Lowitja Associated Research

The Lowitja Institute’s pioneering research projects and scholarship initiatives have significantly influenced health research worldwide. This collection includes research outputs that either reference publications by the Lowitja Institute or utilise our research tools.
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Racism and cultural safety for Indigenous general practice trainees: An exploratory study of how to support training, careers and professional wellbeing
(2025-02-14) Milroy T.; Frayne J.
Purpose Racism as a social determinant of health has known impacts on the physical and mental health of Indigenous peoples, which extends to Indigenous doctors in training and is a barrier to the growth of the Indigenous health workforce in Australia. This study aimed to explore racism and cultural safety within the professional experiences of Australian Indigenous general practice (GP) trainees, to elucidate barriers and facilitators to their training, careers and professional wellbeing. Methods A sequential exploratory mixed methods study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 through an initial quantitative online administered questionnaire followed by qualitative semi-structured interviews with Indigenous GP registrars, from either metropolitan or rural areas, undertaking GP training in Australia. The main outcome measures included online responses to the Measure of Indigenous Racism Experiences (MIRE) questionnaire, which measures several dimensions of racism, and data from thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews undertaken following the online questionnaire. Main findings The MIRE questionnaire responses revealed experiences of racism across multiple levels. These findings were integrated and expanded with the central themes drawn from the interviews. Themes focused on GP training and training environments and operated across interactions with peers, supervisors and patients. The identified themes were i) cultural identity, with the subthemes of professional wellbeing and professional goals and identity; ii) training challenges, including racism and career development; and iii) training facilitators, including specific support and mentorship. Principal conclusions Australian Indigenous GP trainees value their cultural identity in relation to their professional goals and wellbeing. However, challenges for trainees centre around the lack of cultural safety and presence of racism, which is pervasive across their professional life. Strategies to address this could include further provision of specific support, specific culturally safe training placements, networking and mentorship.
Determining health professional students' self-perceived cultural capability following participation in clinical placement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: a systematic review.
(2024-12-20) Paisley K.; Sadler S.; West Wiradjuri M.; Gerrard J.; Wilson Wiradjuri R.; Searle A.; Chuter V.
Background: Collective evaluation of studies assessing students' self-perceived cultural capability following clinical placement is required to help inform future cultural capability training for both university and healthcare service environments. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to evaluate studies investigating health professional students' self-perceived cultural capability following participation in a clinical placement with First Nations Peoples. Methods: Electronic database searchers were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsychINFO, Pubmed, CINAHL and Informit. Hand Searches of grey literature were conducted including Lowitja institute, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, Menzies School of Health Research, Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Studies published in English that investigated health professional students' self-perceived cultural capability before and after clinical placement undertaken with First Nations people in Australia were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently screened potentially eligible studies and performed quality appraisal and data extraction. Results: A total of 14 studies were included (n = 307 participants). Studies included undergraduate students from podiatry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and mixed health professions. The results of this systematic review suggest that clinical placements in health services or settings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that involve elements of co-design are effective in increasing aspects of health professional students' self-perceived cultural capability. This outcome was consistent across studies regardless of the location of clinical placements (urban or rural), type of clinical placement (health setting or Community), or length of placement. Conclusions: The findings from this systematic review suggest that clinical placement in health services or settings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples may contribute to increased self-perceived cultural capability in health professions graduates. However, the impact of the placements on the cultural safety of student-led care, from a First Nations perspective, remains to be established.Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Foot and Ankle Research published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Podiatry Association and The Royal College of Podiatry.
Young Aboriginal people in Australia who have never used marijuana in the 'next generation youth well-being study': a strengths-based approach.
(2021-10-18) Graham S.; Heris C.L.; Gubhaju L.; Eades F.; Williams R.; Davis K.; Whitby J.; Hunt K.; Chimote N.; Eades S.J.
