Abstract:
‘Takatāpui’ is the name for the Indigenous Māori people of Aotearoa New Zealand who are gender or sexuality diverse. As part of two minority groups, Takatāpui have unique experiences based on a combination of exposure to LGBTQIA+ Rainbow and Māori cultures and communities. Because of this, Takatāpui experience a number of challenges that influence their mental wellbeing and risks to suicidality. These challenges that influence Takatāpui youth mental wellbeing relate to a history of colonisation towards Māori people in Aotearoa, and harmful cisheterosexism that is experienced by Rainbow communities. The aim of this research project is to understand how the challenges faced by Takatāpui relate to inequality (in particular, social marginalisation) and the potential impact they have on the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and attempts in Takatāpui youth. To do so, this study used data from the Youth19 Survey which collected information from students in 49 schools in northern Aotearoa. Using data from 273 Takatāpui youth, this project focused on five structural determinants of mental health that may be impacted by marginalisation: Whanaungatanga, School Safety, Deprivation, Peer Support, and Māori Pride, and measured these against the likelihood that Takatāpui youth experienced suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide. An increase in Whanaungatanga and School Safety correlated with a decrease in both suicidal thoughts and attempts, an increase in Deprivation increased suicidal thoughts, but not suicide attempts in Takatāpui youth, and finally Māori Pride and Peer Support were insignificant for both suicidal thoughts and attempts. The results of this study assists current literature on Takatāpui youth and helps us to understand what structural determinants may be contributing to their suicidality. Furthermore, through understanding these structural determinants, policies may work towards creating positive environments that support Takatāpui youth towards good mental wellbeing, and help them to reduce suicidality.
