Using participatory action research to co-design perinatal support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents experiencing complex trauma

Carol Reid; Graham Gee; Shannon K Bennetts; Yvonne Clark; Caroline Atkinson; Danielle Dyall; Jan M Nicholson; Catherine Chamberlain

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2021.12.005

Using participatory action research to co-design perinatal support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents experiencing complex trauma

Women Birth. 2022 Sep;35(5):e494-e501. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.12.005. Epub 2021 Dec 25.

Authors

Carol Reid¹, Graham Gee², Shannon K Bennetts³, Yvonne Clark⁴, Caroline Atkinson⁵, Danielle Dyall⁶, Jan M Nicholson⁷, Catherine Chamberlain⁸

Affiliations

¹ Judith Lumley Centre, George Singer Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: c.reid@latrobe.edu.au.
² Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
³ Judith Lumley Centre, George Singer Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
⁵ We Al-li Pty Ltd, Goolmangar, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
⁷ Judith Lumley Centre, George Singer Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
⁸ Judith Lumley Centre, George Singer Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Health Equity, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia; NGANGK YIRA, Murdoch University Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Western Australia, Australia.

PMID: 34961730
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.12.005

Abstract

Problem & background: Support is important for all parents but critical for those experiencing complex trauma. The The Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future project uses participatory action research to co-design effective perinatal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents.

Aim: This research aims to identify and refine culturally appropriate support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents experiencing complex trauma.

Design: We presented our synthesised eight parent support goals and 60 strategies, collated from Elder and parent focus groups, previous participatory workshops, and evidence reviews, for discussion at a stakeholder workshop. Stakeholder perspectives were captured using a three-point agreement activity and, self- and scribe-recorded comments. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers analysised the qualitative data, to identify core factors which might facilitate or help enact the parenting related goals.

Findings: Overall, stakeholders (n = 37) strongly endorsed all eight goals. Workshop attendees (57% Aboriginal) represented multiple stakeholder roles including Elder, parent and service provider. Four core factors were identified as crucial for supporting parents to heal from complex trauma: Culture (cultural traditions, practices and strengths), Relationality (family, individual, community and services), Safety (frameworks, choice and control) and Timing (the right time socio-emotionally and stage of parenting).

Discussion: Context-specific support tailored to the Culture, Relationality, Safety, and Timing needs of parents is essential. These four factors are important elements to help enact or facilitate parenting support strategies.

Conclusion: Further work is now required to develop practical resources for parents, and to implement and evaluate these strategies in perinatal care to address cumulative and compounding cycles of intergenerational trauma.

Keywords: Aboriginal Australians; Historical trauma; Parents; Perinatal care; Support.

MeSH terms

Aged
Female
Health Services Research
Health Services, Indigenous*
Humans
Indigenous Peoples
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander*
Parenting
Parents / psychology
Pregnancy