Browsing by Author "Alefaio-Tugia, Siautu"

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    Caring for our Wisdom Bearers: Pacific Mātua (Elder) Care Report
    (NIUPATCH Massey University, 2023) Alefaio-Tugia, Siautu; Mafile’o, Tracie; Vaka, Sione; Leau, Kotalo; Satele, Petra
    This final report outlines findings from research investigating Pacific mātua (elder) care practices and the way in which caring for mātua impacts the health and wellbeing of Pacific carers and families. Traditionally, Pacific Islands households mobilise around caring for Mātua (Elders) - in this study our elders are referred to as ‘wisdom bearers’. With migration to Aotearoa New Zealand, change impacts the care Pacific families have traditionally provided. Very little was known about the cultural changes that impact traditional family based elder care, and the needs of aiga (extended family) who sustain it, until now. This report provides insights about Pacific carer practices and the blessing with challenges they faced in Aotearoa New Zealand. Pacific methods of research, Talanoa and Fa’afaletui, were used to capture perspectives and experiences of caring for Mātua. Fa’afaletui of 8 Talanoa (cultural- participatory dialogue) were conducted with over 120 participants representing 57 families, across two North Island cities of urban and regional areas. Fa’afaletui (collective houses of wisdom) represent Samoan and Tongan populations of the Pacific diaspora from Carers, Mātua (elders), Tinā (mothers), Tamā (fathers) and Tupulaga (youth). The ages ranged from 6 - 87yrs. Objectives of this study were: • Identify Pacific elder-care practices that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Pacific elders, carers and families • Examine the impact of cultural-contextual change on Pacific Mātua care practices • Detail the socio-cultural and material supports needed to sustain Pacific care practices. Results highlight a unique Pacific Aiga-care practice called ‘Tausi Mātua’ (Caring for Elders), as a collective system of care based on family life-cycle. Tausi Mātua is a Samoan term and is found to be alive and well within the Pacific diaspora of Aotearoa. Although it has changed over time and place, impacting the way it is now practised, Pacific Mātua remain the core of Aiga-wellbeing. Tausi Mātua is expressed by families as a blessing endowed with its own challenges that require support. Pacific families are an integral part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse cultural fabric, and they make significant contributions as caregivers. Tongan participants discussed their fatongia (duties and responsibilities) in the traditional halafononga (pathway) and the need to change this halafononga in NZ. However, they encounter challenges that hinder their ability to fulfil their caregiving roles effectively. Our findings call for Pacific Mātua-care policies centred on Aiga/kāinga (family) wellbeing that should consider: Carer leave provision for Aotearoa, focused Pacific Mātua carer training, transitional support for life after care (especially for Youth carers), broadening definitions of family beyond households to accommodate multiple carers, extending the provision of super (pension) beyond realm countries to enable freedom of mobility to age-well, support for church and community-led centres of care, and housing that is accessible ensuring families are supported to care well, and be well.
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    Loto Malie (Contented Heart) : understanding Pacific youth mental wellbeing : a thesis by publication presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Auva'a-Alatimu, Taulaga Monica
    The voices and perspectives of Pacific young people can often be overlooked, yet they are instrumental in shaping the future of today’s society; their voices need to be amplified. Pacific youth, a diverse and vibrant group in Aotearoa New Zealand, are facing growing mental health concerns and are less likely than youth of other ethnicities to seek psychological help due to stigma and a lack of mental health awareness. The paucity of culturally appropriate psychological interventions may contribute to Pacific youth’s reluctance to seek help. The Ministry of Health has encouraged the implementation of Pacific worldviews when promoting the wellbeing of Pacific youth. This study aimed to contribute to the development of new knowledge in Pacific Mental health research and psychological interventions for Pacific youth. To date, there has been limited published research on psychological approaches which integrate spirituality, culture and a digital intervention for promoting mental wellbeing in Pacific youth. This research explores Pacific youth’s experiences of engaging with mental health tools, specifically a Pacific mental health intervention developed for the very purpose of meeting the needs of Pacific youth, Loto Malie (contented heart). In exploring youth experiences and perspectives on mental health, prioritising Pacific-Indigenous knowledge in the research methodology was fundamental. Consequently, the Fa’afaletui and Talanoa frameworks, which draw on Pacific-Indigenous methodologies, provided culturally sound processes for engagement with Pacific youth which allowed them to share their stories and experiences authentically. The findings highlight the key themes that formulate and conceptualise the Loto Malie therapeutic framework, revealing the importance of interweaving culture and spirituality within the therapeutic environment, especially as this strengthened Pacific youth engagement with this approach. At the outset, the aim of this PhD was to explore digital mental health tools with youth, given the low uptake of such tools specifically among Pacific youth. The primary researcher developed an innovative cultural digital mental health intervention, Loto Malie 2.0 Mukbang + mental health, as an interim measure during the pandemic. This innovative approach was shared privately (upon invitation) via YouTube and Facebook. Loto Malie 2.0 aimed to provide accessible cultural and clinical examples that promoted mental health awareness and meaningful connections with the viewers, who were predominantly young adults. Overall, developing the Loto Malie programme and Loto Malie 2.0 allowed young people to attain mental health knowledge and equipped them with relevant tools for wellbeing improvement. Therefore, this newfound knowledge and wisdom provided initial evidence that Pacific youth engage effectively with mental health tools when they are grounded in a Pacific therapeutic approach embedded within their worldviews. The Loto Malie therapeutic framework aims to serve as a guide for Pacific therapeutic approaches to enhance the overall wellbeing of Pacific youth.