasifika fathers’, 3) Getting educated and aware, 4) Pasifika cultural norms, 5) Daily routine and planning, 6) Positive emotions, and 7) Negative emotions. Furthermore, a subtheme was also identified which was ‘Reaction to diagnosis,’ and was categorised under coping mechanisms, emergent theme three. Research results support previous literature which highlighted the concerns for caregivers with children with autism, in terms of unmet information requirements and insufficient respite services. Furthermore, results also conveyed the significance and applicability of current government and organisational schemes, and recommendations can be applied to Pasifika fathers caring for a child with autism.
Experiences of Pasifika Mothers’ Caring for a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Masi, Lesieli
This research explores the experiences of Pasifika mothers’ caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Even though caregiving is a well-researched area that focuses on the pressures and challenges that are imposed on caregivers and the resources accessible to help caregivers meet those needs. Pasifika caregiver experience is an area that is not quite looked upon. There are several emotional, cognitive, intervention and coping mechanisms such as daily planning, emotional neutrality, and receiving informational and social support, which are used to alleviate burdens. Despite being useful, several of these therapeutic models are based on studies regarding maternal populations. The New Zealand’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines (2008), and the latest New Zealand Carers Strategy Action Plan 2019-2023, make it suitable to perform qualitative research to procure an even more in-depth and thorough understanding of Pasifika mothers’ experiences of providing care in New Zealand. Five Pasifika mothers were invited to participate with the help of two Pasifika support groups. Data were collected via zoom semi-structured interviews, and an interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to recognise and pick out three superordinate themes: support, coping mechanisms and emotional aspects of caregiving. The superordinate themes included eight emergent themes: 1) Experiences of support, 2) Support for Pasifika mothers, 3) Information searching, 4) Daily routine and planning, 5) Comparisons with neuro-typical parenting, 6) Normalising ASD in Pacific cultures, 7) Emotional burden and 8) Positive emotions. The findings support prior studies and demonstrate the concerns regarding the inadequate supply of information and its understanding. The findings also suggest that the current organisational initiatives and guidelines are relevant and can be applied to the Pasifika population of mothers’ caring for an autistic child.
An Exploration of Women’s Motivations for and Experiences of Egg Freezing for Social Reasons: A Systematic Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Hathaway, Jo
Introduction: The increasing trend in developed countries of women delaying childbearing has led to an increase in oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons or social egg freezing (SEF), whereby women prolong their fertility by freezing their eggs for elective or social reasons. The aim of this systematic review was to gain an understanding of the motivations for and experiences of women who choose to undergo SEF. Methods: A systematic search of English language peer-reviewed journals of five computerised databases was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. No time restrictions were set. The five databases searched were MEDLINE and CINHAL Complete (using EPSCO Health as the host platform), Scopus, PsychINFO and Google Scholar with the aim to identify articles that examined women’s motivations for and experiences of SEF such as “egg freezing”, “fertility preservation” and “experience*“. The databases were searched up until August 2, 2021. 588 studies were identified. Results: After applying inclusion criteria thirteen studies were examined in this review. Extracted data was analysed using thematic synthesis with prominent themes identified. The most common motivating factor was lack of a suitable partner while a feeling of running out of time and utilising SEF as a back-up plan or to buy options were prime considerations. While overall satisfaction with SEF was typically reported, both empowerment and loneliness were common experiences along with a need for support and honest information to ensure realistic expectations. Conclusion: The predominant reason women are electively choosing to freeze eggs is lack of finding a suitable partner with whom to have children and a sense of declining fertility. The resulting experience of freezing their eggs leads to a sense of empowerment and gratitude in having a back-up plan even if SEF might not be successful. There is a significant gap in current research with respect to New Zealand women who have undergone SEF, therefore future research into their motivations and experiences would be invaluable. It is apparent that both men and women should be given earlier information about fertility in order to be aware of age-related fertility decline.

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