Citation

Bogic M, Hebert LE, Evanson A, Wright BD, Petras A, Jansen K, Shaw J, Comtois KA, Nelson L. Behav. Res. Ther. 2023; 166: e104333.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.brat.2023.104333

PMID

37224700

Abstract

Suicide disproportionately affects many American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Caring Contacts is one of the few suicide prevention interventions with demonstrated success in diverse populations, but its acceptability and effectiveness have not been evaluated in AI/AN communities. Using community-based participatory research (Phase 1), we conducted focus groups and semi-structured interviews with AI/AN adults, healthcare providers, and leaders in four communities to improve study design and maximize intervention acceptability and effectiveness for implementation in a randomized controlled trial (Phase 2). This paper describes how adaptations made during Phase 1 affected the acceptability, fit, and responsiveness of the study features to the communities' needs. Acceptability of the study procedures and materials in this community appears to be high, with 92% of participants indicating the initial assessment interview was a positive experience. Broadening eligibility criteria with regard to age and possession of a cellular device resulted in the recruitment of an additional 48% and 46% of participants, respectively. Inclusion of locally-informed methods of self-harm allowed us to capture a wider range of suicidal behavior than would have otherwise been identified. Clinical trials would benefit from community-engaged, cultural adaptation studies with populations in which the interventions would eventually be applied.

Language: en

Keywords

Alaska native; American Indian; CBPR; Cultural adaptation; Suicide prevention; Tribal