Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) is a holistic understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people’s health that centres a collective sense of self as defined by connections to body, mind & emotion, family, community, culture, Country and spirituality. A lack of focus on and use of available culturally relevant SEWB measures has hindered progress in understanding and improving First Nations people’s wellbeing.

This project provides a dedicated focus on First Nations SEWB. It researched and collated dozens of SEWB measures and resulted in the publication of material (including this report) with information on over 30 SEWB measures. 

This report contains information about the purpose, focus population, measure type and format, geography, development, adaptation, use, initial study and validation, as well as other details (where available) of these measures.

This report and the project aims to:

• explore practical assessment tools for SEWB
• provide understanding of the range of measurement tools available for different population groups among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• promote the use of tools that are specifically designed for assessing First Nations people where possible
• encourage further development and/or refinement of culturally appropriate tools to assess First Nations people’s SEWB
• provide understanding of the limitations of standard tools when used to assess First Nations people.

The report is accompanied by a summary list of measures and a measures inventory.