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Abstract
Data from an interview survey of over seventy adult men on the island of Aitutaki in the Cook group were used to explore the physical, psychological, and social correlates of modernization. The data support the conclusion that physical/psychological symptoms and social conflicts tend to covary. Furthermore, those modernizing Aitutakian men who retain their traditional group orientation, rather than adopting a more individualistic strategy, report significantly fewer social conflicts with their kinsmen and neighbors, and fewer symptoms of psychological and physical health problems, than do other segments of the society. Some policy implications for the Cook Islands and similar developing nations are discussed.
Notes
We want to thank the Royal Society of New Zealand, the South Pacific Research Institute, Inc., and the National Institute of Mental Health (1 ROI MH 30 139–01 and 02) for their financial support at various stages in this research. A fellowship year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, California, a travel grant from the National Science Foundation (BNS‐76–22943), and office space at the Center for South Pacific Studies, University of California at Santa Cruz have all provided the time and facilities which have made the analysis and write‐up of this material possible. We also wish to thank the Cook Islands government and the people of Aitutaki for their help and cooperation throughout this research and our research assistant Mr. Tukua Upokomanu for his tact and skill during the testing and interviewing. Finally, we offer a special note of respect and gratitude to our language teacher, Mr. Tangaroa Elia, who gave so freely of his time in preparing the interview schedule, and whose many insights into Cook Islands Maori thought have added so much to the quality of our work. Unhappily, he passed away before we could show him the fruits of his labors.