Turning research into resources
A new children’s book written by Psychology PhD candidate Malia ‘Alisi Tatafu Vea aims to help children dealing with complex emotions in the wake of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano eruption in January 2022.
‘Alisi says her PhD research focuses specifically on Tongan parental socialisation—the influence of parents, and the environment they provide, on their children. The supportive emotional environment parents provide for children, especially in the wake of trauma, is a key part of the socialisation process.
As the only Clinical Psychologist working in Tonga at the time of the eruption, ‘Alisi was also well aware of the limited mental health support that was available for both children and adults in the wake of the event.
“Everyone in Tonga tried to do their best to support our young children with the resources that they had, and it’s my hope that my book will be a mental health awareness resource for parents and other socialising figures in Tonga.
“While it’s obviously not a replacement for psychological treatment, I think it will be a good educational tool for those looking to support children after an event like this.
“I want children to read it and start learning about their feelings and other changes that they might have noticed after the volcanic eruption happened, and to know that talking about it and getting support from trusted adults will eliminate these experiences eventually,” ‘Alisi says.
This storybook is just the beginning for ‘Alisi’s contribution to Tongan families. Part of her PhD research is to understand what socialisation goals Tongan parents’ have for their children and how they work to achieve them. From this, she will be able to address how parents’ goals coexist with Tongan cultural values. ‘Alisi hopes this crucial research will help the future of Tongan society.
“If parents want their children to succeed later in life, then they need to understand that supporting their children's mental and emotional wellbeing, especially after traumatic events happen, is very important.”
‘Alisi has felt the importance of being Tonga’s only qualified Clinical Psychologist and of sharing this research with her home country. “While studying for my PhD, I know that it is my responsibility to share the knowledge that I have learnt to help the people of Tonga.”
In honour of this, ‘Alisi has dedicated this storybook to the children of Tonga.
“I believe that if storybooks help to translate and transfer knowledge to young children in the classroom, then why not use them to relay important messages (based on clinical knowledge and evidence) to help promote children's mental, emotional, and psychosocial well-being?”
The book includes both the English and Tongan translations. It is available for pre-order or donation to Tongan schools here.