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A multi-methods yarn about SMART Recovery: First insights from Australian Aboriginal facilitators and group members

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Version 1 2021-11-30, 22:39
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posted on 2024-07-11, 05:58 authored by E Dale, Kylie LeeKylie Lee, KM Conigrave, James ConigraveJames Conigrave, R Ivers, K Clapham, PJ Kelly
Introduction: SMART Recovery is a popular mutual support group program. Little is known about its suitability or perceived helpfulness for Indigenous peoples. This study explored the cultural utility of SMART Recovery in an Australian Aboriginal context. Methods: An Indigenous-lensed, multi-methods, exploratory study design was used to develop initial evidence of: (i) attributes of Aboriginal SMART Recovery facilitators and group members; (ii) characteristics of Aboriginal-led SMART Recovery groups; (iii) perceived acceptability and helpfulness of SMART Recovery; and (iv) areas for potential improvement. Data were collected by synthesising Indigenous qualitative methods (research topic and social yarning) with western qualitative and quantitative methods (participant surveys, program adherence rating scale, group observations and field notes). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants were a culturally diverse sample of male and female Aboriginal facilitators (n = 10) and group members (n = 11), aged 22–65 years. Aboriginal-led SMART Recovery groups were culturally customised to suit local contexts. Program tools ‘goal setting’ and ‘problem solving’ were viewed as the most helpful. Suggested ways SMART Recovery could enhance its cultural utility included: integration of Aboriginal perspectives into facilitator training; creation of Aboriginal-specific program and marketing materials; and greater community engagement and networking. Participants proposed an Aboriginal-specific SMART Recovery program. Discussion and Conclusions: This study offers insights into Aboriginal peoples' experiences of SMART Recovery. Culturally-informed modifications to the program were identified that could enhance cultural utility. Future research is needed to obtain diverse community perspectives and measure health outcomes associated with group attendance.

Funding

This study was made possible through collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal communities, individuals and organisations across New South Wales and South Australia. The authors would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians of these lands, to creator God, Elders past, present and future and the Indigenous voices that are represented herein. We appreciate the help from Dr Angela Argent from SMART Recovery Australia by equipping us with SMART Recovery Australia resources and manuals, providing ED with free SMART Recovery facilitator training and being our key liaison person. This research has been conducted with the support from an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship and the University of Wollongong (for ED). We also acknowledge the support from the National Health and Medical Research Council via the Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol (#1117198; for ED) and a Practitioner Fellowship for KCo (#1117582).

History

Publication Date

2021-09-01

Journal

Drug and Alcohol Review

Volume

40

Issue

6

Pagination

15p. (p. 1013-1027)

Publisher

Wiley

ISSN

0959-5236

Rights Statement

The Author reserves all moral rights over the deposited text and must be credited if any re-use occurs. Documents deposited in OPAL are the Open Access versions of outputs published elsewhere. Changes resulting from the publishing process may therefore not be reflected in this document. The final published version may be obtained via the publisher’s DOI. Please note that additional copyright and access restrictions may apply to the published version.

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