Identifying success factors and impacts of social and emotional well-being programmes for First Nations youth in Australia: a scoping review protocol.

introductionAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth hold central roles in the preservation and transmission of cultural knowledge, community leadership and Australia's social and political future. Fostering youth well-being is essential in the context of historical, social and political impacts of colonisation. Social and emotional well-being (SEWB) is a holistic concept grounded in First Nations worldviews, encompassing connections to country, culture, spirituality, family, community, body and mind. Many programmes aim to support SEWB among First Nations youth; however, evidence describing programme success factors outcomes remains fragmented and is often shaped by Western-centric methodologies. This protocol outlines a culturally responsive scoping review that will map success factors and SEWB impacts of programmes delivered in Australia for First Nations youth aged 10-18 years that is designed to be undertaken collaboratively with First Nations people and non-Indigenous allies. IDENTITY: In recognition of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their right to self-identify using preferred terminologies, in this protocol, we respectfully use 'First Nations peoples' to refer to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and 'First Nations youth' to refer to those aged 10-18 years. We further acknowledge that this use of this terminology may not capture the many and varied First Nations identities within Australia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review protocol outlines a revised, culturally responsive version of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and will be conducted using an Indigenous-informed, decolonising approach. Peer-reviewed and grey literature reporting on Australian SEWB programmes delivered to First Nations youth between 2000 and 2025 will be included. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest and EBSCOhost. Targeted Indigenous sources will be searched, including Informit Indigenous Collection, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, National Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation and Lowitja Institute repositories, along with relevant organisational and government websites. Three reviewers will independently screen records and extract data. Articles requiring cultural responsivity assessment will be reviewed by First Nations researchers. Data will be analysed using inductive content analysis to identify programme success factors and reported SEWB outcomes, with interpretation guided by First Nations members of the research team. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol is guided by Australian Indigenous research ethics frameworks including the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and the Lowitja Institute's guidance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. Findings will be disseminated through culturally appropriate channels to communities and stakeholders. REGISTRATION: Protocol registration will be made available online via the Open Science Framework (osf.io/yq6sv).