Pacific people in deprived areas less likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-04-11 00:01

New Zealand; Pacific

Image by Umit Bulut via UnSplash

Pacific peoples in Aotearoa are less likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition if they live in a more deprived area, unlike the rest of the New Zealand population, which may be due to financial barriers to diagnoses and care. Similarly, Cook Islands Māori are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition than Samoans and Tongans, and this may be because their New Zealand citizenship status gives them better access to primary and specialist services. It is also possible that Realm Pacific adults and/ or those from less deprived areas have different understandings of mental health, but the authors say a number of other social and cultural factors may be at play.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

This study combined data from multiple New Zealand Health Survey waves and analysed mental health outcomes in Pacific adults aged 15 years and over. Results showed mental health differs between specific Pacific ethnic groups, with doctor-diagnosed common mental disorders (depression and anxiety) being more common in Cook Island Māori and Niueans than other Pacific ethnic groups. The limitations of the measures used mean it is difficult to know whether these results indicate higher needs in these Pacific subpopulations and/or better access to services. Routine monitoring of mental health with structured diagnostic interviews is needed to better identify Pacific subpopulations with higher needs for targeted mental health promotion.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Otago

Funder: JK was part of a joint study in 2022 that investigated Pacific child and adult mental health using a pooled NZHS analysis. The study was led by Research Team members from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and supported by the Better Start Big Data Team. This project was supported by a PhD Doctoral Scholarship and the Gilbert M Tothill Scholarship in Psychological Medicine from the University of Otago. RC is a member of the NZ Public Health Advisory Committee. JK received, from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Pacific Project Grant: 20/116 Lighted Paths and Connected Pathways, and Emerging Pacific research leaders: 24/687: Kokaua - Do the main drivers of poverty vary across Pacific ethnicities in Aotearoa? JK was part of a joint study in 2022 that investigated Pacific child and adult mental health using a pooled NZHS analysis. The study was led by Research Team members from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and supported by the Better Start Big Data Team. This project was supported by a PhD Doctoral Scholarship and the Gilbert M Tothill Scholarship in Psychological Medicine from the University of Otago. RC is a member of the NZ Public Health Advisory Committee.

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