Community Perspectives of Complex Trauma Assessment for Aboriginal Parents: ‘Its Important, but How These Discussions Are Held Is Critical’

Abstract

The majority of stakeholders supported the importance of assessing each of the proposed complex trauma domains with Aboriginal parents. However, strong concerns were expressed regarding where, by whom and how this should occur. There was greater emphasis and consistency regarding 'qualities' (e.g., caring), rather than specific 'attributes' (e.g., clinician). Six critical overarching themes emerged: ensuring emotional and cultural safety; establishing relationships and trust; having capacity to respond appropriately and access support; incorporating less direct cultural communication methods (e.g., yarning, dadirri); using strengths-based approaches and offering choices to empower parents; and showing respect, caring and compassion. Conclusion: Assessments to identify Aboriginal parents experiencing complex trauma should only be considered when the prerequisites of safety, trusting relationships, respect, compassion, adequate care, and capacity to respond are assured. Offering choices and cultural and strengths-based approaches are also critical. Without this assurance, there are serious concerns that harms may outweigh any benefits for Aboriginal parents.

Transforming health settings to address gender‐based violence in Australia

“…In codesigning a complex trauma assessment tool for Indigenous parents, the authors of a 2020 article identified six prerequisites for considering the safety of discussions about complex trauma (Box 6). 83 …”

“…This work identifies considerations of engaging in sensitive conversations with Indigenous peoples. While acknowledged as important, strong concerns were expressed through Indigenous community codesign workshops regarding where, by whom and how such conversations occur 83 . Trauma‐ and violence‐informed care approaches appropriate for Indigenous women are largely absent or not evaluated.…”

Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future: Aboriginal parents’ views of what helps support recovery from complex trauma

“…As many people do not disclose a history of abuse or trauma until later in life, 'universal precautions' that foster safer practices for all parents are needed (Coles and Jones, 2009). Second, while helping parents to identify complex trauma and recovery strategies is vital, how those sensitive discussions are held is essential to ensure that the benefits of any assessment outweigh any harms (Chamberlain et al, 2020). Trauma should be conceptualised as understandable protective responses to adverse experiences, consistent with the Power Threat Meaning Framework (Johnstone and Boyle, 2018), to avoid pathologising parents.…”

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families to Stay Together from the Start (SAFeST Start): Urgent call to action to address crisis in infant removals

“…This includes standard training approaches to develop baseline skills and competencies, and also mentoring and supervision to build expertise and wisdom to enable best practice in supporting parents with complex social and emotional needs (Chamberlain et al, 2016 ). Incorporating and relearning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of communicating effectively about sensitive issues, including using Dadirri, yarning and story‐telling, are critical (Chamberlain et al 2020 ). Partnership Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities must drive the development and implementation of culturally embedded models of care for new and expectant parents, including service design and administration, Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making models (currently being evaluated in NSW and Western Australia) and other supports.…”

“…This includes standard training approaches to develop baseline skills and competencies, and also mentoring and supervision to build expertise and wisdom to enable best practice in supporting parents with complex social and emotional needs (Chamberlain et al, 2016 ). Incorporating and relearning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of communicating effectively about sensitive issues, including using Dadirri, yarning and story‐telling, are critical (Chamberlain et al 2020 ).…”