Feasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Findings from a Community-Based Cultural Mental Health Intervention for American Indian Youth and Their Families

Details

• Alternative Title:
  J Community Psychol
• Personal Author:
  Goodkind, Jessica ; LaNoue, Marianna ; Lee, Christopher ; Freeland, Lance ; Freund, Rachel
• Description:
  Through a CBPR partnership, university and American Indian (AI) tribal members developed and tested | intervention to promote mental health of AI youth and their families by addressing root causes of violence, trauma, and substance abuse. Based on premises that well-being is built on a foundation of traditional cultural beliefs and practices, and that it requires a process of healing and understanding, the 6-month intervention had four components: 1) recognizing/healing historical trauma; 2) reconnecting to traditional culture; 3) parenting/social skill-building; and 4) strengthening family relationships through equine-assisted activities. Feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and preliminary outcomes were examined in a mixed-method within-group design. Engagement and retention were challenging, suggesting that families faced numerous barriers to participation. Youth who completed the program experienced significant increases in cultural identity, self-esteem, positive coping strategies, quality of life, and social adjustment. Qualitative data supported these findings and suggested additional positive effects.
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Article Child Community-Based Participatory Research Evidence-Based Intervention Historical Trauma
• Source:
  J Community Psychol. 40(4):381-405.
• Pubmed ID:
  25414529
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC4235231
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  K01 MH074816/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States ; U48 DP000061/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States
• Volume:
  40
• Issue:
  4
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:420ca577d51503e21e3ff1ee9a0c736338bbd720e419fd1b098baabf78747e9e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/41996/cdc_41996_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 996.83 KB ]