A Māori perspective of being and belonging

Rameka, Lesley

doi:10.1177/1463949118808099

Cited by 33 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…These different groups, and many more, separated by geography, culture and time, have described this phenomenon. The Māori worldview (te ao Māori) acknowledges the interconnectedness of all living and non-living things (Rameka 2018 ). The Raramuri worldview includes ‘Iwigara’: the total interconnectedness of all life, physical and spiritual (Salmón 2000 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Watts Connectedness Scale: a new scale for measuring a sense of connectedness to self, others, and world

et al. 2022

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Rationale A general feeling of disconnection has been associated with mental and emotional suffering. Improvements to a sense of connectedness to self, others and the wider world have been reported by participants in clinical trials of psychedelic therapy. Such accounts have led us to a definition of the psychological construct of ‘connectedness’ as ‘a state of feeling connected to self, others and the wider world’. Existing tools for measuring connectedness have focused on particular aspects of connectedness, such as ‘social connectedness’ or ‘nature connectedness’, which we hypothesise to be different expressions of a common factor of connectedness. Here, we sought to develop a new scale to measure connectedness as a construct with these multiple domains. We hypothesised that (1) our scale would measure three separable subscale factors pertaining to a felt connection to ‘self’, ‘others’ and ‘world’ and (2) improvements in total and subscale WCS scores would correlate with improved mental health outcomes post psychedelic use. Objectives To validate and test the ‘Watts Connectedness Scale’ (WCS). Methods Psychometric validation of the WCS was carried out using data from three independent studies. Firstly, we pooled data from two prospective observational online survey studies. The WCS was completed before and after a planned psychedelic experience. The total sample of completers from the online surveys was N = 1226. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed, and construct and criterion validity were tested. A third dataset was derived from a double-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing psilocybin-assisted therapy (n = 27) with 6 weeks of daily escitalopram (n = 25) for major depressive disorder (MDD), where the WCS was completed at baseline and at a 6-week primary endpoint. Results As hypothesised, factor analysis of all WCS items revealed three main factors with good internal consistency. WCS showed good construct validity. Significant post-psychedelic increases were observed for total connectedness scores (η2 = 0.339, p < 0.0001), as well as on each of its subscales (p < 0.0001). Acute measures of ‘mystical experience’, ‘emotional breakthrough’, and ‘communitas’ correlated positively with post-psychedelic changes in connectedness (r = 0.42, r = 0.38, r = 0.42, respectively, p < 0.0001). In the RCT, psilocybin therapy was associated with greater increases in WCS scores compared with the escitalopram arm (ηp2 = 0.133, p = 0.009). Conclusions The WCS is a new 3-dimensional index of felt connectedness that may sensitively measure therapeutically relevant psychological changes post-psychedelic use. We believe that the operational definition of connectedness captured by the WCS may have broad relevance in mental health research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Watts Connectedness Scale: a new scale for measuring a sense of connectedness to self, others, and world

et al. 2022

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“…Whānau share a sense of commitment, responsibility, and obligation towards supporting each other which in turn provides whānau with a sense of connectedness and belonging (Mead, 2003; R. Pere, 1994; Rameka, 2018). With whānau dispersed across the country and overseas, the RWH has provided a space for whānau to reconnect and form a sense of belonging.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to the absence of support from traditional social networks, Māori were proactive in establishing new forms of social institutions, such as urban marae (communal and sacred meeting ground) as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League, which served as ways to preserve and maintain cultural identity in urban environments (Walker, 1990). Nevertheless, for many whānau, urbanisation resulted in a disconnection from their whenua and ancestral marae causing intergenerational loss of knowledge and values that secure cultural identity and belonging (Moewaka Barnes & McCreanor, 2019; Rameka, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Securing cultural identity for whānau well-being: a qualitative study of a whānau-led initiative

Reweti

2022

AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples

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Colonial processes have severely disrupted Māori social organisation and attachment to place through land alienation and different experiences of urban migration. As a result, many whānau (extended family) have lost connection to their whenua (land) and ancestral marae (communal and sacred meeting ground) causing intergenerational loss of knowledge and values that secure cultural identity and belonging. Finding accessible pathways to restore fragmented knowledge and reconnect whānau to te ao Māori (Māori world) is an essential part of securing cultural identity to facilitate well-being. This qualitative study explores the social, cultural, and health benefits experienced by whānau involved in a whānau-led initiative at their ancestral marae. This research asserts that securing connections to culture and whenua enhances individual and collective identities improving overall whānau health and well-being. Sharing such narratives provides a platform for whānau experiences to be heard illuminating a pathway to potentially inspire other whānau.

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“…Māori maintain their relationship to the environment through this practical philosophy of environmental guardianship. There is interdependency between humans and ecosystems, which is expressed in this narrative giving rise to manaaki whenua (caring for the land) and manaaki tangata (caring for the people) (Rameka, 2018). Māori seek to understand the entire ecosystem; this stems from the ideology that biodiversity is embellished through the interrelationships of all living things, which are dependent on each other (Harmsworth and Awatere, 2013).…”

Section: New Zealand Māori Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevating and Recognising Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to Improve Forest Biosecurity

Kuru

Marsh

Ganley

2021

Front. For. Glob. Change

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Current forest biosecurity systems and processes employed in many countries are, in large, constructs of Western principles, values and science knowledge that have been introduced and integrated internationally. They are often devoid of knowledge, and of the values and principles, held by indigenous people, even those who have an intimate and enduring relationship with their forests. Indigenous people are also often overlooked in policy and decision-making processes, yet are often most affected by biosecurity pests and pathogens that impact native plant species that they may rely on for sustenance, cultural or spiritual purposes. By adopting an inclusive approach, scientists and indigenous people can achieve more comprehensive and robust biosecurity outcomes through a shared diversity of knowledge and at the same time serves to elevate and recognise the importance of indigenous knowledge. A co-innovation approach can also result in more widespread adoption of tools or practices by end-users including indigenous people. Understanding New Zealand Māori and their unique knowledge base can help improve forest biosecurity systems and practices, as can discussions of barriers that can and have prevented adoption of inclusiveness. Here we outline key principles behind indigenous engagement, specifically the need to develop enduring relationships.

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A Māori perspective of being and belonging

Cited by 33 publications

References 3 publications

The Watts Connectedness Scale: a new scale for measuring a sense of connectedness to self, others, and world

The Watts Connectedness Scale: a new scale for measuring a sense of connectedness to self, others, and world

Securing cultural identity for whānau well-being: a qualitative study of a whānau-led initiative

Elevating and Recognising Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to Improve Forest Biosecurity

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