A Pilot Evaluation of Culture Camps to Increase Alaska Native Youth Wellness
Authors: Jodi D. Barnett, MA, Tara C. Schmidt, BA, Bridie Trainor, BA, Lisa Wexler, PhD
Publication Year: 2019
Last Updated: 2019-09-09 12:07:30
Journal: Society for Public Health Education
Keywords: culture camps; rural; Alaska Native youth;Indigenous youth; suicide prevention;
Short Abstract:
Suicide is a significant health disparity among
Alaska Native youth, which is linked to cultural disruptions brought about by colonialism and historical
trauma. Many Indigenous suicide prevention efforts
center on revitalizing and connecting youth to their
culture to promote mental health and resilience. A
common cultural approach to improve psychosocial
outcomes is youth culture camps, but there has been
little evaluation research to test this association.
Here, we conduct a pilot evaluation of a 5-day culture camp developed in two remote regions of Alaska.
The camps bring together Alaska Native youth from
villages in these regions to take part in subsistence
activities, develop new relationships, develop life
skills, and learn traditional knowledge and values.
This pilot evaluation of the culture camps uses a
quantitative pre/post design to examine the outcomes of self-esteem, emotional states, belongingness, mattering to others, and coping skills among
participants. Results indicate that culture camps can
significantly increase positive mood, feelings of
belongingness, and perceived coping of participants.
Culture camps are a common suicide prevention
effort in Indigenous circumpolar communities, and
although limited in scope and design, this pilot
evaluation offers some evidence to support culture
camps as a health promotion intervention that can
reduce suicide risk.
Abstract:
Suicide is a significant health disparity among Alaska Native youth, which is linked to cultural disruptions brought about by colonialism and historical trauma. Many Indigenous suicide prevention efforts center on revitalizing and connecting youth to their culture to promote mental health and resilience. A common cultural approach to improve psychosocial outcomes is youth culture camps, but there has been little evaluation research to test this association. Here, we conduct a pilot evaluation of a 5-day culture camp developed in two remote regions of Alaska. The camps bring together Alaska Native youth from villages in these regions to take part in subsistence activities, develop new relationships, develop life skills, and learn traditional knowledge and values. This pilot evaluation of the culture camps uses a quantitative pre/post design to examine the outcomes of self-esteem, emotional states, belongingness, mattering to others, and coping skills among participants. Results indicate that culture camps can significantly increase positive mood, feelings of belongingness, and perceived coping of participants. Culture camps are a common suicide prevention effort in Indigenous circumpolar communities, and although limited in scope and design, this pilot evaluation offers some evidence to support culture camps as a health promotion intervention that can reduce suicide risk.
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Source: Link to Original Article.
Funding: funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Garrett Lee Smith Grant (Award No. SM11001)
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