YOUNG MUMS ROCK!

A women's health action research project

By Joy Free, Women's Health West Researcher. Article originally published in New Community Quarterly. Republished with thanks.

RESEARCH IN A WOMEN'S HEALTH AGENCY

"If you can push one of these things out, you can do anything!"
"Peals of laughter fill the room. Young mothers share their experiences and feelings amidst chaos. Babies gurgle on the floor or are passed from mother to mother. The conversation tends to break up into small groups until someone says something outrageous, which unites the group once again in laughter."

Women's Health West is a community organisation working for the health, safety and wellbeing of women in Melbourne's Western Metropolitan region. We provide a range of services including family violence early intervention and crisis support, women's health information, health promotion, research, service provider training and advocacy.

Research helps Women's Health West increase our understanding of women's dynamic health experiences and needs. We draw on research to have input into regional community education, health planning, health promotion programs and the development of service provision, workforce training and advocacy.

A FEMINIST ACTION RESEARCH APPROACH

"It was so successful because we did what they wanted."

Women's Health West's work is guided by feminist principles, a social model of health and a strength-based approach. These influence all our work, including our choices about the topics for research and the methodologies used.

A feminist action research approach assumes the following key principles:

Women's health issues are regarded as worthy of consideration separate from men's health issues, and no 'interventions', 'strategies' or 'solutions' are regarded as gender-neutral.
Women are experts in their own health and have valuable experiences, information and wisdom that enable them to identify and address their own health needs. The approach recognises the expertise of women and service providers, aiming to bring them together to identify and implement health-promoting actions.
Women are not passive consumers within the health system, but are regarded as having a right to information and resources, and to make informed choices regarding their own health.
It is important to recognise and understand how social, economic and cultural factors impact on women's health. That is, it is useful to examine how the roles, experiences, expectations and status of diverse women impacts on their health and wellbeing.
The participation of local women and service providers is critical to the success of research. Research must have meaning and relevance to the community to be of value, and to produce sustainable outcomes.

YOUNG MUMS ROCK RESEARCH PROJECT

"We're not just a bunch of tarts, you know."

Young Mums Rock is a major Women's Health West research project. Its overall aim is to develop and promote a greater understanding of the social and cultural factors that impact on the mental health and wellbeing of young mothers living in the outer metropolitan growth region of Melton.

The objectives of the research are:

To explore, define and measure young mothers' experiences and perceptions of wellbeing, and the factors which both produce and impede their wellbeing;
To explore regional service providers' experiences and perceptions of young local mothers' wellbeing, and the factors which produce and impede their wellbeing;
To work with young mothers and service providers to promote the wellbeing of young mothers living in Melton; and
To support actions and strategies to sustain the promotion of young mothers' wellbeing in Melton.

RESEARCH PROCESS

"It wasn't going to change the world. But it was something we could really achieve. We talked about a title for the project. 'Young Mums Rock' was most popular. It promoted a strong, resilient and positive image of young mothers. It challenged the discrimination of young mothers in the community."

Phase 1 of the research involved working with an existing support group of young mothers and a range of local service providers in seven stages:

1. Literature review

Target population: Young mothers, Service providers, Regional focus
Process: Secondary data and theoretical research, consultation with local service providers and young mothers. Develop a community profile and gendered analysis of wellbeing in relation to young mothers and the local Melton context.

2. Partnership building

Target population: Service providers working in region: attended eight service network meetings, 3 reference group meetings, Approx. 30 organizations involved.
Process: Build interest in research, access local expertise, work with them to engage with young mothers and identify resources.

3. Community participation

Target population: Workshops with local young parents' support group: 7-9 young mothers and three key workers Process: Explore how young mothers define and experience mental health and wellbeing. Mid-project qualitative and quantitative evaluation of research process and wellbeing issues. Young mothers and service providers identified and implemented an action to promote wellbeing. Evaluate action and process

4. Young Mums Rock brochure and balloons

Target population: Isolated young mothers living in Melton and local service providers. Printed 1,000 copies of brochure, distributed to core community services and access points for isolated young mothers.
Process: Brochure designed by young mums for young mums. Aims: to normalise experiences of young mothers, identify barriers and motivators to access support, reinforce service rights and identify key local services. Balloons with brochure logo produced to promote positive images of young mothers in the community. Available for use at council events.

5. Young Mums Rock event

Target population: Young mothers living in Melton and local service providers: over 90 young mothers and 60 children attended, and 15 service providers attended.
Process: Provide a fun and informal day for young mothers to meet each other, to make contact with service providers, and to get information on local support services. Launch Young Mums Rock brochure.

