Loving where you live has a close connection with your wellbeing, University of Otago researchers say.
A new study, just published in Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, said previous studies had demonstrated how a particular place could give people an immense feeling of safety and security.
Otago researchers examined data from three New Zealand General Social Surveys, which are held twice yearly, and eliminated other factors known to enhance wellbeing such as physical health and standard of living.
"There was a clear relationship between one's sense of belonging to New Zealand and mental health," the authors said.
"Further, this relationship was stronger for older than younger participants."
That might be because of the increasing importance of place with age, or because older participants in the research survey had lived through significant national events.
"Many of these events, for example the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal, establishing New Zealand as a nuclear weapon-free zone, likely shaped the New Zealand identity."
The researchers said their findings suggested further research should be done on how to establish a sense of place, work which could benefit members of minority communities and recent migrants.
"People grow really deep connections with places, whether it be a neighbourhood, city, region, or country," co-author Associate Prof Jackie Hunter, of the department of psychology, said.
"Moreover, these places often become part of our identity or who we are.
"In psychology, belonging is viewed as a fundamental need, and that means it not just something we may want; it is like food and water - we can't live without it."
Feeling accepted as a person would probably lead to forging a connection with a home country, which in turn aided wellbeing, the researchers said.
However, work was still to be done to challenge stigma and discrimination in New Zealand.
"Acceptance helps to satisfy core social motives like belonging, control, self-esteem and meaning.
"While not expressing their identity in New Zealand may protect people from being the target of prejudice, it also robs them of the many benefits acceptance brings."