Central to the Study is the co-development of a Cultural Wellbeing (CW) scale designed with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young People. Guided by Indigenist research principles and Community-Based Participatory Research approaches, the ground up CW scale was developed to ensure measures of CW are culturally meaningful, and reflective of young peoples’ lived experiences.
Initial scale development involved 22 workshops with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people across Australia. The use of photovoice facilitated discussions with youth to explore what makes them feel happy, healthy, and strong, with the aim of gaining insight into elements of CW.
Workshop recordings were transcribed and analysed using an iterative qualitative process. Initial coding highlighted the central role of connections, including to Country, family, friends, body and health, and animals. These connections served as key contexts, or forums, in which CW is expressed.
Subsequent coding and conceptual inquiry identified five themes representing core elements of CW which traversed contexts: 1) identity and position, 2) belonging 3) positive emotions, 4) learning and growth, 5) safety and support. These themes guided the development of survey items that formed the CW scale, to be included in a national survey to be released in 2027.
This presentation will outline the CW scale development process, thematic findings, and preliminary results from pilot testing and psychometric validation.
The Study will generate a strengths-based, culturally grounded evidence to inform national policy and practice supporting the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.