Improving health service access and wellbeing of young Aboriginal parents in an urban setting: mixed methods evaluation of an arts‐based program

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate an urban art‐based community health program (Ngala Nanga Mai; We Dream) that seeks to improve health, education, empowerment and connectedness of Aboriginal parents by describing paediatric health service attendance, maternal educational engagement, participant growth and empowerment, and worker and participant experiences. Methods: Mixed methods were used. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and focus groups. Demographics, health service use and child health status were extracted from clinical records. Psycho‐social empowerment and wellbeing was measured using the Growth and Empowerment Measure (GEM). A Critical Effectiveness Factor framework that measures factors necessary for success, effectiveness and sustainability was used to assess program quality. Results: Between 2009 and 2012, 92 Aboriginal parents participated. A total of 93.5% of regular participants engaged their children at least once with paediatric health services and 27.1% undertook further education. Empowerment scores significantly improved, despite little change in psychological distress. The program operationalised all 10 Critical Effectiveness Factors for youth wellbeing. Conclusions: Ngala Nanga Mai creates an environment of social connectedness, strengthened parenting, maternal and child wellbeing and empowerment. It supports increased utilisation of health, education and support services, and early detection of treatable child health issues. Implications: Improving the health of Aboriginal children requires new strategies and learning from innovative programs. Solid baseline data, long‐term follow‐up data and meaningful health outcome data are critical to improving services and health outcomes at the program level. Ultimately, long‐term commitment to adequate resourcing is needed in order to deliver broader improvement of child health outcomes.

Aboriginal perceptions of social and emotional wellbeing programs: A systematic review of literature assessing social and emotional wellbeing programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians perspectives

“…Participants endorsed creative activities such as art therapy, photography, and song (Togni, ). They enjoyed programs that integrated a mentoring or role‐modelling aspect, which “promotes a natural process of learning from and observing—most obviously in art‐making but occurring more subtly in relationship building and cultural story sharing” (Jersky et al, ). Advocacy both by participants and on behalf of participants by staff was also valued (Tsey et al, ).…”

Reducing drug and alcohol use and improving well‐being for Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians using the Community Reinforcement Approach: A feasibility and acceptability study

“…The sub scale of the GEM includes 12 scenarios with strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86) (Haswell et al, ). The eight selected scenarios with one item for each were considered to be the most directly applicable to the aims of CRA, a method consistent with other research projects (Jerky et al, ). A higher score indicates higher levels of empowerment.…”

The Indigenous Counselling and Nicotine (ICAN) QUIT in Pregnancy Pilot Study protocol: a feasibility step-wedge cluster randomised trial to improve health providers' management of smoking during pregnancy

“…This measure was developed through analysis of six Indigenous youth social and emotional well-being programmes 66 and was previously used in the evaluation of an urban art-based community health programme with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. 67 This survey will be completed only once at the 12-week visit. This survey will measure nine factors relevant to an empowerment-based programme, including adopting full commitment to working from strengths; being patient to develop the relationship bond first; modelling reliability and being consistent; facilitating connection to culture; adopting a non-judgemental approach; setting rules and boundaries; modelling openness, honesty, hope and trust; maximising opportunity for choice making, self-motivation, feeling safe to try new things; celebrating small achievements and positive changes.…”