Latent Profile Analysis of Pacific Health Values

Pacific health models addressing Pacific values can reduce healthcare disparities.
The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS) data was used to determine how Pacific values translate across health and wellbeing.
Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) identified subgroups of Pacific peoples based on Pacific values and psychological distress.

Identified four subgroups:

Pacific values and health models are suitable for framing health and wellbeing for most of the Pacific population.
The Pacific community has diversity, requiring understanding and accommodation of diverse values.

Pacific peoples in Aotearoa NZ have a relatively poor health profile due to social, cultural, and economic factors.
Barriers to healthcare access and systemic inequality are intersecting factors.
Lower life expectancy for Pacific peoples (Male: $74.5$ years; Female: $79.0$ years) compared to the total Aotearoa NZ population (Males: $80.0$ years; Female: $83.5$ years).

Development of culturally appropriate tools to improve and maintain health and wellbeing.
Pacific models are based on Indigenous Pacific concepts, knowledge, values, and practices, incorporating mind, body, spirit, and environment.

Cultural identity, spirituality, healthy relationships, family support, communication, and social activity are protective factors.
Factors affecting Pacific health: quality of health services, education, cultural and social contexts, and lifestyle factors.
Pacific models provide a framework for understanding Pacific health and are used as teaching tools.
Mental health literacy is important, with elements such as being Pacific-led, family-centered, holistic, and community-based.
Applicability of Pacific models varies across the diversity of the Pacific population.

LPA uncovers different groups within a population using data from the NZAVS.
Variables approximating common values across Pacific health models were selected as proxy indicators.
The 6-item Kessler scale (K6) measured psychological distress.
LPA was developed to uncover subgroups based on their orientation towards proxy indicators and their association with psychological distress.

Continuous variables from the NZAVS that approximate common Pacific values were measured as proxy indicators, including relationships, family, culture, spirituality/religion, and land.
An auxiliary variable was the 6-item Kessler (K6) scale, a measure of psychological distress.

Latent Profile solutions ranging from two to five profiles were specified.
A four-profile solution provided a clear and interpretable solution.
Average latent profile probabilities indicated excellent classification likelihood.

The largest subgroup (65%) was high across all domains and had the lowest K6 score.
The second largest subgroup (18%) was moderate across all domains and had a medium K6 score.
The smallest subgroup (5%) was low across all domains and had a low K6 score.
The third largest subgroup (12%) demonstrated varying support across all domains and had a high K6 score.

The study used Pacific health models and NZAVS data to develop an LPA, identifying differing orientations around Pacific cultural values and variations in psychological distress.
Four Pacific profiles and their K6 scores were identified.
It has been encouraged for such models to be revised to ensure they are also appropriate for Pacific youth.

There is no prior work utilizing LPA methods to examine the relationship between Pacific cultural values and mental health outcomes in Aotearoa