Health and Ageing Research Team – HART

The Health and Ageing Research Team (HART) is an interdisciplinary group of researchers doing research projects related to health and ageing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What we do

We have been carrying out research to understand the status and determinants of health and wellbeing for older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand adults since 2006.

Our research projects relate to health and ageing in Aotearoa New Zealand and use quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Read our latest book which describes our flagship New Zealand Health Work and Retirement Study

New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study

The New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study (HWR) is our flagship project. This longitudinal study includes:

  • a quantitative survey of older Aotearoa residents every two years
  • qualitative interviews
  • face-to-face cognitive interviews.

It has also been known in previous phases as the:

  • New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NZSLA)
  • Independence Contribution Connection (ICC) study.

We use data from this study and others to explore a wide range of issues and research questions around the health and wellbeing of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Learn more about the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study

The New Zealand Body, Mind and Ageing Study

The New Zealand Body, Mind and Ageing Study (NZ-BMA) aims to characterise profiles of cognitive functioning and physical frailty. More than 2,700 face-to-face assessments are being undertaken to gain insights into aspects such as memory and executive function, physical fitness, lifestyle factors, social determinants of health, and overall life satisfaction.

Learn more about the New Zealand Body, Mind and Ageing Study

View information on PhD scholarships and casual staff vacancies

Projects and grants

Explore recent funded projects by the Health and Ageing Research Team.

Modifiable pathways to sustainable ageing in Aotearoa

Providing an evidence base to prevent frailty and promote independence among older people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Years: 2022-2027
  • Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
  • Funds: $13,097,159.10
  • The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Ms Vicki Beagley, Professor Siautu Alefaio, Associate Professor Mary Breheny, Dr Rosie Gibson, Professor Te Kani Kingi, Associate Professor Tracie Mafile'o, Professor Stephen Neville, Associate Professor Michael O'Sullivan, Professor Matthew Parsons, Associate Professor Susanne Röhr, Professor Paul Rouse, Dr Agnes Szabo, Associate Professor Natasha Tassell-Matamua, Associate Professor Andy Towers, Professor Cameron Walker, Associate Professor Polly Yeung

Older informal caregivers project

Older informal caregivers' experiences following the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Years: 2022-2024 (24 months)
  • Funder: Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC)
  • Funds: $233,907.64
  • Team: Dr. Shinya Uekusa, Tyrone Barnard, Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Professor Steve Matthewman, Associate Professor Simon Lambert, Dr. Suzanne Phibbs

Pandemic response and recovery framework

A pandemic response and recovery framework supporting equity for older people
  • Years: 2021-2022 (24 months)
  • Funder: Health Research Council of New Zealand
  • Funds: $996,615
  • The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Dr Joanne Allen, Dr Polly Yeung, Associate Professor Siautu Alefiao-Tuiga, Associate Professor Mary Breheny, Professor David Johnston, Dr Maureen Mooney, Associate Professor Natasha Tassell-Matamua

Older workers

Maximising workforce participation for older New Zealanders: Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects
  • Years: 2017-2022
  • Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Funds: $3,996,875
  • The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Dr Mary Breheny, Dr Andy Towers, Dr Mika Jason, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Dr Joanne Allen

Learn more about this project

Ageing, housing and health

Ageing, housing and health: A collaborative study
  • Years: 2016-2017
  • Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Funds: $141,727
  • The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Vanessa Burholt (Swansea University), Professor Judith Phillips (Swansea University), Professor Norah Keating (University of Alberta), Associate Professor Sarah Hillcoat Nalletamby (Swansea University)

Enabling participation by all older people

Enabling participation by all older people: Targeting past and future predictors of ageing well
  • Years: 2014-2018
  • Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Funds: $1,800,000
  • The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Dr Sally Keeling (Otago University), Dr Mary Breheny and Mr Brendan Stevenson

