“Connection to Culture Is Like a Massive Lifeline”: Yarning With Aboriginal Young People About Culture and Social and Emotional Wellbeing

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110094
Author(s):  
Cammi Murrup-Stewart ◽  
Theoni Whyman ◽  
Laura Jobson ◽  
Karen Adams
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Knowledge Community ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Social And Emotional Wellbeing

Culture is an important social and emotional wellbeing factor for Aboriginal peoples in Australia, particularly regarding recovery from colonization. However, little is understood about how culture and wellbeing interact for young urban Aboriginal people. This study used Yarning methods to explore experiences and perceptions of culture and wellbeing for young urban Aboriginal people in Narrm, Australia. Findings indicate that culture is experienced as connection, and that perceived connection or disconnection has an essential influence on the wellbeing of young people. Through sharing young people stories, a range of factors, including colonization, relationships, cultural knowledge, community support, and agency, were identified as affecting perceptions of connectedness, and therefore on wellbeing. Youth were able to develop strategies to increase connection and provided illuminating advice and suggestions for improving connection for future generations. This study thus contributes to efforts to improved understanding of Aboriginal perspectives about social and emotional wellbeing and culture.

scholarly journals A scoping review about social and emotional wellbeing programs and services targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Australia: understanding the principles guiding promising practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Himanshu Gupta ◽  
Noemi Tari-Keresztes ◽  
Donna Stephens ◽  
James A. Smith ◽  
Emrhan Sultan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Program Planning ◽  
Promising Practices ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Social And Emotional Wellbeing

Abstract Background Multiple culturally-oriented programs, services, and frameworks have emerged in recent decades to support the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people in Australia. Although there are some common elements, principles, and methods, few attempts have been made to integrate them into a set of guidelines for policy and practice settings. This review aims to identify key practices adopted by programs and services that align with the principles of the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017–2023. Methods A comprehensive review of electronic databases and organisational websites was conducted to retrieve studies of relevance. Twenty-seven publications were included in the review. Next, we identified promising practices through a collaborative review process. We then used the principles articulated in the above-mentioned framework as the basis to complete a framework analysis. This enabled us to explore the alignment between current scholarship about SEWB programs and services with respect to the principles of the framework. Results We found there was a strong alignment, with selected principles being effectively incorporated into most SEWB program and service delivery contexts. However, only one study incorporated all nine principles, using them as conceptual framework. Additionally, ‘capacity building’, ‘individual skill development’, and ‘development of maladaptive coping mechanisms’ were identified as common factors in SEWB program planning and delivery for Aboriginal people. Conclusion We argue the selective application of nationally agreed principles in SEWB programs and services, alongside a paucity of scholarship relating to promising practices in young people-oriented SEWB programs and services, are two areas that need the urgent attention of commissioners and service providers tasked with funding, planning, and implementing SEWB programs and services for Aboriginal people. Embedding robust participatory action research and evaluation approaches into the design of such services and programs will help to build the necessary evidence-base to achieve improved SEWB health outcomes among Aboriginal people, particularly young people with severe and complex mental health needs.

scholarly journals ‘I felt closed in and like I couldn’t breathe’: A qualitative study exploring the mainstream educational experiences of autistic young people

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 239694151880440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Goodall
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
Young People ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Educational Experiences ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Mainstream School ◽  
Social And Emotional Wellbeing

Background and aim More autistic young people are being educated in mainstream schools. While existing research suggests that the outcomes of mainstream inclusion are mixed for autistic young people, few studies have examined their views and experiences directly. This article discusses the educational experiences of 12 autistic young people (aged 11–17 years) from their perspectives and how education could be improved to better support the others with autism. Methods A flexible qualitative participatory approach was used which incorporated a range of methods, including individual semi-structured interviews, diamond ranking activities and draw-and-tell activities. A Children’s Research Advisory Group (CRAG) advised on the methods used and matters to be explored. Results The young people offered insights into how education has been for them in mainstream school, mostly negative, but with islets of positive experience. Several described themselves as being socially, emotionally and physically isolated from peers, with loneliness and bullying experienced by some. Participants felt unsupported and misunderstood by teachers within a social and sensory environment that was antithetical to their needs. Some spoke of the dread they felt before and during school and the negative impact their experiences in mainstream has had on their wellbeing. Many participants suggested simple strategies and curriculum adaptations that they felt would have helped make their time at mainstream more successful. These include having more breaks, smaller class sizes, less homework, instructions broken down, safe places to use when anxious and teachers who listen to their concerns and take account of their needs. In short they want to be understood, supported and included. Conclusions There exists scope to better support autistic young people in mainstream education, as evidenced by the literature and the participants in this paper. The participants demonstrate that mainstream is not working for all and that changes, such as smaller class sizes, flexible pedagogy and understanding could improve education for autistic learners. Implications Autistic young people can and should be central to the discussion on school improvement. They also show that being academically able for mainstream school should not be the only aspect when deciding on the suitability of mainstream school for meeting their needs. The young person’s social and emotional wellbeing must be considered to ensure they can flourish, and not flounder.

