Strategies for coping and dealing with lateral violence among Aboriginal people living in south-east Australia

Abstract

Objective Lateral violence, a group of behaviours directed towards people of the same group, is considered endemic among Aboriginal people. Behaviours include bullying, gossiping, isolation or exclusion of certain group members, and challenges to one’s Aboriginal identity. Lateral violence impacts all aspects of one’s life. Due to its pervasiveness, this qualitative study investigated strategies employed by Aboriginal people to deal with lateral violence.Method Yarns with 17 knowledge-holders (53% male, 47% female; aged between 18 and 65 years) took place in south-east Australia. Thematic analysis and yarn summaries were used to analyse the yarns.Results Strategies identified to deal with lateral violence included changes to one’s attitude towards lateral violence, connecting with others, one’s culture and community to improve wellbeing, education strategies, and systemic change.Conclusion Supporting the development of Aboriginal identity, promoting social and emotional wellbeing, and true self-determination has the potential to heal Aboriginal communities and reduce lateral violence in the process.

Keywords

• Lateral violence
• Aboriginal health
• coping strategies
• social and emotional wellbeing
• identity
• qualitative research