‘It gives me purpose’: stories shared by Aboriginal mothers and their perspectives on nurturing resilience

Objective: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have unique experiences of motherhood, underpinned by intergenerational cultural knowledge and holistic practices. Ongoing colonial violence perpetuates adversity associated with peri- and post-natal health and wellbeing outcomes. Aboriginal mothers’ perceptions of resilience are not well understood, with resilience predominantly framed by Eurocentric understandings. Subsequently, this research explored the gap of post-natal resilience from an Aboriginal perspective. Method: The research expands upon the “Corka Bubs” research of Aboriginal mothers in the antenatal period which sought to develop a novel care package to reduce adverse experiences. Utilising an Indigenous methodological lens, yarning took place with five mothers and the transcribed material was thematically analysed. Results: Four core themes for Aboriginal resilience in motherhood were identified: Connection, Learning and Growing, Caring for Self and Others, and Identity. Combined, these connections enabled mothers to combat adversity and remain strong for their children. Conclusion: The stories shared contribute to strengths-based understandings of Aboriginal resilience. Our findings suggest that Aboriginal mothers' resilience is grounded within holistic and collectivist values, differing from Western perceptions of resilience.