Native Parents Research Articles

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire: psychometric evaluation

ABSTRACT Objective Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex trauma) describes a cluster of symptoms frequently associated with prolonged exposure to inescapable threats or abuse. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia impacted by complex trauma, there may be compounding factors, such as experiences of historical trauma, loss and socio-economic deprivation stemming from colonisation. However, there is no culturally appropriate tool to assess complex trauma. This paper presents the psychometric evaluation of a preliminary version Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ). Methods Following 2 years of rigorous Aboriginal-led co-design, participants were recruited through community networks and partner health services in South Australia, Victoria, and Northern Territory (October 2020–May 2022). A trained interviewer contacted Aboriginal (n = 109) and Torres Strait Islander (n = 1) parents aged >16 years by phone to complete the ACTSQ. Underlying domain structures were investigated with exploratory factor analysis and reviewed by experts to refine. Reliability and inter-rater reliability were assessed using McDonald’s Omega and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results Forty-four items on five factors were retained. Factors were labelled complex trauma symptoms (16 items), grief, loss and disconnection (6 items), support and relationships (9 items), sense of self and strengths (7 items), and Cultural connections and resources (6 items). There were moderate correlations between factors, with the exception of factor 5. Omega was >0.75 for all factors. The inter-rater reliability for each factor was fair to good (ICC 0.5–0.7). Conclusions This study conducted a comprehensive psychometric validation that provides initial evidence towards the cultural validity of the ACTSQ to support assessment of complex trauma and strengths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Future studies are required to replicate and further evaluate the psychometric properties of the ACTSQ using larger samples.

Koolangka Infant Life Saving: Culturally responsive infant CPR education for Aboriginal Australian parents

Objectives: Among Aboriginal children, the year between birth and 1 year of age has the highest mortality rate compared with any other age. Prompt administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) leads to better outcomes and a lower likelihood of ongoing sequalae. Current education on infant CPR is not provided to parents except in certain circumstances in a neonatal intensive care unit. Currently, there are no identified CPR education courses specifically available for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, meaning that current infant CPR education courses are not culturally responsive. Design: Partnering with an Aboriginal community from the Bindjareb region of the Western Australian Noongar nation, the researchers used a co-design approach and an Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR) design to explore how to deliver culturally safe and responsive infant CPR community education. This resulted in the development of the Koolangka Infant Life Saving Education Framework (KILSEF), which can be used to guide future planning and delivery of culturally safe and responsive community level infant CPR education. Results: The study findings identified that members of the Aboriginal community were very interested in receiving infant CPR education, but the barriers identified from mainstream CPR course delivery need to be removed for the community to benefit from culturally responsive ways of learning. Culturally responsive community CPR education should be provided in culturally safe places and the focus of learning should be on the practical applications of CPR and less on the academic pre-reading and written requirements. Explanations should be provided in lay terms and patience is required to communicate ideas in ways that facilitate understanding, and the course may need to be delivered over several days to accommodate community participant availability. Conclusion: Addressing Aboriginal community concerns and barriers allowed for the implementation of culturally responsive infant resuscitation education which was highly valued by community members and led to increased community confidence and participation in CPR education.

The participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in Australian trials of parenting programs for improving children's health: a scoping review.

To assess the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in trials of parenting programs in Australia; the involvement of Indigenous fathers in such studies; and whether parenting programs are designed to be culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Scoping review of peer-reviewed journal publications that report quantitative outcomes for Australian randomised control trials of parenting programs in which the participants were parents or caregivers of children under 18 years of age, and with at least one outcome related to children's health, health behaviour, or wellbeing. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus databases. Of 109 eligible publications, nine reported how many participants were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people; three specified whether they were Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both. Two publications described specific interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; both reported consultation with Indigenous people regarding program design. Of the 15 559 participating parents in all included publications, 93 were identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. No publications noted as study limitations the absence of consultation with Indigenous people or the low participation rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The specific needs and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have not generally been considered in Australian trials of parenting programs that aim to improve the mental and physical health of children. Further, Indigenous people are rarely involved in the planning and implementation of the interventions, few of which are designed to be culturally appropriate for Indigenous people. If parenting research in Australia is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, it must include consultation with local communities, adapt interventions and research methods to the needs of the participating parents and their communities, and improve the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.

