Social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Aboriginal controlled social housing

Alison Brown; Tilahun Haregu; Graham Gee; Fiona Mensah; Lea Waters; Stephanie J Brown; Jan M Nicholson; Kelsey Hegarty; Darren Smith; Sue D'Amico; Rebecca Ritte; Yin Paradies; Gregory Armstrong

doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16817-y

Social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Aboriginal controlled social housing

BMC Public Health. 2023 Oct 6;23(1):1935. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16817-y.

Authors

Alison Brown¹, Tilahun Haregu², Graham Gee^{3

4}, Fiona Mensah^{2

3}, Lea Waters², Stephanie J Brown^{2

3}, Jan M Nicholson⁵, Kelsey Hegarty^{2

6}, Darren Smith⁷, Sue D'Amico⁷, Rebecca Ritte², Yin Paradies⁸, Gregory Armstrong²

Affiliations

¹ The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia. alison.brown@unimelb.edu.au.
² The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
³ Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
⁴ School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
⁵ Latrobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
⁶ The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
⁷ Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Fitzroy North, VIC, 3068, Australia.
⁸ Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the wellbeing and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in social housing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in social housing face common social housing challenges of low income, higher incidence of mental health issues and poorer health along with specific challenges due to the impacts of colonisation and its ongoing manifestations in racism and inequity. A greater understanding of social and emotional wellbeing needs and aspirations is essential in informing the provision of appropriate support.

Methods: Surveys of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) were completed by 95 Aboriginal people aged 16 years and older living in Aboriginal Housing Victoria social housing in 2021. The survey addressed a range of domains reflecting social and emotional wellbeing, as defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Results: Most respondents demonstrated a strong sense of identity and connection to family however 26% reported having 6 or more health conditions. Ill health and disability were reported to be employment barriers for almost a third of people (32%). Improving health and wellbeing (78%) was the most cited aspiration. Experiences of racism and ill health influenced engagement with organisations and correspondingly education and employment.

Conclusion: Strong connections to identity, family and culture in Aboriginal peoples living in social housing coexist along with disrupted connections to mind, body and community. Culturally safe and appropriate pathways to community services and facilities can enhance these connections. Research aimed at evaluating the impact of strengths-based interventions that focus on existing strong connections will be important in understanding whether this approach is effective in improving SEWB in this population.

Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively registered with the ISRCTN Register on the 12/7/21 with the study ID:ISRCTN33665735.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Needs and aspirations; Social and emotional wellbeing; Social housing.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples*
Health Services, Indigenous*
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Psychological Well-Being*
Public Housing*
Surveys and Questionnaires