title: Pacific Islands Families Study: psychological distress among mothers of Pacific children living in New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated: 1) the prevalence of psychological distress among a cohort of mothers of Pacific children; and 2) the socio-demographic and lifestyle variables associated with psychological distress.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study is a longitudinal investigation of a cohort of Pacific children born in Auckland, New Zealand, and their mothers and fathers. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) was used to assess psychological distress among mothers (N=851) at about 11 years postpartum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Current psychological distress was reported by 19% of mothers, and six explanatory variables were significantly associated with maternal psychological distress: stressful life events, postnatal depression, marital status, maternal education, ethnicity and cultural alignment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the mental health of Pacific people varies by particular ethnic group and cultural alignment. This highlights the need for culturally appropriate evaluation and treatment for at-risk Pacific mothers that will break down psychological, cultural and economic barriers to accessing help for psychological distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By learning about factors that are potentially modifiable we can begin to identify the most appropriate ways to address their impact on psychological distress among Pacific women.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Janis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
authors.forename: El-Shadan
authors.initials: el-S
authors.lastname: Tautolo
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iusitini
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005220:Fathers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: Pacific women; general health questionnaire; psychological distress