Trends in psychological distress: analysis of NZ health survey data (2011–2023)

Steven Lillis

doi:10.1071/HC25057

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Trends in psychological distress: analysis of NZ health survey data (2011–2023)

Steven Lillis

¹ ^*

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

¹ Te Huataki Waiora Division of Health - University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

^* Correspondence to: steven.lillis@outlook.co.nz

Handling Editor: Tim Stokes

Journal of Primary Health Care https://doi.org/10.1071/HC25057

Submitted: 2 April 2025 Accepted: 22 May 2025 Published: 18 June 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Introduction

Globally, mental health problems are increasing, particularly among youth, women, Indigenous populations, and those facing socioeconomic disadvantage. Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) mirrors these trends, raising concerns about the capacity of primary care to respond.

Aim

This study aimed to analyse psychological distress trends in NZ from 2011 to 2023 and assess implications for primary health care.

Methods

Data from the New Zealand Health Survey were used, focusing on Kessler 10 scores ≥12, classified as high or very high psychological distress. Results were stratified by age, gender, ethnicity, and deprivation.

Results

Overall rates of distress rose significantly. Among females aged 15–24 years, distress increased from 6 to 30%. Māori and Pacific peoples showed consistently higher distress rates, with widening disparities. The most socioeconomically deprived groups (Quintile 5) had the highest distress levels in all years of study data.

Discussion

The findings highlight an escalating mental health burden managed predominantly in primary care. Workforce shortages, limited continuity of care, and structural inequities restrict the sector’s ability to respond. Urgent investment in culturally responsive, integrated, and equitable mental health services is required.

Keywords: ethnic groups, health inequities, health surveys, mental health services, primary health care, psychological distress, socioeconomic factors, young adults.

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