Stayin' on Track: the feasibility of developing Internet and mobile phone-based resources to support young Aboriginal fathers

Young Aboriginal fathers face social and emotional challenges in the transition to fatherhood, yet culturally appropriate support mechanisms are lacking. Peer mentoring to develop online- and mobile phone-based resources and support may be a viable approach to successfully engage these young men. Th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian journal of primary health 2017-01, Vol.23 (4), p.329
Main Authors: Fletcher, Richard, Hammond, Craig, Faulkner, Darren, Turner, Nicole, Shipley, Lisa, Read, Donna, Gwynn, Josephine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Capacity building approach
Cell Phone
Cellular telephones
Child psychology
Cultural Competency
Disease prevention
Fathering
Fathers
Fathers - psychology
Fathers - statistics & numerical data
Feasibility
Feasibility Studies
Feedback
Humans
Indigenous peoples
Internet
Male
Mens health
Mental health
Mentoring
Mobile phones
Native peoples
New South Wales
Ownership
Role models
Rural communities
Social Support
Support groups
Systematic review
Text messaging
Young adults
Young men
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Summary:Young Aboriginal fathers face social and emotional challenges in the transition to fatherhood, yet culturally appropriate support mechanisms are lacking. Peer mentoring to develop online- and mobile phone-based resources and support may be a viable approach to successfully engage these young men. This feasibility study engaged two trusted Aboriginal mentors and researchers to partner with one regional and two rural Aboriginal communities in New South Wales, Australia. Early in the research process, 20 young Aboriginal fathers were recruited as co-investigators. These fathers were integral in the development of web-based resources and testing of mobile phone-based text messaging and mood-tracking programs tailored to provide fathering and mental health support. Overwhelmingly positive feedback from evaluations reinforced community pride in and ownership of the outcomes. The young men's involvement was instrumental in not only developing culturally appropriate support, but also in building their capacity as role models for other fathers in the community. The positive results from this feasibility study support the adoption of participatory approaches in the development of resources for Aboriginal communities.
ISSN:1448-7527
1836-7399
DOI:10.1071/PY16151