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Measuring Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Aboriginal Youth Using Strong Souls: A Rasch Measurement Approach

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  • Ella Gorman

    (Discipline of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
    Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia)

  • Brody Heritage

    (Discipline of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
    Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
    Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Carrington C. J. Shepherd

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
    Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
    Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia)

  • Rhonda Marriott

    (Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia)

Abstract

Currently, there are few robustly evaluated social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) measures available for use with Aboriginal youth in research, policy, and practice. As such, this study used a Rasch measurement approach to examine the psychometric properties of Strong Souls, a 25-item self-reported SEWB instrument, created for use with Aboriginal youth in the Northern Territory. Our sample ( N = 154) included youth (15–25 years old) living on Whadjuk (metropolitan Western Australia; N = 91) and Kamilaroi countries (rural New South Wales; N = 63). Using Rasch modelling techniques, evidence for multidimensionality in the scale was observed, resulting in subsequent analyses conducted separately on two subscales: Psychological Distress and Resilience. The Resilience subscale did not meet the Rasch model assumptions, with poor person and item separation and reliability indexes suggesting the scale was not reliably differentiating between participants’ Resilience scores. The Psychological Distress subscale had mixed separation and reliability index results, with good construct validity implied but poorer ability to target the distress of participants. Our findings provide novel evidence demonstrating the functioning of Strong Souls in a contemporary sample of Aboriginal youth, suggesting further modifications of the instrument are required before it can be used with confidence as a reliable measure in this population group.

Suggested Citation

  • Ella Gorman & Brody Heritage & Carrington C. J. Shepherd & Rhonda Marriott, 2021. "Measuring Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Aboriginal Youth Using Strong Souls: A Rasch Measurement Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8425-:d:611442
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Le Grande, M. & Ski, C.F. & Thompson, D.R. & Scuffham, P. & Kularatna, S. & Jackson, A.C. & Brown, A., 2017. "Social and emotional wellbeing assessment instruments for use with Indigenous Australians: A critical review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 164-173.
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    1. Grace Yeeun Lee & Julie Robotham & Yun Ju C. Song & Jo-An Occhipinti & Jakelin Troy & Tanja Hirvonen & Dakota Feirer & Olivia Iannelli & Victoria Loblay & Louise Freebairn & Rama Agung-Igusti & Ee Pin, 2022. "Partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: An Evaluation Study Protocol to Strengthen a Comprehensive Multi-Scale Evaluation Framework for Participatory Systems Modelling through I," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.

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