Exploring the effectiveness of an integrated psychosocial and physical activity program targeting mental, social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander girls: The SISTA project
Project Member(s): Evans, J., Caperchione, C., Schulenkorf, N.
Funding or Partner Organisation: Department of Health
Department of Health
Start year: 2020
Summary: This 2-year pre-post feasibility study will explore the effectiveness of the SISTA Program, an integrated psychosocial and physical activity (PA) intervention tailored for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (ABTSI) girls living in Sydney, NSW. The 9 weekly, 90 minute face-to-face group program will comprise of a psychosocial and PA component, co-facilitated with our community partner, the KARI Foundation for Aboriginal Services. The 45 minute psychosocial component will be led by an Indigenous well-being consultant from KARI and include interactive group discussion and activities (i.e., crafting and storyboarding) to deliver information on topics such as respectful relationships, safety, conflict resolution, building resilience and self-confidence. Personalised journals will also be distributed to the girls at the start of the program, providing them with a confidential way to express their thoughts and feelings and/or disclose any personal struggles they may be experiencing. They may choose to keep what they have written to themselves or share the journal entry with the facilitators. Additionally, a 45 minute PA component will be led by a trained PA facilitator and include a variety of PA options. At Week 1, the facilitators will present the girls with a range of PA options such as different sports, dance, and other recreational activities, and together the girls will decide on the activities they would like to participate in. This level of flexibility will be crucial in maintaining program adherence and sustainability as it will provide the girls with a sense of ownership and autonomy. At program completion the program will be evaluated utilising a mixed-methods approach as outlined in assessment criteria 1.
FOR Codes: Public health, Sports science and exercise, Public Health and Health Services, Human Movement and Sports Science, Indigenous Health, Health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, Evaluation of health and support services