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.
Highlights
Referred to as quality of life (QoL), subjective well-being, and social and emotional wellbeing, wellbeing [1] is a broad and multidimensional concept defined as ‘anInt
This paper presents the findings of a large, nationally-relevant qualitative study, which employed a strengths-based, Indigenist research approach to understand what comprises and supports the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
‘When you look in the media, there’s so much stuff—so much missed or limited information about oh, you know, this—these many Aboriginal people are on Centrelink (Centrelink is the Australian Government’s agency that delivers a range of Commonwealth services to the community, such as payments to the unemployed, carers, people with disabilities, and Indigenous Australians) and so, we look like—in the rest of Australia’s eyes, we look like the scum of society.’ (Participant, Northern Territory, Outer Regional)
Summary
Referred to as quality of life (QoL), subjective well-being, and social and emotional wellbeing, wellbeing [1] is a broad and multidimensional concept defined as ‘anInt. Referred to as quality of life (QoL), subjective well-being, and social and emotional wellbeing, wellbeing [1] is a broad and multidimensional concept defined as ‘an. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 6193 individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns’ [2], p. Public Health 2021, 18, 6193 individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns’ [2], p. 1403
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