The Aspirations and Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Involved in a Research Project: A Study Protocol

ABSTRACT

Community-based research, which involves working alongside communities, is being increasingly implemented. This paper outlines a protocol developed to explore the impact of involvement by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and life coaches in a community-based project on their aspirations and wellbeing. The proposed study will implement a mixed-methods longitudinal design, including peer researchers, life coaches and staff at Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV). Peer researchers and life coaches will participate in a survey and interview at baseline and 6 months. The survey and interview will capture participants’ wellbeing, aspirations, and resilience. AHV staff will participate in an interview to explore their opinions regarding the project and its impact on the broader community at baseline and 6 months. This study will contribute to the literature, which advocates for Indigenous Peoples’ genuine and authentic inclusion in research. An expected outcome of the research is that it will enhance our understanding of the goals and aspirations among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples working within the space of community-based research. In doing so, policy can focus on adhering to these goals and aspirations, thereby promoting self-determination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Community-based
• Indigenous
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
• protocol
• wellbeing
• aspirations

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge and appreciate the advice and support by Aboriginal organisations and members of the project advisory committee for the development and implementation of the study. We particularly acknowledge the contributions of Dr Alison Brown, Mrs Samantha French, Dr Graham Gee, Aboriginal Housing Victoria, and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service. We would also like to acknowledge the late Professor Margaret Kelaher for her contribution to the study.

Ethics Approval

An ethics amendment of the original ethics submission for the More Than A Landlord was submitted and approved by the University of Melbourne. Following approval from the University of Melbourne, all forms were submitted to Deakin University for approval. Approval by Deakin University has been granted. Approval was granted by Dr Graham Gee and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service for access to ARRQ participant data and the use of the ARRQ.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Deakin University.

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Doery

Ms. Elizabeth Doery is a PhD Candidate in the School of Psychology, Deakin University and a recipient of the Research Training Program Scholarship. She is conducting research to understand the wellbeing of Indigenous youth and how the aspirations of Indigenous researchers could be supported. She has engaged with Indigenous communities for over a decade in Melbourne and Fitzroy Crossing, Australia.

Lata Satyen

Dr. Lata Satyen is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and a Registered Psychologist. Her expertise is in the area of migrant wellbeing and family violence. In 2017, she received the Government of Victoria Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs for her pro bono work in the area of family violence with migrant communities. She is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of culturally diverse communities through advancing culturally-relevant prevention and intervention programs to address violence against women.

John W. Toumbourou

Professor John W. Toumbourou is the Chair in Health Psychology at Deakin University, Australia. He is the Leader of Prevention Science in the Deakin University Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development. He is a prominent researcher and social advocate in areas related to the prevention of alcohol and drug problems and family violence.

Yin Paradies

Professor Yin Paradies is the Chair of Race Relations at Deakin University and is a Wakaya anarchist radical scholar spreading decolonial love from, and as part of, unceded Wurundjeri land. Yin is a climate and ecological activist committed to understanding and interrupting the devastating impacts of modern societies. He seeks meaningful mutuality of becoming and embodied kinship with all life through transformed ways of knowing, being and doing that are grounded in wisdom, humility, respect and generosity.