Pacific Identity and Wellbeing Predicts Mental Health in Parents from the Pacific Islands Families Study — The Association Specialists
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  3. Pacific Identity and Wellbeing Predicts Mental Health in Parents from the Pacific Islands Families Study

Pacific Identity and Wellbeing Predicts Mental Health in Parents from the Pacific Islands Families Study (23750)

Jesse JK Kokaua 1 , Tugce TB-D Bakir-Demir 2 , Brittany BS-W Stanley-Wishart 3 , Albany AL Lucas 1 , Joanna JA-M Ataera-Minster 1 , Troy TR Ruhe 1 , Sam SM Manuela 4 , El-Shadan E-ST Tautolo 2
  1. Centre for Pacific Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  2. Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, AUCKLAND, New Zealand
  3. District Health Boards New Zealand, Wellington
  4. Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Background: The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study is a longitudinal study tracking the health and development of a birth cohort of Pacific infants born in 2000. This cross-sectional study, Pacific Islands Families: Cultural Resiliency and Vulnerability in Mental Health, is embedded within the broader PIF Study.

Objectives: This study examined whether Pacific identity and wellbeing domains predict the likelihood of experiencing a 12-month mental disorder among parents enrolled in the PIF Study.

Methods: The study included 690 Pacific parents (341 mothers, 349 fathers) when their cohort children were aged 18–19. Mental disorders were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), based on DSM-IV criteria. Predictors included subscales of the Pacific Identity and Wellbeing Scale-Revised. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to examine associations between identity and wellbeing indicators and the likelihood of having a 12-month mental disorder.

Results/Discussion: Higher scores in Pacific identity and wellbeing domains, including Perceived Familial Wellbeing, Pacific Connectedness and Belonging, Religious Centrality and Embeddedness, and Cultural Efficacy, were associated with lower odds of meeting criteria for a 12-month mental disorder. When analyzed separately, different domains were predictive for fathers and mothers. However, Religious Centrality and Embeddedness emerged as the most consistent protective factor across models.

Conclusion: Findings underscore the value of addressing individual, familial, and cultural dimensions of wellbeing. Incorporating culturally grounded identity and wellbeing measures into assessment protocols may strengthen secondary prevention strategies and promote culturally responsive care for Pacific communities.

Keywords: wellbeing, cultural identity, mental health, Pacific parents, Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study