'E koekoe te Tui, e ketekete te Kaka, e kuku te Kereru, The Tui chatters, the Kaka cackles, and the Kereru coos': Insights into explanatory factors, treatment experiences and recovery for Maori with eating disorders - A qualitative study

Background: Eating disorders are as common in Maori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa-New Zealand, as they are in non-Maori; however, research has focused on the experiences of non-Maori. This paper will describe explanatory factors, treatment experiences and what helps with recovery for Maori. Methods: Kaupapa Maori research methodology informed the methods and analysis. Fifteen semi-structured interviews comprised thirteen Maori participants with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder) and two whanau (support network) members. A thematic analysis was undertaken by a first cycle of coding that used deductive structural coding to identify data describing participants' perceived causes of eating disorders, their experience of treatment and recovery. A second cycle of coding used inductive analysis with descriptive and pattern coding. Results: Three overarching themes were antecedents (cumulative exposure), treatment (a system of complexities) and recovery (resource empowerment). Antecedents comprised cumulative exposure to body and sporting ideals and adversity as causal factors of eating disorders. In the treatment theme, a system of complexities critiqued rural settings for generalised mental health services, allocation of Maori cultural support, the economic burden of treatment, culturally incongruent treatment (methods, values) and a weight-focused discharge criterion. Recovery (resource empowerment) found appropriate health information, self-determination and connection to Maori culture and whanau aspirations helped with recovery. Conclusion: The diversity of birdcalls reminds us of the individuality of eating disorders. Health practitioners are reminded that just as the Tui, Kaka and Kereru possess their own unique birdcalls, so do Maori with eating disorders and their whanau have their own experiences, needs and required treatment responses.

Automated summary

The experiences and treatment needs of Maori with eating disorders are different from those of non-Maori. The key themes identified include cumulative exposure, treatment complexities, and resource empowerment.