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Partnering with Native Communities to Develop a Culturally Grounded Intervention for Substance Use Disorder
Author(s) -
Skewes Monica C.,
HallumMontes Rachel,
Gardner Scott A.,
Blume Arthur W.,
Ricker Adriann,
FireMoon Paula
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1002/ajcp.12354
Subject(s) - community based participatory research , health equity , participatory action research , qualitative research , substance abuse , ethnic group , health psychology , intervention (counseling) , general partnership , psychology , medicine , public health , nursing , sociology , psychiatry , political science , social science , anthropology , law
Studies have documented serious disparities in drug and alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives ( AI / AN s) compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S. despite high rates of abstinence in these groups. Further complicating these health disparities are barriers to accessing evidence‐based treatments that are culturally appropriate and acceptable. As part of a research program to promote health equity in rural communities, we developed an academic‐community partnership to create a culturally grounded intervention for adults with substance use disorder ( SUD ) residing on a rural AI reservation. We describe the early phases of our long‐term Community Based Participatory Research project and report findings from the first study we conducted. This key informant interview study consisted of in‐depth qualitative interviews with 25 tribal members knowledgeable about substance use and recovery on the reservation. The goal was to understand social norms and cultural conceptualizations of substance use to inform the development of a sustainable, community‐driven intervention. Participants reported that a holistic approach to recovery that emphasizes spiritual, cultural, and interpersonal harmony and connectedness was important to the community and would be necessary for the intervention to succeed. They also emphasized the need for a multi‐level intervention targeting individuals, families, and the community as a whole. Through this initial study, we not only gained valuable information that will be used to guide future research and treatment efforts, but we also strengthened our partnership and built trust with the community. In this manuscript we tell the story of the development of our project and describe our shared vision for future directions.