Impact of Christchurch earthquakes

Tracking the health and wellbeing over time of older New Zealanders affected by the Christchurch earthquakes
  • Years: 2014
  • Funder: EQC Biennial Grants Programme
  • Funds: $27,000
  • The Team: Brendan Stevenson, Fiona Alpass, Christine Stephens (Massey University) and Sally Keeling (Otago University)

Participation of older adults

Independence Contribution Connection – Participation of Older Adults: Independence, Contribution and Connections
  • Years: 2012-2013
  • Funder: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Funds: $688,423
  • The Team: Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Ms Vicki Beagley, and Dr Sally Keeling (University of Otago)

The New Zealand longitudinal study of ageing (NZLSA)

  • Years: 2007-2013
  • Funder: The New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science, & Technology
  • Funds: $3,750,000
  • The Team: Professor Fiona Alpass, Professor Christine Stephens, Mr Charles Waldegrave and Dr Peter King (Social Policy Research Centre, Family Centre), Dr Sally Keeling (University of Otago)

Living standards index for elders

  • Years: 2009-2012
  • Funder: The New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science, & Technology
  • Funds: $1,050,500
  • The Team: Dr Mary Breheny, Professor Christine Stephens, Professor Fiona Alpass, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Ms Vicki Beagley and Dr Kristie Carter (University of Otago)

Health, work and retirement (HWR)

New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Longitudinal Study (HWR)
  • Years: 2005-2008
  • Funder: The Health Research Council of New Zealand
  • Funds: $922,375
  • The Team: Professor Fiona Alpass, Professor Christine Stephens, Ms Helen Pennington, Mr Eljon Fitzgerald, Mr Brendan Stevenson, Dr Judith Davey

Learn more about this project

Outputs and publications

We regularly publish findings from our studies in international scientific journals.

Reports

Barnard, T., Tamaira, M., Uekusa, S., & Stephens, C. (2024). Older informal caregiver experiences following the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand. HART, Massey University and University of Canterbury.

Pearman, G.R, Davey, J.A., Kirk, C.M. (2022) Starting a Business Later in Life: Senior Entrepreneurship in Aotearoa New Zealand. HART, Massey University.

Pearman, G.R, Davey, J.A., Kirk, C.M. (2022) Senior Entrepreneurship in Aotearoa New Zealand: An Unrealised Opportunity, Research Report. HART, Massey University.

MacDonald, C., Mooney, M., Johnston, D., Tassell-Matamua, N., Alefaio, S,  Stevenson, B., Alpass, F., & Stephens, C. (2022). Supporting older adults in pandemics. Disaster Research Science Report; 2022/02, Wellington (NZ): Massey University.

Allen, J., Uekusa, S., Tu, D., Stevenson, B., Stephens, C., Alpass, F. (2022). Short term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on older adults: Findings from the Health, Work and Retirement study. Massey University, Palmerston North.

Allen, J., Akter, T., Studdart, T., Stevenson, B., Alpass, F., Stephens, C. (2022). The Wellbeing of Older People during the Covid Pandemic in Aotearoa: Findings from the HWR National Surveys 2020 and 2021. Massey University, Palmerston North.

Yeung, P., Allen, J., & Stephens, C. (2022). The Wellbeing of Older Chinese Immigrants following the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Findings from the Health, Work and Retirement Chinese Language Survey. Massey University, Palmerston North.

Phillips, H., Alpass, F. (2022). Preventing falls and falls-related injury in older adults: A review of New Zealand and international literature. Report for the Accident Compensation Corporation. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North.

Stephens, C., Birchall, M., & Thompson, J. (2021). Diversity in housing experiences and their correlates for New Zealand adults aged 75+ and 65-74 years. Report for the Commission for Financial Capability June, 2021. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North.

Allen, J. (2021). Brief data report on perceptions of ageism by older jobseekers and employed adults in New Zealand. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North.

