Understanding depression in Tokelauan people in New Zealand

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Tokelauan language lacks a word for ‘depression’ and this can make diagnosing and treating depression in Tokelauan patients difficult for general practitioners. AIMS: To describe the experience of depression in Tokelauans and thereby assist diagnosis and treatment of the illness. METHOD: Ten semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The transcripts were thematically analysed using an immersion crystallisation technique. RESULTS: An illness involving profound sadness exists in the Tokelauan culture. Tokelauans recognise isolation and withdrawal from family and community activities as indicators of extreme sadness. Privacy and pride are important cultural characteristics, which may be barriers to recognising sadness. Often the smiling Tokelauan face becomes the mask hiding sadness. CONCLUSION: This research demonstrates the complexity of relationships between patients, their illness and their culture, that impacts on how depression manifests. This research indicates that therapy must have a whole person approach involving family, church, community and patients’ spiritual beliefs.