apo-nid172676_1

Deficit Discourse and Strengths-based Approaches

Authors and Affiliation

  • William Fogarty

  • Melissa Lovell

  • Juleigh Langenberg

  • Mary-Jane Heron

  • National Centre for Indigenous Studies, The Australian National University

Publication Information

  • Published by: The Lowitja Institute & National Centre for Indigenous Studies, 2018

  • ISBN: 978-1-921889-55-4

  • First published: May 2018

  • Contact information:

    • The Lowitja Institute, Carlton South Victoria 3053, AUSTRALIA

    • E: admin@lowitja.org.au

    • W: www.lowitja.org.au

Table of Contents

  1. Acknowledgments

  2. Acronyms

  3. Executive Summary

  4. Introduction

  5. What is Deficit Discourse and Why is it Important?

  6. Strengths-based Approaches: A Corollary to Deficit?

  7. Methodology and Research Design

  8. Key Methods

    • Critical Discourse Analysis

    • Leximancer

    • NVivo

  9. Strengths-based Approaches and Concepts in Health

  10. Asset-based Approaches and Resilience

  11. Strength as Holistic Health and Cultural Appropriateness

  12. Strength and Social Determinants of Health

  13. Strengths-based Counseling Approaches

  14. Strength Through Protective Factors

  15. Strength as Empowerment

  16. Strength, Wellness and Wellbeing

  17. Strength Through Decolonization

  18. Strength as Salutogenesis

  19. Typology

  20. Why Use Strengths-based Approaches?

  21. Justifications for Using Strengths-based Approaches

  22. Strengths-based Indigenous Health Programs

  • Whānau Ora Framework

  • Deadly Kids Deadly Futures Framework

  • #IHMayDay

  • Indigenous Storybook WA

  • Ngangkari Program

  • Talking Up Our Strengths

  • AIMhi Stay Strong App

  1. Differences in Discourse Between Australian and International Literature

  2. Conclusion

  3. References

Acknowledgments

  • Thanks to the Lowitja Institute for funding this project.

  • Acknowledgment of individual contributors and organizations such as the NPY Women’s Council.

Executive Summary

  • Focus: The report analyzes the shift from a deficit narrative in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health towards strengths-based approaches.

  • Key Concepts:

    • "Deficit discourse" refers to narratives emphasizing absence or failure, placing the burden of issues on Indigenous communities themselves rather than systemic factors.

    • The push for strengths-based methods stems from the understanding that deficit narratives negatively impact health outcomes and reinforce stereotypes.

    • Strengths-based approaches consider existing assets and resilience within communities, providing pathways for empowerment and better health outcomes.

Introduction

  • Background: Previous governmental narratives focused predominantly on the deficits within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

  • The shift seeks to articulate a vision that acknowledges inequalities without framing Indigenous peoples solely in terms of shortcomings.

  • This report is the second part of a research initiative examining deficit discourse in health.

What is Deficit Discourse and Why is it Important?

  • Discourse: Composed of ideas and attitudes that shape perceptions and influence socio-political relationships.

  • Deficit Discourse:

    • Represents individuals through a lens of negativity and failure.

    • Historically entrenched in colonial ideologies that marginalized Indigenous peoples, framing them as problems to be solved rather than as agents with strengths and aspirations.

    • Contributes to the reproduction of negative stereotypes and perceptions within health policy and research.

Strengths-Based Approaches: A Corollary to Deficit?

  • Research shows that deficit thinking hinders health improvements.

  • Strengths-based approaches counter deficit models, promoting alternative solutions grounded in the realities and capabilities of communities.

Methodology and Research Design

  • Phases:

    1. Data Preparation: Literature review and definition of relevant search terms.

    2. Systematic Review and Critical Discourse Analysis: Involving academic and grey literature and identifying successful strengths-based programs.

Key Methodology Tools

  • Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA): Studies the relationship between language and social power.

  • Leximancer: Analyzes semantic content and identifies patterns.

  • NVivo: Organizes and analyzes qualitative data.

Strengths-Based Approaches and Concepts in Health

  • Rejects problem-centric paradigms, focusing instead on solutions tied to resilience and cultural competence.

  • Asset-based approaches: Concentrate on existing community strengths as starting points for intervention.

  • Resilience: Highlights the ability to manage adversity, characterized by both communal and individual attributes.

  • Emphasizes holistic and culturally appropriate frameworks for Indigenous health.

Why Use Strengths-Based Approaches?

  • Two main justifications:

    1. Utilitarian Justifications: Focus on efficiency and resource utilization in existing community capacities.

    2. Binary Justifications: Aim at correcting historical stereotypes and defending Indigenous perspectives against deficit narratives.

Strengths-Based Indigenous Health Programs

  • Highlights case studies aimed at challenging and reshaping deficit discourses:

    • Whānau Ora Framework: A community-based model benefiting families across various sectors.

    • Deadly Kids Deadly Futures Framework: Focused on child hearing health.

    • #IHMayDay: A Twitter event amplifying Indigenous voices about health and wellbeing.

    • Indigenous Storybook WA: Shares positive Indigenous health stories to counter negative media narratives.

    • Ngangkari Program: Collaborates traditional healing with Western medicine as a strengths-based approach.

    • AIMhi Stay Strong App: Engages users to focus on strengths and positive behaviors.

Differences in Discourse Between Australian and International Literature

  • Variations exist in thematic emphasis between Australian and international literature, revealing cultural contexts' influence on health narratives.

Conclusion

  • Persistent deficit discourse impacts Indigenous health directly.

  • Acknowledge the potential of strengths-based approaches to shift narratives positively.

  • Recognize that significant barriers require addressing to implement effective strengths-based practices in policy and health improvement initiatives.