Becoming empowered: a grounded theory study of Aboriginal women's agency

Bainbridge, Roxanne (2011) Becoming empowered: a grounded theory study of Aboriginal women's agency. Australasian Psychiatry, 19 (S1). S26-S29.

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Abstract

Objective: The study aim was to identify the process underlying the performance of agency for urban-dwelling Aboriginal women in contemporary Australian society with a view to promoting social change for Aboriginal people.

Method: Grounded theory methods were used in the conduct of 20 life history narrative interviews with Aboriginal women from across fourteen different language groups.

Results: Analysis identified a specific ecological model of Aboriginal women's empowerment, defined as "becoming empowered". "Performing Aboriginality" was identified as the core category and encompassed the women's concern for carving out a fulfilling life and carrying out their perceived responsibilities as Aboriginal women.

Conclusions: While confirming much of the extant literature on empowerment, the analysis also offered unique contributions – a spiritual sensibility, cultural competence and an ethics of care and morality. This sheds new light on the creative ways in which Aboriginal women "disrupt" discourses and create alternate modes of existence. The findings have implications for improving quality of life for Aboriginal people by informing the practical development and delivery of social and health policies and programs.

Item ID: 15090
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1440-1665
Keywords: Aboriginal, women, agency, empowerment, grounded theory
Date Deposited: 05 Dec 2011 01:31
FoR Codes: 13 EDUCATION > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130399 Specialist Studies in Education not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970116 Expanding Knowledge through Studies of Human Society @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Determinants of Health @ 50%
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