About the project

A discussion between Jacinta Fa'alili-Fidow (Consultant, Pacific) of Moana Connect and Professor Te Kani Kingi (Consultant, Maori) of Te Whare o Wananga o Awanuiarangi, both external advisors to the Growing Up in New Zealand Study, led to the identification of Pacific mental wellbeing as a priority topic to be explored between us in partnership with the Growing Up in New Zealand Study.

We have identified a student to work on a Summer Studentship Project over the 2023-2024 holiday season to explore data related to mental wellbeing among Pacific children, undertaking longitudinal analyses from pregnancy through to 12 years of age where feasible. Links will also be explored between maternal mental wellbeing and other potential factors that may have some bearing on the child's mental wellbeing drawing on Jacinta's "Va o Fanau" relational resilience and wellbeing framework. In addition to identifying rates of depression, anxiety, behaviour and prosocial tendencies, analyses will explore correlations with other factors such as child's relationships with other adults and their peers in and outside of the home, and their time spent on devices and outdoors.

Univariate and multivariable/multivariate analyses will be undertaken on SAS with chi-square and other relevant sensitivity tests. Key constructs will be selected as they align with Pacific interpretations of key mental health constructs such as depression, anxiety and potential associations such as experiences of bullying and parental warmth. All findings will be peer reviewed by Pacific and Maori psychologists/mental health experts and Growing up in New Zealand mental health theme leads.

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Start date: 21/11/2023