What Matters 2 Adults (WM2Adults): Understanding the Foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing

Gail Garvey, Kate Anderson, Alana Gall, Tamara L. Butler, Joan Cunningham, Lisa J. Whop, Michelle Dickson, Julie Ratcliffe, Alan Cass, Allison Tong, Brian Arley and Kirsten Howard
Additional contact information
Gail Garvey: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Kate Anderson: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Alana Gall: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Tamara L. Butler: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Joan Cunningham: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Lisa J. Whop: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Michelle Dickson: Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Julie Ratcliffe: Health and Social Care Economics Group, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia
Alan Cass: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Allison Tong: Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Brian Arley: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
Kirsten Howard: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-21

Abstract: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience a greater range of health and social disadvantages compared to other Australians. Wellbeing is a culturally-bound construct, and to date, a national evidence base around the components of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is lacking. Understanding and measurement of wellbeing for this population is critical in achieving health equity. This paper aims to identify and describe the foundations of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. This national qualitative study was underpinned by an Indigenist research approach which privileges the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults were purposively recruited from around Australia between September 2017 and September 2018 to participate in Yarning Circles, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers. Yarning Circles were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed. A Collaborative Yarning Methodology was used, which incorporated reflexive thematic analysis to identify and describe the foundations of wellbeing reported by participants. A total of 359 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults participated. Our analysis revealed five foundations of wellbeing: belonging and connection; holistic health; purpose and control; dignity and respect; and basic needs. These foundations were deeply interwoven by three interconnected aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life: family, community and culture. The findings of this study will substantially aid our efforts to develop a new wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. The iterative Indigenist methods used in this study provide a robust research methodology for conducting large-scale, nationally-relevant qualitative research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Policies and practices that are informed by our results have the potential to address outcomes that are meaningful for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; Australian; Indigenous; wellbeing; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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