The Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A Conceptual Model

doi:10.3390/ijerph18157745

. 2021 Jul 21;18(15):7745.

doi: 10.3390/ijerph18157745.

The Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A Conceptual Model

Gail Garvey^{1

2

3}, Kate Anderson¹, Alana Gall¹, Tamara L Butler¹, Lisa J Whop^{1

4}, Brian Arley¹, Joan Cunningham¹, Michelle Dickson³, Alan Cass¹, Julie Ratcliffe⁵, Allison Tong³, Kirsten Howard^{1

3

6}

Affiliations

¹ Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia.
² School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4000, Australia.
³ Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.
⁴ National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia.
⁵ Health and Social Care Economics Group, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia.
⁶ Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.

PMID: 34360037
PMCID: PMC8345714
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157745

Free PMC article

The Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A Conceptual Model

Gail Garvey et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021.

Free PMC article

. 2021 Jul 21;18(15):7745.

doi: 10.3390/ijerph18157745.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia.
² School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4000, Australia.
³ Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.
⁴ National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia.
⁵ Health and Social Care Economics Group, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia.
⁶ Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.

PMID: 34360037
PMCID: PMC8345714
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157745

Abstract

Wellbeing is culturally bound and is shaped by many aspects of life, including experiences, beliefs and values. As such, in order to accurately measure wellbeing for a specific cultural group, it is necessary to understand the experiences, beliefs and values that influence the conception and experience of wellbeing of that group. This paper presents a conceptual model of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which was developed from a large national qualitative study that explored the views of 359 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. An Aboriginal- and Torres Strait Islander-led research team used an Indigenist research approach to iteratively develop this conceptual model, called the Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing model, which takes inspiration from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander weaving traditions whereby individual strands are twined to create fabrics that are both beautiful and strong. This reflects our findings that the parts of life that are most important to wellbeing for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are interwoven with their families, communities and culture.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; Indigenous; models of wellbeing; quality of life; wellbeing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Groups involved in the collaborative yarning process.

**Figure 2**
Meeting of the Indigenous Researchers Group (IRG).

**Figure 3**
The Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing conceptual model.

**Figure 4**
Traditional weaving in the Tiwi Islands. Photo by Penny Tweedie, used with permission.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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[1] Yap M., Yu E. Operationalising the Capability Approach: Developing Culturally Relevant Indicators of Indigenous Wellbeing—An Australian Example. Oxf. Dev. Stud. 2016;44:315–331. doi: 10.1080/13600818.2016.1178223. - DOI

[2] Yap M., Yu E. Operationalising the Capability Approach: Developing Culturally Relevant Indicators of Indigenous Wellbeing—An Australian Example. Oxf. Dev. Stud. 2016;44:315–331. doi: 10.1080/13600818.2016.1178223. - DOI

[3] Durie MMMwNZTgls . Measuring Mäori Wellbeing. Treasury; Wellington, New Zealand: 2006. (New Zealand Treasury Guest Lecture Series).

[4] Durie MMMwNZTgls . Measuring Mäori Wellbeing. Treasury; Wellington, New Zealand: 2006. (New Zealand Treasury Guest Lecture Series).

[5] Prout S. Indigenous wellbeing frameworks in Australia and the quest for quantification. Soc. Indic. Res. 2011;109:317–336. doi: 10.1007/s11205-011-9905-7. - DOI

[6] Prout S. Indigenous wellbeing frameworks in Australia and the quest for quantification. Soc. Indic. Res. 2011;109:317–336. doi: 10.1007/s11205-011-9905-7. - DOI

[7] Taylor J. Indigenous peoples and indicators of well-being: Australian perspectives on United Nations global frameworks. Soc. Indic. Res. 2008;87:111–126. doi: 10.1007/s11205-007-9161-z. - DOI

[8] Taylor J. Indigenous peoples and indicators of well-being: Australian perspectives on United Nations global frameworks. Soc. Indic. Res. 2008;87:111–126. doi: 10.1007/s11205-007-9161-z. - DOI

[9] Whoqol Group The World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL): Position paper from the World Health Organization. Soc. Sci. Med. 1995;41:1403–1409. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(95)00112-K. - DOI - PubMed

[10] Whoqol Group The World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL): Position paper from the World Health Organization. Soc. Sci. Med. 1995;41:1403–1409. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(95)00112-K. - DOI - PubMed

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The Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A Conceptual Model

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The Fabric of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A Conceptual Model

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Conflict of interest statement

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