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Tau Fifine Fiafia: The Binge Drinking Behaviours of Nine New Zealand Born Niuean women living in Auckland
Investigator(s) / AuthorsJosephine Gray and Vili Nosa
| Principal contact | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ms Josephine Gray |
| Josephine.Gray@waitematadhb.govt.nz | |
| The research | |
| Summary | The aim of this paper is to explore the binge drinking behaviours and attitudes of nine New Zealand born Niuean women aged 18 to 45 plus years living in Auckland who are heavy binge drinkers. |
| Objectives | Taped interviews were conducted individually with nine Niuean participants, utilising a semi-structured interviewing schedule in both Niuean and English languages. This study argues that excessive drinking style of binge drinking commonly practised with the younger generation of Niuean women. The study highlighted the important role of supportive friends and women within a drinking circle compared to the cultural and gender restrictions when drinking with males. NZ born Niuean women outlined there were fewer limitations on alcohol use and behaviour associated with drunkenness; the reason for drinking was to reach a level of intoxication. Alcohol consumption was seen as a way of socialising, having fun, being happy and feeling safe primarily when drinking with other women, even though participants experienced negative behaviour when safety was threatened. Aim: The aim of this paper is to look at the binge drinking behaviours of nine New Zealand born Niuean women living in Auckland. The Niuean community needs to address alcohol related issues affecting Niuean women through education awareness within social and cultural gatherings. This study is not a representative study and it cannot be generalised to all New Zealand born Niuean women because the sampling size is too small. |
| Study design | Methods: A qualitative research methodology of face to face interviews was used to interview NZ born Niuean women and their alcohol consumption. Participants were recruited by using a snow ball methodology. Participants were also approached throughout the community on the telephone and via email/internet about the research. Participants were also from Niuean gatherings such as Niuean cultural workshops, weaving groups, church groups, and sports groups, Niuean websites. A semi-structured interview format was used making it more informal and comfortable for the participant by using open ended questions. These questions include first drinking experiences, reasons for drinking, drinking styles, drinking venues and environments, times to drink, risky behaviours and attitudes, pregnancy and sexual behaviours. The interviews ranged from 1-2 hours. Ethical approval for the research was obtained from the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee in June 2004. Interviews were done in Niuean or English optional for the participants in the study. An important feature of the research process and cultural appropriateness is that I am New Zealand born but was raised in Niue Island as a young child. I am fluent in both English and Niuean languages. My Niuean cultural back ground and knowledge will be beneficial in the formulation of ideas and interpretations in the interview discussions and research data analysis. The researcher will interpret the cultural knowledge and understanding throughout the discussions which will be useful when gathering and analysing empirical information gathered from the research. Participants: There were nine New Zealand born Niuean women aged between 18-45yrs plus living in Auckland who participated. Two of the participants are half palagi (European) and half Niuean. This is a reflection of the young population that many Niuean women today are born into in New Zealand, as the majority of Niues population is New Zealand born. The NZ born young women views were highlighted in this study because of the growing population of Niue communities in Auckland, New Zealand. The participants were from diverse backgrounds, from professional career minded women, beneficiaries, single, married, mothers, solo parent, tertiary students. |
| Methods | Qualitative |
| Results | The findings from this study show that Niuean women are drinking more now then before. New Zealand born Niuean women identified that the risky drinking style and excess consumption was a concern. In the past it was not accepted that Niuean women were able to consume alcohol. However, this study shows that there is an increase in heavy alcohol consumption to the point of becoming unconscious from intoxication. This can have very harmful effects on a women’s body. Intervention programmes could look at the health related effects on a women’s body and identify the extent of heavy alcohol use, dependence and abuse patterns of consumption and the harm it has on their bodies and general health. Drinking amongst family is also forbidden and most of the women preferred to drink with other women because of safety reasons, relating to each others common issues, a time to relax and socialise with others away from their daily responsibilities at home, the family and at work. Strategies for providing a safe and culturally appropriate environment, like the garage, could be promoted. Responsible host approaches to minimize harm and promote minimal to moderate drinking at home. Health promotion and educational awareness programs on harm minimization strategies for alcohol consumption are an important aspect to reduce the harm of heavy alcohol consumption. For instance anti natal classes that are culturally appropriate within a Niuean context should look at the health and wellbeing of the Niuean women during and after pregnancy. Also focussing into other areas of concern around implementing safety strategies for women when going out for a drink at a party, club, pub or bar. For example, going out with other people that you trust and know who will look after you, awareness of drinking environments and ensuring safety for self and friends/family, organised transport if needed, carrying condoms, taking a mobile phone, tips on drinking slowly (pacing self) and eating food or snacks, having non-alcoholic drinks, having a break from alcohol, saying “no” or I’ve had enough. |
| Conclusions | There is further scope to develop education awareness packages based on the harm minimisation strategies, facts focusing on the effects of alcohol and substance use for community groups. For this recommendation harm minimisation would be preferable because of the younger Niuean population. Such strategies could include Pacific services dealing with youth culture, peer influence, relationships and family issues could include these as part of an alcohol education programmes. The Community Development Model is also another strategy that challenges Niueans to look within your family, village, and the community and identify the issues related to alcohol consumption. This model empowers the Niuean community to identify and address problems within our Niuean community. This could start by changing our attitude and being more supportive to women in your family, village and community. |
| Key Descriptors | Symptoms |
| Disciplines | Multi disciplinary |
| Settings | Community |
| Diagnostic Categories | Alcohol Addiction |
| Populations | Female, Pacific |
| Other Keywords | |
| Ethics approval | Yes |
| Academic led | No |
| Service led | Yes |
| How were service users involved | No involvement |
| Publication in peer review journal | Yes |
| Supporting information | |
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Page last updated: 7 November 2008