Gilchrist, Lianne, Flicker, Leon, Bessarab, Dawn, Malay, Roslyn, Yambo, Laurie, Sagigi, Betty, Wapau, Chenoa, Russell, Sarah G, Quigley, Rachel, Rivers, Caleb, Hyde, Zoë, Chaney, Esther, Strivens, Eddy, White, Christianne, and Smith, Kate (2025) The acceptability of the Good Spirit, Good Life framework for remote-living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. SSM - Mental Health, 7. 100443.

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Abstract

Purpose The Good Spirit, Good Life (GSGL) framework is a culturally informed quality of life (QoL) model co-designed with and for older Aboriginal people in Australia. The framework comprises twelve domains: family and friends, Country, community, culture, health, respect, safety and security, supports and services, Elder role, spirituality, future planning, and basic needs. The framework has been validated for urban and regional-living older Aboriginal people. It is unknown if the framework is valid in remote-living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. This study aimed to determine the acceptability of the GSGL framework for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas and explore how the GSGL factors contribute to the QoL of this population. Methods A qualitative co-design study was conducted in five communities in the remote Kimberley and Torres Strait regions of Australia. Eight yarning groups comprising 36 people explored participants’ views about the framework. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results All participants agreed that the GSGL framework broadly reflected the Indigenous conception of what it means for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a good life. Participants in the Torres Strait felt that the connection to Country domain did match in conceptualisation, although the term Island Home was preferred. Participants in the Kimberley region reported that no changes were required. Conclusions The GSGL framework, with a minor adjustment to include Torres Strait Islander perspectives, has been found to reflect the quality of life needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in urban, regional, and remote areas. The GSGL framework can be applied to inform planning and delivery of health and aged care to support the culturally informed quality of life needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Australia-wide.

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