Do natural and built environments influence mental health of Pacific young people in Aotearoa New Zealand? a nationwide geospatial study
Main Article Content
Keywords
integrated data infrastructure, mental health, geospatial, geographic information systems, health location index, Pacific Health
Abstract
Introduction: The importance of the physical environments where Pacific Peoples live is embedded in their diverse histories, traditions, and world views, influencing indigenous models of health and wellbeing. Pacific young people of Aotearoa New Zealand are known to experience higher rates of mental and addiction problems than other young people. This paper investigates how environments where Pacific young people (10–24 years) live are associated with mental health outcomes.
Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study combines linked population-level data from the Integrated Data Infrastructure and the Healthy Location Index, a multi-dimensional geospatial measure of health-related environmental features in Aotearoa New Zealand. We examine any mental condition and emotional (depression and/or anxiety), substance use-related, and self-harm conditions.
Results: Pacific young people living in health-promoting environments had lower odds for any mental conditions than those living in health-neutral locations (OR=0.92; 95% CI=0.86–0.99). Although few findings were statistically significant, the prevalence of mental conditions in health-promoting environments were lower than in health-constraining environments. However, the only significant association between the environment and mental health were attenuated by demographic and other covariates such as urbanicity and socioeconomic deprivation.
Discussion: These findings only begin to describe the complex picture of how healthy environments influence the mental health of young Pacific Peoples. But they also suggest that the resilience of Pacific communities in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation may be protective for some mental conditions, while those living in isolated rural settings have an increased risk. While there are some benefits to Pacific young people’s mental health from living in health-promoting environments, these can only be realised if other socio-economic and social inequities are resolved.
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Jesse Kokaua, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Research Associate Professor at the Va’a O Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health, Division of Health Sciences
Barry Milne, University of Auckland
Director, Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Education
Sarah Hetrick, University of Auckland
Principal Clinical Advisor, Suicide Prevention Office, Ministry of Health
Hiran Thabrew, University of Auckland
Te Ara Hāro, Centre for Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Joseph Boden, University of Otago, Christchurch
Director, Christchurch Health and Development Study
Matthew Hobbs, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Associate Professor, Faculty of Health | Te Kaupeka Oranga and GeoHealth Laboratory | Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora,
Reremoana Theodore, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Director, The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology
Jesse Wiki, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
GeoHealth Laboratory | Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora
Nicholas Bowden, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Senior Research Fellow, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago, Otepoti | Dunedin, and Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Health | Te Kaupeka Oranga, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Lukas Marek, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
GeoHealth Laboratory, Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora
Albany Lucas, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Assistant Research Fellow, Va’a O Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health, Division of Health Sciences
Troy Ruhe, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Dr Troy Ruhe is a Research Fellow at the Va’a O Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health, Division of Health Sciences, and Coastal People: Southern Skies, Centre for Research Excellence
Rosalina Richards, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Professor, Va’a O Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health, Division of Health Sciences, and Coastal People: Southern Skies, Centre for Research Excellence