“You Can’t Replace That Feeling of Connection to Culture and Country”: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Michelle Kennedy (), Tess Bright, Simon Graham, Christina Heris, Shannon K. Bennetts, Renee Fiolet, Elise Davis, Kimberley A. Jones, Janine Mohamed, Caroline Atkinson and Catherine Chamberlain
Additional contact information
Michelle Kennedy: College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
Tess Bright: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Simon Graham: Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Christina Heris: National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
Shannon K. Bennetts: Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
Renee Fiolet: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Elise Davis: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Kimberley A. Jones: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Janine Mohamed: Lowitja Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3066, Australia
Caroline Atkinson: We Al-Li Pty Ltd., Goolmangar, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Catherine Chamberlain: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-13

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.

Keywords: aboriginal health; COVID-19; indigenous health; public health; wellbeing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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