Māori and Psychology: Research and Practice Symposium 1999

Permanent URI for this collection

https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/872

This collection contains the individual papers presented at the following symposium:

Robertson, N. (Ed). (1999). Māori and psychology: Research and practice. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the Māori & Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Thursday 26th August 1999. Hamilton, New Zealand: Māori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 11

Ethnicity and deliberate self-injury: A review of the literature
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Wilson, Cate
Deliberate self-injury is a significant social problem affecting youth in New Zealand. Rates of hospitalisation for youth (aged 15 to 19) from deliberate self-injury approximate 225 per 100,000. It appears that the rates for Maori and women are significantly higher. From 1987 to 1993, an average of 488 Maori women per 100 000 population have been hospitalised each year (Ministry of Health: Manatu Hauora, 1996). This paper draws upon both local and international literature to examine factors underlying this ethnic disparity. There is a wealth of literature examining risk factors underlying suicidal behaviour as a whole. Deliberate self-injury is usually assumed to be an adjunct of youth suicide; prevention strategies are conflated. This paper argues that this assumption is untenable, and in particular, that prevention strategies designed for youth suicide are problematic in terms of deliberate selfinjury. While prevention strategies are based upon studies that do not differentiate between these groups, results will be compromised.
Maori women and research: Researching ourselves
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia
This was the closing keynote address at the Student Symposium organized by the Maori & Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato, Hamilton in August 1999. Most of the people attending were Maori, and female, and I spoke to, for, and about us. The speech was transcribed from an oral address with transparencies, and has been revised here for this publication.
Maori and epilepsy: Personal perceptions of the cause, treatment and consequences of epilepsy by Maori in the Bay of Plenty
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Simonsen, Kiri
This paper discusses the perceptions of epilepsy held by Maori in the Bay of Plenty. The paper begins by introducing the purpose and rationale of the research. It then moves on to describe the aims and qualitative research methods that were used to collect the data. Finally the paper discusses the findings of the research, this includes: a close look at the unique perceptions of epilepsy that were reported by Maori in the Bay of Plenty; the lack of resources and services available in a small rural town of the Bay of Plenty; the services desired by Maori; attitudes towards medication and the inappropriate behaviour many of the participants experienced by the medical profession.
Contemporary attitudes to traditional facial ta moko: A working paper
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Rua, Mohi
Until it came under serious attack from nineteenth century missionaries, ta moko was an integral part of traditional Maori society. Facial moko conveyed important information about identity, whakapapa and status. The process of receiving a moko was tapu and highly regulated. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of Maori receiving ta moko. Moko have been seen as a symbol of Maori pride and identity and have often been associated with political activism. This study set out to investigate the contemporary meaning of ta moko, the reactions wearers encounter from others and the ways wearers cope with those reactions. Three case studies are presented. These show that the issues of personal identity and whakapapa were central to the meaning wearers attached to their moko. Receiving a moko was often associated with significant personal changes and an increased political commitment to Maori self determination. On the whole, positive reactions were more common than negative reactions but wearers did find themselves subjected to racist and antagonistic responses. Wearing moko was also reported to mean that others, particularly other Maori, placed certain expectations on the wearer, notably to be fluent in te reo and to be able to exercise leadership. Participants considered that there was a need for education about the significance of ta moko and recommended that those contemplating receiving a moko ensure that they are reasonably fluent in te reo.
Ya got ta know when ta hold ‘em: Maori women and gambling
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Morrison, Laurie Elena
Gambling among Maori women is under-researched. In this study, I interviewed thirty Maori women to investigate how they got involved in gambling, what maintained their gambling and what they thought might help to moderate their gambling. I found that the whanau was central to understanding these issues. As children, my participants were exposed to gambling within their whanau. As adults, whanau and other social support relationships were an integral part of their gambling, which most commonly occurred in the context of card schools and housie. A sense of reciprocity was important in both forms of gambling. Card schools were reported to be close-knit groups within which the money circulated, giving all a chance to win. By playing housie, the women felt that they were contributing to the welfare of their marae. Through the social bonds of gambling and the acquisition of skills, gambling contributed to these women’s sense of identity. On the other hand, financial and relationship difficulties were identified as negative consequences of gambling. The women felt there was a need for Maori-focused services for problem gambling.

Recent Submissions