• Project status: Active
Keeping young Aboriginal people strong because they are our future by Maude Parker, 2023

The study aims to enable the voices of diverse Aboriginal women and families in South Australia to inform policy and practice in health, education and community care.

This study was preceded by extensive community consultation and has been guided by an Aboriginal Governance Group from the study’s inception in 2007.

This study was preceded by extensive community consultation and has been guided by an Aboriginal Governance Group from the study’s inception in 2007.

Overview

The Aboriginal Families Study is a prospective mother and child cohort study investigating the health and wellbeing of 344 Aboriginal children and their mothers living in urban, regional and remote areas of South Australia.

The study was developed in response to gaps in the available evidence to inform health policy and services and was preceded by extensive consultation with Aboriginal communities and services in South Australia. 

Major areas of focus include:

  • Maternal health and wellbeing
  • Children's health, development and social and emotional wellbeing
  • Engagement with health services
  • Connections to family, community, culture and language

The Aboriginal Families Study team has worked with Aboriginal communities in urban, regional and remote areas of South Australia to engage diverse Aboriginal families in the study.

We are currently analysing and reporting data from the second wave of follow-up, conducted as the study children were starting primary school (age five to eight years). This includes questionnaires completed by mothers and carers of the study children, and data from child activities designed to assess children's cognitive, speech and language development.

Wave three follow-up is planned as the study children reach 14-16 years of age. The longitudinal follow-up of women and children in the cohort will generate new knowledge about factors promoting children and young people’s social and emotional wellbeing.

Our goal is to build stronger understanding about the potential for key domains of social and emotional wellbeing (e.g. connection to community, family and kin, Country and spirituality) to buffer the impacts of social determinants of health, including intergenerational trauma and social inequity.

More information

Visit the Aboriginal Families Study – Stronger Futures CRE


Research team

Professor Stephanie Brown

Professor Stephanie Brown

Director, Stronger Futures CRE

Group leader, Intergenerational Health, MCRI

View Stephanie's profile
Ms Karen Glover

Ms Karen Glover

Principal Research Fellow, SAHMRI Women and Kids

Honorary Fellow, Population Health, MCRI

View Karen's profile

Funding and collaborators

Publications

Contact us

Aboriginal Families Study
Intergenerational Health Group
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
50 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052

Professor Stephanie Brown
Email:

Ms Karen Glover
Email: [email protected]


About the artwork

Keeping young Aboriginal people strong because they are our future

Maude Parker, 2023.

Keeping young Aboriginal people strong because they are our future by Maude Parker 2023The land is around the edges and supports the egg. Within the egg outline, the new futures and life for young Aboriginal people are represented. The central circle represents Aboriginal culture and the people around it keeping it strong and sharing. The other circles show the young people, supported by family, health workers and country, and the house represents shelter and safety. The two other circles represent cultural connections and safety of specific youth and general services. There are many paths young people travel (footprints) as they grow into strong adults.

Child in hospital

Tomorrow's cures need your donations today

Donate now