Background: Being young is a period of experimentation which can lead to increased vulnerability to poor health choices and outcomes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people have a long and strong history of resilience; however, a deficit approach is often taken with messages of poor health and low socioeconomic status. This study takes a strengths-based approach and examines the demographic factors and behaviours associated with never using marijuana among young Aboriginal people in Australia. Method(s): Overall, 521 Aboriginal people aged 16-24 years from Western Australia, Central Australia and New South Wales participated in the Next Generation: Youth Wellbeing Study. The baseline survey examined demographics, health-related behaviours and clinical indicators of young Aboriginal people. We calculated the number and proportion of young Aboriginal people who never used marijuana by demographics and behavioural factors. Logistic regression was used to assess the demographic and behavioural factors associated with never using marijuana. Result(s): Of the 521 participants, 458 (87.9%) answered the question about marijuana use of which 220 had incomplete demographic or behavioural questions, leaving a final cohort of 301 participants. A total of 174 (57.8%) had never used marijuana. A higher proportion of young Aboriginal people who never used marijuana were younger (16-19 years old), female, queer, single, lived in Central Australia, were students, had never smoked tobacco, had never drank alcohol, never had anxiety and never had depression. Never using marijuana was independently associated with being a parent or carer of a child (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.80, 95% CI: 1.03-7.59, p = 0.043), never smoking tobacco (AOR: 29.73, 95 CI: 13.32-66.37, p < 0.001), never drinking alcohol (AOR: 2.78, 95 CI: 1.12-6.93, p = 0.028), not having anxiety (AOR: 3.49, 95 CI: 1.19-10.23, p = 0.022), and having lower levels of distress (AOR: 2.63, 95 CI: 1.20-5.77, p = 0.016). Conclusion(s): Our study shows that more than half of young Aboriginal people did not use marijuana, smoke, or drink alcohol and that those who had not used marijuana had lower levels of distress.Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V.
Yolnu with Machado-Joseph disease: exploring communication strengths and needs.
(2021-09-20) Amery R.; Wunungmurra J.G.; Gondarra J.; Gumbula F.; Raghavendra P.; Barker R.; Theodoros D.; Amery H.; Massey L.; Lowell A.; Yolnu
Purpose: Yolnu are Aboriginal Australians from northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory (NT). Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) prevalence in the NT Aboriginal population is the highest in the world. Yolnu living with progressive dysarthria associated with MJD could benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). However, there are no aided AAC systems in Yolnu languages. This research aimed to explore the views of Yolnu with MJD about communication, speech-language pathology (SLP) services and AAC. Method(s): A collaborative, culturally responsive research design was informed by Indigenist Research methodology and Constructivist Grounded Theory. Yolnu with MJD (n=10) and their interested family members (n=4) participated in interviews and created visual representations of their social networks. Data were analysed through an oral interpretive process with Yolnu researchers. Result(s): A Yolnu metaphor, Gondhu "Building understanding by hand", emerged as a culturally meaningful way to represent the core understandings required for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to work effectively with Yolnu with MJD. Elements of this metaphor include seeking to understand the complex lived experiences of Yolnu with MJD, and working with families to explore the potential benefits of SLP services and AAC. Conclusion(s): Yolnu with MJD and their families want to work collaboratively with SLPs to develop bilingual AAC systems and culturally responsive SLP services that build on strengths of Yolnu culture and kinship to improve communication opportunities and participation.
Violence risk assessment in Australian Aboriginal offender populations: a review of the literature.
Shepherd S.M.; Adams Y.; McEntyre E.; Walker R.
The utilization of violence risk instruments in forensic populations is increasing and a plethora of empirical investigations support their ability to predict recidivistic outcomes. However, the generalizability of these findings to culturally diverse populations is problematic given dissimilarities in cultural traditions, norms, and experiences. The present study explored this subject in relation to Aboriginal Australians. First, a concert of violence risk markers that are more prevalent among Aboriginal Australian offenders compared with non-Aboriginal offenders were examined in light of their social and historical context. Next, studies employing violence risk instruments on cohorts of Aboriginal Australian offenders were reviewed. Findings demonstrated moderate predictive accuracy for violence and commensurate utility with non-Aboriginal offenders although results should be treated with caution due to the paucity of available studies for consideration. Implications for clinical practice and culturally appropriate assessment models are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Weaving wayapa and cognitive behaviour therapy: applying research topic yarning to explore a cultural interface between western and Indigenous psychology practice in Australia.
