"You can't replace that feeling of connection to culture and country": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents' experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Loading...
Date
2023-03-20
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Affiliation(s)
(Kennedy) College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
(Kennedy) Hunter Medical Research Institute, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia
(Bright, Fiolet, Davis, Jones, Chamberlain) Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
(Graham) Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
(Heris) National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
(Bennetts) Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
(Bennetts, Chamberlain) Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
(Mohamed) Lowitja Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3066, Australia
(Atkinson) We Al-Li Pty Ltd., Goolmangar, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
(Chamberlain) Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
(Kennedy) Hunter Medical Research Institute, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia
(Bright, Fiolet, Davis, Jones, Chamberlain) Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
(Graham) Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
(Heris) National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
(Bennetts) Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
(Bennetts, Chamberlain) Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
(Mohamed) Lowitja Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3066, Australia
(Atkinson) We Al-Li Pty Ltd., Goolmangar, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
(Chamberlain) Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
Year
2022
Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Vol.19(24), 2022.
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Conference name
Conference location
Grant information
No: 1141593 Organisation: (NHMRC) National Health and Medical Research Council Organisation No: 501100000925 Country: Australia
No: 1158670 Organisation: (NHMRC) National Health and Medical Research Council Organisation No: 501100000925 Country: Australia
No: 1161065 Organisation: (NHMRC) National Health and Medical Research Council Organisation No: 501100000925 Country: Australia
No: 1158670 Organisation: (NHMRC) National Health and Medical Research Council Organisation No: 501100000925 Country: Australia
No: 1161065 Organisation: (NHMRC) National Health and Medical Research Council Organisation No: 501100000925 Country: Australia
Abstract
This Aboriginal-led study explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents' experiences of COVID-19. 110 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents were interviewed between October 2020 and March 2022. Participants were recruited through community networks and partner health services in South Australia, Victoria, and Northern Territory, Australia. Participants were predominantly female (89%) and based in Victoria (47%) or South Australia (45%). Inductive thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) Changes to daily living; (2) Impact on social and emotional wellbeing; and (3) Disconnection from family, community, and culture. COVID-19 impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Disruption to cultural practice, and disconnection from country, family, and community was detrimental to wellbeing. These impacts aggravated pre-existing inequalities and may continue to have greater impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and communities due to intergenerational trauma, stemming from colonisation, violence and dispossession and ongoing systemic racism. We advocate for the development of a framework that ensures an equitable approach to future public health responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.Copyright © 2022 by the authors.
PubMed ID
36554604 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=36554604]
Type
Article
Study type
Subjects
Infectious diseases
Mental health
Mental health