AWA: Academic Writing at Auckland
Title: Maori problem gambling
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Copyright: Rochelle Newport
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Description: Research proposal using Maori stories as the framework, description and solutions for Maori problem gambling.
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Writing features
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Maori problem gambling
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Te Timatanga: Preface Kaupapa Maori theory is about making space for Maori visions, knowledge and voices within academia. It is a process of transformation and reclamation that is Maori-centric. Transformation through challenging the hegemony and reclamation of the validity of Maori knowledge(G. H. Smith, 2003). In support this essay will present a research proposal using Maori stories as the framework as opposed to a traditional research proposal. Tenei au, tenei au Tihei mauri ora! It was Tane-Nui-a-Rangi who ascended to the heavens to bring to earth the three baskets of knowledge: Te Kete Tuauri, Te Kete Tuatea and Te Kete Aronui. As a research proposal is the beginning of a western quest for knowledge, this tauparapara represents the quest for knowledge, education and enlightenment within a Maori paradigm. Tuauri is the basket of ritual, memory and prayer or a connection to a greater power. In this context Tuauri refers to the benefit to Maori of the proposed research. Tuatea basket of evil/Maketu, this is the basket of balance. If health and wellbeing is the aim, Tuatea, the balance, is illness and barriers to health. Aronui, basket of knowledge to help man, this basket contains all the knowledge that supports wellbeing, the research aims to add to this Kete. Gambling in New Zealand is a billion dollar industry. Last year alone gambling expenditure was $2 billion dollars (Department of Internal Affairs, 2010). For most gambling is a form of recreation, for some, their gambling becomes problematic, impacting on their wellbeing (Ministry of Health, 2009). Evidence from the 2006/2007 health survey shows that the impacts of problem gambling is not evenly distributed in the population, Maori and Pacific people are disproportionately affected by problem gambling and have a higher prevalence of problem gambling (Ministry of Health, 2009). Yet they are less likely to access phone and face to face treatment services (Ministry of Health, 2009). Barriers to help seeking have been identified (Clarke, Abbott, DeSouza, & Bellringer, 2007) the factors which supported Maori help seekers to access help and complete treatment has not. The aim of this research is to determine what enabled help-seeking behaviour among Maori problem gamblers. The proposal will be presented in three Kete. Te Kete Tuatea contains the background, the prevalence of problem gambling and the barriers to treatment. Te Kete Aronui contains the aim, objectives, description of the research and expected outcomes. Te Kete Tuauri, contains a brief discussion on how this research will benefit Maori.
Te Kete Tuatea: Problem gambling: the evidence The prevalence of problem gambling is higher in low socioeconomic areas (Ministry of Health, 2009), (Wheeler, Rigby, & Huriwai, 2006) and Maori are at 4 times greater risk of being problem gamblers(Ministry of Health, 2009). Yet Maori are less likely to access telephone and other intervention services than New Zealand Europeans (Ministry of Health, 2009), (Ministry of Health, 2008). The risks factors for problem gambling identified by the Ministry of Health (2009) were:
These risks begin to identify why Maori have a greater prevalence of problem gambling as they have fewer qualifications and are more likely to live in poorer socio-economic circumstances (Statistics New Zealand, 2002). However a greater risk does not explain the lower usage of intervention services. This implies Maori experience access barriers. Socio-cultural beliefs, values and stigma were identified as a barrier to help seeking in a literature review by (Clarke, et al., 2007), who suggest addressing these values by adopting social policies that enhance help seeking behaviour. The proposed research supports this by providing the evidential foundation to base policy change upon.
Te Kete Aronui: Supportive knowledge and the proposed research description At present there are specialist, Maori, problem gambling treatment providers like He Waka Tapu in Christchurch or Oranga Hauora in Te Puia Springs. There are also mainstream providers like the Mason clinic in Auckland which incorporate Kaupapa Maori into their services. A Maori framework for treatment (Drury, 2007) has also been developed. However a literature search using the databases Medline, Pubmed and PsychINFO found no published articles on the experiences of Maori seeking help for problem gambling. The proposed research will address this knowledge gap by conducting qualitative research into the enablers of successful help seeking behaviour. It is proposed that there are intrinsic and extrinsic factors which encourage Maori through the process of treatment. These factors can then be utilised to promote addiction treatment and strengthen the design of problem gambling treatment programmes to better suit Maori needs. This will support better treatment outcomes for Maori. A small study on the impact of gambling on Samoans in Auckland (Perese & Faleafa, 2000) identified what helped and hindered help seeking behaviour for Samoan problem gamblers. This study suggests that research into problem gamblers experiences is feasible, and if the study were large enough, provide beneficial results.
