Psychological distress and diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders in Pacific adults: a pooled analysis of five consecutive New Zealand Health Survey years

ABSTRACT This article examines psychological distress and diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders in Pacific adults, comparing against non‐Māori non‐Pacific (nMnP) adults, and between Pacific subgroups. A sample of adults aged 15 years and over was pooled from five consecutive New Zealand Health Survey years spanning 2014/15–2018/19. Prevalence estimates of psychological distress and doctor‐diagnosed mood and/or anxiety disorders were calculated for Pacific and nMnP adults, and Pacific subgroups defined by two sociodemographic factors: multiple ethnic affiliation (‘multi‐ethnicity’) and years since migration to Aotearoa New Zealand. Risk ratios for comparative analyses were generated using log‐binomial regression modelling. Mental health inequities were evident in Pacific adults ( n = 4,335) as they were more likely than nMnP ( n = 50,397) to experience psychological distress, but less likely to have ever had a diagnosed mood and/or anxiety disorder. Within‐Pacific differences were also visible, with higher rates of diagnosed mood and/or anxiety disorders seen in both multi‐ethnic and New Zealand‐born Pacific adults, and lower rates in Pacific migrants. Living for a longer time in Aotearoa New Zealand appeared to be associated with an increased risk of diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders.