The interactive effects of Indigenous identity and lateral violence on youth adjustment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Taylor Jai Mcalister, Kris Rogers, Robert Brockman, Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews, John McAloon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objectives: Lateral violence is the potential for members of a group to engage in practices that are harmful to other members of their own group. Evidence indicates that lateral violence can affect Aboriginal children’s social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB); however, little is known about the potential for ethnic-racial identity (ERI) to protect against harmful effects of lateral violence. 

Methods: We investigated whether ERI affirmation moderated the relationship between exposure to lateral violence and Aboriginal children’s SEWB. Children (n = 360) from the K-Cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children were included in this analysis. Children’s ERI was dichotomised into high versus low affirmation, and General Linear Models were used to examine the effects of lateral violence on SEWB and the potentially moderating effect of ERI on that relationship. 

Results: Increased exposure to lateral violence was associated with increased difficulties in all Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire domains. ERI was also shown to moderate the relationship between exposure to lateral violence and peer difficulties, with children in the high ERI affirmation group showing greater vulnerability than those in the low group. 

Conclusions: The findings of this study are discussed in relation to their potential to inform policy and clinical practice.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2341699
Number of pages13
JournalAustralian Journal of Psychology
Volume76
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Open Access - Access Right Statement


Keywords

  • Aboriginal
  • ethnic-racial identity
  • First Nations
  • Indigenous
  • lateral violence
  • social and emotional wellbeing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The interactive effects of Indigenous identity and lateral violence on youth adjustment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this