COVID-19 vaccination in urban American Indian and Alaska Native children: Parental characteristics, beliefs and attitudes associated with vaccine acceptance

BackgroundLittle is known about vaccination rates for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) parents and their children, or parental decisions in this regard. Improving vaccination rates is a serious concern due to the disproportionate incidence and morbidity of COVID-19 in AI/AN people. PurposeOur goal was to describe urban AI/AN parental attributes associated with COVID-19 vaccination of their children. MethodsSurvey participants (n = 572) were ≥18 years of age, had children ≥5 years of age, AI/AN, and seen at one of six urban health organizations serving primarily AI/AN people within the prior year. They were asked about gender, age, education, marital status, perceived stress, trauma history, whether they had received the COVID-19 vaccine, tested positive for COVID-19 in the past, and if their child was vaccinated. They were also asked about 16 vaccine hesitancy reasons. ResultsParental vaccination rate was 82%, with 59% of their children vaccinated. Parents who vaccinated their children were older, had higher education, lower stress and trauma, and were more likely to be vaccinated compared to parents who did not vaccinate their children. Forty-two percent of parents indicated they would likely vaccinate their unvaccinated child in the future. Sixteen vaccine hesitancy reasons revealed four factors: distrust, inconvenience, lack of concern about the pandemic, and AI/AN concerns. Parents who had no plans to vaccinate their children had the highest vaccine distrust and lack of concern about the pandemic. Parents with greater vaccine distrust and AI/AN specific concern reported significantly greater trauma history and higher levels of education. ConclusionEven though vaccination rates for AI/AN parents and children are high, the consequences of COVID-19 for AI/AN people are more severe than for other US populations. Providers should use trauma-informed, trust-building and culturally competent communication when discussing choices about vaccination with AI/AN parents.

Jandu Yani U (for all families): evaluating Indigenous Triple P, a community-tailored parenting support program in remote Aboriginal communities

ABSTRACT Objectives Although evidence-based parenting programs are widely available, they remain inaccessible to many families of children with social, emotional and behavioural problems, particularly in remote settings. In partnership with Aboriginal communities in the remote Fitzroy Valley, Western Australia, we introduced and evaluated the Indigenous Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, with additional Stepping Stones Triple P strategies (for children with complex needs). Implementation followed community consultation and program adaptation to acknowledge local culture, social complexities and language. The initiative was named Jandu Yani U, meaning “for all families” in the local Bunuba language. Method Local practitioners (parent coaches) were trained to deliver Triple P. Parents and carers (henceforth carers) of children up to 15 years of age were invited to participate. Families attending the program reported on child behaviour, parenting practices, self-efficacy, wellbeing and empowerment pre- and post-intervention and at 8-month follow-up using standardised assessment tools delivered by local community navigators. Results Of 30 participating families, 100% completed Triple P and reported the program was culturally appropriate. Of the index children, 93% were Aboriginal, 63% boys, median age 6.83 years. Following the program, carers reported high levels of empowerment and reaching goals for behaviour change (p < .001) and less use of unhelpful parenting strategies (over-reactivity and hostility; p < .05), and this maintained at 8-month follow-up (p < .001). At follow-up, improvement in carer self-efficacy (p < .001) and reduced anxiety (p < .001) were documented. Significant improvements in prosocial behaviour, reductions in challenging behaviour and decreased intensity and frequency of behavioural problems (all p < .05) were reported in children at follow-up. The average level of goal attainment was 65% at post, which was maintained at follow-up. Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of delivering Indigenous Triple P to Aboriginal families in remote settings, and the importance of partnership with communities. Program tailoring, flexible delivery, use of Aboriginal parent coaches and provision of practical support to families resulted in a culturally acceptable parent support program. With local Aboriginal co-design, this initiative should be generalisable to similar remote communities elsewhere.

Alaska Native Parents' Decision-Making About Food, Beverages, and Screen Time for Young Children: Formative Insights From the "Got Neqpiaq?" Project.