O'Shea M.; Klas A.; Hardy T.; Stone J.; Frangos T.; Jacobs T.; Mitchell F.; Charles J.; Jones S.; Thomas J.; Ryan K.
Background: Indigenous Psychology within Australia reflects the traditional knowledges of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their understanding of the cultivation of relational social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). However, these perspectives are poorly incorporated into dominant "Western" psychological theories and practice, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). This represents a barrier to the cultural safety of current mental health practice and its decolonisation within Australia. Objectives: This study brought together CBT Practitioners and Practitioners of an Aboriginal Wellbeing practice ("Wayapa") to engage in a series of yarns (guided focus groups) to share perspectives, insights, and stories on their own and each other's practices. Method: Indigenous qualitative research approaches including Research Topic Yarning were engaged to decolonise the research environment and support dialogue at the cultural interface of the two practices. Results: Through experiencing Wayapa, CBT practitioners reflected on gaps in their own practice, with an enthusiasm for the opportunities that Wayapa provided to decolonise their practice. Wayapa practitioners were able to celebrate the holistic nature of their practice and the possibility for it to inform dominant "Western" psychological theories and practice, such as CBT, and encourage a more connected and culturally safe way of working with First Nations peoples. Conclusions: Creating safe cultural interfaces between "Western" and Indigenous Psychologies, and building awareness of the value of Aboriginal grounded wellbeing models, can help to promote and expand culturally safe practices within Australian psychological practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Using the perceive, recall, plan and perform assessment of cognitive strategy use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: initial exploration of clinical utility.
Smith R.L.; Ranka J.; Nott M.
Introduction: Culturally safe and meaningful cognitive assessment methods for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are scarce. Concerns are raised regarding the efficacy of existing methods in cross-cultural contexts. The Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform (PRPP) Assessment offers a person-centred alternative whereby cognitive strategy application is examined during performance of culturally relevant everyday tasks. This paper explores its use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Methods: A critical case study design was applied to examine the effectiveness and relevance of the PRPP Assessment with two Aboriginal Australian people in the Northern Territory of Australia. 'Ivan' and 'Jean' were each receiving occupational therapy through a rehabilitation service over a 6-month period following acquired brain injuries. Ivan and Jean were assessed performing everyday tasks of interest and importance to them as part of routine care. A partnership approach was adopted throughout the process, and both consented to their stories being told. Results: The PRPP Assessment was able to measure changes in Ivan's and Jean's cognitive strategy use and its impact on performance of meaningful tasks. Ivan demonstrated a 46% increase in performance mastery and a 29% increase in cognitive strategy use with most improvements identified in his ability to sense information, initiate action, and continue performance. Jean demonstrated a 71% increase in performance mastery and a 32% increase in cognitive strategy use. Her greatest improvements were in the ability to recall schemes, self-evaluate, and initiate action. Conclusion: The two critical case stories shared in this study suggest that the PRPP Assessment has emerging evidence of clinical utility when used with Aboriginal people with acquired brain impairment. The information gained revealed strengths in performance; it was effective in measuring change in cognitive strategy use, was able to inform the goal setting process, and guided intervention to support cognitive strategy use during task performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Why and how is photovoice used as a decolonising method for health research with Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada? A scoping review.
Vining R.; Finn M.
