Understanding community wellness from a multicultural perspective

This research was part of the first phase of a broader action research project known as the Community Wellness Project. The project was initiated by Isaac Prilleltensky and Heather Gridley from Victoria University and involved a partnership between Victoria University and Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service, St Albans (Melbourne, Australia). The present study aimed to explore Prilleltensky’s community wellness model and cycle of praxis in qualitative research with diverse community members from the St Albans region of Melbourne. The emphasis of the study was on the ideals, needs and strengths of the community and on possible actions to improve well-being. Four focus groups with Maltese, Vietnamese, Anglo and Italian community members, and two individual interviews with Maltese and Serbian women were conducted (a total of 31 people). The analysis of findings revealed 15 community ideals or common themes, with three classified as personal, five as relational and seven as collective. The research also pointed to areas of need and strength and recommendations for action to improve well-being in the community