Research team: Associate Professor Amy Chan (PI), Associate Professor Liesje Donkin, Holly Wilson, Aaryn Niuapu, Professor Tony Dowell, Professor Jim Warren, Associate Professor Frederick Sundram
Could you share a summary of your research project and what inspired you to pursue it?
Our project aimed to explore the effectiveness of Web-based interventions (WBIs) such as online digital support tools for the mental health and well-being of Māori in New Zealand. With the increase in digital support tools for mental health and wellbeing, we wanted to find out whether these tools were acceptable for Māori and their perspectives of using digital technology for mental health/wellbeing support. Through interviews and focus groups with 30 Māori participants with lived experience of mental health, we found that WBIs often do not align with Māori values, which focus on relationships, spirituality, and holistic well-being. Four key themes emerged: there is a disconnect from Māori values with WBIs; there is potential usefulness of WBIs but only in the right context; barriers exist for Māori in using WBIs; and suggestions for improving WBIs to better engage Māori.
How did the Foundation support your research?
This research received project support from the Foundation which was instrumental in allowing our research to happen. It provided the necessary funding and resources so that we could engage with diverse Māori communities, conduct interviews and focus groups and thoroughly explore the fit of Web-based interventions within the Māori worldview and identify the barriers faced by Māori in using these services. Receiving funding from the Foundation also helped raise awareness of our Kaupapa, which helped with participant recruitment.
Were there any unique or surprising findings in your research?
One of the most surprising findings was the disconnect that was voiced by participants about the design of WBIs and Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview). While WBIs are often seen as effective for mental health support, our participants found WBIs often lacked cultural relevance and connection to their values of relationships, spirituality, and holistic well-being, which we had not expected to find.
By the same token though, another useful finding was the potential for WBIs to be helpful if they were tailored to the right context. This suggests that there’s a real opportunity to improve current online/digital tools to better serve Māori communities.
What impact did receiving support from the Foundation have on your career or future research opportunities?
Receiving support from the Foundation came at an important time in my career as I had just returned to New Zealand from the UK from fellowship opportunity overseas, and this was one of the first independent project grants I was awarded upon coming back to New Zealand. The funding allowed me to have my own research team, where we were able to employ and grown one of our Māori researchers. The funding thus had a significant impact on my own career as well as that of our research assistant, who is now completing her PhD. Receiving support also enabled me the opportunity to work with indigenous communities, which helped establish ongoing relationships with key Māori stakeholders and research partners. The mahi set a strong foundation for future projects aimed at ensuring interventions are culturally responsive to Māori.
How has this project contributed to the field, or impacted the wider community?
This project has made significant contributions to the field of digital health and indigenous well-being. By highlighting the mismatch between traditional Web-based interventions and the Māori worldview, it has underscored the need for culturally tailored digital health tools. This research has raised awareness about the importance of cultural relevance potentially influencing future designs and implementations of digital tools to better serve our Māori communities.
For the wider community, the project’s findings have sparked important conversations about health equity and the need for inclusive, accessible mental health support. We hope this work has encouraged healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology developers to consider the cultural dimensions of their services, to improve the mental health and well-being of Māori.
How would you describe the significance of support from Whau Mental Health Research Foundation for researchers in mental health?
The support from Whau Mental Health Research Foundation is invaluable for researchers in mental health. It provides essential funding and resources as well as networks with key stakeholders that allow researchers to conduct grow, explore innovative approaches, whilst addressing critical gaps in mental health research. The support also fosters collaborations and partnerships that are lifelong and can foster ongoing advancements in the field of mental health.
Have there been any specific end users or groups who have directly benefited from your research findings?
Our findings provide the necessary evidence to support Māori individuals and communities to advocate for more culturally responsive digital health tools. Healthcare providers and organisations can also learn from our findings on how to design and implement Web-based interventions that align with Māori values and worldviews, and inform strategies and policies that promote culturally responsive technological tools for our communities.
