Hearing Protection Use In New Zealand Hunters: Exploring Motivation And Masculinity.

Abstract

Primary objectives: To understand why New Zelanders hunt, through exploring the roles of motivation and masculinity within hunting. Identify barriers and supports driving hunters use or non use of hearing protection and exploring the possibilities of implementing interventions based on these using the ecological model. Methods: Ten hunters were interviewed face-to-face and digitally recorded. Transcripts were analysed using NVivo to identify emerging themes. A framework for classifying masculinities and motivations for hunting was designed, and themes were reported accordingly. The ecological model was used to guide classification of barriers to HPD use and potential modifiable factors. Results: Three expressions of hunter identity were categorised based on motivation for hunting: the achievement hunter, the affiliative hunter and the appreciative hunter. Correspondingly, three masculine identities were acknowledged based upon the expression of certain values, beliefs and characteristics: the efficient traditionalist, compassionate transcendental and the eco-buddy. Perceived barriers to and supports for hearing protection use were identified, and determinants across the ecological model were etsblished that could be modified to increase in hearing protection use. Conclusions: The results of this study show quite clearly that multiple reasons for hunting exist within the NZ hunting community, encompassing a hunter’s desire to satisfy their motivating factors. Hunters begin to develop their masculine identity from a young age, influenced by the people around them and their hunting experiences; this study identifies the complexities within the expression of masculinity. Given an individual’s motivation for hunting and the ways in which they express their masculine identity, hunters perceive barriers to and supports for hearing protection use. Implementing an intervention which detracts from a hunters satisfaction is unlikely to be successful, as is an intervention that goes against a hunters identity. This study outlines possible ways hearing protection use can be increased, using the ecological model as a guide and an understanding of the perceived barriers, supports and potential modifiable factors. This gives a more representative insight into what will be effective within the hunting population.