Participatory Action Research-Dadirri-Ganma, using Yarning: methodology co-design with Aboriginal community members

International Journal for Equity in Health

Trevor Warrior¹  Trevor Wanganeen¹  Joanne Else¹  Robert Taylor¹  Frank Wanganeen¹  Mandy Brown¹  Paul Elliot¹  Lisa Warner¹  Jodus Madrid¹  Janet Kelly²  Charlotte de Crespigny²  Imelda Cairney³  Hepsibah Sharmil⁴  Coral Wilson⁵  Cherrie Galletly⁶  Margaret Bowden⁷  Lisa Hahn⁸  Dennis Liu⁸ 

[1] Aboriginal Working Party (AWP) Members, Aboriginal Comorbidity Action in the North (CAN) Project, The University of Adelaide, Australia, South Australia, Australia;Adelaide Nursing School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Older Persons Mental Health Services, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Chettinad College of Nursing (CCN), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, OMR, 603103, Kelambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India;Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Maduravoil, Chennai, India;Co-researcher, Cultural Advisor, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Ramsay Health Care (SA) Mental Health Services, The Adelaide Clinic, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Ramsay Health Care (SA) Mental Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Em Bee’s Editing. Retired, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;Ramsay Health Care (SA) Mental Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia;

关键词: Participatory action research (PAR);    Ganma;    Dadirri;    Yarning;    Aboriginal knowledge;    Aboriginal;    Methodology;    Indigenous;    Comorbidity;    Substance abuse;    Alcohol;    Mental health;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-021-01493-4

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAppropriate choice of research design is essential to rightly understand the research problem and derive optimal solutions. The Comorbidity Action in the North project sought to better meet the needs of local people affected by drug, alcohol and mental health comorbidity. The aim of the study focused on the needs of Aboriginal peoples and on developing a truly representative research process. A methodology evolved that best suited working with members of a marginalised Aboriginal community. This paper discusses the process of co-design of a Western methodology (participatory action research) in conjunction with the Indigenous methodologies Dadirri and Ganma. This co-design enabled an international PhD student to work respectfully with Aboriginal community members and Elders, health professionals and consumers, and non-Indigenous service providers in a drug and alcohol and mental health comorbidity project in Adelaide, South Australia.MethodsThe PhD student, Aboriginal Elder mentor, Aboriginal Working Party, and supervisors (the research team) sought to co-design a methodology and applied it to address the following challenges: the PhD student was an international student with no existing relationship with local Aboriginal community members; many Aboriginal people deeply distrust Western research due to past poor practices and a lack of implementation of findings into practice; Aboriginal people often remain unheard, unacknowledged and unrecognised in research projects; drug and alcohol and mental health comorbidity experiences are often distressing for Aboriginal community members and their families; attempts to access comorbidity care often result in limited or no access; and Aboriginal community members experience acts of racism and discrimination as health professionals and consumers of health and support services. The research team considered deeply how knowledge is shared, interpreted, owned and controlled, by whom and how, within research, co-morbidity care and community settings. The PhD student was supported to co-design a methodology that was equitable, democratic, liberating and life-enhancing, with real potential to develop feasible solutions.ResultsThe resulting combined Participatory Action Research (PAR)-Dadirri-Ganma methodology sought to create a bridge across Western and Aboriginal knowledges, understanding and experiences. Foundation pillars of this bridge were mentoring of the PhD student by senior Elders, who explained and demonstrated the critical importance of Yarning (consulting) and Indigenous methodologies of Dadirri (deep listening) and Ganma (two-way knowledge sharing), and discussions among all involved about the principles of Western PAR.ConclusionsConcepts within this paper are shared from the perspective of the PhD student with the permission and support of local Elders and Working Group members. The intention is to share what was learned for the benefit of other students, research projects and community members who are beginning a similar journey.

【 授权许可】

CC BY