Pixie Armstrong-Barrington

Citation

Thesis Title
Treatment Barriers for Maori with Social Anxiety: A Maori Perspective

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Social anxiety is a common and debilitating difficulty, however many individuals who suffer from it do not seek help. Research has found social anxiety to be prevalent among Māori and overall treatment rates disproportionately lower. Utilising a Māori-centred framework and qualitative methods, Ms Armstrong-Barrington explored how adult Māori with social anxiety understood their symptoms, treatment barriers, and how treatment barriers could be reduced. She found social anxiety was understood by participants as complex and influenced by a number of factors. Treatment barriers related to areas including unrecognised social anxiety, social attitudes, and psychological symptoms. Findings suggested an increased awareness of social anxiety and its treatment barriers would likely benefit Māori clients and their whānau in managing social anxiety and accessing treatment. The importance of connection within the therapeutic relationship, cultural and spiritual engagement, and whānau support were also noted in some way as contributing to a reduction in treatment barriers.

Supervisors
Dr Simon Bennett
Associate Professor Ross Flett