Davey J., Keeling S., Alpass F. (November 2020). Case Study 1: Employer Needs and Practices. Report prepared as part of MBIE Endeavour Fund project ‘Maximising workforce participation for older New Zealanders: Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects’. Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Allen, J. (2020). Early impact of COVID-19 on employment, retirement and wellbeing among older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand: preliminary data from the 2020 New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement survey [data release v0.03]. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North

Yeung, P., Allen, J. (2020) Health, quality of life and service needs among older Chinese immigrants: a report prepared for the CNSST Foundation. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North

Keeling S., Davey J., Alpass F. (November 2020). Case Study 2: Employer Needs and Practices. Report prepared as part of MBIE Endeavour Fund project Maximising workforce participation for older New Zealanders: Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects. Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Stephens, C., Phillips, H., Allen, J., Beagley V., & Alpass, F. (2019). Loneliness on the Kapiti Coast: Initial Findings from the Social Connections Survey. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North.

Allen, J. (2019). The wellbeing and vulnerability of older New Zealand adults in retirement: a background paper prepared for the Commission for Financial Capability’s 2019 Review of Retirement Income Policy. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North, Available at: https://assets.retirement.govt.nz/public/Uploads/Retirement-Income-Policy-Review/2019-RRIP/Research-docs/The-big-picture/Massey-University-Research-Wellbeing-and-Vulnerability-of-NZers-in-Retirement.pdf

Allen, J. (2018). A comparison of invariance across online and postal survey modes: a pilot study conducted ahead of the 2018 Health, Work and Retirement survey. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North. 

Stephens, C., Alpass, F., Allen, J., Szabo, A., Stevenson, B., Towers, A. (2018). The New Zealand Health, Work & Retirement Longitudinal Study 2006-2016. Health and Ageing Research Team, Massey University: Palmerston North.

Towers, A., Sheridan, J., Newcombe, D., & Szabó, Á. (2018). New Zealanders’ alcohol consumption patterns across the lifespan. Wellington: Health Promotion Agency, Available at: https://www.hpa.org.nz/research-library/research-publications/new-zealanders’-alcohol-consumption-patterns-across-the-lifespan

Towers, A., Sheridan, J., Newcombe, D. (2017). The drinking patterns of older New Zealanders: National and international comparisons. Wellington: Health Promotion Agency Available at: https://www.hpa.org.nz/research-library/research-publications/2017-the-drinking-patterns-of-older-new-zealanders-national-and-international-comparisons

Budge, C., Alpass. F., Allen, J., & Stephens, C. (2016). The Characteristics and Experiences of Older New Zealand Caregivers. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University.

Budge, C., Alpass, F., Stephens, C. (2016). Policy Report: Older New Zealanders’ Attitudes to Telehealth. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University.

Szabo, A., Allen, J., Alpass, F., Stephens, C. (2016). Policy Report: Home Ownership and Wellbeing among Older New Zealanders. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University. Policy Report Housing Tenure February 2016 (701 KB)

Keeling, S., & Stevenson, B. (2015). Tracking the health and wellbeing of older New Zealanders affected by the Canterbury earthquakes. Occasional Report Series: Health and Ageing Research Team (Eds.), Massey University, Palmerston North. EQC Final Report (5,912 KB)

Alpass, F., Spicer, J., Stevenson, B., & Stephens, C. (2015). Experiences of older workers: Preferences, plans and attitudes. Inclusion, Contribution & Connection Summary Report. Massey University: Palmerston North. ) ICC Older worker experiences report 2015 (823 KB)

Davey, J. A. (2015). Impact on the labour market of the aspirations and preferences of older workers: A policy paper. Massey University: Palmerston North, NZ. Older Workers Policy Paper Davey 2015 (721 KB)

Stephens, C., Alpass, F., & Stevenson, B. (2014). Inclusion, contribution and connection: A study of the ageing in Aotearoa. Summary Report. Massey University, New Zealand: Authors. ICC Summary Report 2014 (1,665 KB)

King, P. (2014). Application of the ICECAP-A measure. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Wellington: Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit. ICECAP measure NZLSA 2014 (215 KB)

Alpass, F., & Keeling, S., & Pond, R. (2014). Caregiving. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Palmerston North: Massey University. Caregiving NZLSA 2014 (878 KB)

Budge, C., Stephens, C., & Stichbury, C. (2014). Health. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Palmerston North: Massey University. Health NZLSA 2014 (1,445 KB)

Noone, J., & Alpass, F. (2014). Work and retirement. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Palmerston North: Massey University. Work and Retirement NZLSA 2014 (1,945 KB)

Noone, J., & Stephens, C. (2014). Social integration, health and quality of life. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Palmerston North: Massey University. Social integration NZLSA 2014 (3,504 KB)

Noone, J., Stephens, C., & Alpass, F. (2014). Socioeconomic status. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Palmerston North: Massey University. Socioeconomic Status NZLSA 2014 (3,041 KB)

Stevenson, B. (2014). Pathways to retirement for Māori. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Palmerston North: Massey University. Pathways to Retirement for Maori NZLSA 2014 (1,073 KB)

Waldegrave, C. (2014). Income, assets, poverty and housing tenure. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit. Income Poverty Assets and Housing NZLSA 2014 (641 KB)

Callow, L., & Alpass, F. (2014). Cognitive functioning. Summary report for the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Palmerston North: Massey University. Cognitive Functioning NZLSA 2014 (868 KB)

Callow, L. (2014). Cognitive functioning in older New Zealand adults: A pilot study on the use of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination – Revised. Palmerston North: Massey University. Cognitive Functioning Pilot Study 2014 (464 KB)

LS-CAPE Measuring Living Standards for Older People.

NZLSA Research Summary Booklet 2014.

Breheny, M., Stephens, C., Henricksen, A., Stevenson, B., Carter, K., & Alpass, F. (2013). Measuring living standards of older people: Development and validation of the LSCAPE. Summary report for the Living Standards for Elders Study. Palmerston North: Massey University. LSCAPE 24 Development 2014 (456KB)

Butcher, E., & Breheny, M. (2013). The importance of dependence on place for older Māori on the East Cape. Summary report for the Living Standards for Elders Study. Palmerston North: Massey University. Older Maori on the East Cape LSCAPE 2014 (886 KB)

Hurley, K., Breheny, M., & Tuffin, K. (2013). New Zealanders discuss state-funded income support in retirement. Summary report for the Living Standards for Elders Study. Palmerston North: Massey University. Income support in retirement LSCAPE 2014 (393 KB)

Keeling, S., Alpass, F., Stephens, C., & Stevenson, B., (2013). Detecting ‘Ripple Effects' of the Canterbury Earthquakes in a national longitudinal study of aging. Poster presented at the Researching the Health Implications of Seismic Events Symposium, 22 November 2013, Christchurch, NZ. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1386), 23. CHCH Earthquake NZLSA 2013 (919 KB)

Gorman, E., Scobie, G. M., & Towers, A. (2012). Health and retirement of older New Zealanders. New Zealand Treasury Working Paper 12/02. Wellington, New Zealand: The Treasury. https://treasury.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2012-06/twp12-02.pdf

Waldegrave, C., King, P., & Rowe, E. (2012). Aucklanders 50 and over: A health, social, economic and demographic summary analysis of the life experiences of older Aucklanders. Report prepared for the Auckland Council, Research, Investigations and Monitoring Unit. Wellington: Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit and Elizabeth Rowe of Elizabeth Rowe Consulting. Aucklanders 50 and Over 2012 (1,132 KB)

Pond, R., Alpass, F., & Stephens, C. (2012). Caregiving. In, Health, Work and Retirement Survey: Summary report for the 2008 data wave. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University. Caregiving tech report (874 KB)

Gorman, E., Scobie, G. M., & Towers, A. (2012). Health and retirement of older New Zealanders. New Zealand Treasury Working Paper 12/02. Wellington, New Zealand: The Treasury.

