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Cultural adaptation of an appropriate tool for mental health among Kanien'kehá:ka: a participatory action project based on the Growth and Empowerment Measure

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Abstract

We present a cultural adaptation of the Growth and Empowerment Measure (GEM) from the Kanien’kehá:ka people of Quebec (Canada). Our aim was to develop a culturally competent and safe tool to assess and promote well-being among this population. We followed a qualitative, collaborative, and participatory method that sought to benefit Indigenous participants and communities, while honouring their culture and philosophies. Twelve adults from health and community services of Kahnawà:ke participated in total five focus group meetings. We carried out a thematic analysis of the data collected through an advisory group that led a revision of the cultural and conceptual relevance of the tool and its content. The group integrated socio-culturally relevant elements and restructured the tool so that it reflected local well-being factors and showed its versatility of being an assessment tool and therapeutic support. A narrative and empowerement-driven approach, culturally based intervention, cultural safety and flexibility when using the instrument were considered successful strategies to improve wellness. This project provides valuable information about the perspectives of local Indigenous communities regarding mental health and factors of empowerment. Mutual understanding and integration of psychological and traditional knowledge can create a beneficial program to improve emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being for the local population. It remains to be tested whether the Kanien’kehá:ka Growth and Empowerment Measure (K-GEM) is clinically useful in psychological and psychiatric intervention, and social and community services.

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Acknowledgements

Many individuals have contributed to the development of this project. Thanks to the Onkwata’karitáhtshera Health and Social Services Research Council of Kahnawà:ke for accepting this project and guiding the team through each step. To the Advisory Committee who has offered their time and expertise. We also acknowledge Indigenous Australian communities, developers of GEM, for their support to expand the use of the tool to other Indigenous nations. We thank the RUISSS McGill, the FRSQ and the CIHR for their financial support. We thank and acknowledge the artistic work of Joanne Jones. We highlight the support and advice from experts and community members, including: Pascale Annoual, Laurence Kirmayer, the Native Friendship Center of Montreal, Gustavo Turecki, Marie-Martine Beaulieu, Francine Chapman, Dawn Lazare.

Funding

OL was funded by Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) (grant number #252872 and # 265693O). LGC had financial support from the Réseau universitaire intégré de santé et services sociaux (RUISSS) McGill and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The compensation that was given to project participants was funded from a grant obtained by LGC and OL and awarded by the Réseau Québécois sur le suicide, les troubles de l’humeur et les troubles associés. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors. The study sponsors had no role in the study design, analysis, and interpretation of the data or in the writing of the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Liliana Gomez Cardona

  2. McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Liliana Gomez Cardona & Codey Martin

  3. Kateri Memorial Hospital Center, Kahnawà:ke, QC, Canada

    Kristyn Brown & Cyndy Boyer

  4. Kahnawà:Ke Shakotiia’takéhnhas Community Services, Kahnawà:ke, QC, Canada

    Taylor Goodleaf, Mary McComber, Rebecca D’Amico & Allyson Phillips

  5. Kahnawà:Ke Schools Diabetes Prevention Project, Kahnawà:ke, QC, Canada

    Brooke Splicer

  6. Clinical Psychologist Step By Step Child and Family Center, Kahnawà:ke, QC, Canada

    Suzy Goodleaf

  7. Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:Ke, Kahnawà:ke, QC, Canada

    Darrell Thompson

  8. The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Melissa Haswell

  9. LaLouve Consulting, Timiskaming First Nation, Notre-Dame-du-Nord, QC, Canada

    Arlène Laliberté

  10. National Institute for Health and Welfare, PL30, 00270, Helsinki, Finland

    Outi Linnaranta

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  1. Liliana Gomez Cardona
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  2. Kristyn Brown
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Correspondence to Liliana Gomez Cardona.

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Gomez Cardona, L., Brown, K., Goodleaf, T. et al. Cultural adaptation of an appropriate tool for mental health among Kanien'kehá:ka: a participatory action project based on the Growth and Empowerment Measure. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 57, 2131–2145 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02164-z

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