Strengthening Indigenous adolescent mental health and wellbeing. Using Continous Quality Improvement processes, the research will collaboratively conceptualise, design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of new approaches to mental health service delivery for adolescents aged 10-24 in three regionally diverse Indigenous Primary Healthcare Services. Expected research outcomes are a rigorous assessment of the impact and economic benefits of making quality improvements to mental health servic ....Strengthening Indigenous adolescent mental health and wellbeing. Using Continous Quality Improvement processes, the research will collaboratively conceptualise, design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of new approaches to mental health service delivery for adolescents aged 10-24 in three regionally diverse Indigenous Primary Healthcare Services. Expected research outcomes are a rigorous assessment of the impact and economic benefits of making quality improvements to mental health services for Indigenous adolescents, Key benefits are 1) A locally-responsive adolescent mental health screening instrument; 2) Comprehensive evidence-informed service model in adolescent mental healthcare; 3) Best practice protocol for developing and managing adolescent mental health as a service delivery stream. Read moreRead less
Reducing Indigenous incarceration using Justice Reinvestment: an exploratory case study. Utilising Justice Reinvestment methodology, this project explores the conditions, governance and cultural appropriateness of re-investing resources otherwise spent on incarceration, into services to enhance juvenile offenders’ ability to remain in their community to reduce further criminal behaviours and health costs associated with incarceration.
Examination of the integration and diffusion of Aboriginal voices in public health collaboratives. Does the integration of Aboriginal voices in governance processes of public health collaboratives influence equity of access in service delivery? Improving access to services is a key priority in order to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. However there is no rigorous scientific evidence base driving current integration reforms. This project will use innovative methodologies (mathematical, ....Examination of the integration and diffusion of Aboriginal voices in public health collaboratives. Does the integration of Aboriginal voices in governance processes of public health collaboratives influence equity of access in service delivery? Improving access to services is a key priority in order to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. However there is no rigorous scientific evidence base driving current integration reforms. This project will use innovative methodologies (mathematical, visual, and vocal) which will lead to a performance indicator framework of the relationships between integration, collaboration, equity and access to services within a social model of health. This is a way to move from assessments of Aboriginal participation processes as 'bad, poor and no' to 'good, green and go'.Read moreRead less
Indigenous young people's resilience and wellbeing. This project aims to identify factors related to, and those which predict, the development of resilience and wellbeing in Indigenous youth. Resilience protects the social and emotional wellbeing of youth exposed to high levels of adversity, and reduces the likelihood of substance misuse, violence, and risky behaviour. This project will examine the development of resilience and wellbeing in Indigenous youth; compare Indigenous youth’s self-asses ....Indigenous young people's resilience and wellbeing. This project aims to identify factors related to, and those which predict, the development of resilience and wellbeing in Indigenous youth. Resilience protects the social and emotional wellbeing of youth exposed to high levels of adversity, and reduces the likelihood of substance misuse, violence, and risky behaviour. This project will examine the development of resilience and wellbeing in Indigenous youth; compare Indigenous youth’s self-assessment of their resilience and wellbeing between low and high risk cohorts; and study how community services develop youth wellbeing and resilience. The expected benefit of this research is a better understanding of connections among age, cultural identity, resilience, wellbeing and risky behaviours in Indigenous youth.Read moreRead less
Re-Focussing Qualitative Research. This project involves an in-depth investigation into the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in Aboriginal health services research. FGDs are a common way of gathering qualitative data in Aboriginal health services research, however, there have been no studies as to whether they are appropriate research tools in such contexts. The aim of this project is to generate the knowledge to inform the accountable, culturally appropriate, ethically sound and methodolog ....Re-Focussing Qualitative Research. This project involves an in-depth investigation into the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in Aboriginal health services research. FGDs are a common way of gathering qualitative data in Aboriginal health services research, however, there have been no studies as to whether they are appropriate research tools in such contexts. The aim of this project is to generate the knowledge to inform the accountable, culturally appropriate, ethically sound and methodologically rigorous use of FGDs in qualitative Aboriginal health service research.Read moreRead less
