Indigenous Youth Rise up: A Mixed Methods Study of Identity and Risk Among Indigenous/Latino Youth

Background/Purpose:  

Indigenous and Latino/a communities globally are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Approaches to prevention including cultural knowledge, spirituality, traditional health practices, enculturation, and commitment to tribal communities are lacking despite recent research identifying these as protective factors in health outcomes.  In 2015, researchers collaborated with community organizations serving Latino/a and Indigenous communities to design, implement, and evaluate a culture-centered HIV-prevention program for youth. The program included education modules on historical trauma, alcohol and other drug abuse, and interpersonal violence to increase knowledge and decrease HIV risk behaviors and stigma among Indigenous youth. Education on histories of ethnic/racial categories and culture in Latino/a and Indigenous populations in the Rocky Mountain region as well as exploration of cultural understandings of gender identity and sexual orientation were included.

Methods:

Twenty-five youth, ages 14-23, participated in the culture-centered curriculum. Upon enrollment into the program tribal affiliation, race, and gender identity were recorded. Each participant (n=25) completed a 112-question pretest and posttest survey on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors (KABB) related to HIV/AIDS, STIs, healthy sexual/romantic relationships, sexual practices, and communication. Gender identity and sexual orientation was also reported in the survey. Individual follow-up interviews were conducted with the majority of participants (n=23) at the conclusion of the program. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative data was coded for themes in Dedoose, and presented to stakeholders for member-checking. Qualitative and quantitative measures were paired and analyzed as pre- and posttest indicators of reported race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Results:

Chi-squares show statistically significant increases between pretest and post-test measures of Indigenous racial/ethnic identity, KABB, and on specific sub-scales. Significant changes to Indigenous race/ethnic identity from time of enrollment to workshop completion [t(20) = -5.164, p < .001] reveal more complex description of race/ethnicity and cultural heritage. For example, 10 out of 23 participants who identified as Mexican or Latino at enrollment used more complex race/ethnic descriptors at post workshop interview (e.g. “Indigenous from Mexico”, “Native American and Native Mexican”, “broader, more to it than just being Mexican”). Indigenous Two-Spirit and LGBTQ Ally identities also increased throughout the duration of the program, and was significantly correlated with the racial/ethnic identity change (p < .05). Significant increases on KABB subscales from pre- to post- demonstrate the positive impacts of these identity changes on youth risk-taking behavior. Specific results related to both race/ethnic identity and sexual orientation/gender identity will be described using an interactive data visualization tool that demonstrates the individual as well as the group shifts over time.  

Implications:

A strong sense of cultural identity is shown to be a protective factor against numerous health and mental health issues for youth. Participation in Indigenous Youth Rise Up is associated with positive cultural identity formation related to race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. Self-reporting of “Indigenous”, “Two-spirit”, and specific tribal identities increased after youth participated in this program. While further implementation and evaluation of the curriculum is needed, initial results are promising for positive identity development related to participation in this specific culture-centered curriculum.