Authors:
Hopkins KD, Taylor CL, Zubrick SR
Authors notes:
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 2013;83(4):459-471
Keywords:
Aboriginal youth, Contextual risk, Forced relocation, Indigenous population, Minority populations, Poverty, Western Australia
Abstract:
This study investigated the differential influence of contextual risks for positive psychosocial functioning and participation in education or employment in a representative sample of 12- to 17-year-old Aboriginal youth using data drawn from the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey (WAACHS) 2000-2002.
The authors modeled the influence of 3 empirical risk measures (risk factor, cumulative risk, and single risks) on positive psychosocial functioning and participation in education or employment.
Results showed different risks for different developmental outcomes.
Single sociodemographic risks were associated with reduced likelihood of positive psychosocial functioning, whereas cumulative risk and composite Family Health and Community Risk measures were associated with reduced likelihood of participation in education or employment.
Methodological issues and implications for interventions to support young Aboriginal people's adaptation are discussed.