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Contrapuntal framework of accessing mental health services among Pacific Islanders in the United States
G E Kawika Allen1, Elizabeth A Cutrer-Párraga1, Benjamin K Coffey1
1Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to understand Pacific Islanders' (PIs) experiences related to accessing psychological services. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted to collect and analyze cultural perspectives and frameworks that may assist or prevent this group from seeking help.
Method:
This interpretative phenomenological analysis focus group study was conducted with 32 total participants in nine focus groups consisting of cross-generational PIs residing in one western state of the United States. The results yielded multiple contrapuntal themes related to PI meaning-making regarding mental health care.
Results:
These were (a) family-centered culture is valued versus family may be dismissive of family members seeking help for mental health needs; (b) history of minimizing mental health needs in PI communities versus a desire for normalizing moving forward; (c) mental health issues are your fault versus external factors are responsible for mental health challenges; (d) emergency room primary mental health resource versus mental health support is too expensive; (e) faith community is helpful versus conflicting religious experiences; and (f) desire for cultural fit versus mistrust of confidentiality in PI community.
Conclusions:
These contrapuntal voices/tensions provide unique insights to therapy adaptations when working with PIs. We discuss clinical implications for working with this group and recommendations for future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
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