Asiasiga i A’oga ma Nu’u: a child and adolescent post-tsunami intervention based on Indigenous Samoan values

Abstract

Objective: To describe a community-based single-session group intervention designed to address psychosocial needs of Samoan young people following a tsunami. Method: This programme resulted from collaboration between Samoan therapists, Samoan Catholic pastoral care workers and non-Samoan mental health clinicians. Informed by Samoan concepts of self and wellbeing, it incorporated cultural and spiritual practices familiar to Samoan young people and their families as well as body-centred therapeutic techniques, the ‘Tree of life’ exercise and provision of a cooked meal. Results: Following household visits to affected families in villages throughout southern and eastern Upolu and the island of Manono, the programme was devised and carried out in 11 villages with 1295 children participating. There was a high degree of acceptance of the programme by Pulenu’u (village governance leaders), young people, their families and community members. Conclusions: Interventions to address the psychological needs of Indigenous Pacific children and adolescents following a major disaster need to be embedded in the values of their communities. This paper describes an innovative programme based on Samoan values that was consistent with evidence-informed principles used to guide post-disaster responses.

Practices Supporting Community Recovery and Healing from Climate-Related Disasters: A Systematic Review

“…We identified 36 studies published between 2002 and 2022 that met the inclusion criteria. The included papers ( n = 36) represented a range of countries including Australia [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], Canada [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], Chile [ 31 ], China [ 32 , 33 ], India [ 34 ], Japan [ 35 , 36 ], New Zealand [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], Nepal, Pakistan [ 42 ], Samoa [ 43 ], United Kingdom, United States [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] and Vanuatu [ 51 ].…”

“…Eleven studies identify a sense of place and belonging interlinked with personal identity as a critical resource in recovery from disasters [ 22 , 23 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 40 , 43 , 48 , 51 , 53 ]. Tudor and colleagues [ 40 ] articulate place as a ‘grounding’ tool, important for re-establishing a safe place of connection.…”

“…People who have experienced disaster often interlink their recovery identity with a sense of belonging to a place [ 29 ]. The importance of returning to everyday pre-disaster practices, customs, and traditions to build belonging was described in two studies [ 32 , 51 ], wherein the importance of designing interventions embedded in cultural practices and community to support healing and recovery is exemplified [ 43 ].…”

“…Four studies identify the importance of family and friends’ support as a critical resource in recovery from disasters [ 21 , 22 , 29 , 43 ]. In Mohr’s [ 29 ] study, a theme of deepened post-disaster interpersonal ties emerges [ 29 ].…”

“…The significance of family ties is also a consistent refrain, as is a heightened sense of belonging to the larger community. Harms and colleagues [ 21 ] acknowledge the importance of formal support structures but, like Tamasese and colleagues [ 43 ], argue that the role of family, friends, and community is of utmost importance. Ali and colleagues [ 22 ] bring to this discussion an Australian First Nations people’s perspective, arguing that it is kinship and accompanying relationships that support people in their everyday lives and in emergencies.…”