Measuring What Matters: Exploring Measures of Métis Children's Social and Emotional Well-being Through Evidence Synthesis and Consensus Group Methods

Abstract

The measurement tools selected for use in studies with Indigenous children have an undeniable impact on the validity and applicability of the findings presented, underscoring the need to take seriously calls for the development of self-determined measures that are rooted in the cultures, histories, identities, and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples. This thesis describes a participatory research project in partnership with the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) to advance the creation of self-determined measures of Métis children’s social and emotional well-being (SEWB). This thesis describes a scoping review that aimed to identify, describe, and consolidate measures that have been developed to assess SEWB of Indigenous children in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Notably, and in alignment with other calls for action, the findings from this review highlight a glaring deficiency in efforts to develop measures that are specifically tailored for use with Métis children in Canada. The measures identified in this review were used in a subsequent study that applied modified versions of the Delphi technique and the nominal group technique to reach consensus among a group of knowledge holders on constructs that are important and relevant to measuring SEWB of Métis children in the context of the MNA. This stepwise process resulted in the creation of a conceptual map, consisting of 30 constructs that work together to describe SEWB of Métis children as multifaceted, interconnected, and relational. Ultimately, this study yields valuable insights into constructs that are important to the SEWB of Métis children in Alberta. These findings have been utilized to inform the development of three practice recommendations for the MNA. Moreover, they underscore the pivotal role that public health practitioners and policymakers have in supporting Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination.