Niue women (Fifine Niue) and their understanding of maternal mental well-being in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand (A/NZ)

Abstract

The voices of nine fifine Niue, who identified as mothers or clinicians, formed the basis of this study. Through tūtala, each woman shared their personal pregnancy journeys, understandings, and worldviews of mental well-being. They provided narratives to help identify risk factors and protective factors they felt contributed to Fifine Niue experiencing mental well-being issues.

This research aimed to explore the understanding of maternal mental well-being, specifically mental well-being, by Fifine Niue, who live in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand (A/NZ).

The objectives of this study were:

• Provide narratives for a foundational understanding of Fifine Niue maternal mental well-being in Tāmaki Makaurau, A/NZ,


• To identify some perceived protective and risk factors that affect the maternal mental well-being of fifine Niue in Tāmaki Makaurau, A/NZ.

Fifine Niue described mental well-being as holistic and intertwined with other facets of well-being, such as relationships, body or physiology, and soul or spirituality.  The key risk factors for developing perinatal maternal mental well-being issues varied between being a first-time mother, being overwhelmed with their thoughts, and feeling unsupported by their family and partner. The main protective factor identified by mothers and clinicians was a supportive family and partner.

Recommendations naturally emerged from the tūtala with mothers and clinicians, aligning with national and international literature recommendations, addressing the identified risk factors and enabling protective factors.

This study has provided some foundational understandings of how Fifine Niue understand maternal mental well-being, the definition, risk, and protective factors through the eyes of Fifine Niue, giving rise to the opportunity to contribute to the new knowledge in the space of Pacific mental health.

These findings have significant relevance for mainstream mental healthcare providers, other health professionals, and most importantly, the Niue community in A/NZ to ensure that maternal mental health is better understood through the lens of Fifine Niue. It advocates for better access to quality healthcare for Niue mothers and their infants.