Stephens, C. & Noone, J. (2011).Social networks and their effects on health over time: A report from 2006 and 2008 HWR data waves. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University. Working paper. Stephens Noone SS Chapter 220212 (295 KB)

Breheny, M, Stephens, C. & Mansvelt, J. (2011). Developing a measure of living standards for older people using Sen's capability framework. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on the Socio-Economics of Ageing (pp. 1-22). 4th November 2011, Lisbon, Portugal: ISEG, Technical University of Lisbon. 2ndIWSEA_BREHENY Stephens Mansvelt (188 KB)

Mansvelt, J., Breheny, M., & Stephens, C. (2011). Pursuing Security: Economic living standards and capabilities of older New Zealanders. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on the Socio-Economics of Ageing (pp. 1-18). 4th November 2011, Lisbon, Portugal: ISEG, Technical University of Lisbon. 2ndIWSEA_MANSVELT Breheny Stephens (159 KB)

Breheny, M., Stephens, C., Mansvelt, J. & Horrell, B. (2011). Developing a measure of living standards for elders. Report on FRST funded project MAUX0902. Living Standards for Elders Breheny (170 KB)

Scobie, G. M., & Enright, J. (2010). Healthy, Wealthy and Working: Retirement Decisions of Older New Zealanders. New Zealand Treasury Working Paper (WP 10/02). Wellington: NZ Treasury.

Towers, A. (2009). The psychology of ageing in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Introducing the Health and Retirement Research Team at Massey University. Psychology Aotearoa, 1, 23-26.

Keeling, S., Davey, J. & Glasgow, K. (2009). Qualitative Interviews. Summary Report for the 2008 Data Wave, Health, Work and Retirement Survey, School of Psychology, Massey University. HWR NZIRA August (192 KB)

Davey, J. (2008). Qualitative interviews. In, Health, Work and Retirement Survey: Summary report for the 2006 data wave. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University. Qualitative interviews Davey (292 KB)

Alpass, F (2008). Work and Retirement. The Health, Work and Retirement Study: Summary report for the 2006 data wave. Palmerston North: Massey University. Work Fiona Alpass (843 KB)

Noone, J., & Stevenson, B. (2008). Maori cultural identity. In, Health, Work and Retirement Survey: Summary report for the 2006 data wave. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University. cultural identity Noone Stevenson (212 KB)

Stephens, C., & Noone, J. (2008). Health. In, Health, Work and Retirement Survey: Summary report for the 2006 data wave. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University. Health Stephens Noone (549 KB)

Stephens, C., & Noone, J. (2008). Social support, social networks and wellbeing. In, Health, Work and Retirement Survey: Summary report for the 2006 data wave. Palmerston North: School of Psychology, Massey University. Social support Stephens Noone (398 KB)

Breheny, M., & Stephens, C. (2007). Older adults’ experience of family life: Linked lives and independent living (Blue Skies Report No. 21/07). Wellington, NZ: Families Commission. 

Journal articles

2023

Koreshi, S. Y., & Alpass, F. (2023). Understanding the use of flexible work arrangements among older New Zealand caregivers. Journal of Applied Gerontology.

Lyons AC, Young J, Blake D, Evans P, Stephens C. (2023). Home drinking practices among middle-class adults in midlife during the COVID-19 pandemic: Material ubiquity, automatic routines and embodied states. Drug and Alcohol Review. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13610

Lestari, M. D., Stephens, C., & Morison, T. (2023). Local knowledge and unliveable narratives: How insights from family caregiving narratives can inform locally relevant ageing policy. Journal of Aging Studies, 64, 101102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101102

Szabó, Á, Stephens, C., & Alpass, F. (2023). Social networks and social support of older immigrants in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ageing and Society, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X22001404

2022

Stephens, C. & Phillips, H. (2022) Older people’s neighbourhood perceptions are related to social and emotional loneliness and mediated by social network type. The Gerontologist,62 (9), 1336-1346, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac087

Lestari, M.D., Stephens, C., & Morison, T. (2022) The Role of Local Knowledge in Multigenerational Caregiving for Older People, Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, DOI: 10.1080/15350770.2022.2059606

Allen, J., Alpass, F. M., Towers, A., Stevenson, B., Szabó, Á., Breheny, M., & Stephens, C. (2022). The health, work, and retirement study: representing experiences of later life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 1-16.

