PARS wars: a systematic review of 'Play, Active Recreation and Sport' (PARS) in promoting mental health among Māori youth

Intern

Nick Parata, University of Otago

Supervisor

Dr Jeremy Hapeta, University of Otago

Overview

This internship explored PARS as a tool for flourishing mental wellbeing in rangatahi Māori. There is a growing body of literature suggesting that regular physical activity and participation in sports can have significant benefits on wellbeing. However, there is a gap in research when it comes to focusing specifically on how PARS can benefit rangatahi Maori (Māori youth) mental wellbeing. Furthermore, rangatahi Māori experience greater mental health disparities compared to non-Māori (YouthLine, 2022). Thus, there is a compelling need to investigate the potential of PARS engagement as a holistic and culturally relevant intervention for flourishing mental wellbeing.

The intern conducted two methods of data collection in the form of systematic review and a mixed methods survey to best address the research question. This enabled comparison of the current literature existing on the topic, as well as gaining valuable information regarding lived experiences in PARS spaces for Māori.