Remote Aboriginal families and carers of children with disabilities. The project intends to explore the challenges that Aboriginal families who have children with disabilities experience when living in remote communities. Living in a community with family supports is important for the wellbeing, health and spirituality of Aboriginal people in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) lands. However, the NPY Women’s Council are concerned that this is a significant challenge for families ....Remote Aboriginal families and carers of children with disabilities. The project intends to explore the challenges that Aboriginal families who have children with disabilities experience when living in remote communities. Living in a community with family supports is important for the wellbeing, health and spirituality of Aboriginal people in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) lands. However, the NPY Women’s Council are concerned that this is a significant challenge for families and carers of children with disabilities. Project results will be used to propose models for supporting children with disabilities and their families and caregivers to live good lives in their communities. The outcomes are expected to inform service redesign to allow Aboriginal people to fully benefit from the National Disability Insurance Scheme.Read moreRead less
Promoting positive perinatal mental health, parenting, cultural and spiritual wellbeing, and resilience in Aboriginal parents in Western Australia. With community engagement, this three year study will use existing and new data to investigate the relationships between selected indicators of perinatal mental health and positive parenting. It will promote positive perinatal mental health, parenting, cultural and spiritual wellbeing, and resilience in young Aboriginal parents in two sites in Weste ....Promoting positive perinatal mental health, parenting, cultural and spiritual wellbeing, and resilience in Aboriginal parents in Western Australia. With community engagement, this three year study will use existing and new data to investigate the relationships between selected indicators of perinatal mental health and positive parenting. It will promote positive perinatal mental health, parenting, cultural and spiritual wellbeing, and resilience in young Aboriginal parents in two sites in Western Australia.Read moreRead less
Retention of the Aboriginal health and disability workforce. This project aims to develop evidence-based retention strategies for the Indigenous frontline health and disability workforces. Indigenous people in these roles are critical to improving access to culturally safe and effective services and support for Indigenous Australians. The availability of culturally safe services, interventions and support will assist in closing the gap in health, education and socio-economic outcomes between Ind ....Retention of the Aboriginal health and disability workforce. This project aims to develop evidence-based retention strategies for the Indigenous frontline health and disability workforces. Indigenous people in these roles are critical to improving access to culturally safe and effective services and support for Indigenous Australians. The availability of culturally safe services, interventions and support will assist in closing the gap in health, education and socio-economic outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This project aims to uncover the factors that influence Indigenous front line workers to stay in their crucial roles. The findings will be translated into culturally-appropriate workforce retention strategies.Read moreRead less
Analysis of sport, education, health & wellbeing in Indigenous communities. This project aims to explore the significance of participation in sport and its links to education attainment and health and wellbeing outcomes. Recent research suggests that that there is a significant positive relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning in children, and also a positive relationship between self-reported participation in sport and general health and wellbeing. However, there has bee ....Analysis of sport, education, health & wellbeing in Indigenous communities. This project aims to explore the significance of participation in sport and its links to education attainment and health and wellbeing outcomes. Recent research suggests that that there is a significant positive relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning in children, and also a positive relationship between self-reported participation in sport and general health and wellbeing. However, there has been no research to date that examines sport, education, health and wellbeing in Indigenous communities. This study aims to address this lack. Project outcomes may inform polices and community programs targeting sport, educational attainment, and health and wellbeing outcomes among Indigenous youth in Australia. They may also contribute to frameworks for evaluating future programs.Read moreRead less
Developing a framework for measuring Indigenous research benefit. The proposed project aims to bring together researchers and Indigenous community members to develop a collaborative framework for measuring research benefit. It aims to address two main 'Closing the Gap' priority areas, Indigenous health and education, by questioning what constitutes research benefit from an Indigenous perspective, and how can the benefits of research be measured to ensure sustainable outcomes for Indigenous comm ....Developing a framework for measuring Indigenous research benefit. The proposed project aims to bring together researchers and Indigenous community members to develop a collaborative framework for measuring research benefit. It aims to address two main 'Closing the Gap' priority areas, Indigenous health and education, by questioning what constitutes research benefit from an Indigenous perspective, and how can the benefits of research be measured to ensure sustainable outcomes for Indigenous communities. The innovation of this project lies in its methodology which endeavours to unpack the benefit construct from an Indigenous worldview to enable future research projects to be designed with outcomes in mind that are acceptable and valued by Indigenous beneficiaries and be informed by Indigenous Knowledges.Read moreRead less