Maori women and dual ethnicity: Non-congruence, “passing” and “real Maori”

In this study, I wanted to explore the often uncomfortable experience of having dual ethnicity. I did this through open-ended interviews with nine women, who, like me, were aged between 20 and 30 and who identified as being of both Maori and Pakeha (or other) descent. While the women all identified as having dual ethnicity, as the interviews progressed it became clear that many of them had little pride in being of Pakeha descent and identified more strongly with their Maori heritage. In most instances the way they were identified by other people was incongruent with how the participants identified themselves. By virtue of having fair skin, many were able to “pass” as Pakeha. This provided them with certain advantages, notably being exempt from racist treatment. On the other hand, their appearance often resulted in them being labelled as not being a “real Maori.” Paradoxically, when they were identified as Maori, others, both Maori and non-Maori, sometimes expected them to be an expert in all things Maori. For most participants being a “real” Maori did not rely on looking Maori or on being able to speak Te Reo fluently. Instead, having whakapapa was considered the most essential element on which to base their Maori identity

The psychological implications of breast cancer: A review of the literature ; Shattered motherhood: Young mothers living with breast cancer

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review regarding the psychological implications of breast cancer, with a particular focus on younger women. In general due to their life stage, it appears that younger women have more problems with psychological adjustment to breast cancer compared to their older counterparts. Specifically, younger women appear to be more psychologically vulnerable to greater disruption to their daily lives due to the untimely nature of a breast cancer diagnosis, and have greater unmet practical needs, such as childcare. Limitations of the research literature are explored with specific attention to sample characteristics. Suggestions for future research are discussed based on methodological and conceptual issues. It is indicated that long-term outcome studies are required to strengthen the knowledge already attained within this field. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in females in Australia, and approximately 6% of women diagnosed with the disease are aged 40 or less. The experience of breast cancer in mothers of dependent children and the impact of breast cancer on mothers\u27 identities was the focus of this study. Eight women, with current or non-recurrent breast cancer, were interviewed using multiple case qualitative methodology from a feminist perspective as a theoretical framework. Six themes emerged from conducting the research and were centred on the participants\u27 identity as a mother: \u27breast cancer challenged my role as a mother\u27; \u27holding onto motherhood\u27; \u27mothering beyond the grave\u27; \u27I am a mother, not an object\u27; \u27help me to be a mother\u27 and; \u27I am a mother and I am still here\u27. The research found that the needs of mothers living with breast cancer, namely lack of instrumental and emotional support, are not being appropriately or adequately met. The study has implications for health care professionals regarding the psychological and social impact of breast cancer on mothers

Family law update: current issues in proprietary estoppel - Part 2

Natalie Gibson and Rebecca Kelly comment on (1) Davies (2) Davies v Davies [2016] EWCA Civ 463 and the doctrine of proprietary estoppel relating to parents and their daughte

Place peripheral : place-based development in rural, island, and remote regions

Place Peripheral offers, a compelling overview of rural, island, and remote regional practices the world over, though with a clear focus on the North Atlantic. In this grand sweep, we have sought to effectively counter the dominant paradigm and discourses of development with a re-articulation of place, location, leadership, and identity. We o(er these as key assets or resources, and as the bases for timely strategies that reconceptualize the future of these places, and perhaps in this way assure them of a future. In unabashedly championing place-based development, Place Peripheral offers an opportune counterpoint to the narratives of marginalization, inferiority, victimization, and dependency that often dominate the study of rural and small island development in Canada, the North Atlantic, and beyond. There are other stories to be told.peer-reviewe

Addressing Obstacles to Success: Improving student completion, retention and achievement in science modules in applied health programmes, with particular reference to Maori

The overall aim of our research project is to remove “the problem” of achievement in science for students in the nursing and midwifery programmes. Past students have reported science as difficult and time-consuming, and their achievement results reflected this. Science was seen as a barrier to overall course success (Gibson et al, 2005). Other research (Zepke, et al, 2006; Otrel-Cass et al, 2006) has focused on problems of retention and completion in the tertiary sector, thus locating the student or the tertiary context as the problem. Our research rests on a different proposition, arguing that the curriculum is at the root of “the problem”. We are adjusting the science curriculum in an attempt to make the links between science and practice more explicit, so that students might see greater relevance for their learning, make richer links to prior experience and more explicitly link the science to their chosen careers

A systematic review of worldwide cancer nursing research: 1994 to 2003

Kelly contributed to the conduct and choice of papers for the study, carried out a systematic review of one sixth of all the papers, contributed to the conclusion and helped to edit the final version of this paper

Adaptation and Feasibility Study of a Digital Health Program to Prevent Diabetes among Low-Income Patients: Results from a Partnership between a Digital Health Company and an Academic Research Team.

Background. The feasibility of digital health programs to prevent and manage diabetes in low-income patients has not been adequately explored. Methods. Researchers collaborated with a digital health company to adapt a diabetes prevention program for low-income prediabetes patients at a large safety net clinic. We conducted focus groups to assess patient perspectives, revised lessons for improved readability and cultural relevance to low-income and Hispanic patients, conducted a feasibility study of the adapted program in English and Spanish speaking cohorts, and implemented real-time adaptations to the program for commercial use and for a larger trial of in multiple safety net clinics. Results. The majority of focus group participants were receptive to the program. We modified the curriculum to a 5th-grade reading level and adapted content based on patient feedback. In the feasibility study, 54% of eligible contacted patients expressed interest in enrolling (n = 23). Although some participants' computer access and literacy made registration challenging, they were highly satisfied and engaged (80% logged in at least once/week). Conclusions. Underserved prediabetic patients displayed high engagement and satisfaction with a digital diabetes prevention program despite lower digital literacy skills. The collaboration between researchers and a digital health company enabled iterative improvements in technology implementation to address challenges in low-income populations

The Effects of Breastfeeding on Childhood BMI: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

Background Many studies have found a statistical association between breastfeeding and childhood adiposity. This paper investigates whether breastfeeding has an effect on subsequent childhood body mass index (BMI) using propensity scores to account for confounding. Methods We use data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative UK cohort survey, which contains detailed information on infant feeding and childhood BMI. Propensity score matching is used to investigate the mean BMI in children breastfed exclusively and partially for different durations of time. Results We find statistically significant influences of breastfeeding on childhood BMI, particularly in older children, when breastfeeding is prolonged and exclusive. At 7 years, children who were exclusively breastfed for 16 weeks had a BMI 0.28 kg/m 2 (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.49) lower than those who were never breastfed, a 2% reduction from the mean BMI of 16.6 kg/m 2 . Conclusions For this young cohort, even small effects of breastfeeding on BMI could be important. In order to reduce BMI, breastfeeding should be encouraged as part of wider lifestyle intervention. This evidence could help to inform public health bodies when creating public health guidelines and recommendations

The effects of breastfeeding on childhood BMI: a propensity score matching approach

This paper investigates the effect of breastfeeding on childhood body mass index (BMI). We use data from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), a nationally representative UK cohort survey, containing detailed infant feeding information, which allow us to explore the effects of a range of breastfeeding variables on the mean BMI of children breastfed for different durations and for exclusive and partial breastfeeding. Using propensity score matching, we find statistically significant influences of breastfeeding on childhood BMI, particularly in older children and when breastfeeding is prolonged and exclusive. The effects of breastfeeding on BMI are small in magnitude but large relative to the mean BMIs of children this age. At this young age, there is not a large difference in BMI between children who are identified as obese and those who are identified as normal weight, so even a small difference in BMI could mean the difference between children being overweight or a healthy weight. We suggest that breastfeeding should be encouraged as part of wider lifestyle interventions in order to help reduce BMI as well as improve other childhood outcomes. This could be important evidence for public health bodies when creating public health guidelines and recommendations