Constructions and experiences of motherhood in the context of an early intervention for Aboriginal mothers and their children: mother and healthcare worker perspectives

Ussher, Jane M.; Charter, Rosie; Parton, Chloe; Perz, Janette

doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3312-6

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Previous research has examined the experiences of specific groups of marginalised women (e.g., refugee women [ 18 , 19 ]) but has failed to consider the multiple identities and areas of disadvantage across mental health–refugee–disability intersections. Little is known about extant gaps in knowledge regarding experiences of marginalisation across groups because of this siloed approach, meaning that the complex needs of many women affected by multiple disadvantages have been continually overlooked.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women and Stigma: A Protocol for Understanding Intersections of Experience through Body Mapping

Boydell

Bennett

Dew

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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This paper outlines a research and dissemination protocol to be undertaken with specific groups of marginalised women in Australia. Women impacted by significant mental distress, disability, or refugee status are among society’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised groups. They can experience significant social exclusion, marginalisation and stigma, associated with reduced help seeking, deprivation of dignity and human rights, and threats to health, well-being and quality of life. Previous research has assessed the experiences of discrete groups of women but has to date failed to consider mental health–refugee–disability intersections and overlaps in experience. Using body mapping, this research applies an intersectional approach to identify how women impacted by significant mental distress, disability, and refugee status negotiate stigma and marginalisation. Findings on strategies to cope with, negotiate and resist stigmatised identities will inform health policy and yield targeted interventions informed by much-needed insights on women’s embodied experience of stigma. The women’s body maps will be exhibited publicly as part of an integrated knowledge translation strategy. The aim is to promote and increase sensitivity and empathy among practitioners and policy makers, strengthening the basis for social policy deliberation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women and Stigma: A Protocol for Understanding Intersections of Experience through Body Mapping

Boydell

Bennett

Dew

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…Dominant cultural discourses inform us what behaviors, attitudes and identities are appropriate for 'good' and 'bad' parents (Ussher et al, 2016) and many of the participants in our study viewed themselves as 'bad' , 'absent' and 'detached' when they were unwell. These perceptions were accompanied by significant feelings of shame, as has been reported in previous research with parents who experience physical or mental health concerns (Mauthner, 1999;Parton et al, 2019;Price-Robertson et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Negotiating mental health amongst transgender parents in Australia

Charter

Ussher

Perz

et al. 2021

International Journal of Transgender Health

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Background: Many transgender (trans) parents experience challenges related to their mental health, which can affect and impact on their experiences of parenting, however there is scant research on how Australian trans parents contextualize and experience their mental health, the support they receive for it, and impacts within the family context. Aims: The present study aims to address these gaps in the literature, through examining how Australian trans parents contextualize and experience issues around their mental health, and their experience of formal and informal support for their mental health? Methods: This study aimed to explore these experiences, through a qualitative research design using online open-ended survey data and one-on-one interviews, with 66 trans parents, aged 24-67 years old. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Many participants reported significant challenges in relation to their mental health: such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, which reportedly made parenting challenging. However, participants reported that gender affirmation as well as family and social support had a positive impact on their mental health. The majority of participants reported feeling they had to educate their therapist, that they were pigeon-holed by their gender identity or, had concerns about confidentiality. However, some participants expressed positive interactions with therapists, particularly therapists specializing in, or knowledgeable of, trans health. Conclusion: The results reinforced the need for mental health professionals and associated services to be competent in treating trans parents and reiterated the positive impact of family and social support, as well as support for gender affirmation, on the mental health of trans parents and their ability to parent.

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“…Third, extensive and traumatic experiences of child removal by government agencies, both past and present, affect attitudes towards autism diagnosis. Mistrust of government and of official organisations may inhibit families from accessing disability supports (Green et al, 2016; Ussher et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inclusion, acceptance, shame and isolation: Attitudes to autism in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia

Lilley

Sedgwick

Pellicano

2020

Autism

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This is the first qualitative study to investigate experiences of, and attitudes towards, autism in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. Understanding the complexity of these attitudes is crucial because they influence the recognition of autism as well as the ways in which individuals and families are supported. Twelve families with 16 autistic children living in diverse regions of Australia participated in a semi-structured interview. The interviews were thematically analysed using the six-step process outlined by Braun and Clarke. The analysis identified a marked tension in participants’ accounts. On the one hand, participants described negative feelings, including shame associated with atypical behaviour, stigmatisation and the social isolation of families, which potentially point towards under-identification or misdiagnosis. On the other hand, they also described inclusive attitudes, including ‘looking after each other’ and a growing acceptance of autistic differences. This positive model of support for and acceptance of autistic children and their families may well contribute to good outcomes for autistic children and adults in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. More research is needed on cross-cultural and pluralistic understandings of autism, parental perceptions and family experience. Lay Abstract There has been almost no research done about autism in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. This article is the first detailed report on attitudes to autism in these communities. Understanding attitudes to autism is important because they influence whether or not children are diagnosed, as well as the kinds of support autistic people are getting. Twelve families who lived in different parts of Australia were interviewed. They told us that there is a range of attitudes to autism in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These include negative ideas such as sometimes feeling shame associated with children’s unusual behaviour, as well as feeling stigmatised and socially isolated. The negative attitudes reported may mean that some children are missing out on an autism diagnosis or being wrongly diagnosed with a different condition in these communities. They also included positive ideas such as the importance of looking after each other and of accepting autistic people and their differences. We can all learn from these positive attitudes. It will be interesting to know in future projects whether these accepting attitudes lead to better outcomes for autistic children and adults in these communities. This research helps us to understand how autism is thought about in different cultures and how attitudes impact diagnosis and support. It will also help people to plan supports that reflect what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families actually want and need.

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Constructions and experiences of motherhood in the context of an early intervention for Aboriginal mothers and their children: mother and healthcare worker perspectives

Cited by 14 publications

References 34 publications

Women and Stigma: A Protocol for Understanding Intersections of Experience through Body Mapping

Women and Stigma: A Protocol for Understanding Intersections of Experience through Body Mapping

Negotiating mental health amongst transgender parents in Australia

Inclusion, acceptance, shame and isolation: Attitudes to autism in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia

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