Supporting Indigenous youth activity programmes: a community-based participatory research approach

Coppola, Angela M; Holt, Nicholas L.; McHugh, Tara-Leigh

doi:10.1080/2159676x.2019.1574880

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The sub-themes of connection to culture (ceremonies, Elders), support from others (family, friends), and involvement in positive activities (art, journaling, music, sports) came directly from asking the Indigenous youth involved how they saw positive mental health and what components were involved. This also aligns with community-based participatory research principles that take a partnering approach to research [ 24 ] and work to meet participants where they are at. In essence, the sub-themes under mental health are addressing the social determinants of mental health i.e., the root causes and coping strategies) rather than treating specific mental health issues.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…SIY integrates Traditional Knowledge and digital citizen science through community-based participatory research approaches [ 21 , 22 ] to address health issues facing Indigenous peoples and communities” [ 23 ]. This approach involves community members at each step of the research process, seeking to build equity into academic projects [ 24 ]. Collaboration is a critical component, as well as conducting research that has tangible and relevant benefits to Indigenous communities.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Collaboration is a critical component, as well as conducting research that has tangible and relevant benefits to Indigenous communities. Community-based participatory research action seeks to give to communities instead of simply taking data and information [ 24 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Evaluation of a longitudinal digital citizen science initiative to understand the impact of culture on Indigenous youth mental health: Findings from a quasi-experimental qualitative study

Walker,

Kannan,

Bhawra

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Indigenous youth in settler nations are susceptible to poor mental health due to complex intergenerational systemic inequities. Research has shown benefits of cultural connectedness for improving mental health; however, there are few studies which have evaluated the impact of culturally relevant mental health interventions, particularly among Indigenous youth. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of a culturally-responsive, land-based, active living initiative on the mental health of Indigenous youth. Methods This quasi-experimental qualitative study is part of Smart Indigenous Youth (SIY), a mixed-methods 5-year longitudinal digital citizen science initiative. SIY embeds culturally responsive, land-based active living programs into the curricula of high schools in rural Indigenous communities in the western Canadian province of Saskatchewan. In year-1 (Winter 2019), 76 Indigenous youth citizen scientists (13–18 years) from 2 schools participated in the study. At the beginning of the term, each school initiated separate 4-month land-based active living programs specific to their culture, community, geography, and language (Cree and Saulteaux). Before and after the term, focus groups were conducted with the 2 Youth Citizen Scientist Councils, which included students from both participating schools. This study includes data from focus groups of one participating school, with 11 youth citizen scientists (5 boys, 6 girls). Focus group data were transcribed and analyzed by two independent reviewers using Nvivo to identify themes and subthemes. Both reviewers discussed their thematic analysis to reach consensus about final findings. Results Baseline focus group analyses (before land-based programming) revealed themes demonstrating the importance of Indigenous culture, identity, history, and language. Youth emphasized the impact of loss of language and culture, the importance of being a helper, and the necessity of intergenerational knowledge transfer. Follow-up focus group analyses (post land-based programming) indicated that cultural school programming led to students expressing positive mental health benefits, increased interest in ceremonies, increased participation in physical activity, and greater knowledge of culture, identity, and ceremonial protocol. Conclusions This novel qualitative quasi-experimental study offers a window into the future of upstream interventions in partnership with Indigenous communities, where Indigenous youth can be engaged in real-time via their digital devices, while participating in culturally-sensitive, land-based school programming that promotes culture, identity, and mental health.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%