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ABSTRACT
Although there has been increased research about the nature and predictors of sexual problems, relatively little is known about sexual health and well-being among minority ethnic groups across the world. This study explored stressful intimate relationship events that made a significant impact on psychological distress among Pacific adults living in New Zealand. The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) study is a longitudinal investigation of Pacific children born in New Zealand, and their parents. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) and intimate partner stress items were used to assess the relationship between these stressful events and psychological distress among Pacific mothers and fathers (n = 3963 interviews with 2114 individuals). For both men and women, the most significant partner stress associated with psychological distress was problems with sex. These findings show how stressful events around sexuality and intimate relationships affect Pacific psychological well-being. These intimate issues need to be considered when designing intervention and treatment programmes that are adaptive for long-term family stability and sexual well-being. The relationship between culture, sexuality, and psychological distress needs further investigation. Using a qualitative methodology would provide a more intensive exploration of the role that cultural context plays in intimate relationships and sexuality in Pacific adults.
Acknowledgments
The PIF Study is funded by the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology, and the Health Research Council of New Zealand. The authors gratefully acknowledge the study participants and the PIF Advisory Board.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
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Notes on contributors
Janis Paterson
Professor Janis Paterson is the co-director of the National Institute of Public Health & Mental Health Research at Auckland University of Technology which is focused on advancing both the quantity and quality of research activities within the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. Professor Paterson is Foundation Director of the Pacific Islands Families Study and plays a central role in the growth and development of a variety of research areas.
El-Shadan Tautolo
Dr El-Shadan (Dan) Tautolo is director of the Pacific Islands Families Study and a Senior Research Fellow within the National institute of Public Health & Mental Health research at Auckland University of Technology.
Leon Iusitini
Leon Iusitini is a senior research officer within the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. He is the project manager for the Pacific Islands Families Study.
Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor is a founding member of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and experience and a keen interest in a variety of statistical techniques.
Panteá Farvid
Dr Pantea Farvid is a senior lecturer in Psychology at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. Her research examines the intersection of gender, sexuality, power, culture, technology and identity. She has carried out critical analysis of contemporary heterosexual relationships in the domain of casual sex, online dating, mobile dating and men who buy sex. Currently, her work is focused on mapping the nature and meanings of intimacy in the domain of technologically mediated relationships, as exemplified by heterosexual Tinder-use.