%0 Journal Article
%T Pilot of Te Tomokanga: A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Evaluation Tool for an Indigenous Population
%A Kahu McClintock
%A Graham Mellsop
%A Tess Moeke-Maxwell
%A Chris Frampton
%J International Indigenous Policy Journal
%D 2012
%I University of Western Ontario
%X BackgroundThe acceptability of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Indigenous peoples is little studied. There has been a lack of evaluation tools able to take account of the more holistic approach to the attainment of mental health that characterises M─ori, the Indigenous population of Aotearoa (New Zealand). This study aimed to develop such an instrument and establish some of its psychometric properties. Then, to use the measure to establish wh─nau (family or caregiver) views on desirable CAMHS characteristics.MethodA self-administered survey, Te Tomokanga, was developed by modifying a North American questionnaire, the Youth Services Survey for Families (YSS-F). The intent of the tool was to record wh─nau experiences and views on service acceptability.The Te Tomokanga survey is unique in that it incorporates questions designed to examine CAMHS delivery in light of the Whare Tapa Wh─[1], a M─ori comprehensive model of health with a focus on wh─nau involvement and culturally responsive services. This mail or telephone survey was completed by a cohort of 168 M─ori wh─nau. Their children had been referred to one of the three types of CAMHS, mainstream, bicultural, and kaupapa M─ori[2], of the District Health Board (DHBs) in the Midland health region, Aotearoa. The Midland health region is an area with a large M─ori population with high levels of social deprivation.ResultsThe Te Tomokanga instrument was shown to have a similar factor structure to the North American questionnaire from which it had been derived. It identified issues relevant to M─ori wh─nau satisfaction with CAMHS. The work supports the concept that M─ori desire therapeutic methods consistent with the Whare Tapa Wh─, such as wh─nau involvement and the importance of recognising culture and spirituality.The participants were generally positive about the services they received from the three different CAMHS types, which shows good acceptability of CAMHS for M─ori. Results found satisfaction with CAMHS was related to wh─nau involvement and culturally delivered services.ConclusionThe Te Tomokanga instrument should prove useful in Aotearoa or other similar cultural settings. It is a means of determining the cultural acceptability or improving CAMHS delivery for Indigenous populations.[1] The Whare Tapa Wh─ framework relies on a M─ori worldview of health, a holistic approach advocating a balance between the four dimensions of the Taha Wh─nau (family), the Taha Tinana (physical), the Taha Hinengaro (cognitive or intellectual) and the Taha Wairua (spiritual). It is believed if one
%K Indigenous
%K Child and adolescent mental health
%K Service measurement
%U http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1065&context=iipj