Pacific Maternal and Paternal perinatal mental health in New Zealand- A literature review

Abstract

Introduction

A local New Zealand study found that 23% of Pacific gestational parents experienced symptoms of perinatal depression, compared with only 8% of NZ European gestational parents. While quantitative studies tell us that Pacific parents are at risk, Pacific narratives regarding this topic are lacking. The Health Research Council Responding to Pacific Parental Mental Health project seeks to address this lack by qualitatively exploring Pacific parents’ experiences of poor perinatal mental health and relevant mental health services. This literature review was prepared to provide context for said project by summarising what is known about the prevalence of perinatal mental health issues amongst Pacific parents, identifying known risk and protective factors, and describing the supports and services currently available.
Methods

Literature for this review was gathered from academic databases, with papers being selected based on date of publication (2001-2021), peer review status, and their specific focus on the mental health of [Pacific] parents in Aotearoa New Zealand; prevalence; risk and protective factors; and the services currently available to provide mental health support. Selected international and grey literature was also included as relevant.

Results

Available literature is limited but provides clear evidence that poor perinatal mental health is an issue which disproportionately impacts Pacific gestational parents.  Many of the identified risk and protective factors are experienced in common with the wider population, however, socioeconomic needs, relational distress, and factors related to being an ethnic minority have been highlighted as areas of particular risk for Pacific parents. Interventions that serve to nurture strong cultural identities were noted as playing a particularly protective role. It was also found that the services available to support Pacific parents often neglect to engage with mental health and/or are not delivered in culturally appropriate ways.

Conclusion

More research regarding the risk and protective factors of relevance to the perinatal mental health of Pacific parents is needed, as are more support options capable of identifying and addressing mental distress. It is vital that these options are designed alongside communities, are culturally affirmative, focused on strengthening parental and family relationships, and able to address socio-economic need.