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Depression or resilience? A participatory study to identify an appropriate assessment tool with Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) and Inuit in Quebec

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Abstract

Purpose

We present a study on selection of a psychometric scale to be clinically used among Indigenous people with depression. Our aim was to select a psychometric tool for cultural adaptation with Mohawk and Inuit in Quebec.

Methods

We selected three depression scales and three protective factor scales based on: strong validity for psychometric properties, evidence for good psychometric qualities across translations, avoidance of cognitively complex sentences, brevity, and clarity. We submitted the scales for consultation, and followed qualitative participatory methods with Mohawks of Kahnawake and Inuit from Nunavik living in an urban environment. We collected data through ten focus groups with advisory committees, and carried out a thematic analysis of the information.

Results

The advisory groups considered the measurement scales to be unsafe. The major components that hindered their acceptance were: numeric rating, self-evaluation (versus supportive interaction), and a focus on symptoms rather than supportive factors. The participants preferred the Growth and Empowerment Measure due to its empowering approach. They voiced that it is necessary to develop a culturally sensitive and safe tool which facilitates interactions between the person and the practitioner.

Conclusion

This project provides valuable information about the perspectives of local Indigenous peoples regarding mental health and factors of empowerment and resilience. The ideal tool should be flexible in terms of the content and its use as compared to the conventional psychometric strategies. A tool developed with the Indigenous perspective on wellbeing could be used in psychological and psychiatric intervention as well as in 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 for accepting this project and guiding the team through each step. To the Advisory Committees who have offered their time and expertise. We also acknowledge Melissa Haswell, Arlène Laliberté, and Indigenous Australian communities, developers of GEM, for their feedback and 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 highlight the support and advice from experts and community members, including: Laurence Kirmayer, Eduardo Chachamovich, Pascale Annoual, the Native Friendship Center of Montreal, Daniel Lefebvre, Nathalie Boulanger, Lucie Nadeau, Gustavo Turecki, Marie-Martine Beaulieu, and Francine Chapman.

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) (Grant no. 426678). 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, Kristyn Brown, Echo Parent-Racine & Michelle Yang

  2. McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Liliana Gomez Cardona, Kristyn Brown, Codey Martin, Michelle Yang, Gajanan Velupillai & Outi Linnaranta

  3. Kateri Memorial Hospital Center, Kahnawake, QC, Canada

    Kristyn Brown & Cyndy Boyer

  4. Kahnawake Shakotiia’takenhas Community Services, Kahnawake, QC, Canada

    Mary McComber & Allyson Phillips

  5. Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project, Kahnawake, QC, Canada

    Brooke Splicer

  6. Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Kahnawake, Canada

    Darrell Thompson

  7. Ullivik Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Joy Outerbridge

  8. LaLouve Consulting: Resources in Community Wellness, Timiskaming First Nation, Notre-Dame-du-Nord, QC, Canada

    Arlène Laliberté

  9. The University of Sydney, John Woolley Building, Manning Rd,, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia

    Melissa Haswell

  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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  3. Mary McComber
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  7. Cyndy Boyer
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  9. Brooke Splicer
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  10. Darrell Thompson
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  11. Michelle Yang
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  13. Arlène Laliberté
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  14. Melissa Haswell
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  15. Outi Linnaranta
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Correspondence to Liliana Gomez Cardona.

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Gomez Cardona, L., Brown, K., McComber, M. et al. Depression or resilience? A participatory study to identify an appropriate assessment tool with Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) and Inuit in Quebec. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 56, 1891–1902 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02057-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02057-1

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