Mental health and social and emotional wellbeing data sources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Latest release

A directory of data items from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections, relating to mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.

Reference period

2023

Released

28/11/2023

Next release Unknown

First release

Release date and time

28/11/2023 11:30am AEDT

Introduction

The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017-2023 (the Framework) was developed by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). It is intended to guide and inform Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing reforms. It provides a framework for action for governments, communities and researchers, by outlining protective and risk factors according to seven domains of social and emotional wellbeing:

connection to body
connection to mind and emotions
connection to family and kinship
connection to community
connection to culture
connection to country
connection to spirituality and ancestors.

This directory maps relevant data items collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to the seven domains and their associated example protective and risk factors. The scope of the directory is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific surveys, and it does not include other collections such as the Census.

The purpose of the directory is to help those involved in developing and evaluating mental health and wellbeing policies and practices locate relevant and appropriate data to support their decision-making. The data items are from the latest collection year of three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific surveys:

2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS)[1].

For more information about each survey, see Methodology.

Footnotes

How to use this directory

The purpose of this directory is to be a guide. It does not provide any data. It can be used to identify available data items relevant to each of the seven domains and whether those items are available and comparable across multiple surveys.

Some data items may be considered both a protective factor and risk factor, depending on the response provided. For example, a positive response for the ‘Whether identifies with tribal group, language group or clan’ data item is a protective factor, but a negative response is a risk factor. Items have been grouped to align as closely as possible with the examples provided by the framework.

While it covers all main protective and risk factors, the directory does not include the full suite of data items available for some of those factors. To access the full list of items and supporting information such as applicable population, age groups and remoteness, refer to the Data Item Lists available in Data downloads. This supporting information is also essential when creating custom tables using the ABS’ microdata products and making comparisons between multiple surveys.

How to access the data

Selected data for the data items mentioned in this directory have been published on the ABS website for each survey and can be accessed from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples statistics page. Published data should be compared with caution. Please see footnotes and table specifications to ensure items are comparable based on any inclusions/exclusions used to extract the data such as age groups and remoteness.

ABS survey datasets mentioned in this directory are also available in Microdata and TableBuilder. Microdata (which includes MicrodataDownload and DataLab) and TableBuilder allow users to choose a topic and create custom tables and graphs. More information is available on the Microdata and TableBuilder page.

Custom data can also be requested via an ABS consultancy, which is a paid service. For more information, see Consultancy Request Form.

Connection to body

Physical health – feeling strong and healthy and able to physically participate as fully as possible in life.

Examples of protective factors

Connection to body - data items relating to protective factors
Protective factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Feeling strong and healthy	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Self-assessed health	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
	2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS)
Exercise	2018-19 NATSIHS(a)	Physical Activity Guidelines 2014(b) - age group 15-17 years (non-remote only)
		Physical Activity Guidelines 2014(b) - age group 18-64 years (non-remote only)
		Physical Activity Guidelines 2014(b) - age group 65+ years (non-remote only)
		Physical Activity Guidelines 2014(b) - age group 18-64 years (excluding strength and toning) (non-remote only)
		Physical Activity Guidelines 2014(b) (exercise only) (non-remote only)
		Whether participated in sufficient activity in last week (duration only) (vigorous x 2) (NR only)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(c)	Whether participated in sufficient activity in last week (duration)
	2018-19 NATSIHS(a)	Whether participated in sufficient activity in last week (duration and session) (vigorous x 2) (NR only)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(c)	Whether participated in sufficient activity in last week (duration and session)
	2018-19 NATSIHS(a)	Type of physical activity did or whether walked to places yesterday (remote only)
		Whether physical activity or walking to places (excl.housework,etc) was more than 30 mins yesterday (remote only)
		Whether physical activity or walking to places (excl. housework, etc) yesterday was same as most days (remote only)
		Whether exercise last week met 150 minutes recommended (previous guidelines)(b)(d) (non-remote only)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(c)
	2018-19 NATSIHS(a)	Whether exercise last week met 150 minutes and 5 sessions recommended (previous guidelines)(b)(d) (non-remote only)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(c)
	2014-15 NATSISS	How many days in last week child physically active for at least 60 minutes
		Types of organised sport child has played in last 12 months
		Types of selected sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months
		Number of selected types sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months - ranges
		Types of selected organised sport or physical activity participated in last 12 months
		Number of organised sports or physical activities participated in last 12 months - ranges
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(c)	Level of (exercise/physical activity) (undertaken) for fitness, recreation, sport or walking for transport in last week
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(c)	Type of (exercise/physical activity) undertaken for fitness, recreation or sport in last week (time-series)

(a) For more physical activity items see the Risk factor - Physical Activity tab of the 2018–19 NATSIHS Data Items List.
(b) For more information about how physical activity was assessed using these guidelines, see 2018-19 NATSIHS Appendix - assessing health risk factors.
(c) For more physical activity items please see the Risk factor - Physical Activity tab of the 2012-13 NATSINPAS Data Items List.
(d) For more information about how physical activity was assessed using these guidelines, see 2012–13 AATSIHS User's Guide - Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour.

Examples of risk factors

Connection to body - data items relating to risk factors
Risk factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Chronic and communicable diseases	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)(a)	Number of conditions reported
		Number of current long-term conditions reported
		Number of current conditions reported
		Number of chronic condition groups
		Type of condition (including only current and long-term)
		Type of diagnosed mental health condition
		Whether currently has diagnosed mental health condition
		Whether still gets asthma
		Whether currently have cancer (including in remission)
		Whether has an ear/hearing problem (self-reported)
		Whether ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition

	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
		Type of diagnosed long-term condition
		Comorbidity(b) - Renal
		Comorbidity(b) - Musculoskeletal
		Comorbidity(b) - Chronic lower respiratory
	2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS)	Comorbidity(c) (Self report)
Poor diet	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether daily fruit and vegetable intake meets NHMRC 2003 guidelines(d)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS(e)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(f)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether daily fruit intake meets National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2003 guidelines(d)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS. The item 'Whether daily fruit and vegetable intake meets NHMRC 2003 guidelines' can be used to compare this data from the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(f)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether daily vegetable intake meets NHMRC 2003 guidelines(d)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS. The item 'Whether daily fruit and vegetable intake meets NHMRC 2003 guidelines' can be used to compare this data from the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(f)
	2018-19 NATSIHS(g)	Whether daily fruit and vegetable intake meets NHMRC 2013 guidelines	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS. This item was coded differently in the 2012-13 NATSINPAS than the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2018-19 NATSIHS. In order to compare this data, a custom data request is required(h).
	2014-15 NATSISS(e)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(f)
	2018-19 NATSIHS(g)	Whether daily vegetable intake meets NHMRC 2013 guidelines	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS. This item was coded differently in the 2012-13 NATSINPAS than the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2018-19 NATSIHS. In order to compare this data, a custom data request is required(h).
	2014-15 NATSISS(e)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(f)
	2018-19 NATSIHS(g)	Whether daily fruit intake meets NHMRC 2013 guidelines	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS. This item was coded differently in the 2012-13 NATSINPAS than the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2018-19 NATSIHS. In order to compare this data, a custom data request is required(h).
	2014-15 NATSISS(e)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS(f)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Usual daily serves of vegetables	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Usual daily serves of fruit	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	How many days per week usually drink sugar drinks
		Number of metric cups of sugar drinks usually consumed per day
		Number of metric cups of sugar drinks usually consumed per week
		How many days per week usually drink diet drinks
		Number of metric cups of diet drinks usually consumed per day
		Number of metric cups of diet drinks usually consumed per week
Smoking	2018-19 NATSIHS	Smoker status	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Daily smoker status	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Daily smoker status
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Number of cigarettes usually smokes daily	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Number of cigarettes usually smokes daily
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Tobacco use	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Tobacco use
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether tobacco used by child's mother during pregnancy	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether tobacco used by child's mother during pregnancy
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Age commenced daily smoking
		Duration of daily smoking - years
		Whether stopped smoking daily in last 12 months
		Whether attempted to quit smoking in the last 12 months
		Number of attempts made to quit smoking in the last 12 months
		Whether currently smokes
		Whether used an e-cigarette with nicotine in the last 12 months
		Frequency of use of e-cigarettes with nicotine in last 12 months
		Whether ever used e-cigarettes/vapes (excluding nicotine)
		Whether currently uses e-cigarettes/vapes (excluding nicotine)
		Whether any daily smokers smoke at home indoors
		Frequency of e-cigarette/vape use
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether anybody ever smokes inside the house
		Frequency of smoking inside the house
		Number of cigarettes smoked per day
		Whether tried to quit or reduce the amount smoked in last 12 months
		Reasons tried to quit or reduce amount smoked in last 12 months
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Cotinine status (nmol/L)(i)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Cotinine - continuous (nmol/L)(i)
