AUT - Asian Projects

AUT
AUT
Centre Banner
Main Content

Asian Projects

To go back to the Centre for Asian and Migrant Health Research home page, click here.

Projects and publications are detailed below:

Current Projects

Migrant fathers' experiences of fathering in a new country: Implications for health and social service providers

In the transition to fatherhood, many men feel overwhelmed or excluded by service providers. However, male-friendly health and social services that readily provide prior guidance can increase involvement and participation, which is linked with positive outcomes for the whole family. New migrant and refugee men are a growing group in New Zealand but little is known about how they manage the transition to parenthood in a new country. This project aims to investigate how the transition to fatherhood is managed and what the needs of migrant and refugee fathers are, including the role of social and psychological factors. It builds on previous research undertaken by Ruth DeSouza and colleagues about the issues for migrant and refugee mothers in New Zealand and current research that is being undertaken about the responses of health professionals to migrant parents.

Funded by: National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research

Principal researchers:

Associate/community

researchers:

Ruth DeSouza, David Cooke 

John Wong, Chinese New Settlers Services Trust, Anil Thapliyal, Gus Li

Improving health interventions and support for mothers experiencing disability

Centre staff are involved in a Health Research Council funded project to investigate “Improving health interventions and support for mothers experiencing disability“ being run by staff from the Person Centred Rehabilitation Team.

AUT Migration and Settlement Research Group

The Centre for Asian and Migrant Health Research is pleased to launch AUT's Migration and Settlement Research Group. The group is open to staff and students from AUT who have a broad interest in migration and settlement issues. The goal is to develop networks, share research journeys and provide opportunities for collaboration and support (as well as have some fun). The first session was on 7 March with two presentations: Dr Wanzhen Gao spoke about cervical cancer screening and women from mainland China (click here to see the presentation), and Nick Garrett presented research findings about Chinese access to services in Auckland (click here to see the presentation).

July 2007: Dr Theresa Madden began her Associate Professor position at AUT in 2007, having previously served as the Colgate visiting periodontist at the University of Otago School of Dentistry. Prior to entering dental school, she completed a diploma in addiction counselling from John Hopkins University. She earned her PhD in microbiology/immunology from the University of Rochester in 1995. Theresa maintains academic affiliations with the Oregon Health and Science University where she is involved with several clinical research projects. The focus of her presentation was a discussion about one ongoing project whereby the study staff provides periodontal treatment for pregnant Hispanic women in the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. Birth outcomes are being followed subsequent to the intervention for these migrant and seasonal agricultural workers in rural Oregon, USA (click here to see the presentation).

March 2008: We then had two presentations from Grace Wong. The first looked at the associations between family factors, acculturation, and the risk of regular smoking among Asian youth in Youth2000, a nationally representative survey in New Zealand. The strong relationships between protective family factors and lower risks of smoking were not attenuated in the presence of indicators suggestive of acculturation. Grace's second presentation provided an overview of smoking and the New Zealand Asian population. It included smoking rates by individual Asian ethnic subgroup from the 2006 Census (click here to see the presentation).

Further meetings are being planned. If you are interested in attending please Email Ruth DeSouza on ruth.desouza@aut.ac.nz

The uptake of cervical screening in Chinese immigrants in Auckland: Pilot study

Research is scarce about the cervical screening uptake of Chinese migrants in New Zealand; however, coverage is thought to be lowest among Asian women. North American literature reveals that invasive cervical cancer is an important health problem for Chinese immigrants due to inadequate cervical screening uptake. In this study, 210 mainland Chinese women living in Auckland will be surveyed to investigate: a) cervical screening practices, b) barriers and facilitators to cervical screening, and c) knowledge of cervical screening and cervical cancer risk factors. Findings will assist policy makers, planners and service providers to enhance access to cervical screening services as well as guide future research.

Funded by: Auckland University of Technology

Principal researchers:

Wanzhen Gao, Ruth DeSouza, Janis Paterson 

The experience of traumatic birth and PTSD after childbirth: Perspectives of ethnic women

Ethnic women's experiences of traumatic birth and PTSD have not been researched. This is a qualitative pilot study with the specific aims being: a) To explore ethnic women's experiences of traumatic birth and PTSD following childbirth, b) To identify opportunities for policy development, and c) To identify opportunities for improvements in health service delivery for ethnic women.

Funded by: Auckland University of Technology

Principal researchers:

Nimisha Waller, Ruth DeSouza, Greg Lahood

 

Perinatal depression screening/assessment instruments and migrant women

The aims of this project are to: a) Find out how clinicians perceive how effective screening and assessment instruments currently used by Maternal Mental Health Services and General Practitioners in New Zealand are with migrant women, b) Ascertain what service providers want to achieve by assessing migrant clients, c) Ascertain how service providers use current assessment data and whether the assessments deliver the required information (including in terms of cultural/ ethnic variations and requirements), and d) recommend postnatal depression screening/depression instruments for use within a New Zealand context and assess their suitability for migrant populations.

Funded by: Auckland University of Technology
Principal researcher: Ruth DeSouza

Past Projects

During October 2007, AUT's Centre for Asian and Migrant Health Research and the Mental Health Foundation organised a symposium “Mental health in a changing world - the impact of culture and diversity“ to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. The free hui gave the 100 attendees an opportunity to network and share mental health promotion strategies happening in Auckland; hear feedback from stakeholders and the Chinese Like Minds Media Project to counter stigma and discrimination about mental Illness within the New Zealand Chinese Community and explore how other ethnic communities could develop similar programmes; and celebrate Mooncake Festival.

Barriers to help-seeking behaviour for problem gamblers and their family/whanau

Centre staff were involved in the project to investigate barriers to help-seeking behaviour for problem gamblers and their families/whanau being run by the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre. In particular, staff from the Centre for Asian and Migrant Health Research took responsibility for the Asian aspects of the project as well as the literature review.

Chinese university students' coping and wellbeing

This project was a pilot study to examine the adjustment and mental health status of Chinese students in New Zealand. This included comparison of migrant and sojourner (international) students. Outputs from this study are expected to assist in the design of more extensive studies of Asian and international students and the development of intervention programmes aimed at enhancing adjustment to student life and reducing psychopathology.

Funded by: Auckland University of Technology
Principal researchers:

Max Abbott, Sai Wong, Wilson Young, Ming Au, Samson Tse, Sue Wong, Vivian Cheung

International Student Pilot

The number of international students and recent migrants enrolled in New Zealand tertiary institutions has increased markedly in recent years. International research on the experiences of recent migrant and overseas (sojourner) students indicates that while most make positive adaptations, many experience difficulties that have adverse impacts on their health, social relationships and academic performance. This study aimed to find out what factors are associated with positive and negative adjustment and to assist key stakeholder groups at AUT and other tertiary institutions to develop programmes that will promote the health and wellbeing of international students.

Funded by: Auckland University of Technology
Principal researchers: Max Abbott, Ruth DeSouza, Nick Garret

The adjustment to parenting for ethnic women (becoming a mother in a new country)

This project examined the adjustment to parenthood in a new country for migrant mothers. Focus groups were held with women from five communities. Research on parenting often omits the experiences of ethnic women; a growing community in New Zealand. This project addressed this gap in knowledge through exploring the parenting experiences of ethnic women in order to identify possible improvements in policy and service delivery relating to health and social practice including community-based strategies. Motherhood and migration are both major life events. When they occur together this can be a significant precursor to mental health problems; research shows that this dual transition can be mediated effectively with appropriate support.

Funded by: Families Commission and Royal New Zealand Plunket Society Volunteers

Principal researchers:

Associate researchers:

Community researchers:

Ruth DeSouza, Elaine MacFarlane

Wanzhen Gao, Rose Joudi, Paula Foreman

Rezwana Nazir, Lorna Wong, Nagiba Mohamed, Hyeeun Kim, Catherine Hong, Shery Orton, Stephanie Shennan

New Zealand Definition of “Asian” Workshop

The Centre for Asian and Migrant Health Reasearch at AUT, the University of Auckland and Victoria University co-hosted a workshop in Auckland on 29 July 2005 to discuss the use of the term “Asian“ as well its implications, in health research, policy development and community engagement. Access the document here.

Accident Compensation Corporation Report

This report details Chinese access to services. Analysis was performed on data collected through a Chinese Health and Social Sciences Survey in 2001 and completed by 2,010 individuals. Respondents were asked for their views on a number of agencies including hospital services, local government councils, Inland Revenue Department, Police and Accident Compensation Corporation. The report is available here.

