A Systematic Review of Child Health, Developmental and Educational Outcomes Associated with High Mobility in Indigenous Children from Australia, Canada and New Zealand

Arwen Nikolof (), Stephanie J. Brown, Yvonne Clark, Karen Glover and Deirdre Gartland
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Arwen Nikolof: Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
Stephanie J. Brown: Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
Yvonne Clark: Womens and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
Karen Glover: Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Deirdre Gartland: Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Indigenous families tend to move house more often, especially families with young children. However, little is known about the impact of high mobility on children’s well-being and development. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between residential mobility and children’s health, developmental, and educational outcomes for Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand Indigenous children (0–12 years). Four databases were investigated with pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search identified 243 articles after independent screening by two authors. Eight studies assessing four child health outcomes were included, six quantitative and two qualitative. Child health outcomes were classified into four broad categories—physical health, social and emotional behavior, learning and development, and developmental risk. The review identified limited evidence; possible links were identified between high mobility and emotional and behavioral difficulties for younger children. One study identified evidence of a linear relationship between the number of houses a child has lived in since birth and developmental risk. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of high residential mobility for Indigenous children at different developmental stages. Prioritizing the involvement, collaboration, and empowerment of Indigenous communities and leadership is critical for future research.

Keywords: residential mobility; moving house; insecure housing; Indigenous; families; children; health; social and emotional; development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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