With rising childhood obesity rates, ensuring children adopt healthy habits early is imperative. Given the unique context for Alaska Native families living in rural remote communities, who are concurrently experiencing changes in traditional practices, we investigated what impacts parents' decisions as they relate to daily living before revising a preschool curriculum focused on healthy habits. The objective of this study was to explore factors influencing parents' decisions about their children's foods, beverages, and activities. In focus group discussions with AN parents of young children across 12 communities, we asked about meals, traditional foods, beverages, physical activity, and screen time. All sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using open and selective coding to allow the most important themes to emerge. As parents discussed how they make decisions, several trends emerged related to adults' and children's food and beverage preferences; the impact of adult modeling on children; and how convenience, seasonality, access, and a reluctance to engage in conflict all impact decision-making. Parents and other community members shared important perspectives on exposing children to traditional subsistence foods and activities and passing important traditional knowledge to them at an early age. These perspectives will form the basis for preschool curricula in these communities.

IDENTIFICATION OF OUTSTANDING SALADETTE TOMATO LINES WITH A WIDENED GENETIC BASE

The “bell pepper” or “chino criollo” tomato is a native Mexican variety with similar characteristics to the “Saladette” tomato and the potential to be used as a source of germplasm to generate commercial hybrids of this type. The aim of this investigation was to identify and select advanced lines with a wide genetic base, derived from crosses between Saladette tomatoes and native populations to generate free pollination varieties and potential parents of Saladette tomato hybrids. The hypothesis was that crosses between native populations and Saladette commercial hybrids generate outstanding offspring. The 103 genotypes evaluated included 10 native parents, three parents derived from commercial hybrids, one commercial hybrid control (“El Cid”) and 89 S4 advanced lines. The evaluation was carried out in a greenhouse and hydroponics during the 2020 spring-summer cycle, using a randomized complete block experimental design with three replications and four plants per replication. The total weight and number of fruits were recorded based on the sum of the two cuts performed. The days to flowering of the first cluster, average fruit weight, and total soluble solids were also determined. Analyses of variance were carried out for each variable, as well as orthogonal contrasts and correlations between different combinations of the materials of interest. The comparison of means was carried out using Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Nine advanced lines with similar or greater characteristics to the control were identified and are recommended to be recombined genetically in a diallelic cross scheme to identify new outstanding offspring. The advanced line 2051 (LOR85 X C) was identified, with a similar yield to that reported for the control, which can be used as an open pollination variety since it has similar characteristics to the control “El Cid”, but with native tomato genes.

Cardiometabolic risk profile among children with migrant parents and role of parental education: the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort

Background and aimsEvidence shows that migrant children have a higher risk of developing obesity than those with native parents. We aimed to investigate the association between parental migration background and cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents in Europe.Methods and resultsWe included 8745 children aged 2–17 from the second follow-up of the European IDEFICS/I.Family cohort. Linear regression models were used to investigate the association between parental migration background (one or two migrant parent(s) vs native parents) and body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome (MetS) score and its individual components. Outcome variables were parametrized as age and sex-specific z-scores. We adjusted for age, sex, country, and parental education, and additionally for parental income, lifestyle including dietary factors, and maternal BMI. On average, children with two migrant parents had higher z-scores of BMI (+0.24 standard deviation (SD)) and MetS score (+0.30 SD) compared to those with native parents, whereas no significant differences were seen for children with one migrant parent. Associations were attenuated when controlling for maternal BMI and sports club activity. Parental education modified the associations with BMI and MetS z-scores such that they were more pronounced in children with low parental education.ConclusionChildren with two migrant parents were at higher risk for adverse cardiometabolic health compared to children with native parents, especially in families with low parental education. These associations were explained by lower physical activity and maternal body weight and encourages early intervention strategies by schools and communities.

Neophytes may promote hybridization and adaptations to a changing planet.

Human activities erode geographic barriers, facilitating hybridization among previously isolated taxa. However, limited empirical research exists on the consequences of introduced species (neophytes) for hybridization and subsequent evolutionary outcomes. To address this knowledge gap, we employed a macroecological approach. First, we examined the spatial and phylogenetic overlap between neophytes and hybrids by integrating the Plants of the World Online database with the Global Naturalized Alien Flora database. Second, leveraging the largest dated plant phylogeny available, we compared diversification rates between genera containing hybrids and neophytes versus those without. Third, focusing on the extensively studied hybrid flora of Britain, we studied the spatial distributions of hybrids in relation to neophyte and native parents, assessing potential adaptations to anthropogenic disturbances and impacts on native species. Overall, our findings highlight positive ties between contemporary biodiversity redistribution and hybridization. Spatially (across countries) and phylogenetically (across genera), neophyte incidence was positively associated with hybrid incidence. Genera comprising both hybrids and neophytes displayed significantly higher diversification rates. Neophyte hybrids primarily occupied areas with a higher human footprint, with limited evidence of hybrids threatening native species throughout their range in more natural habitats. These results challenge the notion that species naturalizations and hybridizations exclusively yield negative outcomes for biodiversity. While it is conceivable that anthropogenic hybridization may facilitate recombination of genetic variation and contribute to conserving genetic diversity in disturbed environments, further research is needed to fully understand these processes.