Globally, including in North America, Indigenous populations have poorer health than non-Indigenous populations. This health disparity results from inequality and marginalisation associated with colonialism. Photovoice is a community-based participatory research method that amplifies the voices of research participants. Why and how photovoice has been used as a decolonising method for addressing Indigenous health inequalities has not been mapped. A scoping review of the literature on photovoice for Indigenous health research in the United States and Canada was carried out. Five electronic databases and the grey literature were searched, with no time limit. A total of 215 titles and abstracts and 97 full texts were screened resulting in 57 included articles. Analysis incorporated Lalita Bharadwaj's Framework For Building Research Partnerships with First Nations Communities. Photovoice was selected to improve knowledge mobilisation and participant empowerment and engagement. Studies incorporated relationship building, meaningful data collection, and public dissemination but had a lesser focus on the inclusion of Indigenous peer researchers or participant involvement in analysis. For photovoice to truly realise its decolonising potential, it must be incorporated into a broader participatory and decolonising research paradigm. In addition, more resources are required to support the involvement of Indigenous people in the research process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Vaccine mandates and cultural safety.
Matthews R; Menzel K
The issues and problems of mandatory vaccination policy and roll out in First Nations communities are unique and do not concern the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. These issues are also independent of more specific arguments of mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers as a condition of employment. As important as these issues are, they do not consider the complex politics of ongoing settler colonialism and First Nations community relations. In this paper, we also set aside the very real problems of disinformation, hesitancy, scientific and health illiteracy, and other concerns that drive vaccine hesitancy and refusal. These affect all communities, including First Nations communities. We, instead describe the dominant arguments in favour of mandatory vaccination and critique them in terms of the disputed legitimacy of Settler-Colonial decision-making as it impacts First Nations communities. We contend cultural responsiveness and safety-not state compulsion-must remain the first principles of any engagement-including vaccination-with First Nations Peoples, families, and communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)
Working together to improve the mental health of Indigenous children: a systematic review.
Lopez-Carmen V.; McCalman J.; Benveniste T.; Askew D.; Spurling G.; Langham E.; Bainbridge R.
Objective: This review analyses the available literature that underpins intersectoral service integration processes and tools designed to improve mental healthcare for Indigenous children. Method: 10 databases and 12 grey literature sources were searched for publications in English and published between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2017 that evaluated or measured primary health care interventions that focussed on the intersectoral integration of services, service partnerships, or action across at least two sectors to improve children's mental health, and that included Indigenous children 4-17 years old in one of the five CANNZUS countries (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and/or the United States). The five sectors considered were PHC, specialist mental health, education, child protection, and juvenile justice. Study characteristics were extracted and reported aims, strategies, enablers, and outcomes were identified and analysed. Results: Eleven studies were included: five were Australian; four Canadian; one from the USA; and one from New Zealand. Nine key strategies for service integration were: intervention delivery through community workers and external workers, interdisciplinary delivery, staff and organizational capacity building, engaging community, empowering families, individual counselling, adaption of care to Indigenous sociocultural specificities, and strengthening culture and identity. Six enablers of implementation were: involvement of community, access and cost, collaborative multidisciplinary health services, strong relationships, cultural sensitivity, and organizational and staff capacity. Six outcomes were: health and human services collaboration, psychosocial functioning and stress management, health service & organizational empowerment, development and promotion of appropriate health policy and protocols, linkage of health services, and community and family empowerment. Discussion and conclusion: The evidence for intersectoral interventions addressing Indigenous child mental health is in the early stages of development, but suggests potential for improving health outcomes for Indigenous children, their families and communities, as well as the satisfaction and utilization of healthcare and community services. Further research surrounding cost evaluation, impact on the social determinants of health, extent of consumer engagement, and Indigenous voice is needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Tutor of resilience: a model for psychosocial care following experiences of adversity.
(2021-08-06) Giordano F.; Cipolla A.; Ungar M.
