What can be done to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-01-30 03:00

Australia; VIC; SA; WA; TAS; NT

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Over 60% of Indigenous dads need further support, according to Aussie researchers who used survey data from 149 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers. Of the supports required, the highest-ranking areas included money, support and social services, housing, and more time with their children. The survey found 10 themes relating to overall needs that would make raising a child easier, and of these, the team noted that eight were related to already known social and cultural hardships Indigenous men face that affect their health and wellbeing. The findings should assist those working with Indigenous dads, helping to reorient thinking to focus on a dad's needs during fatherhood when shaping services, rather than stigma-driven thinking that the fathers are falling short in some way.

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Journal/
conference: Australian Journal of Social Issues

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Tasmania, Edith Cowan University, The University of Western Australia, Flinders University, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

Funder: Open access publishing facilitated by University of Tasmania, as part of the Wiley - University of Tasmania agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians. There are no financial interests or benefits that have arisen from the direct applications of this research.

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