Enabling dads and improving First Nations adolescent mental health: a pragmatic randomised controlled study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Indigenous Health
• Adolescent Psychology

Background:

• Limited evidence-based social and emotional well-being programs exist for First Nations adolescents, particularly in remote Australian communities.
• Adolescents in remote Australia face elevated risks for mental health disorders and suicide.
• There is a need for culturally tailored interventions addressing the link between fathering and adolescent mental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a community-based research intervention, 'Enabling Dads and Improving First Nations Adolescent Mental Health'.
• To promote and support the parenting role of First Nations men in remote communities.
• To examine the interconnection between fathers' parenting knowledge and adolescent social and emotional well-being.

Main Methods:

• A pragmatic randomized controlled trial involving 100 First Nations men and adolescent dyads across five remote communities in Far North Queensland.
• Intervention group received the culturally designed 'Strong Fathers' (SF) parenting program; control group received 'yarning/relaxation' (YR).
• Outcomes measured include men's parenting knowledge, empowerment, trauma symptoms, and alcohol use; adolescent social and emotional well-being.

Main Results:

• Data collection is ongoing, with one community completed and fieldwork commencing in the final community.
• The 'Strong Fathers' program aims to enhance father empowerment, confidence, and engagement.
• Adolescent mental health outcomes are assessed using culturally congruent measures, with adolescents blind to father's group allocation.

Conclusions:

• The intervention is designed by and for First Nations people, emphasizing cultural relevance and community engagement.
• Findings will be disseminated through community meetings, reports, peer-reviewed journals, and to participants and funders.
• This research seeks to improve adolescent mental health by strengthening the fathering role within remote First Nations communities.