Awatea Moxon

Understanding the Relationship between Whakapapa Knowledge and Psychological Wellbeing

Awatea Moxon profile-picture photograph

Awatea Moxon

PhD Student
School of Psychology

Profile

My PhD adopts a mixed-methods research approach to provide a thorough understanding of the relationship between Māori whakapapa knowledge and psychological wellbeing. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from Māori participants from a range of iwi, vocations and knowledge levels. Chapter 1, explores the influence of whakapapa knowledge on wellbeing according to Mātanga whakapapa (experts of Māori history and genealogy). Chapter 2, provides themes related to the lived experience of whakapapa knowledge in the form of moko-kanohi (Māori facial tattoos). Lastly, Chapter 3 provides a quantitative analysis of the effects of increased whakapapa knowledge on mental wellbeing. This research contributes to a body of literature which highlight the power of whakapapa knowledge to promote mental wellbeing.

Qualifications

BSc. Major in Psychology, Minor in Neuroscience, BSc (Hons) Psychology

Research Interests

Māori approaches to Psychological Wellbeing

PhD topic

Understanding the Relationship between Whakapapa Knowledge and Psychological Wellbeing

Supervisor/s:

Dr Matt Hammond, School of Psychology

Prof Paul Jose, School of Psychology