Modern Psychological Studies
Volume
31
Number
1
Publisher
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Place of Publication
Chattanooga (Tenn.)
Date
2025
Abstract
Mental health among Pacific Islanders remains an underexplored area in research. This review aims to synthesize existing research on the mental health status of Pacific Islanders, focusing on mental health risk factors and mental health service utilization. A systematic search across APA PsychInfo spanning from 2015 to 2024 yielded 11 relevant articles, which were subsequently analyzed and synthesized. Findings suggest that Pacific Islanders experience unique stressors, including, racial discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural stigma surrounding mental health. However, there is a disparity in culturally sensitive assessment tools and interventions tailored specifically to this population. Future research should prioritize phenomenological methods, culturally informed assessments, and community-based interventions to better understand and address the mental health implications of Pacific Islanders. Practitioners, clinicians, counselors, and researchers should work together to develop culturally competent approaches that promote mental wellness and reduce disparities among Pacific Islander populations.
Subject
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Document Type
article
DCMI Type
Text
Language
English
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Recommended Citation
Dobberfuhl, Shawn I.
(2025)
"Pacific Islander Mental Health: A Literature Review,"
Modern Psychological Studies: Vol. 31:
No.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scholar.utc.edu/mps/vol31/iss1/2
Department
Dept. of Psychology