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Sharing stories: Indigenous alcohol and other drug workers' well‐being, stress and burnout
Author(s) -
Roche Ann M.,
Duraisingam Vinita,
Trifonoff Allan,
Battams Samantha,
Freeman Toby,
Tovell Amanda,
Weetra Donna,
Bates Nancy
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.12053
Subject(s) - indigenous , burnout , stressor , workforce , psychology , emotional exhaustion , nursing , medicine , clinical psychology , political science , ecology , law , biology
Background Indigenous alcohol and other drug ( AOD ) workers' roles are often exhausting, poorly paid and under‐recognised. There has been relatively little examination of work‐related stressors on their health and well‐being. This national study identified Indigenous AOD workers' experiences and perspectives on well‐being, stress and burnout along with strategies to improve worker well‐being. Methods. Focus groups were conducted with 121 participants (70 Indigenous, 20 non‐Indigenous, 31 unspecified) from metropolitan, rural and remote locations around A ustralia, selected via a purposive sampling strategy. Audio files and interview notes were analysed to identify key themes. Results Main themes identified included excessive workloads, extensive demands and expectations, workers' proximity to communities, loss and grief issues, lack of recognition, inadequate rewards, stigma and racism, and Indigenous ways of working. Stressors were compounded by workers' complex personal circumstances, profound levels of loss and grief, and lack of culturally safe working environments. Discussion and Conclusion Indigenous workers' stress was exacerbated by close links and responsibilities to their communities and a ‘dual accountability’, being constantly on call, playing multiple roles, complex personal and professional lives, and needing to interact with multiple agencies. Many Indigenous AOD workers had developed mechanisms to deal with work‐related pressures and received valued support from their communities. The study identified the importance of workforce strategies to improve Indigenous workers' well‐being and reduce stress, including: mutual support networks, training in assertiveness and boundary setting, workloads that take account of Indigenous ways of working, adequate remuneration, supervision and mentorship, and cultural sensitivity training for non‐Indigenous workers. [Roche AM, Duraisingam V, Trifonoff A, Battams S, Freeman T, Tovell A, Weetra D, Bates N. Sharing stories: Indigenous alcohol and other drug workers' well‐being, stress and burnout. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013;32:527–535]