Browsing by Author "Herbert, Sarah"

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    Alcohol Use and Older Māori People: Reason for Further Investigation?
    (School of Psychology, Massey University, 2012) Herbert, Sarah
    When considering alcohol use in New Zealand, the focus is often on ‘binge drinking cultures’ of younger generations. However, this paper, based on a literature review, will illustrate the need to better understand alcohol use among older Māori people in New Zealand. There are a number of reasons for this. First, with the phenomenon of an ageing population older people will make up a significant proportion of the total population in the future and Statistics New Zealand (2006) predicts there will be a significant increase in the number of older Māori people in particular. Second, there is a wide range of health outcomes associated with alcohol use, both positive and negative which emphasize the need to better understand how alcohol may influence older people’s health and wellbeing. Third, research suggests that among older people in general, there are high rates of problematic alcohol use and it has been argued that these rates may be higher because, in many cases, problem drinking is not identified among older people. Specifically, research conducted in New Zealand indicates that a) alcohol use among older people is becoming an increasing area of concern and b) Māori people in particular are more likely to be engaging in hazardous alcohol use. However, very little research has been done to better understand alcohol use among older people and, in particular, alcohol use among older Māori. These factors emphasize the need for better understanding of older Māori people’s alcohol use in order to ensure their health and wellbeing in the future.
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    He tirohanga taurahere tangata : the social context of older Māori alcohol use in Aotearoa/New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2017) Herbert, Sarah
    Older Māori alcohol use is an area requiring immediate attention because: older Māori will make up a significant proportion of the future Māori population, there is clear and evidenced health impacts of alcohol use; including those related to older age, and, little is known about older people’s alcohol use, especially among older Māori. This thesis utilises a public health perspective and a social perspective of alcohol use to develop a nuanced understanding of the social context of older Māori alcohol use. Three exploratory studies were grounded in a Māori centred research approach. The first was an analysis of existing survey data to explore older Māori alcohol use, and its relationships to socio-demographic variables. This study identified two significant relationships: hazardous alcohol use among older Māori is related to social network membership, and binge drinking is related to Māori cultural identity. To explore the nature of these relationships the next stage of the project involved two qualitative studies to provide a broader social perspective of alcohol use. Study two explored the personal experiences of alcohol use among thirteen older Māori to understand the broader social location of Māori alcohol use. Findings from a thematic analysis of interview data highlighted four key social contexts in which Māori alcohol use occurs: a sporting culture, a working culture, the context of family, and Māori culture, and important social factors and key life events which influence Māori alcohol use across the lifetime. The third study drew on the shared perspectives of alcohol use among five kaupapa whānau (groups with a common purpose) comprising older Māori members, to understand the socially shared meanings of Māori alcohol use. Narrative analysis of the data revealed the importance of whanaungatanga (maintaining relationships) in determining older Māori alcohol use and their engagement in social environments where alcohol is present. These findings additionally highlight Māori cultural understandings of alcohol use. Overall, this thesis highlights three central features that contextualise Māori alcohol use: whānau (family); whanaungatanga; and diversity. This thesis suggests important shifts in theoretical approaches to understanding Māori alcohol use that will guide future research. Further, the findings provide suggestions for the development of culturally responsive alcohol policy and health promotion practice to better meet the health and wellbeing needs of Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
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    Ngā kiritea Māori : walking between two worlds : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Herbert, Sarah
    Current statistics illustrate the diversity of the Māori population in Aotearoa. Many Māori individuals do not necessarily "fit‟ the narratives used in contemporary society of what it means to be Māori, and this may affect their identity as Māori. In particular, those who do not physically look Māori but who identify as Māori and who have Māori whakapapa. I have termed these people ngā kiritea Māori. The research was grounded in a Māori centred qualitative research approach. Semi structured interviews were carried out with eight participants in order to obtain information around their experiences of growing up in Aotearoa and how these experiences helped or hindered them in their development of their Māori identity. In addition, the interviews drew out stories about what their Māori identity meant to them in today‟s society. These stories were analyzed using narrative analysis to explore some of the factors that affect Māori identity development. Five public narratives were identified: „Māori/Pākehā division‟, "Māori as second class citizens‟, "The ideal Māori figure‟, „Māori as the sports hero‟ and „Valorisation of Māori‟. Within the personal stories there were four identified themes: „The desire to connect to things Māori‟, "The importance of whakapapa‟ "Painful and conflicting journey‟s‟, and „Positive Māori identities‟. The analysis reveals how participants drew on the public narratives as a way of explaining their own personal stories and how the public narratives contributed to the four personal themes identified. This research will not only contribute to the limited literature existing on ngā kiritea Māori identities but it will also provide a means for ngā kiritea Māori voices to be heard in Aotearoa.