The Elders' Resilience Curriculum

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall goal of this research is to better understand if and how the Elders' Resilience Curriculum (ERC), a culturally grounded, school-based upstream suicide prevention program taught by White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) Elders to youth, promotes connectedness, cultural strengths, and reasons for living among American Indian youth.

Detailed Description
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The overall goal of this research is to better understand if and how the Elders' Resilience Curriculum (ERC), a culturally grounded, school-based upstream suicide prevention program taught by White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) Elders to youth, promotes connectedness, cultural strengths, and reasons for living among American Indian youth. Prior to this trial, the investigators collaborated with WMAT research partners to gather qualitative data to identify key protective factors and core components of the ERC. After identifying key protective factors and core components of the ERC, the investigators developed a culturally adapted assessment battery and theoretical model to assess the ERC. This study works with White Mountain Apache tribal community partners to collaboratively pilot test a rigorous evaluation of the ERC.

Official Title
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The Elders' Resilience Curriculum: Toward Building Empirical Evidence Around a Culturally-Grounded, Strengths-Based Intervention

Conditions
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Suicidal Ideation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Elders' Resilience Curriculum


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Ages 9-14 years Enrolled in a school where the Elders' Resilience Curriculum is delivered Participating in the Elders' Resilience Curriculum Program Exclusion Criteria: Parent/Guardian objection to youth participation

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 9 Years
Maximum Age: 14 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Elders' Resilience Curriculum Recipients<br>Youth aged 9-14 who receive the Elders' Resilience Curriculum | Behavioral: Elders' Resilience Curriculum<br>* The Elders' Resilience Curriculum (ERC) is a culturally grounded, school-based program taught by White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) Elders to youth. It is designed to prevent suicide ideation and behaviors for American Indian youth<br>* Other names: ERC;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in reasons for life as assessed by the Reasons for Life Scale | 11 self-report items from the Reasons for Life scale, measures beliefs and experiences that make youth feel like life is enjoyable, worthwhile, and meaningful. Responses range from 0 (not at all) to 2 (a lot) with higher scores indicating more reasons for life. | Baseline, 12 weeks, 34 weeks | 
| Change in cultural connectedness as assessed by the Cultural Connectedness Scale - Short Form | The Cultural Connectedness Scale-short version is a 9-item self-report measure that assesses connection to cultural identity, traditions, and spirituality among First Nations youth. Responses vary - five questions are yes/no, three questions range from 0 (disagree) to 2 (agree) and the last question ask about frequency, ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (every day). Higher agreement (i.e., yes or agree responses) indicate greater levels of cultural connectedness. | Baseline, 12 weeks, 34 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in awareness of connectedness as assessed by the Awareness of Connectedness Scale | The Awareness of Connectedness Scale is a 12-item self-report measure that evaluates awareness of connection with self, family, community, and the natural environment. Responses range from 0 (not at all) to 2 (a lot) with higher scores representing greater levels of awareness of connectedness. | Baseline, 12 weeks, 34 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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American Indian, Alaska Native, Suicide prevention