Allen, J., Uekusa, S., & Alpass, F. M. (2022). Longitudinal Cohort Study of Depression and Anxiety Among Older Informal Caregivers Following the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Aging and Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643211052713

Koreshi, S., & Alpass, F. (2022). Becoming an informal care-giver: The role of work status incongruence. Ageing and Society, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X21001987

Koreshi, SY, Alpass, F. Predictors of work ability and quality of life in older New Zealanders with and without an arthritis diagnosis. Australasian  Journal of Ageing, 41,e1– e7. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12981

Stephens, C., & Breheny, M. (2022). Diverse experiences among older adults in Aotearoa/New Zealand during COVID-19 lockdown: A qualitative study. Australasian  Journal of Ageing, 41,  e23– e31. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12995

Stephens, C., & Allen, J., (2022). Older People as Active Agents in Their Neighborhood Environments: Moving House Can Improve Quality of Life, The Gerontologist, 62 (1), 56–65, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnab065

2021

Myllyntausta, S., Gibson, R., Salo, P., Allen, J., Gander, P., Alpass, F., & Stephens, C. (2021). Daytime fatigue as a predictor for subsequent retirement among older New Zealand workers. Sleep Health, 7(6), 742-748.

Allen, J., Alpass, F.M., Szabó, Á., Stephens, C.V. (2021). Impact of Flexible Work Arrangements on Key Challenges to Work Engagement Among Older Workers, Work, Aging and Retirement, 7(4), 404–417. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waab010. (Free access link https://academic.oup.com/workar/article/7/4/404/6307452?guestAccessKey=7a41b206-3be5-4a48-95f2-a2a5d6c27f88)

Bennetts, R. & Taylor, J.E. (2021): Health and Quality of Life Outcomes of Driving Cessation for Older People are More Complex Than We Thought. Clinical Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2021.1978122

Hempel, Megan, Mary Breheny, Polly Yeung, Brendan Stevenson, and Fiona Alpass. "The relationship between childhood circumstances and late life physical and mental health: the role of adult socioeconomic status." Research on Aging 43, no. 5-6 (2021): 250-259.

Koreshi, S.Y., Alpass, F. (2021). Predictors of work ability and quality of life in older New Zealanders with and without an arthritis diagnosis. Australasian Journal on Ageing. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12981

McLeod, G., Horwood, L., Darlow, B., Boden, J., Martin, J., Spittlehouse, J.K., Carter, F., Jordan, J., Porter, R., Bell, C., Douglas, K., Henderson, J., Goulden, M., McIntosh, V., Woodward, L., Rucklidge, J., Kuijer, R., Allen J., Vierck, E. (2021). Recruitment and retention of participants in longitudinal studies after a natural disaster. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies. https://doi.org/10.1332/175795921X16168462584238

Noone, J., Earl, J., Stephens, C., Rafalskid, J., Allen, J., Alpass, F., & Topa, G. (2021) An application of the Resource-Based Dynamic Process model in the context of retirement planning. Work, Aging and Retirement. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waab006

Spijker, JJA., Alpass, FM., Allen, J., & Stephens, C. (2021). What factors enable mid-life carers to re-enter the labour market in New Zealand?. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 40(2), 154-161

Stephens, C., & Breheny, M. (2021). Diverse Experiences among Older Adults in Aotearoa/New Zealand during COVID-19 lockdown: A qualitative study. Australasian Journal on Ageing. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12995

