Mental health of indigenous Fijian ex - soccer stars and relation to race and class

James, Kieran E. and Tanzil, Sheikh A. (2024) Mental health of indigenous Fijian ex - soccer stars and relation to race and class. Psychology, 15 (12). pp. 1898-1915. ISSN 2152-7180

Text - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (364kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Fiji sports history is rich, with soccer thriving since the 1950s, especially among Fiji Indians in the sugarcane belts of Western Fiji and around Labasa on Vanua Levu, where many descendants of indentured labourers settled after 1920. Rugby, however, gained prominence with Fiji’s triple win at the Hong Kong Sevens from 1990 to 1992, marking the country’s rise on the world rugby stage. Today, soccer faces a stark decline as talented players shift their focus to rugby and rugby league, impacting the sport’s quality. This article spotlights seven former soccer stars from the 1970s and 1980s, exploring how poverty, income inequality, social exclusion from decision-making, and historical marginalization related to race and ethnicity have affected their mental health. These challenges highlight the personal and societal struggles that have emerged as the focus in Fiji sports shifts, leaving soccer and its ex-stars in a difficult position.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Additional Information:	This research article is already published. Please make this available on USP research repository as soon as possible
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Alienation, Fiji Indians, Fiji Soccer, Indigenous Fijians, Poverty and Mental Health, Race and Class, Race/Ethnicity and Mental Health
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Divisions:	Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Accounting and Finance
Depositing User:	Sheik Tanzil
Date Deposited:	18 Feb 2025 03:53
Last Modified:	18 Feb 2025 03:53
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14822

Actions (login required)

View Item