@Article{info:doi/10.2196/50385,
author="Donkin, Liesje
and Bidois-Putt, Marie-Claire
and Wilson, Holly
and Hayward, Penelope
and Chan, Amy Hai Yan",
title="An Exploration of the Goodness of Fit of Web-Based Tools for M{\={a}}ori: Qualitative Study Using Interviews and Focus Groups",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2024",
month="May",
day="2",
volume="8",
pages="e50385",
keywords="Indigenous people; M{\={a}}ori; eHealth; mental health; web-based intervention; digital intervention",
abstract="Background: Indigenous communities often have poorer health outcomes and services under traditional models of care. In New Zealand, this holds true for M{\={a}}ori people who are t{\={a}}ngata whenua (the indigenous people). Several barriers exist that decrease the likelihood of indigenous communities often have poorer health outcomes and poor service fit under traditional models of care, including access issues, systemic and provider racism, and a lack of culturally safe and responsive services. Web-based interventions (WBIs) have been shown to be effective in supporting mental health and well-being and can overcome some of these barriers. Despite the large number of WBIs developed, more investigation is needed to know how well WBIs fit with an indigenous worldview and how they meet the needs of indigenous communities so that a digitally based future does not drive social and health inequities. Objective: This study aims to explore the goodness-of-fit of WBIs of M{\={a}}ori individuals, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Methods: We used interviews (n=3) and focus groups (n=5) with 30 M{\={a}}ori participants to explore their views about WBIs. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis by members of the research team. Results: Overall, there was a perception that the design of WBIs did not align with the M{\={a}}ori worldview, which centers around people, relationships, spirituality, and holistic views of well-being. A total of 4 key themes and several subthemes emerged, indicating that WBIs were generally considered a poor fit for M{\={a}}ori. Specifically, the themes were as follows: (1) WBIs are disconnected from the core values of te ao M{\={a}}ori (the M{\={a}}ori worldview), (2) WBIs could be helpful in the right context, (3) there are significant barriers that may make it harder for M{\={a}}ori to use WBIs than other groups, and (4) ways to improve WBIs to help engagement with M{\={a}}ori. Conclusions: While WBIs are often considered a way to reduce barriers to care, they may not meet the needs of M{\={a}}ori when used as a stand-alone intervention. If WBIs are continued to be offered, developers and researchers need to consider how to develop WBIs that are responsive and engaging to the needs of indigenous communities rather than driving inequities. Ideally, WBIs should be developed by the people they are intended for to fit with those populations' world views. ",
issn="2561-326X",
doi="10.2196/50385",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e50385",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/50385",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38696236"
}