Voices of the Pacific
Pacific Peoples’ Conceptualisations of Anxiety in Aotearoa New Zealand—Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15499622 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lorisha Chandra (University of Auckland, corresponding author), Lorisha A Chandra (School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand), Sarah McLean-Orsborn (0009-0004-8452-7850, University of Auckland), Pesetā Veronica Tone-Graham (University of Auckland), Sarah A Kapeli (0000-0002-3991-290X, University of Auckland) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 291-291 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-26 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph23030291 |
| PMID | 41899668 |
| OpenAlex | W7131658162 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 21 |
Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa is the Indigenous Te Reo Māori name of New Zealand) experience disproportionately higher rates of anxiety than the general population. However, while informal relational support is strongly utilised, formal or professional help-seeking remains comparatively low. Understanding how Pacific peoples conceptualise anxiety is critical for addressing this disparity. This study provides a snapshot of Pacific peoples' understandings of anxiety in Aotearoa NZ. A total of 548 Pacific peoples aged 16 to 83 years who resided in Aotearoa NZ completed the Pasifika Mental Health in Aotearoa (PMHA) survey between 2018 and 2019, which included questions about anxiety. Inductive Content Analysis (CA) grounded by Pacific epistemologies was used to categorise open-ended responses, and participants' response frequencies were analysed. The findings suggest that anxiety was understood as a transient, everyday experience, rather than a prolonged mental health condition. Informal relational support networks were strongly preferred in addressing or managing anxiety, followed by professional support. Perceived causes of anxiety were complex and evenly attributed to experiential, contextual, and health-related risk factors, highlighting the centrality of holism in Pacific worldviews. These findings suggest a nuanced understanding of anxiety that challenges deficit-based assumptions about Pacific peoples' Mental Health Literacy (MHL), and emphasises the ongoing need for more culturally responsive, community-based, relational, and holistic mental health support
Anxiety · Aotearoa · Holism · Indigenous · Mental health · Pacific islanders · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights · Mental Health Treatment and Access
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
How scientifically valid is the knowledge base of global mental health?
Conducting qualitative research in mental health
Ole Taeao Afua, the New Morning
“Mental health literacy”
Content analysis and thematic analysis
Barriers and Supports Experienced by Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Mental Health Services
Operating in the margins”
Perceived discrimination is associated with poorer health and well‐being outcomes among Pacific peoples in New Zealand
| Highly cited | No |
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