Szabó, Á., Hyde, M. & Towers, A. (2021) One slope does not fit all: longitudinal trajectories of quality of life in older adulthood. Quality of Life Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-021-02827-z

Szabó, Á, Towers, A, Newcombe, D, Sheridan, J. (2021). Alcohol use trajectories across the life course: Influences of childhood predictors and consequences for late-life health. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 224:108713 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108713

Tkatch, M.T., Towers, A.J., Keller, H.H., Wham, C.A. (2021). Nutrition risk prevalence and associated health and social risk factors in Māori and non-Māori: Results from the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study. Australasian Journal on Ageing. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12952

Yeung, P., & Breheny, M. (2021). Quality of life among older people with a disability: the role of purpose in life and capabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation. 43(2), 181-191

2020

Breheny, M., Horrell, B., & Stephens, C. (2020) A participatory journal/dialogue approach to narrative research illustrated using a study of informal caregiving. Qualitative Research in Psychology, doi: 10.1080/14780887.2020.1716423

Allen J, Alpass FM (2020). Trajectories of material living standards, physical health and mental health under a universal pension. J Epidemiol Community Health. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-213199

Allen, J., Alpass, F., & Stephens, C. (2020). Dataset comprising indices of Healthy Ageing among older New Zealand adults from the 2016-2018 waves of the Health, Work and Retirement longitudinal survey. Data in Brief, 105817. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.105817

Aminisani, N., Stephens, C., Allen, J., Alpass, F., & Shamshirgaran, SM. (2020). Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with multimorbidity in New Zealand. Epidemiol Health. doi: 10.4178/epih.e2020001

Breheny, M., Horrell, B., & Stephens, C. (2020). Caring for older people: Relational narratives of attentiveness, commitment and acceptance. International Journal of Care and Caring. 4(2), 201-214

Shamshirgaran, SM., Stephens, C., Alpass, F., & Aminisani, N. (2020). Longitudinal assessment of the health-related quality of life among older people with diabetes: Results of a nationwide study in New Zealand. BMC Endocrine Disorders. 20(1)

Stephens, C., Allen, J., Keating, N., Szabó, Á., & Alpass, F. (2020). Neighborhood environments and intrinsic capacity interact to affect the health-related quality of life of older people in New Zealand. Maturitas, 139, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.05.008

Stephens, C., Szabo, A. & Breheny, M. (2020). Life course socioeconomic predictors of healthy ageing in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Differences by Māori ethnicity and gender. Ageing & Society. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X20001130

Yeung, P., Severinsen, C., Good, G., & O’Donoghue, K. (2020). Social environment and quality of life among older people with diabetes and multiple chronic illnesses in New Zealand: Intermediary effects of psychosocial support and constraints. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-13. 10.1080/09638288.2020.1783375

2019

Stephens, C., Szabó, Á., Allen, J., & Alpass, F. (2019). Livable Environments and the Quality of Life of Older People: An Ecological Perspective. The Gerontologist, 59(4), 675–685. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gny043.

Szabó, Á., Neely, E., & Stephens, C. (2019). The psychosocial benefits of providing non-kin childcare in older adults: A longitudinal study with older New Zealanders. Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105319893011

Szabó, Á., Towers, A., Sheridan, J., & Newcombe, D. (2019). Ten-Year Trajectories of Alcohol Consumption in Older Adult New Zealanders. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbz143

Towers, A., McMenamin, J., Newcombe, D., Janie, S., & White, G. (2019). Older New Zealanders: addressing an emerging population of hazardous drinkers. The New Zealand medical journal, 132.

Yeung, P., Allen, J., Godfrey, H. K., Alpass, F., & Stephens, C. (2019). Risk and protective factors for wellbeing in older veterans in New Zealand. Aging Ment Health, 23(8), 992-999. doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1471584

Yeung, P., & Breheny, M. (2019). Quality of life among older people with a disability: the role of purpose in life and capabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-11. doi:10.1080/09638288.2019.1620875

Books and book chapters

Alpass F., Beagley V., & Gibson R., et al. (2023) Ageing in Aotearoa. The New Zealand Health Work and Retirement Study.

Stephens, C.  (2021). Health and illness among older people: What has age got to do with it? In, Chamberlain, K. & Lyons, A. (Eds.) Routledge International Handbook of Critical Issues in Health and Illness. Routledge.

Allen J., Alpass F.M., Stephens C. (2021) New Zealand Health, Work, and Retirement Longitudinal Study. In: Gu D., Dupre M.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22009-9_977

Breheny, M., & Stephens, C. (2019).  Social policy and social identities for older people. In D. Hodgetts & K. O’Donohue (Eds.) The Sage Handbook on Applied Social Psychology. London, UK: Sage.

Latest newsletter

Download the latest newsletter from the Health and Ageing Research Team. Older newsletters are available on request.

Our people

The HART team

The Hart team

Our award-winning Health and Ageing Research Team includes researchers from Massey's:

Professor Fiona Alpass

Professor Fiona Alpass

Professor of Psychology
Phone
Department
School of Psychology
 Vicki Beagley

Vicki Beagley

Research Officer
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Department
School of Psychology
Associate Professor Mary Breheny

Associate Professor Mary Breheny

PhD
Department
School of Psychology
Dr Phoebe Elers

Dr Phoebe Elers

PhD
Project Manager – HART (Research Officer)
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Department
School of Psychology
Dr Rosie Gibson

Dr Rosie Gibson

PhD, MSc, BSc
Senior Lecturer
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Associate Professor Tracie Mafile'o

Associate Professor Tracie Mafile'o

BSW(Hons), PGCertArts, PhD
Associate Professor / Associate Dean – Pacific
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Department
School of Social Work
 Andrea Meni

Andrea Meni

Data Manager/Statistician (Research Officer)
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Department
School of Psychology
Associate Professor Susanne Röhr (Roehr)

Associate Professor Susanne Röhr (Roehr)

PhD
Associate Professor in Psychology
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Department
School of Psychology
Professor Christine Stephens

Professor Christine Stephens

DipSocSc, BA, PhD, MA
Professor
Phone
Department
School of Psychology
Dr Brendan Stevenson

Dr Brendan Stevenson

PhD
Department
School of Psychology
Associate Professor Andy Towers

Associate Professor Andy Towers

PhD, MA, BA(Hons)
Associate Professor
Phone
Department
School of Health Sciences
Associate Professor Polly Yeung

Associate Professor Polly Yeung

MSW(Appl), BA, PhD
Associate Professor
Phone
Department
School of Social Work

Māori Advisory Group

Our Māori Advisory Group comes together during the planning phases of projects that have a focus on Māori populations in New Zealand.

The group provides the following:

  • a forum for the discussion of key issues pertaining to project materials, methods and outputs that are relevant to Māori participants and older people as a whole
  • advice on the cultural appropriateness of project outputs related to Maori peoples
  • advice on the planning and operational elements of the project
  • voluntary peer review of academic work explicitly analysing data from Māori participants.

Members are also kept informed about the dissemination of findings of HART projects.

Māori Advisory Group members

The Advisory Group is made up of the convener Dr Brendan Stevenson, Dr Natasha Tassell-Matamua and four community members, including representation by mana whenua.

  • Convener: Dr Brendan Stevenson (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Pōrou), Senior Consultant, Allen + Clarke Consulting.
  • Associate Professor Natasha Tassell-Matamua (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Makea ki Rarotonga), Massey University.
  • John Waldon (Tuhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pōrou), Māori Researcher.
  • Ruma Karaitiana (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Tara, Kāi Tahu), Professional Director.
  • Penny Poutu (Ngāti Maniapoto), Māori educator.
  • Kaydee Zabelin (Ngāi Tahu), Palmerston North City Councillor

Collaborations

The Health and Ageing Research Team collaborates with academics and institutions all over the world.

Find out more about our collaborations