Promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of West Kimberley Aboriginal children and youth

Omari MC (2008)
Promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of West Kimberley Aboriginal children and youth.
Unpublished Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Curtin University of Technology, Perth

This thesis reports on a qualitative participatory action research project, conducted in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia from 2001 to 2004. The project’s aims were to:

• identify and explain the mental health and social and emotional problems affecting Aboriginal young people and families living in remote communities in the West Kimberley;
• identify and describe goals and methods for intervention to promote social and emotional wellbeing and build resilience in young people and communities; and
• feed back the research findings and culturally validate these.

The results indicate a number of risk and resilience factors across individual, family, community and socio-political areas. Based on the findings, a model for a community-based mental health promotion intervention was developed.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

• Further information:
  • View abstract: Curtin University of Technology
  • View thesis (PDF – 1.9MB – large file warning!)
  • View website: Curtin University of Technology