The social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous LGBTQA+ young people: a global perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
K. Spurway ◽  
K. Soldatic ◽  
L. Briskman ◽  
B. Uink ◽  
S. Liddelow-Hunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social And Emotional Wellbeing

There has been scant exploration of the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of young Indigenous populations that identify as LGBTQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Asexual +). Given the vulnerability of this cohort living in Western settler colonial societies, wider investigation is called for to respond to their needs, experiences and aspirations. This paper summarizes existing research on the topic highlighting the lack of scholarship on the intersection of youth, Indigeneity, LGBTQA+ and SEWB. The paper takes a holistic approach to provide a global perspective that draws on an emerging body of literature and research driven by Indigenous scholars in settler colonial societies. The paper points to the importance of understanding converging colonial influences and ongoing contemporary elements, such as racism and marginalization that impact on young Indigenous LGBTQA+ wellbeing.

Trauma and healing at Western Australia’s former native missions

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-258
Author(s):  
Reena Tiwari ◽  
John Richard Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Physical Access ◽  
Social And Emotional Wellbeing

In Western Australia, the removal of mixed-descent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children from parents into church-run institutions has caused ongoing damage to the social and emotional wellbeing of survivors and their descendants. Curtin University and Aboriginal organisations are attempting to utilise a number of defunct mission sites as Healing Centres for Stolen Generation survivors. But the rapid deterioration of missions and restricted access constrain use of the sites. Virtual reality offers a safe and accessible alternative to physical access. Layering this digital environment with knowledge and the lived experience of survivors and interweaving past and present experiences has the potential to provide a powerful platform for healing survivors and their families. A key aspect of this project was to ensure that a strength-based approach is used where Aboriginal people power share and collaborate in the projects ensuring that they have tangible control over their story and heritage.

scholarly journals Social Networking and the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Adolescents in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Bourgeois ◽  
Julie Bower ◽  
Annemaree Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
The Social ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Social Networking Tools ◽  
Social And Emotional Wellbeing

Technology and social networking tools and sites are changing the way young people build and maintain their social connections with others (Boyd & Ellison, 2008). This study utilised a new measure, The Self in a Social Context, Virtual Connectedness subscale (SSC-VC subscale), to examine the effects of social networking tools and sites on social and emotional wellbeing among 1,037 Australian young people aged 11–18 years. A maximum likelihood factor analysis identified three strong factors: Fit In (α = .81), Public Self (α = .79) and Connected Self (α = .83). Significant main effects were revealed for the number of times students checked their Facebook F(12, 2415) = 13.8, p < .001, and for gender, F(3, 913) = 10.8, p < .001, but no interaction effect was found. Univariate tests also revealed a significant difference for Frequency of checking Facebook, F(4, 915), = 4.98, and for Gender, F(1, 915), = 46.92, p < .001 on the dependent variable of Emotional Difficulties. These findings suggest that social networking sites, though used differently by males and females, provide an important forum for building social connections across groups.

scholarly journals Adolescence: physical changes and neurological development

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 272-275
Author(s):  
Olivia Best ◽  
Sasha Ban
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Neurological Development ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Physical Changes ◽  
Social And Emotional Wellbeing

This article provides a brief overview of adolescence. It highlights the key physical changes related to puberty and identifies the latest understanding of neurological development in young people. It is also recognised, within the article, that this period of rapid change can have an impact on social and emotional wellbeing. There are conditions that typically have an onset during adolescence, examples of this are offered. The term ‘adolescence’ is used to describe the stage of development and growth and ‘young people’ is used throughout to refer to the individuals.

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