Anti-racism Allyship Amongst Psychologists and Students in Psychology Training in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Racism is a well-established social determinant of health, impacting Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, few scholarly studies have focused on racial justice allyship in Aotearoa, particularly within the psychology discipline. This study examines demographic and attitudinal factors associated with anti-racism allyship among psychologists and students in psychology training amidst escalating racist rhetoric and opposition to Māori self-determination in Aotearoa. Drawing data from an online anonymous survey (n = 280), we assessed participants’ responses on three scales: 1) Attitudes towards aspects of Māori (taha Māori); 2) Attitudes towards acknowledging the existence of racism and settler colonialism 3) Anti-racist allyship. Certain demographic groups (Pākehā, Asian, older-aged, male, or those who entered training decades ago) scored lower on these scales, indicating the need for targeted training. Regression analyses showed both ‘Attitudes towards taha Māori’ and ‘Attitudes towards racism and colonisation’ scales were significantly correlated with anti-racist allyship. Our findings call for a sustained investment in training anti-racist psychologists who are competent in providing culturally safe care and capable of challenging racial injustices. Future research is required on the development of a racial justice allyship model across all institutions that train, employ and regulate psychologists in Aotearoa that is informed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.