Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Theories of Wellbeing and Their Suitability for Wellbeing Policy

Tamara Mackean, Madison Shakespeare and Matthew Fisher ()
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Tamara Mackean: College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
Madison Shakespeare: College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
Matthew Fisher: Stretton Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: A growing interest among governments in policies to promote wellbeing has the potential to revive a social view of health promotion. However, success may depend on the way governments define wellbeing and conceptualize ways to promote it. We analyze theories of wellbeing to discern twelve types of wellbeing theory and assess the suitability of each type of theory as a basis for effective wellbeing policies. We used Durie’s methodology of working at the interface between knowledge systems and Indigenous dialogic methods of yarning and deep listening. We analyzed selected literature on non-Indigenous theories and Indigenous theories from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States to develop a typology of wellbeing theories. We applied political science perspectives on theories of change in public policy to assess the suitability of each type of theory to inform wellbeing policies. We found that some theory types define wellbeing purely as a property of individuals, whilst others define it in terms of social or environmental conditions. Each approach has weaknesses regarding the theory of change in wellbeing policy. Indigenous relational theories transcend an ‘individual or environment’ dichotomy, providing for pluralistic approaches to health promotion. A broad theoretic approach to wellbeing policy, encompassing individual, social, equity-based and environmental perspectives, is recommended.

Keywords: wellbeing theory; typology; public policy; indigenous wellbeing; theory of change; social determinants of mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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