Sharenting: Sharing Moments or Violating Children's Privacy?

On social media, parents are increasingly posting photographs, videos, and status updates containing private information about their children. This action is known as sharenting. Digital native parents who have raised their children in first-generation digital societies commonly partake in this pastime. However, distributing content on a regular basis hurts kids' interests. This essay's goals are to assess sharenting offences and highlight how important it is to protect children from sharenting's dangers. A review of the literature served as the study's methodology. The results demonstrate that the three stages of reality construction are represented by the six steps of the sharing process: (1) documentation, (2) choosing, (3) editing, (4) giving captions, (5) uploading, and (6) getting responses. Sharing behaviour has the potential to expose children's identities in a public way on social media, has a tendency to violate children's privacy, and even appears to exploit children. However, sharing might put pressure on the kids themselves and perhaps have an effect on online criminality. This article is meant to educate parents on the value of preserving attitudes and behaviours when sharing and protecting kids' rights and privacy on social media. Parenting quality is determined by parental norms for the information that must be shared and its selection. A good sharing is one that promotes the child's healthy development by transferring parenting expertise to other parents. Sharing is bad if the parents have violated the child's privacy and endangered their safety

Codesigning informative resources for families of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who sustained a burn injury: a protocol for a participatory action research study

IntroductionParents of children hospitalised in a burn unit experience psychological trauma and later post-traumatic stress. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families whose child has been admitted to a burn unit...

Uptake of formal childcare among second generation and native mothers in Belgium: can increasing local childcare availability narrow migrant-native gaps?

Research indicates that the uptake of formal childcare for children under age 3 is lower among migrant origin parents than among native parents in most European countries, and that these differentials extend to the second generation. Despite considerable investments in formal childcare availability in many European countries, it remains unclear whether and to what extent expanding local childcare availability effectively diminishes migrant-native uptake differentials due to the lack of longitudinal research. Therefore, this study assesses for Belgium to what extent expansions in childcare availability within municipalities in the period 2010–2014 has increased the uptake of formal childcare for children under age 3 among households where the mother has a second generation Southern European, Maghreb or Turkish background, versus no migration background. We use longitudinal census and register data for Belgium that were linked to longitudinal tax return data on childcare expenses and municipality-level data on childcare availability for children aged 0–3. Our results show that Southern European and Turkish origin mothers become more likely to use formal childcare when childcare places become more widely available within their municipalities, but also that the uptake gap with native mothers persists, since there is no differential effect of increasing local childcare availability. Since local childcare expansions entail a slightly stronger increase in formal childcare uptake among Maghreb origin mothers compared to native mothers, this results in slightly decreasing migrant-native uptake gaps, although considerable uptake gaps remain. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study addressing the relationship between local childcare availability and uptake differentials by migration background. This study can inspire avenues for follow-up research which could provide additional insight into the possible mechanisms behind the varying effects of increasing local childcare availability by migration background and the persisting migrant-native uptake gaps.

Restoration from out-of-home care for Aboriginal children: Evidence from the pathways of care longitudinal study and experiences of parents and children

BackgroundRestoration of Aboriginal children (also called reunification) is an under-researched area despite being the preferred permanency outcome for children. ObjectiveTo investigate the rate of restoration for Aboriginal children, the factors that influence restoration, and to explore the experiences of parents whose Aboriginal children have been restored, and their children. Participants and settingAnalyses were conducted using data from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS). MethodsThe quantitative sample includes all Aboriginal children in NSW who were on final Children’s Court care and protection orders by 30 April 2013. Qualitative data were extracted from the POCLS survey instruments. ResultsOf the 1018 Aboriginal children in the study, 15.2% were restored. Around 40 % of children entered care following just one (or no) substantiated Risk of Significant Harm reports. Children entering care under the age of 2 years were the least likely to be restored. Parents expressed dissatisfaction with child protection agencies and family support services both at the time their child was removed and in the restoration period. Parents and children expressed the importance of being supported to maintain family relationships while children are in care. ConclusionsDespite policy priorities to the contrary, few Aboriginal children are considered for restoration. More support is needed for Aboriginal parents interfacing with all stages of the care system and following restoration. Additional research is needed to understand the factors underlying decisions to remove Aboriginal children from their families and whether restoration to their family is considered or achieved.

