Lay summary
Antenatal and postnatal depression symptoms during the perinatal period is associated with negative impacts on maternal health, pregnancy outcomes, child health and child development. The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study found that 23% of Pacific women experienced symptoms of prenatal depression symptoms, compared with around 14% of other women and only around 8% of European women. While longitudinal and cross-sectional quantitative studies continue to tell us that our Pacific women are at risk, to date Pacific narratives about the journey in and through perinatal depression is lacking. This project will use qualitative methods and Pacific methodology to explore the experiences of Pacific mothers with antenatal and/or postnatal depression symptoms. It will examine the support structures that are currently in place and/or need to be in place, and how we can better respond to Pacific maternal mental health.