Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Behaviors Among Pacific Youth in New Zealand

Abstract

This study suggests that given the high rates of suicide ideation and attempts among Pacific young people, targeted trials for new ways of support should be prioritized for this high-risk group. The Pacific family environment, which continues to be the critical space for intervening, and the school environment, as a provider of health services, were both protective of suicide attempt.

Trends in Social Support Experienced by Pacific Men and Women over the Adult Lifespan: An Age-Based Latent Growth Model

“…Although our study does not differentiate between sources of support, it is understood that social support is predominantly derived from friends rather than family earlier in life, despite having access to both sources. The contexts of family and school have been highlighted as the two prime areas of social capital derivation for Pacific youth (Puna & Tiatia-Seath, 2017;Teevale et al, 2016). Although youth are not in our sample age range, such research provides relevant contextual information for maintaining social networks throughout life, and consequently, how risk factors can be isolated during youth to understand diminished social networks into adulthood.…”

“…As mentioned, gender distinct experiences and perceptions of relationships continue to develop from childhood to adulthood (Hall, 2011;Lee & Goldstein, 2016;Shulman & Scharf, 2000;Stansfeld, 2006). Generally, young women come to value and subsequently devote more time to developing close relationships, translating to higher levels of perceived social support (Bowker & Ramsay, 2011;Levesque, 2011;Rafaelli & Duckett, 1989;Adamczyk, 2015;Teevale, et al, 2016;Weckwerth & Flynn, 2006). It seems that women are primed from an early age to be more attentive and nurturing, supporting the idea that Pacific women will experience higher levels of social support as they retain their social networks and derive social support from them as they age.…”

“…Current research has responded with the rise of Pacific research (this research article included), but there is still more to be done. Public health measures will continue to miss opportunities to enhance community wellbeing if diversitysensitive approaches are not promoted (Edwards, McCreanor, & Moewaka-Barnes, 2007;Goldston et al, 2008;Rogers & Whitehead, 2008;Teevale et al, 2016)-this extends far beyond our Māori and Pacific peoples to also be inclusive of Asian peoples, gender diverse peoples and other diverse groups. Given the overrepresentation of Pacific peoples in mental health statistics and growing evidence about the protective function of social support, research examining social networks within Pacific communities is important.…”

Pacific Youth: Local and Global Futures

“…Without generalising, the young Pacific male athlete population fall into multiple demographic groups that experience unique disparities in mental health outcomes: Pacific males, Pacific youth and Pacific male youth. Each of these demographic groups experiences higher rates of mental illness and are less likely to access mental health services or to engage in helpseeking behaviours when compared with other New Zealanders (Foliaki et al 2006;Gulliver et al 2012;Kessler et al 2007;Rickwood et al 2007;Teevale et al 2016;Vaswani 2011). For example, the onset for more than half of all diagnosed mental illnesses in New Zealand occurs at 18 years or younger, 16-34-year-olds experience the highest rates of mental illness in comparison to other age groups and Pacific males experience the highest rates of admission to acute mental health services in New Zealandthese are all demographics that young Pacific male rugby players fall into (Gulliver et al 2012;Kessler et al 2007;Ministry of Health 2008;Oakley Browne et al 2006;Rickwood et al 2007).…”

“…Although uncommon, suicide is a concern for young Pacific males in New Zealand. Young New Zealanders aged 15-24 years old experienced the highest rates of suicide among OECD countries in 2016, and the attempted suicide rates were three times higher for Pacific youth in comparison to non-Pacific and non-Maori youth in New Zealand (Teevale et al 2016;Tiatia-Seath et al 2017). The recent suicide deaths of several young Pacific rugby union and rugby league players in New Zealand, Australia and Europe suggest that these trends may be similar among this group of athletes (Cadzow 2013;Horton 2014;Schofield 2016;Tiatia-Seath 2015).…”