Pepic Vesna, McWilliams Suzanne, Shuler Shaylynne, Williamson Heather J, Secakuku Aaron
Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res. 2022;29(1):37-58. doi: 10.5820/aian.2901.2022.37.
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth face a history of adversity and trauma that are linked to academic and health concerns. Culturally grounded art-based interventions hold promise to address challenges faced by AI youth. AI culture and wisdom can evoke a sense of capability in youth that strengthens their resilience. This study sought to evaluate a culturally oriented art therapy curriculum on its impact on resilience, stress, and mood for AI youth (n = 36). A paired-samples t-test was conducted to compare the perceived stress scores of the participants before and after a 12-week art intervention. There was a significant decrease in participant perceived stress between the pre (M = 16.7, SD = 4.7) and post conditions (M = 20.4, SD = 4.6); t (24) =, -3.5 p = 0.002). A paired-samples t-test was conducted to compare the mood of each participant before and after each instance of art activity to see if there was a self-reported change in mood. There was a significant improvement in participant mood in 10 out of 11 of the intervention weeks. Although no statistically significant change was found in participant resilience, participants in this study did report high levels of resilience. This study provides promising evidence that a culturally salient after-school art curriculum program can reduce stress and improve mood for urban AI youth.
美国印第安人和阿拉斯加原住民（AI/AN）青年面临着与学业和健康问题相关的逆境和创伤历史。基于文化的艺术干预有望解决AI青年面临的挑战。AI文化和智慧能够唤起青年的能力感，增强他们的复原力。本研究旨在评估一门以文化为导向的艺术治疗课程对AI青年（n = 36）的复原力、压力和情绪的影响。进行了配对样本t检验，以比较参与者在为期12周的艺术干预前后的感知压力得分。干预前（M = 16.7，SD = 4.7）和干预后（M = 20.4，SD = 4.6）参与者的感知压力有显著降低；t（24）= -3.5，p = 0.002）。进行了配对样本t检验，以比较每个参与者在每次艺术活动前后的情绪，看是否有自我报告的情绪变化。在11个干预周中的10周，参与者的情绪有显著改善。尽管在参与者的复原力方面未发现统计学上的显著变化，但本研究中的参与者确实报告了较高水平的复原力。这项研究提供了有希望的证据，表明一个具有文化显著性的课外艺术课程项目可以减轻城市AI青年的压力并改善他们的情绪。
