IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v22y2025i3p412-d1609832.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Participant Perceptions of the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Perceived Impact of the Thiwáhe Gluwáš’akapi Substance Use Prevention Program for American Indian Youth

Author

Listed:
  • Raeann L. Vossberg

    (Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Monica D. Fitzgerald

    (Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Nancy L. Asdigian

    (Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Carly Shangreau

    (Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Tracy Zacher

    (Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., Eagle Butte, SD 57625, USA)

  • Nancy Rumbaugh Whitesell

    (Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

Abstract

(1) Background: This study aimed to examine adult participants perceptions of the Thiwáhe Gluwáš’akapi (TG) program. We recruited 13 of 85 (15.3%) adult participants from various previous cohorts of the TG program, separated into lower and higher participation groups. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. This study was conducted on a Northern Plains reservation, and interviews took place via phone. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 13 adult participants with children aged 10–12 were completed. Audio files were transcribed and analyzed with ATLAS.ti. (3) Results: Qualitative analysis of these interviews revealed several themes: positive reception by families, enhanced connections to Lakota culture and community, and improved familial relationships. Several barriers to participation emerged, such as difficulties with transportation, scheduling conflicts, and lack of time, which can inform implementation strategies. Observed themes showcase positive impacts of TG on parent–child relationships and cultural connection, aiding overall wellbeing and substance use discourse. (4) Conclusions: Participants in the TG program expressed high satisfaction with the program, gained new skills, and improved family dynamics. Future implementation of TG should include additional transportation support and session scheduling options, in addition to updated implementation strategies to further improve Lakota families’ mental health and wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Raeann L. Vossberg & Monica D. Fitzgerald & Nancy L. Asdigian & Carly Shangreau & Tracy Zacher & Nancy Rumbaugh Whitesell, 2025. "Participant Perceptions of the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Perceived Impact of the Thiwáhe Gluwáš’akapi Substance Use Prevention Program for American Indian Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-9, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:412-:d:1609832
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/412/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/412/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:412-:d:1609832. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.