Strengthening Healthy Relationships Among Apsaalooke Youth
Phase: NA
Conditions: Youth Engagement
Sponsor: Montana State University

Strengthening Healthy Relationships Among Apsaalooke Youth  
NCT05734014 
Unique Protocol Id 4W8808 
April 29, 2024 
 

Study Protocol 
 
Study Purpose: The purpose of this study is to conduct a feasibility and acceptability of a 
pilot intervention to promote relationality among Apsáalooke youth. This formative study 
is grounded in community-based participatory efforts to build locally relevant educational 
programming for youth and support the development of future evidence-based 
programming for youth. 
 
Participants and Inclusion Citeria: 
 
Participants in this study consisted of youth maximum age of 13 who are enrolled in 5th-
6th grade at the time of the study. Eligibility criteria included youth that live on or near the 
Crow Reservation in Montana and have parental or guardian consent to participate. 
Recruitment efforts were conducted in partnership with local schools, educational 
liaisons, and community champions. Information about the program was shared through 
school announcements, flyers sent home with students and presentations during school-
based and community events. Interested families received informational packets and 
consent forums outlining the purpose, procedures and voluntary nature of participants. 
Informed consent was also obtained from parents and assent from each youth participant. 
The recruitment spanned from May 2024 through June 2024. A total of 10 participants 
were recruited and enrolled in the study.  
 
Data Collection Methods 
 
Data for this feasibility study consisted of process evaluation data and qualitative, art-
based reflections. The primary data collected included recruitment and retention metrics: 
Researchers tracked the number of students recruited, consented, and retained during 
the program. Session Observations: Trained facilitators and researchers documented 
implementation fidelity, student engagement, and logistical issues during sessions. 
Observational field notes were compiled systematically and informed the overall 
assessment of feasibility.  
 
Arts-based qualitative reflections. At the conclusion of each session, students participated 
in a reflective activity using paper and markers to draw or write about their experiences. 
Prompts included: “What did you like best today?” “What did you learn?” “What would you 
like to share with your family?” The creative responses provided insight into the youth’s 
internalization of key messages and their personal engagement with the content. 
Following the acidity, students voluntarily shared their drawing and narratives with the 
group. Researchers took detailed notes during these sharing moments to record accurate 
explanations. 
 
Data Analysis 
 
At thematic approach was used to analyze the qualitative data from the arts-based 
discussion. Drawings and reflections were reviewed coded and categorized to identify 
salient themes across participant responses. Themes were co-analyzed by research 
team member to ensure relevance and interpretive validity. Observational data were 
reviewed alongside participant responses to assess consistency between program 
delivery and participant experience. The study was conducted in alignment with 
community based participatory research principles.