Feasibility of a Culturally Adapted Emotional-Behavioral Prevention Program for American Indian Children

The prevention and early intervention is originally an indicated cognitive-behavioral program for 8-13-year-old youth with higher anxiety. Our CAB adapted it as a universal prevention and early intervention for all American Indian youth in the tribal community. It was delivered across six weeks with 20-30 min weekly sessions. Youth engaged in games and role-play reducing anxiety and stress in mildly challenging situations to provide in-vivo exposure. Session 1 involved introductions, relaxation training, and discussing emotions. Session 2 taught youth about worries and how to handle them. Session 3 focused on having conversations with others. Session 4 taught youth how to be assertive (CAB identified this as an area of adaption in initial meetings). Session 5 taught youth how to face their fears. Session 6 was a review session. Parents and teachers were sent notes of what youth learned in each session and asked to encourage youth to practice their learned skills.