Connecting the health of country with the health of people: Application of “caring for country” in improving the social and emotional well-being of Indigenous people in Australia and New Zealand
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Emerging evidence from the western literature suggests an increasing focus on applying nature-based interventions for mental health improvements. However, in Indigenous communities, caring for country has always been central to the Indigenous way of life. Knowing that nature-based interventions effectively improve mental health outcomes, this review collated evidence on the application of caring for country in improving social and emotional well-being (SEWB) of Indigenous peoples in Australia and New Zealand. Three studies from Australia and one from New Zealand, explored the role of country or whenua (land) in the lives of Indigenous people. Participation in caring-for country activities was associated with lower levels of psychological distress and strengthened guardianship relationship with country, which positively affected SEWB. This systematic review offers preliminary evidence on the role of caring for country activities in improving the SEWB of Indigenous peoples and highlights the need for strengths-based approaches to improve the SEWB of Indigenous peoples. Funding: None.
Journal
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
Publication Name
N/A
Volume
31
ISBN/ISSN
2666-6065
Edition
N/A
Issue
N/A
Pages Count
10
Location
N/A
Publisher
The Lancet Publishing Group
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100648