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Journal article
Strong Families Study: protocol for a co-designed birth cohort study with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Queensland, Australia
BMJ open, Vol.16(5), 113766
2026
PMID: 42208998
Abstract
Introduction: Australian studies investigating parental factors often lack meaningful inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, limiting our understanding of current influences on positive developmental trajectories within communities. There is growing recognition of the need for culturally safe and responsive longitudinal research that is co-designed and co-led by the community for the community. An Indigenous-led birth cohort study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Queensland, Australia, has therefore been developed to better understand health across generations.
Methods and analysis: The Strong Families Study is a co-designed prospective longitudinal birth cohort study that will follow 400 Indigenous families in Queensland from pregnancy until the child reaches 5 years of age. Eligible participants include pregnant individuals (<28 weeks' gestation) whose children may identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, along with their partners (if applicable). Data will be collected at multiple timepoints: during gestation, at delivery, postpartum, every 6 months until the child is 36 months (corrected age, CA) and annually until age 5 years. These will be collected by Aboriginal health workers using validated and culturally appropriate tools across different health themes. The study will incorporate health literacy throughout, as well as referrals to two nested family support programmes to support families and assist with the developmental outcomes of their children when and if required. Effects across health themes will be analysed with a focus on strengths, positive trajectories and holistic well-being of Indigenous families, moving beyond deficit-based narratives.
Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Mater Misericordiae Ltd Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/MML/105191) and ratified by the University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (2025/HE001924). Endorsement letters were secured from partner services at each study site. Findings will be shared with partnering hospitals and funding bodies at conferences and through reports and peer-reviewed publications.
Details
- Title
- Strong Families Study: protocol for a co-designed birth cohort study with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Queensland, Australia
- Authors/Creators
- Salma Mohamed Ahmed - Mater ResearchEmily S. Dorey - Mater ResearchDavina Smith - Mater ResearchLoretta Weatherall - Mater ResearchRhiannon Friday - Mater ResearchLuciana F. Massi - Mater ResearchRebecca Rooney - Mater ResearchDiana Hermith-Ramirez - Griffith UniversityEmma Kendall - Mater ResearchKai Wheeler - The University of QueenslandAnne-Marie Eades - Curtin UniversityMaree Toombs - The University of QueenslandRoslyn N. Boyd - The University of QueenslandRhonda Marriott - Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for ChangeSandra J. Eades - The University of MelbourneKatherine Benfer - The University of QueenslandNatasha Reid - The University of QueenslandKoa Whittingham - The University of QueenslandRobert S. Ware - Griffith UniversityPaul D. Robinson - The University of QueenslandElizabeth Martin - The University of QueenslandVicki Clifton - The University of QueenslandLeonie Kaye Callaway - The University of QueenslandSailesh Kumar - The University of QueenslandKym M. Rae - The University of QueenslandStrong Families Indigenous Steering Comm
- Publication Details
- BMJ open, Vol.16(5), 113766
- Publisher
- BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre Seed Funding (2020) 50276_2018 / Children's Hospital Foundation Project Grant PG05318; PG14017 / Cerebral Palsy Alliance Project Grants NHMRC1116442 / NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence (Australasian Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials Network; National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia PG11917 / Cerebral Palsy Alliance Grant Mater Foundation and Equity Trustees (ANZ QLD Community Foundation, QCF-ANZ Bank Fund, QCF-Thomas George Swallow Trust, The HJ Hinchey Cht Trust) 1105038; 631712; APP1145212; NHMRC115038 / NHMRC fellowships; National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia APP1194128 / NHMRC-European Union Collaborative Research Grant; National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia IPAP2020/0808 / Perpetual Impact Grant GNT2023832 / National Health and Medical Research Council; National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia
- Identifiers
- 991005891652307891
- Copyright
- © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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