I kotturå-ta, I minetgot-ta: A qualitative investigation of mental health perceptions and cultural strengths among CHamoru people.

Abstract

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2020), over 1.5 million people identify as Pacific Islander, which establishes this group as one of the fastest growing cultural groups in the United States. However, this population remains underrepresented in discussions about mental health (Borrero et al., 2012) despite their overrepresentation in unaddressed mental health concerns (Seaton et al., 2019). Within this population, there is an absence of literature regarding the mental health perceptions of the Indigenous Pacific Islanders of the Northern Mariana Islands, the CHamoru people. Further, little is known about how CHamoru people use their community strengths to promote wellness. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of mental health and the unique community strengths that exist within the CHamoru community. Utilizing a grounded theory approach, a thematic analysis was conducted with data gathered from 10 semistructured interviews with eight women and two men (Mage = 34.6 years) who identified as adults of CHamoru descent. Participants identified six key themes that are central to their culture and promote overall well-being: (a) embracing historical knowledge, (b) connection to land and language, (c) cultural value of inafa'maolek, (d) cultural value of respetu, (e) spirituality, and (f) ethnic identity exploration. Our findings provide insight about the perceptions of mental health and cultural strengths among CHamoru people, providing a needed foundation for understanding how to deliver mental health services to this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).