Native Spirit: Significant Aim 3: Intervention

The proposed research will used community-based participatory research methods in an urban-based American Indian (AI) community to adapt, implement, and evaluate an after-school program, called Native Spirit (NS), that seeks to improve cultural identity, self-esteem, resilience, and prevent substance use by increasing cultural engagement. Prior research suggests that AI youth that are culturally engaged experience better health outcomes. Additionally, the use of culturally-specific after-school programs has been shown to increase feasibility and sustainability of prevention programs. In order to achieve the goals of this proposed study, the Principal Investigator (PI) will work with local community members and existing tribal partners to implement the 10-session culturally-grounded after-school program and evaluate the program with the following aims: Specific Aim 3 (R00): Examine the effectiveness of NS (increases exposure to local cultural values and activities), a program that seeks to prevent or decrease substance use by strengthening self-esteem, resilience, and cultural identity with 2 Indigenous communities in Arizona using a wait-list control design with 3 data collection timepoints and participant interviews.

NCT Number	NCT06785311
Lead Sponsor	Arizona State University
Conditions	Substance Use, Self Esteem, Youth Drinking, Prevention, Suicide
Enrollment	60 participants
Start Date	2025-01-09
Primary Completion	2026-12-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-08-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-02-17