This article describes a model for training service providers to provide interventions that build resilience among individuals who have experienced adversity. The Tutor of Resilience model emphasizes two distinct dimensions to training: (1) transforming service providers' perceptions of intervention beneficiaries by highlighting their strengths and capacity for healing; and (2) flexibly building contextually and culturally specific interventions through a five-phase model of program development and implementation. Tutor of Resilience has been employed successfully with child and youth populations under stress in humanitarian settings where mental health and psychosocial support professionals are required to design and deliver interventions that enhance resilience among vulnerable children.© Copyright © 2021 Giordano, Cipolla and Ungar.
Turning mental health into social action.
Guerin B.
This book offers a refreshing new approach to mental health by showing how 'mental health' behaviors, lived experiences, and our interventions arise from our social worlds and not from our neurophysiology gone wrong. It is part of a trilogy that offers a new way of doing psychology focusing on people's social and societal environments as determining their behaviour, rather than internal and individualistic attributions. 'Mental health' behaviors are carefully analyzed as ordinary behaviors that have become exaggerated and chronic because of the bad life situations people are forced to endure, especially as children. This shifts mental health treatments away from the dominance of psychology and psychiatry to show that social action is needed because many of these bad life situations are produced by our modern society itself. By providing new ways for readers to rethink everything they thought they knew about mental health issues and how to change them, Bernard Guerin also explores how by changing our environmental contexts (our local, societal, and discursive worlds), we can improve mental health interventions. This book reframes 'mental health' into a much wider social context to show how societal structures restrict our opportunities and pathways to produce bad life situations, and how we can also learn from those who manage to deal with the very same bad life situations through crime, bullying, exploitation, and dropping out of mainstream society, rather than through the 'mental health' behaviors. By merging psychology and psychiatry into the social sciences, Guerin seeks to better understand how humans operate in their social, cultural, economic, patriarchal, discursive, and societal worlds, rather than being isolated inside their heads with a 'faulty brain', and this will provide fascinating reading for academics and students in psychology and the social sciences, and for counselors and therapists. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
To be or not to be Indigenous? Understanding the rise of Australia's Indigenous population since 1971.
Watt E.; Kowal E.
In the past half century, the Indigenous Australian population has grown at a far faster rate than can be explained by births alone, and has come to include more western-educated people living in the south-east of the country. Demographers attribute much of this growth to people identifying as Indigenous later in life. Social research has examined the phenomenon of "New Identifiers" in the United States and Canada, where similar shifts in Indigenous populations have been observed. This paper is the first to examine the issue in an Australian context. We analyse 33 interviews with people who have come to believe they have Indigenous Australian ancestry later in life, and identify factors that encourage members of this group to subsequently identify as Indigenous, or discourage them from doing so. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Tools of engagement: selecting a next speaker in Australian Aboriginal multiparty conversations.
Blythe J.; Gardner R.; Mushin I.; Stirling L.; Murrinhpatha; Garrwa; Gija; Jaru
Building on earlier Conversation Analytic work on turn-taking and response mobilization, we use video-recorded multiparty conversations to consider in detail how Australian Aboriginal participants in conversation select a next speaker in turns that are grammatically designed as questions. We focus in particular on the role of a range of embodied behaviors, such as gaze direction, body orientation, and pointing, to select-or avoid selecting-a next speaker. We use data from four remote Aboriginal communities to also explore the claims from ethnographic research that Aboriginal conversations typically occur in nonfocused participation frames. Data are in Murrinhpatha, Garrwa, Gija, and Jaru with English translations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
The well-being of carers of older Aboriginal people living in the Kimberley region of remote Western Australia: empowerment, depression, and carer burden.
(2020-01-16) LoGiudice D.; Josif C.M.; Malay R.; Hyde Z.; Haswell M.; Lindeman M.A.; Etherton-Beer C.; Atkinson D.; Bessarab D.; Flicker L.; Smith K.
