Child Development Interventions Among Indigenous Peoples in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States

A Scoping Review

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15716016
AutoresAkilew Awoke Adane (0000-0002-3022-5230, Murdoch University), Tracy Reibel (0000-0002-1879-4799, Murdoch University), Ailsa Munns (0000-0002-8489-769X, Murdoch University, autor correspondente), Carrington C J Shepherd (Murdoch University), H J Bailey (The University of Western Australia), Fiona Stanley (Murdoch University), Rhonda Marriott (0000-0002-6037-2565, Murdoch University)
Ano2026
Volume13
Fascículo2
Páginas252-252
Data de publicação2026-02-11
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoChildren (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children13020252
PMID41749608
OpenAlexW7128588082
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas13

Background : Children's development is dependent on a range of factors influencing their life course outcomes. Protective and challenging social and cultural determinants impact how Indigenous families support their children's developmental foundations. However, there is a lack of international evidence investigating Indigenous child development interventions. To gain a perspective across nations with comparable settler-colonial histories, this scoping review summarised studies on family and community-centred approaches among Indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, focusing on outcomes and evidence gaps. Methods : A scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO (Ovid) were searched from their inception to October 2025, including grey literature sources from Aboriginal HealthInfoNet, the Lowitja Institute and the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care. Empirical studies, including quantitative, mixed-methods, evaluation studies, and descriptive or case-study designs, were included provided they reported empirical data on intervention outcomes. Due to study heterogeneity, data were synthesised narratively. Results : Following screening of 2355 records, eight from 2013 to 2020 met the inclusion criteria. These were mostly small-scale, non-randomising designs evaluating different interventions, with the behavioural and emotional domain being the most frequently assessed outcome, alongside developmental vulnerability and academic/educational areas. There was limited consideration of protective cultural determinants of health in the study design and implementation. Six studies reported positive associations between interventions or programmes and early childhood development outcomes. Conclusions : While the number and rigour of identified interventions were limited, several demonstrated potential benefits for Indigenous children's early childhood development. However, strengthening the evidence base requires culturally grounded, adequately powered evaluations using rigorous study designs that include culturally co-designed adaptations conducted with Indigenous families and communities. Support is recommended for capacity building and funding

Child development · Grey literature · Indigenous · Intervention (counseling · Psychological intervention · PsycINFO · Rigour · Vulnerability (computing · Health Policy Implementation Science · Indigenous Cultures and Socio-Education · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights

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