"You Can't Replace That Feeling of Connection to Culture and Country": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents' Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Michelle Kennedy; Tess Bright; Simon Graham; Christina Heris; Shannon K. K. Bennetts; Renee Fiolet; Elise Davis; Kimberley A. A. Jones; Janine Mohamed; Caroline Atkinson; Catherine Chamberlain

doi:10.3390/ijerph192416724

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"You Can't Replace That Feeling of Connection to Culture and Country": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents' Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

"You Can't Replace That Feeling of Connection to Culture and Country": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents' Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Michelle Kennedy, Tess Bright, Simon Graham, Christina Heris, Shannon K. K. Bennetts, Renee Fiolet, Elise Davis, Kimberley A. A. Jones, Janine Mohamed, Caroline Atkinson, …

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.19(24), 16724

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416724

PMID: 36554604

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Abstract

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Science & Technology

This Aboriginal-led study explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents' experiences of COVID-19. 110 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents were interviewed between October 2020 and March 2022. Participants were recruited through community networks and partner health services in South Australia, Victoria, and Northern Territory, Australia. Participants were predominantly female (89%) and based in Victoria (47%) or South Australia (45%). Inductive thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) Changes to daily living; (2) Impact on social and emotional wellbeing; and (3) Disconnection from family, community, and culture. COVID-19 impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Disruption to cultural practice, and disconnection from country, family, and community was detrimental to wellbeing. These impacts aggravated pre-existing inequalities and may continue to have greater impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and communities due to intergenerational trauma, stemming from colonisation, violence and dispossession and ongoing systemic racism. We advocate for the development of a framework that ensures an equitable approach to future public health responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Details

Title: "You Can't Replace That Feeling of Connection to Culture and Country": Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents' Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors/Creators: Michelle Kennedy - Hunter Medical Research Institute
Tess Bright - The University of Melbourne
Simon Graham - The University of Melbourne
Christina Heris - University of Canberra
Shannon K. K. Bennetts - Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Renee Fiolet - The University of Melbourne
Elise Davis - The University of Melbourne
Kimberley A. A. Jones - The University of Melbourne
Janine Mohamed - Lowitja Institute
Caroline Atkinson - We Al Li Pty Ltd, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Catherine Chamberlain - Murdoch University, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.19(24), 16724
Publisher: MDPI
Number of pages: 13
Identifiers: 991005588670007891
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.156 Healthcare Policy; 1.156.436 Health Inequities
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology