First Nations parents’ experiences of COVID-19 and associations with symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder
Citation
Christina L. Heris, Taylor Glover (Dharawal), Tess Bright, Simon Graham (Narungga), Shannon K. Bennetts, Kimberley A. Jones, Michelle Kennedy (Wiradjuri), Caroline Atkinson (Bundjalung), Catherine Chamberlain (Trawlwoolway)
First Nations Health and Wellbeing – The Lowitja Journal, Volume 3, 2025, 100086. Link here
Abstract
Purpose
To examine associations between First Nations parents’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).
Methods
First Nations parents (n = 110) completed a 90-minute telephone interview between October 2021 and July 2022. Parents self-reported their PTSD or C-PTSD symptoms using the International Trauma Questionnaire (categorised as no/low vs. high levels), COVID-19 events (e.g. testing, diagnosis, isolation) and perceived socioemotional changes in life situation (e.g. quality of relationships) compared with before the pandemic. Logistic regression analysed associations between C/PTSD symptoms (outcome) and demographic factors, COVID-19 events, perceived socioemotional changes since COVID-19 (exposures).
Main findings
More than a quarter (27%) of parents reported high levels of C-PTSD/PTSD symptoms. Most (90%) reported at least one COVID-19 event. Parents who had experienced worsening racism and inequality since the pandemic (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11–0.79) or held a Health Care Card (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10–0.74) were significantly less likely to report no/low levels of C-PTSD/PTSD symptoms.
Principal conclusions
Financial stress, racism and inequality were associated with increased trauma symptoms, highlighting the importance of implementing trauma-informed public health emergency responses during a pandemic. Those who had fewer disruptions to cultural practices were more likely to be resilient to the stressors of the pandemic, reinforcing the need for a culturally-responsive, trauma-informed public health emergency framework for First Nations communities. Emergency responses that address these factors while optimising safe opportunities to maintain cultural obligations and social connection are essential.