6. Project evaluation and reporting

Target population: Young mothers living in Melton, young mothers living in broader region, service providers
Process: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of research process and outcomes. Analyse and document project development, learnings and recommendations and ongoing actions. Feedback to community and advocate recommendations.

Ongoing project work

Target poulation: Young mothers with diverse needs and workers
Process: Phase 2 research, conferences, articles, evaluation pilot.

RESEARCH LEARNINGS

"Young mothers told us about the shocking discrimination they face walking down the street and by service providers. What did they want? To be valued, respected and appreciated …"

The learnings from Phase 1 are now being analysed and reported. When considering the findings, the small scale and essentially qualitative nature of the research must be considered. Preliminary qualitative findings suggest that the self-reported and observed mental health and wellbeing of young mothers in the outer region varies considerably.

"You need someone to talk to or you'll go crazy … you'll end up in a pile on the floor feeling very alone."

Young mothers and service providers tell us that the following social and cultural factors can impact poorly on young mother's sense of wellbeing:

Community discrimination against young mothers;
Social isolation and lack of opportunities to connect with other young mothers;
Family conflict;
Poverty;
Poor body image;
Lack of access to public transport and childcare options;
Lack of leisure activities for mothers and children in area;
Lack of knowledge of what support services are available for young mothers;
Difficulties accessing health services especially GPs, dentists, counselling and support groups. Barriers to service access can be internal (fear of seeking help because of perceived discrimination) and external (discrimination, cost or availability);
Some services seen to lack sensitivity to the specific needs of young mothers;
Lack of opportunities to access education, work training or employment; and
Lack of affordable housing.

The research identifies that young mothers use a range of strategies to promote their own wellbeing, including:

Food (chocolate, alcohol);
Pride in their child/ren's development;
Sex;
Listening to music;
Buying new clothes;
Connecting with their own mothers, friends/other young mothers and sharing experiences;
Talking with a service provider they feel comfortable with; and
Attending a support group.

"When you're in a (support) group like this, it's a relief to know that you are not alone, that other people are going through the same thing."
"During the workshops, the women shared their feelings about being a young mother; the good and bad experiences, what they have learnt and where they can find more information about what's available in the community including support services."

INFORMAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

"What things worked? What didn't work? What are the service gaps? What might help service providers to deliver better services to young mothers living in Melton?"

One observation about the group is that they prefer to access information about services informally, and appear to learn within a seemingly chaotic atmosphere. Service providers noted that it was very challenging to provide health information in a traditional manner to young mothers, for example a worker presenting at a support group session. The mothers themselves felt that traditional ways of getting information about services lacked relevance, and could be boring or condescending. The young mothers wanted to meet each other and to learn about services in a fun and informal way. They chose to hold an event at a local indoor playground, which many mothers regularly attend, but where they do not tend to interact with each other. The main message of the event was: 'you are not alone' .The event had four main aims for young mothers:

A day where they could have fun and feel appreciated. The event was promoted for young mums by young mums, and included pampering and fun activities including massage, make-up, decorating nails and music. The space was decorated with Young Mums Rock balloons to create a festive atmosphere. Transport and childcare were provided. Interest in the event was high, with over 100 mothers registering to attend.
A chance to meet with other young mums in the area. Young mothers from the support group acted as hosts to welcome and introduce other mothers to each other and services.
A chance to meet with service providers informally and learn about local services. Printed information was available on tables which mothers could access privately if they wished. This was particularly important information about family violence, sexual abuse or substance abuse services.
The Young Mums Rock brochure was launched. It provides a unique source of information because it was produced by young mums for young mums and includes local information. The brochure demonstrates the potential effectiveness of peer learning to disseminate information to other more isolated young mothers.

Preliminary analyses of process and outcome evaluations by young mothers and service providers suggest that the workshops, event day and brochure provided young mothers with a chance to share their experiences, access new information and feel that they had contributed something to other, more isolated young mothers in their community. Young mothers who attended the event expressed a desire for more similar opportunities to meet other young mothers and find out about services.

There is much to be learned from the research, including strengths, weaknesses and challenges of both the process and outcomes. These are currently being analysed and will be reported on, along with recommendations for further consideration and work.

ONGOING HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES

"The strength and resilience of these young mothers is a privilege to witness. To see their real life experience and wisdom shared amongst each other and with workers. To see their pride and sense of achievement: "I contributed something…" "

In Phase 2 the Young Mums Rock project will continue to work with young mothers in the community. Particular emphasis will be on reaching Indigenous and same-sex attracted mothers, mothers from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and mothers with disabilities to increase learning about their diverse needs. We will also work further with young mothers and service providers to produce resources aimed at promoting the mental health and wellbeing of young mothers in Melton, particularly in relation to safe relationships and family violence issues.