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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/22306
Record ID: 0d635b6c-ec39-4ea0-ae93-5cd8c475c35d
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/car.2760
Type: Journal Article
Title: Community views on ‘Can perinatal services safely identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents experiencing complex trauma?’
Authors: O'Dea, Birri
Andrews, Shawana
Krakouer, Jacynta
Mccalman, Pamela
Elliott, Alison
Atkinson, Judy
Bhathal, Alex
Gee, Graham
Chamberlain, Catherine
gray, paul
Herrman, Helen
Mensah, Fiona
Keywords: complex trauma
ANRA Topic: Children and young people
ANRA Population: Children and young people population
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Categories: ANROWS Completed Register of Active Research projects
Year: 2022
Publisher: Wiley Online Library
Abstract:  Family and extended kinship systems which nurture healthy, happy children are central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Since colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been impacted by intergenerational cycles of trauma, stemming from colonial violence, genocidal policies and discrimination, including the forced removal of children from their families. Becoming a parent offers a unique life-course opportunity for trauma recovery and preventing intergenerational trauma. However, identifying or ‘recognising’ complex trauma carries significant risk of harm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents due to reactive prenatal child protection involvement potentially compounding experiences of trauma, and limited benefits due to lack of culturally appropriate support. The Aboriginal-led participatory Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future project aims to co-design safe, accessible and feasible perinatal awareness, recognition, assessment and support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents experiencing complex trauma. This paper presents views of 38 workshop participants to determine prerequisites for ensuring benefits outweigh risks of assessment to safely recognise parents experiencing complex trauma, consistent with screening criteria. Six essential elements were identified from thematic analysis: high-quality holistic care; cultural, social and emotional safety; empowerment, choice and control; flexible person-centred approaches; trusting relationships; and sensitive, skilled communication.

Key Practitioner Messages
The impacts of colonisation and rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait children in out-of-home care mean that there can be a myriad of issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents with regard to perinatal child protection involvement.
The benefits must outweigh the risks of identifying parents experiencing complex trauma.
Assessment must be offered within foundations of supportive relationships and holistic care in culturally-safe, empowering settings, where choices are respected and skilled communication approaches are used.
Notes: 

The research has concluded and the output has been added to the ANROWS library. Please visit https://www.anrows.org.au/register-of-active-research/ for more information on the RAR.

Project title

Healing the past by nurturing the future: Learning how to identify and support Indigenous parents who have experienced complex childhood trauma

Background

Complex childhood trauma causes profound and long-lasting effects on physical, social and emotional wellbeing, which can be triggered during the transition to parenthood and impede the capacity of parents to nurture their children. This transition offers a unique opportunity for healing and preventing intergenerational transmission of trauma. This project co-designs and evaluates acceptability and feasibility of screening and support for Indigenous parents experiencing complex trauma.

Funding body

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (GNT1141593)

Funding budget

$1,193,719

Project start date

June 2018

Expected completion date

December 2022

URI: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/22306
Appears in Collections:Journal Articles

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