Objective: To describe demographic features and well-being of carers of Aboriginal Australians aged >=45 years in remote Western Australia. Method(s): Carer burden, empowerment, and depression were assessed in 124 Aboriginal carers in four remote Aboriginal communities. Result(s): Carers were aged 38.8 +/- 15.0 years, 73.4% were female, and 75.8% were children or grandchildren of the person cared for. The mean Zarit-6 score was 3.7 +/- 3.6. Attending high school (odds ratio [OR] = 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.1, 0.7]) and feeling empowered (OR = 0.2; 95% CI = [0.1, 0.8]) were inversely associated with carer burden; female carers were less likely to feel empowered (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = [0.2, 0.9]); and empowerment was inversely associated with depression (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = [0.1, 0.7]). Discussion(s): Aboriginal carers in remote communities are relatively young and most are children or grandchildren. Carer burden was lower than anticipated. However, existing tools may not adequately measure Aboriginal perspectives. Education and empowerment are key factors which support programs must consider.Copyright © The Author(s) 2020.
The wangi (talking) project: a feasibility study of a rehabilitation model for Aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders after stroke.
(2020-09-24) Ciccone N.; Armstrong E.; Hersh D.; Adams M.; MCAllister M.
Purpose: Aboriginal Australians are under-represented in stroke rehabilitation services and rehabilitation practices that are sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal people are not currently available. This project tested the feasibility and acceptability of a rehabilitation model and approach to therapy with Aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders post-stroke. Method(s): Eight Aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders post-stroke were recruited to this study. Sixteen treatment sessions were provided twice weekly at the person's place of residence by a speech-language pathologist and Aboriginal co-worker. Feasibility was measured by analysing the number of sessions conducted jointly by the speech-language pathologist and Aboriginal co-worker and participant attendance. Participant acceptability was measured through the analysis of a post-therapy questionnaire. The Aboriginal co-worker's and speech-language pathologists' perceptions of the acceptability were collected through semi structured interviews. Result(s): Across all sessions 84.2% were attended by the Aboriginal co-worker and speech-language pathologist and seven of the eight participants completed all prescribed sessions. Positive feedback was provided by participants, the Aboriginal co-worker and speech-language pathologist on the key components of the programme. Conclusion(s): The rehabilitation model used within Wangi appears to be feasible and acceptable to participants and therapists. It provides direction to improve the quality of care for Aboriginal stroke survivors.
The subjective experience of Polynesians in the Australian health system.
Rodriguez L.
Australia is rapidly becoming home to an increasing number of Polynesians. While the Maori/Pacific Islander 'economic migrant' may appear fit and healthy, statistically the incidence of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease is extremely high. When this profile is coupled with family reunion migration of older relatives who are living longer, it represents an escalation of current and future outlay for Australian health services. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 67 Polynesian migrants in regard to their perceptions of health and illness, and their experience of health services in Sydney and the Hunter region of New South Wales. Three key respondents, all Polynesian nurses practising in Australia, were also interviewed. The findings indicate a concentration of disadvantage concerning educational achievement, skill levels and health literacy that reinforce the process whereby social disadvantage impacts on health outcomes. This study also reveals a nexus of issues around cultural behaviours and poverty that contribute to the incidence of obesity-related illness and limit compliance with recommended preventative measures and treatments. This paper includes a discussion of the socio-political context of health delivery to Maori and Pacific Islander migrants and how the contraction of services under neoliberal 'belt tightening' undermines potential capacity to treat culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations effectively. As Australian scholarship has traditionally concentrated on Melanesia, there is very little research on Polynesians who are one of our burgeoning migrant groups. This study therefore makes a timely contribution to redressing the lack of literature on Polynesian health, cultural practices and socio-economic positioning in this country. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
The social and emotional wellbeing needs of Aboriginal staff in out of home care: walking in two worlds.
