Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences in a Sample of Largely Indigenous Children

The purpose of this study was to develop, pilot, and evaluate a culturally grounded, family-based program to prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among low-income and Indigenous children aged 10 to 14. The Tiwahe Wicagwicayapi program (TWP) is a 7-session program that teaches skills to prevent ACEs and is rooted in Lakota culture, language, and history.

A total of 124 families (124 caregivers [96% Indigenous; 90% reported yearly income <$40 000] with 194 children aged 10 to 14 [93% Indigenous]) were randomly assigned to treatment (N = 66 families and 173 individuals) or waitlist (N = 58 families and 145 individuals) control groups. Caregivers and children completed a baseline, immediate posttest, and 6-month follow-up survey.

Treatment effects were detected, indicating, compared with control participants, reductions in the incidence of child ACEs (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.64), bullying victimization (odds ratio = 0.53), depression (d = -0.20), and externalizing behaviors (d = -0.23) and increased parent-child communication (g = 0.27) and child help-seeking behaviors (d = 0.28). For caregivers, the effects indicated that the program prevented intimate partner violence victimization (IRR = 0.36) and perpetration (IRR = 0.45), harsh parenting (g = -0.35), and depression (d = -0.24) and increased emotion regulation (d = 0.37), social support (d = 0.33), and cultural connection (d = 0.34).

The TWP holds great promise in preventing ACEs among low-income, Indigenous children, showing potential promise for widespread public health impact. Future rigorous research on the TWP is warranted.