Using intergenerational photovoice to understand family strengths among Native American children and their caregivers

Authors

Katie M. Edwards, university of NebraskaFollow
Ramona Herrington, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Marcey Edwards, University of Nebraska‐LincolnFollow
Victoria Banyard, Rutgers University
Natira Mullet, University of Nebraska‐Lincoln
Skyler Hopfauf, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Briana Simon, University of Nebraska‐Lincoln
Emily A. Waterman, Bennington CollegeFollow

Date of this Version

3-23-2022

Citation

Edwards, K. M., Herrington, R., Edwards, M., Banyard, V., Mullet, N., Hopfauf, S., Simon, B., & Waterman, E. A. (2022). Using intergenerational photovoice to understand family strengths among Native American children and their caregivers. Journal of Community Psychology, 50, 3625–3639. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22860

Comments

Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine Native American children and caregivers' perspectives of family and cultural strengths using photovoice and to identify lessons learned from the first‐ever implementation of intergenerational photovoice with Native Americans. Participants were Native American, low‐income caregivers (n = 6) and their children (n = 12) between the ages of 10 and 15 who participated in six photovoice sessions. The themes that emerged from photos and group discussion included myriad challenges faced by Native American families including exposure to community violence, substance abuse, and criminal offending and incarceration. Themes also emerged that highlighted the strengths of Native families that were used to overcome identified challenges, including religion/spirituality, engagement in traditional cultural practices (e.g., prayer, song, dance), healthy activities (e.g., running, meditation). These data provided foundational information that is currently being used, along with other data, to develop a culturally grounded, strengths-focused, family‐based program (Tiwahe Wicagwicayapi [Strengthening/Growing Families in Lakota]) to prevent adverse childhood experiences. We also discuss the challenges of intergenerational photovoice and lessons learned to inform future intergenerational photovoice projects.