Evaluating the Tidda Talk Program: A Culturally Relevant Approach to Assessing Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women

Issue Addressed: While culturally appropriate health programming for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is increasing, evaluations of such initiatives remain limited by pragmatic and epistemological challenges. This study sought to address these limitations when piloting and examining the feasibility and acceptability of Tidda Talk, a social and emotional wellbeing program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Specifically, the study aimed to: (1) examine the effects of Tidda Talk on participants' social and emotional wellbeing and physical activity beliefs and (2) explore the utility of a novel cultural wellness evaluation tool from a methodological perspective. 

Methods: A single-arm quasi-experimental design was used engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls from Greater Sydney (N = 70). Self-report questionnaires assessed physical activity (PA) self-efficacy, PA enjoyment, psychological distress, and cultural wellness. Outcomes were analysed using paired-sample t-tests and descriptive statistics. The feasibility of the newly developed Cultural Wellness Index (CWI) was assessed through observational notes and analysis of missing data patterns. 

Results: A small but statistically significant decline in physical activity enjoyment was observed (p = 0.04); however, mean scores remained in the high-level range. No significant changes were detected in other outcomes. The CWI showed moderate acceptability, with more than 10% missing data on 33% of items. 

Conclusions: Changing the Tidda Talk program's delivery model, such as the exposure dose or session frequency, and additional wrap-around support for participants may be required to observe more positive outcome changes. The CWI requires slight refinement to enhance accessibility and usability. 

So What?: This study demonstrates how culturally grounded evaluation practices can inform and strengthen the assessment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health programs.