Currently, there are few robustly evaluated social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) measures available for use with Aboriginal youth in research, policy, and practice. As such, this study used a Rasch measurement approach to examine the psychometric properties of Strong Souls, a 25-item self-reported SEWB instrument, created for use with Aboriginal youth in the Northern Territory. Our sample (N = 154) included youth (15–25 years old) living on Whadjuk (metropolitan Western Australia; N = 91) and Kamilaroi countries (rural New South Wales; N = 63). Using Rasch modelling techniques, evidence for multidimensionality in the scale was observed, resulting in subsequent analyses conducted separately on two subscales: Psychological Distress and Resilience. The Resilience subscale did not meet the Rasch model assumptions, with poor person and item separation and reliability indexes suggesting the scale was not reliably differentiating between participants’ Resilience scores. The Psychological Distress subscale had mixed separation and reliability index results, with good construct validity implied but poorer ability to target the distress of participants. Our findings provide novel evidence demonstrating the functioning of Strong Souls in a contemporary sample of Aboriginal youth, suggesting further modifications of the instrument are required before it can be used with confidence as a reliable measure in this population group.

Objective: There is a paucity of quantitative measures of resilience specifically validated for young Aboriginal people in Australia. We undertook the first investigation of validity and reliability of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a sample of Australian Aboriginal people, with a focus on youth. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study of resilience among a sample of 122 Aboriginal youth (15–25 years old) in New South Wales and Western Australia, featuring self-completes of the 10-item CD-RISC in online (N = 22) and face-to-face (N = 100) settings. A Rasch analysis using the 122 CD-RISC responses determined item independence, response category adequacy, differential item functioning, unidimensional measurement, person and item reliability, and item fit. Confirmatory factor analysis was also conducted, complementary to the Rasch analysis. Results: Four problematic items from the original instrument were removed, due to item dependence (items 2, 6 and 9; Q_3,* > 0.30) and differential item functioning (item 4; > 0.43 logits between males and females). The final 6-item instrument exhibited improved item separation (ISI = 2.14) and reliability index values (IRI =.82) – suggesting an improved structure – however several limitations such as a prominent ceiling effect were evident (i.e., positive measure targeting coefficient of 0.99 logits). Conclusion: Findings suggest the CD-RISC instrument should be applied in Aboriginal contexts with caution. Further psychometric examination of the CD-RISC with Aboriginal youth is warranted before it can be used with confidence by researchers and clinicians. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: What this paper adds:

Routine administration of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is intended to promote early detection and preventative support for those who may be at risk of perinatal depression and anxiety. The cultural suitability of the EPDS has not been validated in the Aboriginal Australian context. Marked differences in health outcomes and service access between Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women and infants continue to exist. This study aimed to explore the cultural validity of the EPDS through understanding the experiences of Aboriginal women and midwives. Qualitative data was drawn from semi-structured interviews/yarns with 13 Perth-based Aboriginal antenatal women and 10 non-Aboriginal midwives. Utilising a grounded theory approach, thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts revealed that, surprisingly, women expressed generally favourable views of the EPDS, especially when the relationships between women and midwives were focused on. Midwives, however, expressed reservations about administering the EPDS and used the EPDS as a conversation-starter rather than as a standardised, standalone tool. In attempt to reconcile conflicting perspectives, analysis of recordings extended to evaluate micro-processes in the interviews. At the process level, it was clear that demand characteristics operated in some interviews, including socially desirable response biases, demand biases and acquiescent response styles. This highlights the need for researchers and clinicians to be trained in non-leading interview questioning techniques and in yarning methodology. Researchers and clinicians should also be aware of the cognitive biases and demand characteristics that may influence responding, likely perpetuated by dominant forces of a colonised society.