Te tumanako: Aim To identify the enablers of help-seeking behaviour among Maori problem gamblers in order to address the unequal burden of problem gambling in Maori communities.
Nga whaainga: Objectives
This research will be conducted using a Kaupapa Maori research framework. This entails ensuring that this research will be developed and conducted in a way that is:
Developed from the principles of Kaupapa Maori theory accessed online at http://www.rangahau.co.nz/
This theoretical framework was chosen because it reflected the strengths based approach of the proposed research and because traditional approaches have not benefited Maori in the past. Research into health disparities has often taken a deficit approach. To challenge this the proposed research acknowledges the disparity between the problem gambling demographics of Maori and non Maori, but contests that there are strengths within Maori communities that can address the inequity. This is similar to the approach Linda Smith (1999) calls celebrating survival. “Celebrating survival is a particular sort of approach. While non-indigenous research has been intent on documenting the demise and cultural assimilation of indigenous peoples, celebrating survival accentuates not so much our demise but the degree to which indigenous peoples and communities have successfully retained cultural and spiritual values and authenticity” In contrast the western approach to indigenous research has often been a “Western discourse of the other”(L. Smith, 1999). This has led Maori to having a historical sense of distrust about research and how it has defined Maori worlds. “The word itself ‘research’, is probably one of the dirtiest words in the indigenous world’s vocabulary... it stirs up silence, it conjures up bad memories, it raises a smile that is knowing and distrustful”(L. Smith, 1999). This distrust leads to Maori being hesitant to participate in research; however Kaupapa Maori addresses this by putting the ownership of the research in Maori hands by being by Maori for Maori. Maori are then in control of what is researched, how it is researched, then how the information obtained is disseminated. However the participatory approach of Kaupapa Maori research requires the researcher to be able to negotiate with Maori communities (Te Whare Wānanga o Awānuirangi, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Māori and Indigenous Research Institute (IRI), & The University of Auckland). This can make the research process more difficult to navigate, as more than the researchers view must be considered. Under a western model, the need to consider more than one view is diminished. The western model is ‘expert’ driven. This makes the process easier for the researcher, but it is not inevitable that the research will be beneficial for the researched. “research was talked about both in terms of its absolute worthlessness to us, the indigenous world, and its absolute usefulness to those who wielded it as an instrument” (L. Smith, 1999). The proposed research takes a strengths based approach by investigating the factors that supported Maori through their treatment. The research will consist of standardised, open ended, one on one interviews and focus groups with participants who have accessed and successfully completed treatment. These data collection methods are appropriate for this study and fit within Kaupapa Maori theory as it gives the participants the Mana to define what was important for them and still have some structure to the interview. According to Rangahau.co.nz, qualitative methods distribute power between participant and researcher (although it can happen using quantitative methods) and using one on one interview and focus groups work well with Maori participants (Te Whare Wānanga o Awānuirangi, et al.). The combination of one on one interviews and focus groups is to address the limitations around the sensitivity of the information provided by participants and how that might affect the level at which participants share their information. Addiction is a sensitive issue. The impacts of problem gambling can extend beyond the individual, and be very personal (Ladouceur, Boisvert, Pepin, Loranger, & Sylvain, 1994). By having a combination of focus groups and one on one interviews, participants can choose to share their stories in either an open forum (focus groups) or privately through one on one interviews. Participants will be identified by working in partnership with existing Maori treatment providers and will be recruited from the treatment provider’s client lists. The providers will also be invited to be participatory in the development of the survey along with Mana whenua of the rohe. This is to address the anticipated limitations of ‘ownership’ and sharing of information. Providers may feel that the research will assess their programmes efficacy and may not be willing to share their client details to the research team. By including them in the development, they will be aware from the outset that the focus is on the participants experiences, not comparing treatment programmes. It also allows them to fulfil their duty of care to their clients, as they will be able to have input into the research to ensure that their clients are respected and valued. As this is a Kaupapa Maori research, mana whenua will also be asked to participate to ensure that the research is approached in a way that aligns with the tikanga of their rohe. Evidence shows that working in partnership is beneficial for the communities involved, ensures sharing of local expertise and skills that the researcher may be unaware of and results in the partners sharing a sense of ownership over the information garnered(Macaulay et al., 1999). This is makes this approach in line with Kaupapa Maori tikanga. The focus groups and one on one interviews will be tape recorded then transcribed for analysis. The data will be evaluated using constant comparative analysis to identify common themes and rank their importance according to how often they occur. Once these themes have been identified, the research team can then begin to investigate how these themes could be utilised in the promotion of problem gambling treatment and the delivery of problem gambling treatment services. This analysis will be done in consultation with representatives from the treatment providers. In order to protect the participant’s privacy no identifying details will be kept other than gender and age. Any reference to the provider they received treatment from, names of staff or any other names will be removed from the transcripts. Those interpreting the data will be different from those who conducted the interviews. It is expected that this research will identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors that enabled Maori Problem gamblers to seek help and complete treatment. These factors can then be used to strengthen existing services or be used as a basis for the development of new treatment strategies that encourage more Maori participation.
Te Kete Tuauri - Benefits for Maori. This research will be beneficial for Maori on two levels. At a structural level it will add to a body of knowledge that is already lacking in Maori voices and allows for using Maori knowledge to strengthen Maori, addiction treatment programmes. On an individual level this research will be empowering for those who choose to participate and those the completed research will assist in the future. Self efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to assert control over one’s life, comes from being empowered(Hearn, 2004). This research will empower, the participants, by acknowledging the validity of their strengths and support systems. The research says to the participants “We want to know what unique strength in you enabled you to overcome an addiction that many others have not?” Then the question is asked “how can we develop that strength within others in the community?” Thus begins a process of empowerment among other Maori.
Nga Whakamutunga -Conclusions The unequal burden of problem gambling on Maori communities combined with the poorer access to treatment and the relative lack of Maori research in the area prompted this research proposal. Utilising Kaupapa Maori as a theoretical base, ensured that the research is conducted in a way that is supportive of Maori voices, and values Maori knowledge. It puts the focus of the research on how we as Maori can support each other to address the problems within our communities, and is not reliant on external descriptions or explanations of our world. The strengths based approach of the proposed research will empower Maori problem gamblers and create self efficacy among others. To challenge the hegemony of the western research model, this proposal is presented using Maori esoteric knowledge as the vehicle, embedding Kaupapa Maori theory within this proposal from inception to implementation. In doing so, this research proposal has become the author’s small attempt to acknowledge the power of Kaupapa Maori to address Maori needs and the Mana of those who pioneered it. Whether or not it is successful in its intent is to be determined, however the attempt is described in this pepeha:
References Clarke, D., Abbott, M., DeSouza, R., & Bellringer, M. (2007). An Overview of Help Seeking by Problem Gamblers and their Families Including Barriers to and Relevance of Services. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 5, 292 - 306. Department of Internal Affairs. (2010, 26 May 2010). Gambling Trends 2008/2009 Retrieved 26 May 2010, 2010, from http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Information-We-Provide-Gaming-Statistics?OpenDocument#exp Drury, N. (2007). A Powhiri Poutama Approach to Therapy. New Zealand journal of Counselling, 27(1). Hearn, S. (2004). Health Promotion: A Framework for Indigenouse Health Improvement in Australia. In R. Moodie & A. Hulme (Eds.), Hands On Health Promotion. Melbourne: IP Communications. Ladouceur, R., Boisvert, J., Pepin, M., Loranger, M., & Sylvain, C. (1994). Social cost of Pathological Gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 10(4). Macaulay, A., Commanda, L., Freeman, W., Gibson, N., McCabe, M., Robbins, C., et al. (1999). Participatory Research Maximises Community and Lay Involvement. British Medical Journal, 319(7217). Ministry of Health. (2008). Problem Gambling Intervention Services In New Zealand: 2007 service user statistics. Wellington. Ministry of Health. (2009). A Focus on Problem Gambling: Results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey. Wellington. Perese, L., & Faleafa, M. (2000). The Impact of Gambling on Some Samoan Peoples Lives in Auckland (pp. 90): Advisory Committee, The Compulsive Gambling Society of New Zealand. Smith, G. H. (2003). Kaupapa Maori Theory: Theorizing Indigenous Transformation of Education and Schooling. Paper presented at the Kaupapa Maori Symposium, Auckland New Zealand. http://www.aare.edu.au/03pap/pih03342.pdf Smith, L. (1999). Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Dunedin: University of Otago Press. Statistics New Zealand. (2002). Census Snapshot: Maori Retrieved 21 May 2010, 2010, from http://www.stats.govt.nz/reports/articles/census-snapshot-maori.aspx Te Whare Wānanga o Awānuirangi, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Māori and Indigenous Research Institute (IRI), & The University of Auckland. Rangahau: Kaupapa Maori Research Retrieved 20 May 2010, 2010, from http://www.rangahau.co.nz/ Wheeler, W., Rigby, J., & Huriwai, T. T. (2006). Pokies and Poverty: Problem Gambling Risk Factor Geography in New Zealand. Health and Place, 12, 86 - 96.
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