Substance use	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether used substances for non-medical purposes in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used substances in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Type of substances used in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Type of substances used in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Number of substances used in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Number of types of substances used in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of pain killers or analgesics for non-medical purposes in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used pain killers or analgesics for non-medical purposes in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of tranquilisers or sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used tranquillisers or sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of marijuana, hashish or cannabis resin in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used marijuana, hashish or cannabis resin in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of methadone for non-medical purposes in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used methadone in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of sniffing petrol in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used petrol in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of other inhalants in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used other inhalants in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of kava in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used kava in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of amphetamines, ice or speed in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used amphetamines or speed in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of heroin in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used heroin in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of cocaine in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used cocaine in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of LSD or synthetic hallucinogens in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used LSD or synthetic hallucinogens in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of naturally occurring hallucinogens in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used naturally occurring hallucinogens in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of ecstasy or designer drugs in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used ecstasy or designer drugs in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of use of other substances in last 12 months	Item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether used any other substance in last 12 months
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether drugs or substances used by child's mother during pregnancy	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Type of diagnosed mental health condition	Includes harmful use or dependence on alcohol or drugs.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Type of diagnosed long-term condition	Includes harmful use of, or dependence on, drugs or alcohol.
Alcohol consumption	2018-19 NATSIHS	Alcohol risk level 3 day average (2001 guidelines)(j)
		Lifetime alcohol risk level - 3 day average (2009 guidelines)(j)
		Alcohol risk level - 7 day average (2001 guidelines)(j)
		Lifetime alcohol risk level - 7 day average (2009 guidelines)(j)
		Long term alcohol risk - number of known days broke guidelines (2009 guidelines)(j)
		Short term alcohol risk (2001 guidelines)(j)
		Short term alcohol risk - alcohol consumption on any occasion in last 12 months (2009 guidelines)(j)
		Risky alcohol consumption in last 2 weeks - binge drinking (2001 guidelines)(j)
		Risky alcohol consumption in last 2 weeks - binge drinking (2009 guidelines)(j)
		Type of diagnosed mental health condition	Includes harmful use or dependence on alcohol or drugs.
		Whether alcohol consumed by child's mother during pregnancy	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether alcohol consumed by child's mother during pregnancy
		Lifetime (long-term) alcohol risk (2009 NHMRC guidelines)(k)
		Single occasion (short-term) alcohol risk (2009 NHMRC guidelines)(k)
		Whether drank alcohol in last 12 months
		Frequency of alcohol consumption in last 12 months
		Number of standard drinks usually consumed in one day in last 12 months
		Average weekly alcohol consumption in last 12 months (standard drinks)
		Average daily alcohol consumption in last 12 months (standard drinks)
		Whether drank alcohol in last 2 weeks
		Most alcohol consumed in 1 day in last 2 weeks (standard drinks)
		Type of diagnosed long-term condition	Includes harmful use of, or dependence on, drugs or alcohol.
Obese / Overweight	2018-19 NATSIHS(l)	Self-assessed body mass
		Self reported weight (kilograms)
		Self reported height (centimetres)
		Self reported Body mass index - categories (Half year scale for children, 18+ for adults)
		Self reported Body mass index - categories (whole years scale for all ages)
		Self reported Body mass index (BMI) - score
		Body mass index - measured - categories (Half year scale for children, 18+ for adults)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS		Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2018-19 NATSIHS(l)	Body mass index - measured - categories (whole years scale for all ages)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS		Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2018-19 NATSIHS(l)	Body mass index (BMI) - score measured
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Body mass index (BMI) - score measured	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2018-19 NATSIHS(l)	First weight measurement
		First height measurement
		First waist measurement
		Measured waist circumference - categories (male adults)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Measured waist circumference - categories (male adults)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2018-19 NATSIHS(l)	Measured waist circumference - categories (female adults)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Measured waist circumference - categories (female adults)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
		Self-perceived body mass
		Satisfaction with current weight
		Measured weight (kg)
		Measured height (cm)
		Measured waist circumference (cm)
		Measured hip circumference (cm)
		Waist-to-hip ratio - score measured
		Waist-to-hip ratio - measured - categories
Disability	2018-19 NATSIHS	Disability status	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS. The 2014–15 NATSISS includes the response category "Has no disability, but has non-restrictive long-term health condition" which is not included in the 2018–19 NATSIHS. To compare data between these two collections, this response category needs to be excluded when extracting data.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Disability status
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Disability type	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Disability type
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Main disability type
		Difficulties with employment due to condition
		Difficulties with education due to condition
		Whether has an education restriction	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether has an education restriction
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether has an employment restriction	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether has an employment restriction
	2014-15 NATSISS	Type of restrictions

(a) For more health conditions items please see the Health tab of the 2018–19 NATSIHS Data Items List.
(b) For more information on comorbidity, see the 2014–15 NATSISS User's Guide - Health.
(c) For more information on comorbidity, see to the 2012–13 AATSIHS User's Guide - Health Conditions.
(d) For more information on NHMRC 2003 dietary guidelines see Dietary guidelines for all Australians.
(e) For more information about how fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed using these guidelines, see the 2014–15 NATSISS User's Guide - Health Risk Factors, Nutrition and Sleep.
(f) For more information about how fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed using these guidelines, see 2012–13 AATSIHS User's Guide - Dietary Behaviours.
(g) For more information about how fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed using these guidelines, see the 2018-19 NATSIHS Appendix - assessing health risk factors.
(h) For more information around consultancies, see Consultancy Request Form.
(i) For further information on cotinine see the 2012–13 AATSIHS Biomedical results glossary.
(j) For more information about how single occasion and lifetime risk was assessed using these guidelines, see 2018-19 NATSIHS Appendix - assessing health risk factors.
(k) For more information about how single occasion and lifetime risk was assessed using these guidelines, see 2014–15 NATSISS User's Guide - Health Risk Factors, Nutrition and Sleep.
(l) For more information about measured and self-assessed body mass index see 2018-19 NATSIHS Appendix - physical measurements.

Connection to mind and emotions

Mental health - ability to manage thoughts and feelings.

Examples of protective factors

Connection to mind and emotions - data items relating to protective factors
Protective factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Education	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Highest year of school completed	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
	2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether has a non-school qualification	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Level of highest non-school qualification	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Main field of highest non-school qualification	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Main field of highest non-school qualification - detailed	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Level of highest educational attainment	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Highest educational attainment (broad)
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Highest level of educational attainment
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether currently studying full-time or part-time	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Level of current non-school qualification	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Level of current non-school qualification
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Main field of current non-school qualification [Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED)](a)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Main field of current study
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Main field of non-school qualification of current study (ASCED)(a)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Main field of current non-school qualification - detailed	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Main field of current non-school qualification - detailed
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Type of educational institution currently attending	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 NATSINPAS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether completed Certificate III or above / Year 12	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether completed Certificate III or above / Year 12
		Whether currently studying any formal education
		Level of current study (broad)
		Level of current study - expanded
		Main field of current study - expanded
		Level of highest non-school qualification - expanded
		Highest level of educational attainment - expanded (2014 standard)
		Main field of highest educational attainment - expanded
		Whether completed Certificate II / Year 12 equivalent
		Whether wanted to study for an educational qualification in last 12 months
		Whether has future educational intentions
		Reasons for future educational intentions
		When plans to undertake future study
		Whether participated in vocational training in last 12 months
		Type of vocational training in last 12 months
		Whether child usually attends school, pre-school, or kindergarten
		Year child currently attending at school
		Number of days child usually attends school
Agency: assertiveness, confidence and control over life	2018-19 NATSIHS	I have little control over the things that happen to me (non-remote only)
		There is really no way I can solve some of the problems I have (non-remote only)
		There is little I can do to change many of the important things in my life (non-remote only)
		I often feel helpless in dealing with the problems of life (non-remote only)
		Sometimes I feel that I'm being pushed around in life (non-remote only)
		What happens to me in the future mostly depends on me (non-remote only)
		I can do just about anything I really set my mind to do (non-remote only)
		Pearlin Mastery Scale score (non-remote only)(b)
		Level of mastery (Pearlin Mastery Scale) (non-remote only)(b)
		How often felt without hope (in the last 4 weeks)
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether personally knows a member of government would feel comfortable contacting
		Whether personally knows someone in an organisation would feel comfortable contacting (non-remote only)
		Types of organisations would feel comfortable contacting (non-remote only)
		Number of organisations would feel comfortable contacting (non-remote only)
		How often feels able to have a say with family and friends on important issues
		How often feels able to have a say within community on important issues
Strong identity	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether identifies with tribal group, language group or clan	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether people you mix with know you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (non-remote only)
		Importance of being recognised as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (non-remote only)
		Whether feels accepted by other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people (non-remote only)
		Whether proud of culture/being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
		Satisfaction level with own knowledge of culture
		Whether allowed to visit homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether allowed to visit homelands/traditional country
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether recognises an area as homelands / traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
		Whether involved in selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations in last 12 months
		Type of cultural group identifies with
		Whether learnt anything about clan, tribal or language group identifies with

(a) For more information on the ASCED see classification standard.
(b) For more information on the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) see 2018–19 NATSIHS Appendix - mental health and wellbeing data.

Examples of risk factors

Connection to mind and emotions - data items relating to risk factors
Risk factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Barriers to education	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	Main reason did not study for (an / another) educational qualification in last 12 months
		All reasons for not doing work-related training in last 12 months
		Main reason for not doing work-related training in last 12 months
		Whether could attend all work-related training wanted to
		Main reason child does not usually attend school, pre-school or kindergarten
		Whether child missed days at school in last week
		Number of days child missed school in last week
		Main reason missed school in last week
		Whether child missed school without permission in last 12 months
Developmental/cognitive impairments and disability	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Disability status	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS. The 2014-15 NATSISS item includes an extra response category for those who do not have a disability but have a long-term health condition. To compare with the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS, this response category has to be excluded from tables.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Disability status
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Disability type	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Disability type
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Main disability type
		Difficulties with employment due to condition
		Difficulties with education due to condition
		Whether has an education restriction	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether has an education restriction
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether has an employment restriction	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether has an employment restriction
	2014-15 NATSISS	Type of restrictions
Racism	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether unfair treatment in last 12 months because Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Types of unfair treatment in last 12 months because Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Most recent unfair treatment in last 12 months because Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Most recent situation treated unfairly last 12mths because Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Frequency of unfair treatment in last 12 months because Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether avoided situation due to past unfair treatment because Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Types of situations avoided due to unfair treatment as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
		Whether ever treated unfairly at school because Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander
		Whether treated unfairly at current school because Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander
		Whether changed school to avoid unfair treatment
		Whether progress at school affected by unfair treatment
Mental illness	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition	Item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether has been diagnosed with a mental health condition
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Type of diagnosed mental health condition
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether currently has diagnosed mental health condition
	2014-15 NATSISS	Types of selected stressors personally experienced in last 12 months
Unemployment	2018-19 NATSIHS	Labour force status	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Duration of unemployment (weeks) (ranges)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Duration of unemployment (weeks) (ranges)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Duration of unemployment (weeks) (values)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Duration of unemployment (weeks) (values)
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether looked for work in last 12 months
		Duration of job search
		Whether had difficulties finding work
		All difficulties finding work
		Number of types of difficulties finding work
		Main difficulty finding work
		All reasons not looking for a job
Lack of safety and security	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether ran out of food in the last 12 months and couldn't afford to buy more
		Whether went without food when ran out
		Whether household members could raise $2,000 in an emergency	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether had days without money for basic living expenses in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether had days without money for basic living expenses in last 2 weeks	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2014-15 NATSISS	Number of times household members had difficulty paying bills in last 12 months
		Whether household members ran out of money for basic living expenses in last 12 months
		Whether household members ran out of money for basic living expenses in last 2 weeks
		Whether household members went without basic living items in last 12 months when they ran out of money
		Whether ever experienced being without a permanent place to live(a)
		All situations ever experienced because did not have permanent place to live
		Whether ever experienced homelessness
		All reasons for ever being without a permanent place to live
		Reasons for most recent experience without a permanent place to live
		Feelings of safety at home alone after dark
		Feelings of safety walking alone in local area after dark
		Whether aware of any selected neighbourhood / community problems
		Types of selected neighbourhood / community problems
		Number of selected neighbourhood / community problems
		Level of satisfaction with local government in dealing with main neighbourhood / community problem
		Main neighbourhood problem

(a) For more homelessness items, see the 2014-15 NATSISS Data Items List.

Connection to family and kinship

Connections to family and kinship systems are central to the functioning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies.

Examples of protective factors

Connection to family and kinship - data items relating to protective factors
Protective factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Loving, stable, accepting and supportive family	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	My family really tries to help me (non-remote only)
		I get the emotional support and help I need from my family (non-remote only)
		I can talk about my problems with my family (non-remote only)
		My family is willing to help me make decisions (non-remote only)
		Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) family score (score for perceived social support from family) (non-remote only)(a)
		MSPSS family score categorised (level of perceived social support from family) (non-remote only)(a)
	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	Frequency of contact with family or friends outside household(b)
		Whether can confide in any family or friends outside the household
		Number of friends or family outside the household can confide in
		Source of support from outside the household in time of crisis
Adequate Income	2018-19 NATSIHS	Income of household (weekly)	This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS due to changes to questions or sequences.
	2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS)	Income of household (weekly)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Equivalised gross weekly income of household	This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS		This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS		This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Equivalised income of household: deciles	This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS	Equivalised income of household: deciles
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Gross weekly income of household: deciles	This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2014-15 NATSISS		This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2012-13 NATSINPAS		This item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS.
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether household members could raise $2,000 in an emergency	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether had days without money for basic living expenses in last 12 months	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether had days without money for basic living expenses in last 2 weeks	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Total weekly income of selected person (all sources)
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Gross weekly personal income in deciles	Item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Gross weekly personal income in deciles
		Household gross weekly income
		Equivalised household gross weekly income - deciles
		Number of times household members had difficulty paying bills in last 12 months
		Whether household members went without basic living items in last 12 months when they ran out of money
		Personal gross weekly income
		Personal gross weekly income - ranges

(a) For more information on the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) see 2018–19 NATSIHS Appendix - mental health and wellbeing data.

(b) For more items about contact with family, see Social Contact tab in the 2014-15 NATSISS Data Items List.

Examples of risk factors

Connection to family and kinship - data items relating to risk factors
Risk factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Absence of family members	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	Types of selected stressors experienced by child in last 12 months (4-14 years)
Absence of family members		Types of selected stressors personally experienced in last 12 months
Removal from family	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Whether respondent ever removed from natural family by welfare/government/taken away on mission	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether ever removed from natural family
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether any relatives ever removed by welfare/government/taken away on mission	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether relatives ever removed from natural family
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether self and/or relatives ever removed from natural family	Item is not comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Number of types of relatives removed from natural family
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Types of relative(s) removed from natural family	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Which relatives removed from natural family
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether seen relatives since own removal whether services used/known about to help contact relative
Family violence	2018-19 NATSIHS	Relationship to offender in most recent experience of face-to-face threatened physical harm
		Relationship to offender(s) in all experiences of face-to-face threatened physical harm in last 12 months
		Relationship to offender(s) in most recent experience of physical harm
		Relationship to all offenders who perpetrated physical harm within last 12 months
	2014-15 NATSISS	Relationship to perpetrator in most recent experience of physical violence
Children in out-of-home care	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether child stayed overnight somewhere else due to family crises in last 6 months
		Whether child stayed somewhere else due to family crises for more than a week in last 12 months
		Whether adult needed to look after another child who normally lives elsewhere
		Reasons why child stayed somewhere else for more than a week in last 12 months

Connection to community

Community can take many forms. A connection to community provides opportunities for individuals and families to connect with each other, support each other and work together.

Example of protective factors

Connection to community - data items relating to protective risk factors
Protective factors	Collection	Data item
Support networks	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)(a)(b)	Shortened Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) score (total score for perceived social support) (non-remote only)
		MSPSS family score (score for perceived social support from family) (non-remote only)
		MSPSS friends score (score for perceived social support from friends) (non-remote only)
		Shortened MSPSS score categorised (total level of perceived social support) (non-remote only)
		MSPSS family score categorised (level of perceived social support from family) (non-remote only)
		MSPSS friends score categorised (level of perceived social support from friends) (non-remote only)
	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	Whether able to get general support from outside household
		Whether able to get support in time of crisis from outside household
		Source of support from outside the household in time of crisis
		Number of sources of support from outside the household in time of crisis
		Frequency of contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of face to face contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of other than face to face contact with family or friends outside household
		Other types of contact with family or friends outside household
		Number of other types of contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of voice call contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of text messaging contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of video link contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of web based chat contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of post contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of email contact with family or friends outside household
		Frequency of other form of contact with family or friends outside household
		Whether can confide in any family or friends outside the household
		Number of friends or family outside the household can confide in
Self-governance	2018-19 NATSIHS	I have little control over the things that happen to me (non-remote only)
		There is really no way I can solve some of the problems I have (non-remote only)
		There is little I can do to change many of the important things in my life (non-remote only)
		I often feel helpless in dealing with the problems of life (non-remote only)
		Sometimes I feel that I'm being pushed around in life (non-remote only)
		What happens to me in the future mostly depends on me (non-remote only)
		I can do just about anything I really set my mind to do (non-remote only)
		Pearlin Mastery Scale score (non-remote only)(a)
		Level of mastery (Pearlin Mastery Scale) (non-remote only)(a)
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether personally knows a member of government would feel comfortable contacting
		Whether personally knows someone in an organisation would feel comfortable contacting (non-remote only)
		Types of organisations would feel comfortable contacting (non-remote only)
		Number of organisations would feel comfortable contacting (non-remote only)
		How often feels able to have a say with family and friends on important issues
		How often feels able to have a say within community on important issues
		Whether thinks community has strong leadership (remote only)
		Whether feels that leaders in this community have time to listen and give advice (remote only)
		Whether thinks changes in past 12 months have made the community better or worse (remote only)
		Changes in last 12 months that have made the community better (remote only)
Participation in sporting, social or community activities	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether participated in selected sporting, social or community activities in last 12 months
		Types of selected sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months
		Number selected types of sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months
		Number of selected types sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months - ranges
		Whether participated in organised sport or physical activities in last 12 months
		Types of selected organised sport or physical activity participated in last 12 months
		Number of organised sports or physical activities participated in last 12 months
		Number of organised sports or physical activities participated in last 12 months - ranges
		Whether child has played any organised sport in last 12 months
		Types of organised sport child has played in last 12 months
		Number of organised sports child has played in last 12 months
		Reasons child did not play (further) organised sport in last 12 months

