Helping Spirits Stay Strong: Social and Emotional Wellbeing report

The Footprints in Time: Helping Spirits Stay Strong Report(Opens in a new tab/window) looks at the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations children and young people.

This research is from the Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). It draws on 14 waves of LSIC data. The ANU authored the report and fact sheets.

Some key findings from the research:

• School, family, community and culture are important for the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations children and young people.
• Young people who felt safe and supported at school were about 50% less likely to report self-harm, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
• Strong, ongoing family and community connections were central to identity, belonging and wellbeing.
• Culture is a strong protective factor for long‑term social and emotional wellbeing.
• School environments can strengthen wellbeing. But they can also have a negative effect on children’s social and emotional health.

The fact sheets explore the following:

1. Factsheet 1: Developing a measure of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children using Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children(Opens in a new tab/window)
2. Fact Sheet 2: How do the domains of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) relate to ‘growing up strong’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people? Findings from Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)(Opens in a new tab/window)
3. Fact Sheet 3: Factors Associated with Social and Emotional Wellbeing using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Findings from Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous children (LSIC)(Opens in a new tab/window)
4. Fact Sheet 4: The Role of School Environments in Influencing Self-harm and Suicidal Behaviours Findings from Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)(Opens in a new tab/window)
5. Factsheet 5: Trajectories of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB as per Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire - SDQ), Connection to Culture and School Safety Findings from Footprints in Time: The longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)(Opens in a new tab/window).