[csaa-forum] PhD Scholarship: 'Understanding and Promoting the Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ Young People'

[Elise Blight]

**Applications Open: 'Understanding and Promoting the Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ Young People' PhD Scholarship**

Institute for Culture and Society/School of Social Sciences and Psychology
Western Sydney University

Scholarship code: 2019-102

About the Project

This is an National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded project investigating the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ young people. This research will be the first to identify, document and build a nuanced understanding of the intersecting issues and challenges experienced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ young people in Australia.

The empirical literature highlights some of potential challenges faced by this group of young people. Young people are at a heightened risk of mental health issues and often face significant challenges regarding their SEWB as they transition into adult life. The period (12-25 years) encompasses two developmental phases - adolescence and young adulthood - that place demands on young people to increasingly individuate from family, achieve behavioural and emotional autonomy, and navigate their self-identity. Although some young people meet these developmental tasks with relatively little difficulty, for other young people these demands interact with internal and environmental risks to result in decreased SEWB and increased risk of psychological distress.

Young people's vulnerabilities are further heightened once sexuality, socio-economic background, place of residence (rural/urban/remote), disability, ethnicity or Indigeneity are brought into consideration.

International research highlights the intersecting challenges faced by young, LGBTIQA+ Indigenous peoples who have very different help-seeking behaviours and are more likely to encounter barriers to service provision and support.

By investigating the lived experiences and expressed needs of young Indigenous LGTIQA+ peoples, the anticipated project outcomes will include: a) building a set of measurable indicators that recognise and give meaning to Indigenous LGBTIQA+ young people's experiences; and b) informing the development of intervention strategies at multiple levels to meet their needs (e.g. individual, community, sectoral).

What does the Scholarship provide?


*                     Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $30,000 per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.

*                     Support for training, conference attendance, fieldwork and additional research costs as approved by the School.

How to Apply

For details on how to apply, and for more information including the eligibility criteria, please see the Western Sydney University Website: https://westernsydney.edu.au/graduate_research_school/grs/scholarships/current_scholarships/current_scholarships/ics_understanding_and_promoting_the_social_and_emotional_wellbeing_and_mental_health_of_aboriginal_and_torres_strait_islander_lgbtiqa_young_people

Please contact the Graduate Research School via email at grs.scholarships at westernsydney.edu.au<mailto:grs.scholarships at westernsydney.edu.au> for more information.

Applications close 31 August 2019, at 11:59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (ASET).

Elise Blight | Administrative Assistant - Business Development
Institute for Culture and Society
P: 02 9685 9602 | Ext: 9602

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