Young Pacific Male Rugby Players’ Perceptions and Experiences of Mental Wellbeing

Abstract

Recent studies and increased media reporting across Australasia have linked young Pacific maleelite athletes to depression, suicide, and other adverse mental health-related events. Despite these accounts,little is known about the way this group experience emotions and mental wellbeing. The aim of this studywas to explore young Pacific male athletes’ perceptions and experiences of emotions and mental wellbeing.This qualitative study involved 20 face-to-face interviews with young Pacific males (16–24 years) engaged inelite rugby union and rugby league programmes in Auckland, New Zealand. The results identified thatathletes defined mental wellbeing in a holistic and relational manner and perceived and mental wellbeing asthe culmination of several interconnected factors, including: Family support, reciprocating family support,living a ‘well-balanced’ life, athletic performance, and personal development away from sports. Themaintenance of a well-balanced athletic identity and positive social relations were deemed central tosustaining mental wellbeing for these young men.

UNDERSTANDING PASIFIKA MENTAL HEALTH IN NEW ZEALAND: A review of the literature

“…In this way, it suggests that there are elements within Pasifika mental health that can only be addressed appropriately and safely when considering elements of culture. Further research within a sporting context presented similar ideas when exploring perceptions of Pasifika young male rugby players (Marsters & Tiatia-Seath, 2019). The importance of mental wellbeing being addressed in a holistic and väbased way was highlighted, as was the notion that support, a balanced lifestyle, athletic performance and personal development outside of sports are integral to fostering personal wellbeing.…”

Young Pacific Male Athletes’ Attitudes Toward Mental Health Help-Seeking in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…The societal stigma attached to mental illness and emotional vulnerability is a key driver of these outcomes, and this stigma is found in almost every area of these athletes' lives; from the elite sports environment, to the family and wider community environment, and New Zealand society as a whole. 3,4 For Pacific male athletes, the stigma attached to mental illness is driven by the culmination of a number of interconnected factors related to social class, kinship obligations, cultural beliefs, hypermasculine norms, and hypervisibility. 1,4 Furthermore, the significant financial and social rewards on offer for those who succeed in elite sports, especially professional rugby union and rugby league, adds another layer of complexity for this group.…”

“…3,4 For Pacific male athletes, the stigma attached to mental illness is driven by the culmination of a number of interconnected factors related to social class, kinship obligations, cultural beliefs, hypermasculine norms, and hypervisibility. 1,4 Furthermore, the significant financial and social rewards on offer for those who succeed in elite sports, especially professional rugby union and rugby league, adds another layer of complexity for this group. For many young Pacific male athletes and their families, professional sports is seen as their "meal-ticket" and "the only way to the top," so there is a high chance that many of these young athletes are reluctant to seek help or disclose their mental health challenges out of fear of the potential professional consequences in doing so.…”

“…For many young Pacific male athletes and their families, professional sports is seen as their "meal-ticket" and "the only way to the top," so there is a high chance that many of these young athletes are reluctant to seek help or disclose their mental health challenges out of fear of the potential professional consequences in doing so. 1,4,5 While these fears and the stigma attached to mental illness appear to be the greatest barriers to Informal sources of support such as family and friends were popular reference sources; however, participants held slightly more positive views toward friends in comparison to family. Teammates were also a popular reference source for participants, with 55 out of 99 participants stating that they would disclose mental health problems to a teammate at least some of the time.…”

“…3,6 Moreover, positive "peer norms" for young Pacific male athletes, most of which are established by athletes' teammates, coaches, and close family members, have been found to hold great influence over young athletes' motivations to show emotional vulnerability and seek help for mental distress. 2,4 At the micro level, these close support persons appear to play a significant role in facilitating help-seeking despite the powerful structural barriers and stigma that currently hinders mental health help-seeking for this group.…”