Abstract
The aim of this thesis was to explore the current and potential future use of pūrākau (Māori stories and narratives) in contemporary mental health settings in Aotearoa, New Zealand. As the project evolved, a second study on Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian storytelling took place. In my research, I used the He Awa Whiria - Braided Rivers approach to provide an overarching theoretical framework to acknowledge both mātauranga Māori and Western psychology and navigate the interface between these two knowledge streams. As part of this approach, I drew upon Kaupapa Māori research principles to guide my research alongside Western psychology qualitative research methods to provide a procedure to collect and analyse data.
Study 1 involved 31 mental health workers and kaumātua with knowledge of and experience using pūrākau in contemporary mental health contexts in Aotearoa (22 Māori, nine non-Māori). Fifteen one-on-one interviews and two focus groups were conducted to explore uses of pūrākau from a mental health perspective, including observed benefits and broader considerations. Thematic analysis led to the development of 16 themes surrounding the use of pūrākau in mental health settings; associated cultural, psychological, and therapeutic benefits, and broader considerations also relevant to the use of mātauranga Māori and Māori cultural practices in mental health settings and the broader psychology discipline.
The aim of Study 2 was to understand the use, benefits, opportunities, and barriers to Indigenous storytelling in a context outside Aotearoa. Study 2 involved one-on-one interviews with nine mental health workers and elders (eight Indigenous, one non-Indigenous) with knowledge and experience using Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian storytelling practices in mental health settings. Thematic analysis led to the development of eight themes surrounding the use of Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian stories and storytelling practice in mental health settings and the cultural, psychological, and therapeutic benefits, and broader opportunities and barriers.
While there are unique stories and storytelling practices specific to each community, fundamentally, across both studies, participants identified storytelling as an important intergenerational wellbeing practice that provides a holistic and culturally-relevant therapeutic approach to mental health. I also found that such stories and cultural healing practices are often invisible or marginalised within psychology, thus limiting potential therapeutic approaches for clinicians and benefits for clients.
My research demonstrates how pūrākau provide a multifaceted approach to hauora: helping to process distress and grief; fostering cultural, psychological, and relational aspects of wellbeing; and positively contributing to the overall therapeutic process, making pūrākau a holistic and effective therapeutic modality. Given the benefits identified, I developed Toka Āhuru, a framework to promote the safe and meaningful use of pūrākau in mental health settings, providing guidance for clinicians, educators, researchers, and service providers.
I end the thesis by discussing areas for innovation, and recommendations for the psychology workforce, curriculum, and service development. I highlight the need to increase the capacity and capability of both the Māori and non-Māori workforce, the continued investment and development of Māori Psychology, and future research possibilities. Such results provide timely guidance on braiding mātauranga Māori and Western Psychology in a way that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi, contributes to meaningful healthcare experiences, and promotes hauora for tangata whai ora – those seeking wellness.