Funded by: Accident Compensation Corporation
Principal researchers: Ruth DeSouza, Nick Garrett

Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use/Abuse in New Zealand.

An Asian Perspective: A Background Paper

This paper reviews the existing literature in order to explore the factors associated with increased risk of substance misuse amongst Asian populations in New Zealand. It also raises concerns that may not yet have been recognised or responded to in current alcohol and drug service provisions. This is the first paper which addresses substance misuse for Asian populations within a New Zealand context and could shed some light on, and enhance understanding of, the current situation.

Funded by: Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand
Principal researcher: Vivian Cheung

Publications

Some of our publications:

Gao, W., DeSouza, R., Paterson, J., & Lu, T. (In press). Factors affecting uptake of cervical cancer screening among Chinese women in New Zealand. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Gao, W., DeSouza, R., Paterson, J., & Lu, T. (2008). Demographic predictors of cervical cancer screening in Chinese women in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1277), 8-17.

Wood, P., Bradley, P., & De Souza, R. (2008). Mental Health in Australia and New Zealand. In R. Elder, K. Evans & D. Nizette (Eds.), Practical perspectives in psychiatric and mental health nursing (Second ed., pp. 86-107). New South Wales: Mosby, Elsevier Australia.

O’Brien, T., Morrison-Ngatai, E., & De Souza, R. (in press). Providing culturally safe care In P. Barker (Ed.), Psychiatric and mental health nursing: The craft of caring (Second ed., pp. 635-643). London: Arnold.

Williamson, A., & DeSouza, R. (Eds.). (2008). Researching with communities. Auckland: Muddy Creek Press.

DeSouza, R. (2008). Socio-cultural enablers and barriers to breastfeeding for migrant mothers in New Zealand. In Breastfeeding and Family Wellbeing. Wellington.

DeSouza, R. (2008). Wellness for all: The possibilities of cultural safety and cultural competence in New Zealand. Journal of Research in Nursing, 13(2), 125-135.

DeSouza, R. (2008). Maternal mental health. In Postgraduate certificate in primary health care speciality nursing: Community child and family health promotion programme. Royal NZ Plunket Society and Whitireia Community Polytechnic. Auckland.

Desouza, R. (2008). Migrant women's health. In Postgraduate certificate in primary health care speciality nursing: Community child and family health promotion programme. Royal NZ Plunket Society and Whitireia Community Polytechnic. Auckland.

DeSouza, R. (2007). Relationships as resources for mental health. Mindnet, 11. Available here.

DeSouza, R. (2007). The ultimate engagement of life: Being mentally healthy. Asian Magazine, 4. Available here.

DeSouza, R. (2007). Sifting out the sweetness: Migrant motherhood in New Zealand. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.). Reproduction, childbearing and motherhood: A cross-cultural perspective (pp 239-251). New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Williamson, A., Kennedy, D.M., DeSouza, R. & McNaught, C. (2007). Managing intellectual capital and intellectual property within software development communities of practice. In M.E. Jennex (Ed.) Knowledge management: Concepts, methodologies, tools and applications (pp. 3315-3327). Hershey: PA: Information Science Reference. Reprinted from S. Clarke & E. Coakes (Eds., 2006), Encyclopaedia of communities of practice in information and knowledge management (pp.364-374). Hershey, PA: Idea Group Reference. 

DeSouza, R. (2007). Walking a tightrope: Asian health research in New Zealand. Diversity in Health and Social Care, 4 (1), 9-21.

DeSouza, R. (2007). The arts: Opening shafts of light into other worlds. In Creative New Zealand, Auckland City Council & ASB Community Trust (Eds.), Asian New Zealanders and the arts: Attitudes, attendance, participation in 2006. (pp.48). Auckland: Creative New Zealand, Auckland City Council, ASB Commmunity Trust.

DeSouza, R. (2007). Editorial: How can nurses truly celebrate cultural diversity? Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand, 13 (4), 2.

Desouza, R. (2007). Multicultural relationships in supervision. In D. Wepa (Ed.), Clinical supervision in the health professions: The New Zealand experience (pp. 96-109). Aukland: Pearson Education.

