title: Integrating Motivational Interviewing and Traditional Practices to Address Alcohol and Drug Use Among Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Youth.
abstract: American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) exhibit high levels of alcohol and drug (AOD) use and problems. Although approximately 70% of AI/ANs reside in urban areas, few culturally relevant AOD use programs targeting urban AI/AN youth exist. Furthermore, federally-funded studies focused on the integration of evidence-based treatments with AI/AN traditional practices are limited. The current study addresses a critical gap in the delivery of culturally appropriate AOD use programs for urban AI/AN youth, and outlines the development of a culturally tailored AOD program for urban AI/AN youth called Motivational Interviewing and Culture for Urban Native American Youth (MICUNAY). We conducted focus groups among urban AI/AN youth, providers, parents, and elders in two urban communities in northern and southern California aimed at 1) identifying challenges confronting urban AI/AN youth and 2) obtaining feedback on MICUNAY program content. Qualitative data were analyzed using Dedoose, a team-based qualitative and mixed methods analysis software platform. Findings highlight various challenges, including community stressors (e.g., gangs, violence), shortage of resources, cultural identity issues, and a high prevalence of AOD use within these urban communities. Regarding MICUNAY, urban AI/AN youth liked the collaborative nature of the motivational interviewing (MI) approach, especially with regard to eliciting their opinions and expressing their thoughts. Based on feedback from the youth, three AI/AN traditional practices (beading, AI/AN cooking, and prayer/sage ceremony) were chosen for the workshops. To our knowledge, MICUNAY is the first AOD use prevention intervention program for urban AI/AN youth that integrates evidence-based treatment with traditional practices. This program addresses an important gap in services for this underserved population.
authors: UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior David Geffen School of Medicine, 1640 Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA, 90025.
authors: Daniel L
authors: DL
authors: Dickerson
authors: RAND Corporation, 1776 Main St., Santa Monica, CA, 90401.
authors: Ryan A
authors: RA
authors: Brown
authors: Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90017.
authors: Carrie L
authors: CL
authors: Johnson
authors: Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90017.
authors: Kurt
authors: K
authors: Schweigman
authors: RAND Corporation, 1776 Main St., Santa Monica, CA, 90401. Electronic address: damico@rand.org.
authors: Elizabeth J
authors: EJ
authors: D'Amico
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000072957:Alaska Natives / Q000523:psychology*; D002140:California; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D062405:Motivational Interviewing / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Alcohol and drug use; Culture; Intervention development; Motivational interviewing; Native American youth; Qualitative analysis; Traditional practices