The role of Indigenous family ethnic schema on well-being among Native Hawaiian families

Abstract

Despite assertions of the importance of family in Indigenous cultures and its impact on psychological and physical health, there remains a paucity of research and a lack of measurement on Indigenous families’ worldviews and their respective impact on well-being. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between Indigenous family ethnic schema and individual well-being. The sample consisted of 81 older adults (average age was 60.94 years old) with 77 Native Hawaiian and part-Native Hawaiian participants, and two Caucasian and two Asian participants with a Hawaiian partner or spouse. Family ethnic schema focusing on Indigenous values, beliefs, expectations and priorities was found to explain higher levels of individual well-being independent of age, income and gender. Clinical implications of family ethnic schema in terms of help-seeking behavior, treatment and adherence to treatment are discussed.