Christian Young1,2, Allison Tong1,2, Janice Nixon3, Peter Fernando3, Deanna Kalucy3, Simone Sherriff3,4, Kathleen Clapham5, Jonathan C Craig1,2, Anna Williamson3. 1. Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 2. Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales. 3. The Sax Institute, New South Wales. 4. Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. 5. Australian Health Services Research Institute, The University of Wollongong, New South Wales.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe Aboriginal community members' perspectives on the outcomes and origins of resilience among Aboriginal children. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 36 Aboriginal adults (15 health service professionals, 8 youth workers and 13 community members) at two urban and one regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in New South Wales. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: We identified six themes: withstanding risk (displaying normative development, possessing inner fortitude); adapting to adversity (necessary endurance, masking inner vulnerabilities); positive social influences (secure family environments, role modelling healthy behaviours and relationships); instilling cultural identity (investing in Aboriginal knowledge, building a strong cultural self-concept); community safeguards (offering strategic sustainable services, holistic support, shared responsibility, providing enriching opportunities); and personal empowerment (awareness of positive pathways, developing self-respect, fostering positive decision making). CONCLUSIONS: Community members believed that resilient Aboriginal children possessed knowledge and self-belief that encouraged positive decision making despite challenging circumstances. A strong sense of cultural identity and safe, stable and supportive family environments were thought to promote resilient behaviours. Implications for public health: Many Aboriginal children continue to face significant adversity. More sustainable, Aboriginal-led programs are needed to augment positive family dynamics, identify at-risk children and provide safeguards during periods of familial adversity.
OBJECTIVE: To describe Aboriginal community members' perspectives on the outcomes and origins of resilience among Aboriginal children. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 36 Aboriginal adults (15 health service professionals, 8 youth workers and 13 community members) at two urban and one regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in New South Wales. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. RESULTS: We identified six themes: withstanding risk (displaying normative development, possessing inner fortitude); adapting to adversity (necessary endurance, masking inner vulnerabilities); positive social influences (secure family environments, role modelling healthy behaviours and relationships); instilling cultural identity (investing in Aboriginal knowledge, building a strong cultural self-concept); community safeguards (offering strategic sustainable services, holistic support, shared responsibility, providing enriching opportunities); and personal empowerment (awareness of positive pathways, developing self-respect, fostering positive decision making). CONCLUSIONS: Community members believed that resilient Aboriginal children possessed knowledge and self-belief that encouraged positive decision making despite challenging circumstances. A strong sense of cultural identity and safe, stable and supportive family environments were thought to promote resilient behaviours. Implications for public health: Many Aboriginal children continue to face significant adversity. More sustainable, Aboriginal-led programs are needed to augment positive family dynamics, identify at-risk children and provide safeguards during periods of familial adversity.
Authors: Erika Langham; Janya McCalman; Michelle Redman-MacLaren; Ernest Hunter; Mark Wenitong; Amelia Britton; Katrina Rutherford; Vicki Saunders; Michael Ungar; Roxanne Bainbridge Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2018-10-23
Authors: Davi M Macedo; Lisa G Smithers; Rachel M Roberts; Dandara G Haag; Yin Paradies; Lisa M Jamieson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-08-07 Impact factor: 3.240