Higher levels of social support predict lower psychological distress for Pacific peoples living in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract Recent research indicates that rates of psychological distress are almost 1.5 times higher for adult Pacific peoples versus non-Pacific peoples1. Leveraging data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study and utilising cross-lagged regression modelling, we examined changes in psychological distress across time for adult Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand (n = 514). Our study found that experiences of psychological distress were associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing psychological distress in the future. Additionally, experiencing higher levels of social support was associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing psychological distress in the future. Our research is vital because psychological distress is a serious mental health issue, and research that signals protective factors towards psychological distress for our Pacific peoples can help in creating better mental health outcomes for our Pacific communities. Preview on terminology: We use the term Pacific peoples, which are inclusive of a group of people in Aotearoa New Zealand that have ethnic roots from many Pacific nations. Unless a research study specifically uses the term mental illness or mental disorder, the study uses the terms mental distress and mental health issues/concerns to broadly refer to diagnosis of a mental illness or any other challenges or experiences with mental health. The choice in terminology is to shift the focus away from a deficit model of health, to those that are more consistent with Pacific views of health and wellbeing1.