(a) For more information on MSPSS see 2018–19 NATSIHS Appendix - mental health and wellbeing data.

(b) For MSPSS items, see the Social and Emotional Wellbeing tab of the 2018–19 NATSIHS Data Items List.

Examples of risk factors

Connection to community - data items relating to risk factors
Risk factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Lack of local services	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Barriers to accessing services
		Type of health services available in local area
	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	All types of barriers to any of services with most problems accessing
Isolation	2018-19 NATSIHS	Shortened Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) score (total score for perceived social support) (non-remote only)(a)(b)
		MSPSS family score (score for perceived social support from family) (non-remote only)(a)(b)
		MSPSS friends score (score for perceived social support from friends) (non-remote only)(a)(b)
		Shortened MSPSS score categorised (total level of perceived social support) (non-remote only)(a)(b)
		MSPSS family score categorised (level of perceived social support from family) (non-remote only)(a)(b)
		MSPSS friends score categorised (level of perceived social support from friends) (non-remote only)(a)(b)
		Number of sources of support from outside the household in time of crisis
	2014-15 NATSISS	Frequency of contact with family or friends outside household
		Whether can confide in any family or friends outside the household
		Whether able to get general support from outside household
		Whether able to get support in time of crisis from outside household
		Source of support from outside the household in time of crisis
		Types of selected stressors experienced by self, family or friends in last 12 months
Disengagement from community	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether identifies with tribal group, language group or clan	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether identifies with clan, tribal or language group
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether recognises an area as homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether recognises an area as homelands/traditional country
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether currently lives in homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether currently lives in homelands/traditional country
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether allowed to visit homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether allowed to visit homelands/traditional country
	2018-19 NATSIHS	How often visits homeland or traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	How often visits homeland or traditional country
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Longest time spent in homelands/traditional country in last 12 months (days)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS
	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether people you mix with know you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (non-remote only)
		Importance of being recognised as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (non-remote only)
		Whether feels accepted by other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people (non-remote only)
		Satisfaction level with own knowledge of culture
		Whether proud of culture/being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
	2014-15 NATSISS	Type of cultural group identifies with
		Whether involved in selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations in last 12 months
		Types of selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations attended in last 12 months
		Number of types of cultural events, ceremonies or organisations attended in last 12 months
		Whether participated in selected cultural activities in last 12 months
		Types of selected cultural activites participated in last 12 months
		Number of types of selected cultural activities participated in last 12 months
		Whether can attend or participate in selected cultural events as often as wants to
		Reasons why difficult to attend selected cultural events
		Whether participated in selected sporting, social or community activities in last 12 months
		Types of selected sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months
		Number selected types of sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 mths
		Number of selected types sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 mths-ranges
Lack of opportunities for employment in community	2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether CDP participant (or equivalent) (remote only)(c)
	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether had difficulties finding work
		All difficulties finding work
		Main difficulty finding work
		All reasons not looking for a job
		Whether job services/training provider available in community

(a) For more information on MSPSS see 2018–19 NATSIHS Appendix - mental health and wellbeing data.

(b) For more MSPSS items, see the Social and Emotional Wellbeing tab of the 2018–19 NATSIHS Data Items List.

Connection to culture

A connection to a culture provides a sense of continuity with the past and helps underpin a strong identity.

