Culturally secure methods for assessing social and emotional wellbeing in an Australian Aboriginal equine-assisted learning program

Juli Coffin; Sharmila Vaz; Craig Olsson; Cheryl Kickett-Tucker; Helen Milroy; Rob McPhee; Lesley Nelson; Kristen White; Donna Cross

doi:10.1016/j.fnhli.2025.100090

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Culturally secure methods for assessing social and emotional wellbeing in an Australian Aboriginal equine-assisted learning program

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Culturally secure methods for assessing social and emotional wellbeing in an Australian Aboriginal equine-assisted learning program

Juli Coffin, Sharmila Vaz, Craig Olsson, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, Helen Milroy, Rob McPhee, Lesley Nelson, Kristen White and Donna Cross

First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal, Vol.3, 100090

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fnhli.2025.100090

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Abstract

Mental health

Phenomenology

Qualitative methodology

Relational skills

Youth

Purpose Yawardani Jan-ga (Horses Helping) (YJ) is an Aboriginal-specific, culturally secure equine-assisted learning (EAL) program in the Kimberley region of Western Australia (WA). It was collaboratively designed with local Aboriginal children and young people, Elders, service providers and content experts – including specialists in trauma-informed practice, child development and implementation science. This program addresses the complex social, emotional, spiritual and wellbeing needs (SEWB) of Aboriginal children and young people aged 6 to 26 years. Utilising a strengths-based learning model, participants engage with horses to develop vital life skills, such as communication, self-awareness and emotional regulation, fostering their SEWB. While EAL has been applied internationally with Aboriginal populations, its adoption in Australia is still expanding. Methods This methodology paper outlines (a) the standardisation of the YJ EAL program’s design and implementation, ensuring consistent, methodologically sound practices; and (b) a culturally secure, multimodal, multi-informant qualitative approach for collecting contextually relevant, longitudinal data on participant experiences. The methods were designed to capture the subtleties of human–horse interactions, prioritise participant narratives, and integrate strengths-based techniques resonant with Aboriginal learning preferences and cultural perspectives. These methods diverge from traditional physiological and psychological EAL assessments, offering culturally relevant and ecologically valid evaluations. Principal conclusions The methodologies presented in the current paper are being evaluated through a longitudinal qualitative study. This pioneering Aboriginal-led initiative sets a precedent for employing culturally secure methods to gather qualitative phenomenological data in the EAL field.

Details

Title: Culturally secure methods for assessing social and emotional wellbeing in an Australian Aboriginal equine-assisted learning program
Authors/Creators: Juli Coffin - Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Sharmila Vaz - Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Craig Olsson - Deakin University
Cheryl Kickett-Tucker - Curtin University
Helen Milroy - Perth Children's Hospital
Rob McPhee - Danila Dilba Health Service, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Lesley Nelson - South-West Aboriginal Medical Service, Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia
Kristen White - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Donna Cross - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Publication Details: First Nations Health and Wellbeing - The Lowitja Journal, Vol.3, 100090
Publisher: Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Lowitja Institute (National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Ltd).
Identifiers: 991005830215407891
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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