12/09/2025
🌺 Research focus on Torres Strait mums 🌺
What started as a project to fill a research gap about perinatal health in the Torres Strait has grown into a potential partnership between the west and the Far North.
Erica Spry and Dr Emma Carlin, both researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA), visited Thursday Island to consult with community and health care staff about whether the Kimberly Mum’s Mood Scale (KMMS) could be adapted to the Torres Strait.
“What started as a conversation about whether the Kimberley Mum’s Mood Scale is suitable for Torres Strait Islander women has developed into a much broader discussion about working together to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy and after birth,” Dr Carlin said.
The research visit was a culmination of a 12-month collaboration with TCHHS Maternity Services TCHHS under Director of Midwifery Michelle O’Connor, TCHHS research Governance under Research Governance Officer Sara Hubbard and the TI Maternity team.
Dr Carlin and Ms Spry had noted a lack of research to date that had explored what good social and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy looks like for Torres Strait Islander women. Neither had there been any specific studies looking at perinatal depression and anxiety for Torres Strait Islander women. Part of their research project, called Strengthening Perinatal Social and Emotional Wellbeing for Torres Strait Islander Women, was to evaluate the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and KMMS.
While the EPDS – a ten-item questionnaire – has typically been used by healthcare providers for perinatal screening, it was found to be a poor tool for mothers in Western Australia’s Kimberly region. The KMMS was born from the recognition and provides a culturally secure, strengths-based screening tool co-designed by First Nations women.
“A highlight of our trip, and there were many, was meeting with Ms Margaret Kiwat, Ms Florence Ketchell, Ms Vera Havili, and Ms Maryanne Cook,” Dr Carlin said.
“Our afternoon with these women was filled with insightful discussions about Torres Strait Islander culture and how research approaches that focus on local governance can empower both Torres Strait Islander women and their healthcare providers.
“These inspiring women generously shared their time, offering historical context, an overview of services and governance across the Torres Strait Islands, and valuable insights into how a collaborative research project can be successfully delivered across the region.”
The UWA team is developing a research partnership with TCCHS to explore what good social and emotional wellbeing looking like for Torres Strait Islander women in the perinatal period. The research will begin with an audit of pre-existing screening practices, outcomes and approaches to care.
“The aim of this project is to collect, organise, and integrate community and healthcare knowledges to support improvements in perinatal social and emotional wellbeing healthcare,” Dr Carlin said.
TCHHS Research Governance Officer Sara Hubbard said Dr Carlin and Ms Spry came to Thursday Island with open minds and ears.
“They listened to what our needs were, and what the community’s needs were,” Ms Hubbard said.
“They took a step back to determine a baseline; discussions were whether the KMMS was right for us.”
This trip was sponsored by the RCSWA Jean Kahn Travel Award and funds raised by the RCSWA team from paid evaluation work.