Pavagada, R. & DeSouza, R. (2007). Culture and mental health care in New Zealand: Indigenous and non-indigenous people. In K. Bhui & D. Bhugra (Eds.), Culture and mental health (pp. 245-260). London: Hodder Arnold.

DeSouza, R. (2006). New spaces and possibilities: The adjustment to parenthood for new migrant mothers. Blue Skies Report No. 13/06. Wellington: The Families Commission. Available here.

DeSouza, R. (2006). Sailing in a new direction: Multicultural mental health in New Zealand. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 5 (2).

DeSouza, R. (2006, June). Pregnant with possibility: Migrant motherhood in New Zealand. Mindnet (Winter edition). Available here.

DeSouza, R. & Williamson, A. (2006, July). Representing ethnic communities in the media. Aotearoa Ethnic Network Journal, 1. Available here.

DeSouza, R. (2006). Researching the health needs of elderly Indian migrants in New Zealand. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 20 (1,2), 159-170.

DeSouza, R. (2006). Walking upright here: Countering prevailaing discourses through reflexivity and methodological pluralism. Muddy Creek Press, New Zealand.

DeSouza, R. (2006, May). New Zealand church life is an example of cultural integration. Indian Catholic.

DeSouza, R. (2006, May). The baby's fine but how are you? Migrant News, 3 (27), 6.

DeSouza, R. (2006, May). Mutual sustenance: Goan women and the Catholic church in New Zealand. Goanet Reader.

DeSouza, R. (2006, Feb). Even turned down for a petrol pump job. Migrant News, 3 (26), 6.

DeSouza, R. (2005, Nov-Dec). Asian health in Aotearoa. Migrant News, 3 (24), 12.

DeSouza, R. (2005, Sep). Migration and mental health. Migrant News, 3 (22), 16.

Foley, R. & DeSouza, R. (2005). Asia in New Zealand and beyond. Presented at the Asia in New Zealand Research Symposium, University of Otago, Dunedin. 7 February.

DeSouza, R. (2005). Postnatal mental health. In A. Hodren (Ed.), Royal New Zealand Plunket Society National Resource Manual (pp. 72-77). Wellington: Royal New Zealand Plunket Society.

DeSouza, R. (2005). Working with migrant and refugee women. In A. Hodren (Ed.), Royal New Zealand Plunket Society National Resource Manual (pp. 72-77). Wellington: Royal New Zealand Plunket Society.

DeSouza, R. (2005). Transforming possibilities of care: Goan migrant motherhood in New Zealand. Contemporary Nurse, 20 (1).

Wood, P., Bradley, P. & DeSouza, R. (2004). Mental health in Australia and New Zealand. In R. Elder, K. Evans & D. Nizette (Eds.). Practical perspectives in psychiatric and mental health nursing (pp. 80-98). New South Wales: Elsevier Australia.

DeSouza, R. (2004). Working with refugees and migrants. In D. Wepa (Ed.), Cultural Safety (pp. 122-133). Auckland: Pearson Education New Zealand.

DeSouza, R. (2004). Motherhood, migration and methodology: Giving voice to the “other“. The Qualitative Report, 9 (3), 463-482. www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR9-3/desouza.pdf.

Abbott, M.W., Wong, S., Giles, L.C., Wong, S., Young, W., & Au, M. (2003). Depression in older Chinese migrants to Auckland. Australian & NZ Journal of Psychiatry, 37, 445-451.

Cheung, V. (2003). Asian young people and depression in Te Kete Whaiora, p.70-75. Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

Kolt, G.S., Chadha, N.K., Giles,.C., & Driver, R.P. (2002). Exercise participation motives in older Asian Indians. Psychological studies, 47 (1&2), 47-55.

Abbott, M.W., Wong, S., Williams, M.M., Au, M.K., & Young, W. (2000). Recent Chinese migrants health adjustment to life in New Zealand and primary health care utilisation. Journal of Disability & Rehabilitation, 22(1-2), 43-56.

Abbott, M.W., Wong, S., Williams, M.M., Au, M.K., & Young, W. (1999). Chinese migrants mental health and adjustment to life in New Zealand. Australian & NZ Journal of Psychiatry, 33(1), 13-22.

Last updated: 01 May 2009 11:33am

Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand | Copyright © 2009 | Privacy | Site map | IT support