Culturally-based primary prevention: an Alaskan native dance group

Abstract

This study investigated a culturally-based primary prevention program in Alaska. This program is a Native dance group that focuses on increasing the number of developmental assets within each member. Previous research has indicated that involvement in activities, such as the program described, may work to instill developmental assets, decreasing the likeliness of youths engaging in risk behaviors and increasing engagement in healthy behaviors. Findings from this study did not support the notion that youths who participate in a culturally-based primary prevention program demonstrate more assets of clinical significance than those youths who do not participate in such a program. Further, specific internal (self-esteem) and external (positive adult role models) developmental assets did not appear to result in benefits for those youths participating in this culturally-based primary prevention program. While it is evident that, within the scope of the present study, no apparent benefits for increasing developmental assets were found, this research highlights that the youths within this sample were remarkably high functioning. Considering these findings, it may be beneficial to first investigate factors that are contributing to the balance and wellness in the lives of these particular youths. Such factors may indeed encompass the essence of culturally-based primary prevention.