Exploring the Experiences and Needs of Homeless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with Neurocognitive and Complex Disability

Abstract

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are significantly over-represented in homeless, mental illness and disability populations. Understandings about the lived experiences of this cohort are poor and are needed to guide policy and practice.

Objectives: The study sought to understand the experiences of homeless Indigenous people with complex disability residing in Far North Queensland.

Methods: The study design utilized culturally safe and respectful methods, informed by the principles of participatory action research, which seeks to promote social justice, transformation and collaboration (Reason, 1994). A culturally safe and acceptable structure of ‘past, present and future’ was applied to open-ended questions. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to code and analyse data.

Findings: Thematic analysis identified four major themes: (i) normalization of illness and disability; (ii) trauma and loss; (iii) socioeconomic disadvantage; and (iii) disempowerment.

Conclusions: While causal links between life experience, mental illness, disability and disablement are not always clear, our findings suggest that attempts to address homelessness must engage with this complexity. The application of holistic, intersectoral supports that understand the impact of individual and intergenerational trauma and encompass culturally informed, community-driven approaches to safe and effective service provision must be adopted.