Brenda Freeman

The Value of Lakota Traditional Healing for Youth Resiliency and Family Functioning

ABSTRACT This article reports research findings on the impact of Oglala Lakota Sioux traditional healing on family functioning and youth resiliency where trauma, abuse, or violence are often present. Caregivers of Lakota youth struggling with serious emotional and behavioral problems participated in the study. The study included both quantitative and qualitative samples: 27 families for the quantitative sample and 8 families for the qualitative sample. Results from caregivers revealed that traditional healing and cultural practices, as well as the promotion of cultural identity, had statistically significant positive effects on the perceived familial and individual functioning of Lakota youth and their families. Effect sizes indicate that the results have strong practical significance.

Treatment Outcome Differences Between Youth Offenders From a Rural Joint Commission Accredited Residential Treatment Center and a Rural Non-Accredited Center

This study was undertaken to investigate the treatment outcome differences between youth offenders from the joint commission accredited residential treatment center (RTC) and youth from a non-accredited center. Results showed that youth from the accredited center reported significantly more progress.

Challenges and Culturally Relevant Treatment Strategies for American Indian Youth in Therapeutic Residential Care: A Pilot Study

Using a comparison group of non–American Indian youth, a field-based pilot study was undertaken to investigate the challenges and risks of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth in therapeutic residential care. Results show key differences between AI/AN and non-AI/AN groups and underscore the importance of implementing culturally relevant treatment strategies for AI/AN youth in therapeutic residential care.

A FACTORIAL VALIDITY STUDY OF THE SOCIAL ORIENTATION INVENTORY

The factor analysis of the 28-item, self-report measure of social power motivation gave three interpretable factors. Factor 1, organizational leadership, is based on high loadings for managerial functions in organizations. Factor 2, recognition without achievement, has high positive loadings for highly visible positions one may hold. Factor 3, individual dominance, is characterized by high loadings on questions indicating personal dominance over others.