Abstract
Objective: Using three case studies, this paper describes the development and evaluation of ‘The Boomerangs Aboriginal Circle of Security Parenting Camp Program', which is a clinical intervention based on an attachment framework using the Circle of Security and Marte Meo, and drawing on traditional Aboriginal culture.
Methods: Three mothers from an Aboriginal Australian background with preschool age children attended the 20-session Boomerangs Program, including an initial camp and a second camp after 6 weeks. The camp provided the opportunity for parent empowerment and to explore the strengths and resources of the mother to facilitate better mother-child interactions and relationship, in a naturalistic setting.
Results: All three mothers gave positive feedback on the program in increasing the awareness, sensitivity and responsiveness of their interactions with their children, and this was reflected in the results of the questionnaires and observation of the mother-child interactions during play.
Conclusion: This program offers the first ever evaluation of an intense parenting program using camps for Aboriginal Australians. This study is to be considered as an exploratory exercise – a first step in a process of exploring applicability and adapting parenting camps for Aboriginal families.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Boomerangs program was funded by Aboriginal Child Youth Family Services (ACYFS). The Benevolent Society's Centre for Women's Health provided the venue and Rowena Moffatt, a child development worker, gave her time to look after the children while the mothers attended the group. Brighter Futures (Tharawal) provided support to the families and Gandangara Land Council kindly managed the funds for the program. The authors would like to thank Ursula Hopper, PIMHS Service Manager, for her support to the program and her helpful comments on the first draft of the manuscript, and Carol Stevens, Parenting Program Co-ordinator, for her contribution to the Books Binding component of the program. The Sydney South West Area Health Service provided support to carry out the evaluation through funding of a part-time project officer.
The program was developed in Australia by Chryne Griffiths and Patricia Glossop using a program designed by Glen Cooper, Kent Hoffman, and Bert Powell from Marycliff Institute in Spokane, Washington and Robert Marvin from University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
DISCLOSURE
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.