Development and Evaluation of an Indigenized Family Acceptance Project for Lakota LGBTQ2S+ Youth
University of Michigan
Summary
The goal of this open pilot trial (OPT) is to develop a Lakota-adapted Family Acceptance Project (LFAP) for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers. The OPT is specifically focused on acceptability, feasibility, and safety of programming and research protocols. The investigators will also examine pre- to post- changes on outcomes for the sole purposes of making sure scores on measures are changing in the hypothesized direction (e.g., depression scores are going from moderate to minimal as opposed to no change or depression scores increasing). Once enrolled in the study, participants complete a baseline survey. Then participants will engage in LFAP which is an 8-session group intervention; sessions will be scheduled once a week for eight weeks (at 2 hours per session). Participants will complete survey instruments before and immediately after the program sessions, in addition to post-program surveys and an exit interview.
Description
Research shows that Indigenous Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Two-Spirit (2SLGBTQ+) youth experience high rates of mental health problems. A key factor that leads to these challenges is family rejection (family behaviors and reactions that minimize, deny, ridicule and attempt to prevent or change a child's sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression). Family rejection among Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth is rooted in colonization and multiple historical traumas. This includes disrupting traditional childrearing practices by forced placement in boarding schools that w…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Youth Inclusion Criteria: * Identify as 2SLGBTQ+ (and their identity must be known to their participating caregiver) * Identify as Indigenous (multiracial youth who are also Indigenous are eligible) * Youth should be between the ages of 13 and 18 years * Read and speak English * Report moderate to high levels of caregiver/family rejection (as evidenced by agreement on items that assess the presence and frequency of specific family rejecting behaviors \[includes ambivalent and moderately and highly rejecting caregivers\] * Report an ability and commitment to attending eight sessions at two hou…
Interventions
- BehavioralAdapted Lakota Family Acceptance Program
Tiwahe Tewichaglapi ("The Family Loves Them") Program Overview Tiwahe Tewichaglapi is a culturally grounded, family-centered intervention adapted from the Family Acceptance Project® (FAP) to promote caregiver acceptance, respect, support, and family bonding for 2SLGBTQ+ Lakota youth. The program was developed in partnership with the Lakota Oyate to address family rejection rooted in colonization and historical trauma and to honor traditional Two Spirit roles that have long held important and respected places within Lakota communities. The program aims to strengthen families, increase youth pride and hope for the future, and reduce mental health risks such as depression, anxiety, substance use, dating violence, and suicide among 2SLGBTQ+ Lakota youth. Tiwahe Tewichaglapi includes eight family-centered group sessions delivered by Lakota facilitators. Each session begins with Lakota cultural and spiritual practices - including smudging, a Lakota prayer, and a shared meal - to ground the
Locations (2)
- Wahwala Iyohlogya/Peaceful MeansPine Ridge, South Dakota
- University of Michigan/Rapid CityRapid City, South Dakota