Sharing stories: Indigenous alcohol and other drug workers' well-being, stress and burnout

Ann Roche, Vinita Duraisingam, Allan Trifonoff, Samantha Battams, Toby Freeman, Amanda Tovell, Donna Weetra, Nancy Bates

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    27 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    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 Australia, 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]

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)527-535
    Number of pages9
    JournalDrug and Alcohol Review
    Volume32
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2013

    Keywords

    • Alcohol and other drug
    • Indigenous
    • Well-being

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