Culture and trauma-informed treatment with youth: Current practices and suggestions for adaptation from two studies

Abstract

The paper examines trauma-informed interventions for externalizing behavior among culturally diverse youth via two connected studies. The first involved a Delphi study with researchers and clinicians (N = 10) who identified consensus on best practice in addressing trauma and externalizing behavior with youth. A second study addressed gaps in Indigenous and non-Western perspectives by reviewing psychoeducational reports for Indigenous youth (N = 20) and undertaking interviews with First Nations and non-Indigenous educators (N = 7). Results highlighted limitations in current assessment practices for First Nations youth experiences and highlighted the importance of holistic, community-centered and land-based approaches to treatment. Findings indicated a predominance of Western frameworks in practice and emphasized the need for culturally relevant, trauma-informed assessment and intervention models for First Nations communities.