'Our culture makes us strong': Understanding and working with community strengths among Aboriginal people in western Sydney.
Australia
aboriginal
culture
indigenous
strengths
Journal
Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals
ISSN: 1036-1073
Titre abrégé: Health Promot J Austr
Pays: Australia
ID NLM: 9710936
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
03 Sep 2024
03 Sep 2024
Historique:
revised:
14
04
2024
received:
26
08
2023
accepted:
15
07
2024
medline:
4
9
2024
pubmed:
4
9
2024
entrez:
4
9
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Strengths-based approaches to health care are often seen as an alternative to deficit-based approaches and are common in Aboriginal health settings. Despite this, there is little existing research that describes Aboriginal peoples' perspectives about the strengths of their communities. This paper describes cultural strengths and resources as understood by Aboriginal people living in western Sydney. In-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data from two communities on Dharug and Dharrawal Country in western Sydney Australia. Data come from a larger study, which focused on how cultural strengths supported sexual well-being. Fifty-two interviews were conducted with Aboriginal young people (aged 16-24 years) by trained peer interviewers. Additionally, 16 interviews with Aboriginal adults (25 years and older) were conducted by members of the research team. While opinions varied, four key areas of cultural strength were identified: (1) strong kinship relationships; (2) knowledge sharing; (3) shared experiences, identities, and values; and (4) knowing Country. Throughout these four themes, the sense of connection and belonging is viewed as an important overarching theme. Communities are not homogenous with regard to what they view as cultural strengths. Knowing Country and practising culture meant different things to different individuals while providing a similar sense of belonging, connection, and identity. Health service providers, policies, and programs can use this information to understand the continuing impacts of past policies and events whilst recognising that each community has strengths that can be drawn upon to improve service engagement, knowledge sharing, and health outcomes.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Strengths-based approaches to health care are often seen as an alternative to deficit-based approaches and are common in Aboriginal health settings. Despite this, there is little existing research that describes Aboriginal peoples' perspectives about the strengths of their communities. This paper describes cultural strengths and resources as understood by Aboriginal people living in western Sydney.
METHODS
METHODS
In-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data from two communities on Dharug and Dharrawal Country in western Sydney Australia. Data come from a larger study, which focused on how cultural strengths supported sexual well-being. Fifty-two interviews were conducted with Aboriginal young people (aged 16-24 years) by trained peer interviewers. Additionally, 16 interviews with Aboriginal adults (25 years and older) were conducted by members of the research team.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
While opinions varied, four key areas of cultural strength were identified: (1) strong kinship relationships; (2) knowledge sharing; (3) shared experiences, identities, and values; and (4) knowing Country. Throughout these four themes, the sense of connection and belonging is viewed as an important overarching theme.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Communities are not homogenous with regard to what they view as cultural strengths. Knowing Country and practising culture meant different things to different individuals while providing a similar sense of belonging, connection, and identity.
SO WHAT
UNASSIGNED
Health service providers, policies, and programs can use this information to understand the continuing impacts of past policies and events whilst recognising that each community has strengths that can be drawn upon to improve service engagement, knowledge sharing, and health outcomes.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2024 Australian Health Promotion Association.
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