Example of protective factors

Connection to culture - data items relating to protective factors
Protective factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Attending national and local cultural events	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	Whether can attend or participate in selected cultural events as often as wants to
		Reasons why difficult to attend selected cultural events
		Types of selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations attended in last 12 months
Cultural institutions	2014-15 NATSISS	Types of selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations attended in last 12 months
Cultural institutions	2014-15 NATSISS	Whether involved in selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations in last 12 months
Cultural education	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Satisfaction level with own knowledge of culture	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
	2014-15 NATSISS	Satisfaction level with own knowledge of culture
		Whether taught Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture at school or as part of further study
		Where Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander cultural education was received
		Whether learnt anything about clan, tribal or language group identifies with
		Whether Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander culture being taught to child at school
		Whether currently learning an Australian Indigenous language
		Who is teaching or where learning Indigenous language
		Who teaches child selected cultural activities
Cultural involvement and participation	2014-15 NATSISS	No of days/week spent with Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander leaders or elders in your community
		Whether involved in selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations in last 12 months
		Types of selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations attended in last 12 months
		Number of types of cultural events, ceremonies or organisations attended in last 12 months
		Whether participated in selected cultural activities in last 12 months
		Types of selected cultural activities participated in last 12 months
		Number of types of selected cultural activities participated in last 12 months
		Whether can attend or participate in selected cultural events as often as wants to
		Reasons why difficult to attend selected cultural events
		Types of selected sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months

Examples of risk factors

Connection to culture - data items relating to risk factors
Risk factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Services that are not culturally safe	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Barriers to accessing services
Reason(s) did not go to hospital in last 12 months
Reason(s) did not go to OHP* in last 12 months	*Other health professional
Reason(s) did not go to dentist in last 12 months
Reason(s) did not go to GP* in last 12 months	*General practitioner
Reason(s) didn't go to counsellor in the last 12 months
2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	All types of barriers to any of services with most problems accessing
Languages under threat	2018-19 NATSIHS	Main language spoken at home	This item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS, the 2014-15 NATSISS and the 2012-13 NATSINPAS. To compare with the 2018-19 NATSIHS, 2014-15 NATSISS and 2012-13 NATSINPAS data for those not currently speaking need to be combined with 'other language'.
2014-15 NATSISS
2012-13 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS)
2014-15 NATSISS	Whether speaks an Australian Indigenous language
Whether understands an Australian Indigenous language
Whether currently learning an Australian Indigenous language
Who is teaching or where learning Indigenous language

Connection to country

Connection to country helps underpin identity and a sense of belonging.

Examples of protective factors

Connection to country - data items relating to protective factors
Protective factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Time spent on country	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Whether recognises an area as homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether currently lives in homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
2014-15 NATSISS
2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether allowed to visit homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
2014-15 NATSISS
2018-19 NATSIHS	How often visits homeland or traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
2014-15 NATSISS
2018-19 NATSIHS	Longest time spent in homelands/traditional country in last 12 months (days)	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
2014-15 NATSISS

Examples of risk factors

Connection to country - data items related to risk factors
Risk factors	Collection	Data item	Notes
Restrictions on access to country	2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)	Whether recognises an area as homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)
2018-19 NATSIHS	Whether allowed to visit homelands/traditional country	Item is comparable between the 2018-19 NATSIHS and the 2014-15 NATSISS.
2014-15 NATSISS

Connection to spirituality and ancestors

Spirituality provides a sense of purpose and meaning.

Examples of protective factors

Connection to spirituality and ancestors - data items relating to protective factors
Protective factors	Collection	Data item
Opportunities to attend cultural events and ceremonies	2014-15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS)	Whether can attend or participate in selected cultural events as often as wants to
Reasons why difficult to attend selected cultural events
Types of selected sporting, social or community activities participated in last 12 months
Contemporary expressions of spirituality	2014-15 NATSISS	Types of selected cultural events, ceremonies or organisations attended in last 12 months
Types of selected cultural activities participated in last 12 months

Data downloads

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Data Items Lists

Data files

2018-19 NATSIHS data items list
Download xlsx [831.03 KB]
2014-15 NATSISS data items list
Download xlsx [284.61 KB]
2012-13 AATSIHS data items list
Download xlsx [2.46 MB]

Methodology

Mental health and social and emotional wellbeing data sources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples methodology, 2023

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APA

Citation

Mental health and social and emotional wellbeing data sources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

APA

Citation

Introduction

Footnotes

How to use this directory

How to access the data

Connection to body

Examples of protective factors

Examples of risk factors

Connection to mind and emotions

Examples of protective factors

Examples of risk factors

Connection to family and kinship

Examples of protective factors

Examples of risk factors

Connection to community

Example of protective factors

Examples of risk factors

Connection to culture

Example of protective factors

Examples of risk factors

Connection to country

Examples of protective factors

Examples of risk factors

Connection to spirituality and ancestors

Examples of protective factors

Data downloads

Data Items Lists

2018-19 NATSIHS data items list

2014-15 NATSISS data items list

2012-13 AATSIHS data items list

Methodology

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