Background: As a result of the intergenerational trauma impact and experience, Native Americans continue to exhibit trauma-related issues such as high rates of substance use. After leaving high school, the pressures and stress of continuing an education, finding work/employment, and the responsibilities related to family and tribal community obligations result in the Native American young adult being more vulnerable to substance use.Objective: The purpose of this paper is to report findings of the Talking Circle intervention impact on the outcome variables of Native-Reliance, substance use, stress, and behavioural health, depression, and cumulative trauma.Methods: Native-Reliance was the theoretical underpinning for the study, demonstrating culturally safe research. A pre-test/post-test one-group design was utilised to examine how the Talking Circle intervention influenced the outcome variables. In total, 75 Native American participants, ages 18-24, participated in the Talking Circle intervention sessions. Baseline pre-intervention measures were completed and were repeated at 6-month post-intervention.Results: At 6-month post-intervention, Native-Reliance significantly revealed an increase of 40.55 (t = 22.13, p < .001), sources of stress (SS) revealed a significant decline of 3.68 (t = -18.39, p < .001), behavioural health issues (BH) showed a significant decline of 3.63 (t = -15.36, p < .001), substance-related issues (SR) showed a significant decline of 3.57 (t = -15.24, p < .001), depression (PHQ-9) showed a significant decline of 4.85 (t = -17.02, p < .001), and cumulative trauma revealed a significant decline of 2.77 (t = -13.39, p < .001).Conclusions: The use of a culturally safe Talking Circle intervention evidenced a research approach that resulted in a positive impact on reducing substance use and increasing the well-being of young Native American young adults.Impact Statement: Culturally safer intervention environments are conducive to results in outcomes that are positive and effective.
Keywords: Native American; Native-Reliance; Talking Circle; cultural safety; intervention.