Cultural Differences in Psychological Distress and Illness Perceptions Amongst People Living With Cardiac Inherited Diseases

Abstract

Cardiac Inherited diseases (CID) and minority ethnic status are both associated with anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate differences in patient experiences of CID between ethnic groups in New Zealand (NZ) in order to inform psychosocial interventions and promote health equity. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a NZ CID database. One-hundred and fifty-two (152) NZ Europeans, 19 Māori, and two Pasifika participated. Māori and Pasifika peoples reported significantly greater symptom perceptions, shorter timeline perceptions, higher perceived risk of severe symptoms, and were less likely to attribute the cause of their CID to hereditary factors than NZ Europeans. Māori and Pasifika also reported more anxiety and distress, although both groups reported beneficial medication perceptions and high medication adherence. Differences could not be attributed to clinical or other demographic variables. The use of screening tools and development of culturally appropriate interventions may help reduce both distress and health inequities.