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Collectivism, Cultural Identity and Employee Mental Health: A Study of New Zealand Māori

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Abstract

Māori are a collectivistic people living within a largely individualistic country. The present study tested whether Māori who practice higher levels of workplace collectivism feel greater alignment with their overall cultural beliefs, and report better mental health results because of their lower levels of anxiety and depression. Three hundred and thirty-six Māori employees were surveyed, and a regression analysis showed significant direct effects, with collectivism accounting for a sizable 20 % of the variance in both anxiety and depression. Two moderators relating to cultural knowledge and cultural language were also tested. Significant two-way interactions were found: high collectivism and high cultural knowledge led to low depression, and high cultural knowledge and high cultural language skills led to low depression and anxiety. A three-way interaction was found between anxiety, collectivism and cultural knowledge and/or language: low anxiety was reported by respondents with high collectivism and either high cultural knowledge or cultural language. Overall, the study highlights the importance of collectivism and cultural identity for Māori employees’ mental health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Strategy and Human Resource Management, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand

    David Brougham

  2. Ngati Maniapoto/Ngati Mahuta, College of Business (Albany), Massey University, Private Bag 102904, North Shore City, 0745, New Zealand

    Jarrod M. Haar

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  1. David Brougham
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Correspondence to Jarrod M. Haar.

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Brougham, D., Haar, J.M. Collectivism, Cultural Identity and Employee Mental Health: A Study of New Zealand Māori. Soc Indic Res 114, 1143–1160 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0194-6

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