Conceptualisation, experiences and suggestions for improvement of food security amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and carers in remote Australian communities

This study aimed to determine perceptions of the lived experience of food insecurity and suggestions to improve food security in four remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory, and Queensland. Participants were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander pregnant and breastfeeding women, and parents/carers of children aged six months to five years. Semi-structured interviews (n=17) were conducted between June–July 2021 and the data thematically analysed using a four stage process. No specific term was used by participants to describe being either food secure or insecure. Descriptions of food security were centred in food sharing, food sufficiency, and family activities. Elements describing food insecurity were physical pain and emotional stress, adults going without food, seeking family help and managing without food until payday. Factors contributing to food insecurity were reported to be: (i) Low income and unemployment, (ii) Cost of living remotely, (iii) Resource sharing, and (iv) Impact of spending on harmful commodities and activities. Three themes were conceptualised: (1) Cultural practices buffer food insecurity, (2) Coping with food insecurity, (3) People accept a degree of food insecurity as normal. Findings suggest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices such as sharing food buffer episodic food insecurity and constitute ‘cultural food security’. Despite use of cultural practices (e.g., procuring traditional food) and generic coping strategies, regular episodes of food insecurity often aligned with the off week of social assistance payments. Household energy (electricity) security was coupled to food security. Suggestions for improving food security included better transport and food access, extending electricity rebates, increases in the regularity of social assistance payments, and computer access and training in budgeting. Policies to advance food security should embody deeper Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descriptions and experiences. Community-derived policy suggestions which aim to increase access to adequate, regular, stable household income are likely to succeed.

The availability and delivery of culturally responsive Australian Aboriginal infant resuscitation education programmes: a structured literature review.

To critically appraise the literature to determine availability and identify the cultural responsiveness of infant resuscitation education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Despite overall reductions in infant mortality in the last two decades, Aboriginal people have some of the highest rates of infant mortality of any developed nation. One of the key factors that has attributed to improvements in infant mortality rates is parent and carer education around risk factors and actions of first responders. Identifying gaps in the current basic first-aid initiatives available to Aboriginal communities may contribute to developing resources to contribute to reductions in Aboriginal neonatal mortality rates. The review used key terms and Boolean operators across an 11-month time frame searching for research articles utilising the databases of CINAHL, Scopus, Ovid Emcare, Informit, Pubmed and Proquest. After review, 39 articles met the inclusion criteria, 25 articles were discarded due to irrelevant material and 14 articles were included in the structured literature review. The search process was developed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Articles were assessed for validity and inclusion using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist. Research literature relating to First Nation community-based CPR and first-aid education programmes in Canada, USA, India, UK and Europe, Asia and Africa were identified; however, none pertaining specifically to CPR and first-aid education in Australian Aboriginal communities were found. Despite the lack of research evidence relating to infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education for Australian Aboriginal populations, the reviewed studies noted the importance of culturally responsive education designed in collaboration with First Nation peoples, using novel ways of teaching CPR, that align with the language, culture and needs of the communities it is intended for. Further research is required to create a framework for the delivery of culturally responsive infant resuscitation education for Australian Aboriginal parents and communities.

Experiences of Aboriginal parents in the context of junior rugby league

ABSTRACT The proportion of Aboriginal peoples in a variety of Australian sports are at a much higher levels than their proportion of the overall population in Australia. Given the relative absence of Aboriginal parents in discussions of parenting, and the strong involvement of Aboriginal peoples in sport, the experiences of Aboriginal parents within Junior Rugby League (JRL) were explored in this study. The aim was to consider the key factors impacting the behaviours and emotional reactions of parents with a view to supporting parents in JRL settings. Participants were parents of JRL players (aged 8 to 16 years) in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. As part of a large-scale online survey (N = 1418), 117 Aboriginal parents reported their demographic background, spectator behaviour and emotions, sport-related beliefs and attitudes, child behaviour, parenting, and personal wellbeing. Analyses comparing Aboriginal parents to remaining sample of non-Aboriginal parents revealed that Aboriginal parents identified more highly with rugby league and had a greater investment in the sport than their non-Aboriginal parenting peers. The findings allow further explorations in relation to aspects of connection and kinship, and we argue that JRL may be positioned as a potentially generative site of support for Aboriginal parents.

Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Recovery from Childhood Behavioral or Conduct Problems: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Sample of 3-17 Years Old US Children.

Our study provides nationally-generalizable evidence on the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in diagnosis and recovery from childhood behavioral or conduct problems. We pooled data from 4years (2016-2019) of the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) for 3 to 17years old US children (N = 114,476). We performed several logistic regression models using complex survey data analysis statistical methodologies to estimate nationally representative and generalizable results in the Stata MP 16 program. About 20.1% of 3-17years old US children previously diagnosed with behavioral or conduct problems no longer had the current diagnosis (were recovered). Hispanic children [Odds ratio (OR) 0.77, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.65-0-95], immigrant children or children of immigrant parents (first or second generation immigrant children), and children from high-income families [200-399% Federal Poverty Level (FPL)] were about 23%, 38%, and 21% less likely than non-Hispanic White children, children of US native parents, and children with a family income of below 100% FPL to be currently diagnosed with behavioral or conduct problems, respectively. Conversely, Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children were about 50% and 40% more likely than non-Hispanic White children to recover from a past diagnosis. Moreover, children from higher-income families (at or above 300% of FPL) were between 1.59 to 1.79 times more likely than those from low-income families (below 100% FPL) to recover from a past diagnosis. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in diagnosing appear to persist in recovering from behavioral or conduct problems.

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

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.

Challenges and Perspectives of Multicultural Education for Young Children in the Context of Greek Nurseries: Educators' Views

In recent years, Greece has received very high numbers of migrants and refugees from the Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine, including children of all ages. This new and evolving socio-cultural environment has an impact on education, since the application of multicultural principles in education is considered necessary for the development of multicultural respect. To achieve that level of mutual respect, the role of educators is particularly important. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the views of 196 educators working in Greek nurseries on the difficulties they face in implementing multicultural education in young children (children under the age of 3) and the perspectives of that method. Furthermore, the research investigates the goals set by educators, the practices they choose and how competent they consider themselves in implementing multicultural education. A questionnaire with closed-ended questions was used to collect the data. The results of the survey show that educators mainly choose fairy tales/books for managing and highlighting cultural diversity, while cooperation with parents is practiced to a very small extent. As for the difficulties that the educators face during that process, these are mainly attributed to the xenophobic attitudes of native parents. Finally, they feel that their knowledge on multicultural education is inadequate, and they express the need for appropriate training. In summary, the survey can provide useful information for educators on multicultural education in the nursery and can be used as a guide for their future training on that field.

Community perspectives on delivering trauma-aware and culturally safe perinatal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents

BackgroundSince colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced violence, loss of land, ongoing discrimination and increased exposure to traumatic events. These include adverse childhood experiences which can lead to complex trauma, and are associated with increased incidence of high-risk pregnancies, birth complications and emergence of post-traumatic symptoms during the perinatal period, potentially impacting parenting and leading to intergenerational trauma. The perinatal period offers unique opportunities for processing experiences of trauma and healing yet can also be a time when parents experience complex trauma-related distress. Therefore, it is essential that trauma-aware culturally safe perinatal care is accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. AimThis study aimed to understand community perspectives of what ‘trauma-aware culturally safe perinatal care’ would look like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. MethodsData were collected during a workshop held with predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander key stakeholders to co-design strategies to foster trauma-aware culturally safe perinatal care. Data were thematically analysed. FindingsFour overarching themes represent proposed goals for trauma-aware culturally safe care: Authentic partnerships that are nurtured and invested in to provide the foundations of care; a skilled workforce educated in trauma awareness; empowering and compassionate care for building trust; and safe and accessible environments to facilitate parent engagement. ConclusionsProvision of trauma-aware culturally safe care achieving these goals is likely to enable parents experiencing complex trauma to access appropriate support and care to foster healing in the critical perinatal period.