(2023-05-29) Lukey S.; Keevers L.; Trueman S.; Frith F.; Chandler P.; Rawari R.; Henry W.; Townsend M.L.; Dharawal
Background: There is a disproportionate representation of Aboriginal children in the Australian Out of Home Care system. An important strategy to ensure Aboriginal children experience trauma informed care that is culturally situated is to have access to Aboriginal practitioners. The experiences of Aboriginal practitioners working in Aboriginal Out of Home Care have not been explored thoroughly. Participants and setting: This community led research was undertaken on Dharawal Country on the South Coast of the Illawarra region, Australia with an Out of Home Care program managed by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. The study included Aboriginal (n = 50) and non-Aboriginal (n = 3) participants connected through employment or community membership to the organisation. Objective(s): We aimed to explore the wellbeing needs of Aboriginal practitioners working with Aboriginal children in Aboriginal Out of Home Care. Method(s): This co-designed qualitative research project used yarning sessions (individual and group), co-analysis with co-researchers, document analysis and reflexive writing. Finding(s): Aboriginal practitioners are required to bring their cultural expertise to their work and with this, there is an expectation of cultural leadership and the fulfilling of cultural responsibilities. These elements bring with them emotional labour that must be acknowledged and accounted for in working in the Out of Home Care sector. Conclusion(s): The findings point to the importance of establishing an organisational social and emotional wellbeing framework in recognition of Aboriginal practitioner's specific needs, centring cultural participation as a key wellbeing and trauma informed strategy.Copyright © 2023 The Authors
The path to eldership: results from a contemporary Indigenous Australian community.
(2022-04-27) Eades O.; Toombs M.R.; Cinelli R.; Easton C.; Hampton R.; Nicholson G.C.; McCabe M.P.; Busija L.
Background and Objectives: Traditionally, Elders have held a unique social position within Indigenous Australian communities. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of Indigenous Elders that distinguish them from other people in their community. Methods: Using a community-based participatory research approach, the study was conducted in a regional Indigenous community in Southeast Queensland. The design and data collection methods were informed through a community forum, known as a "Yarning Circle." One-on-one semistructured interviews and focus groups with community members were carried out by Indigenous researchers. Data were analyzed in NVivo software, using thematic analysis (TA), with themes derived directly from data. Results: Fifty individuals participated in the study. The participants' median age was 45 years (range 18-76 years) and 31 (62%) were female. TA identified 3 overarching themes related to Elders' attributes: (a) distinguishing characteristics of Elders (subthemes of respect, leadership, reciprocity, life experience, approachability, connection to traditional culture, and transmitting knowledge through generations); (b) how one becomes an Elder (earnt eldership, permanency of eldership, mentors and role models, age); and (c) threats to Elders' influence (intergenerational gap, community disconnect, and cultural trauma). Discussion: Our results build a greater understanding of the contemporary role of Indigenous Australian Elders, which will inform the development of future interventions directed at strengthening Elders' role in their communities.Copyright © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
The progress of the New South Wales Aboriginal oral health plan 2014-2020: a scoping review.
Maqbool A.; Selvaraj C.M.; Lu Y.; Skinner J.; Dimitropoulos Y.
There are major disparities in oral health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The New South Wales (NSW) Aboriginal Oral Health Plan 2014-2020 was developed to improve the oral health of Aboriginal people. This scoping review describes programs that have been undertaken to implement the NSW Aboriginal Oral Health Plan 2014-2020. The methodology by Arksey and O'Malley was used to guide this review. Academic and grey literature were searched using a structured Medline, Lowitja and advanced Google searches. Articles were included if they aligned with the strategic directions of the Plan. Key information, including the aims of the study, methodology and results were recorded in a template on Microsoft Excel software. A total of 31 articles were included in this review. This included 25 articles from the academic literature and six initiatives from the grey literature. Included articles were categorised according to the six strategic directions in the NSW Aboriginal Oral Health Plan. Four studies were related to the first strategic direction, six related to strategic direction two, four related to strategic direction three, six initiatives related to strategic direction four, five related to strategic direction five, and eight related to strategic direction six. While there has been significant progress in achieving the strategic directions of the NSW Aboriginal Oral Health Plan, there is scope for continued collaboration between oral health service providers, universities and Aboriginal communities to improve oral health outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.

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