Keywords
bibliotherapy, culturally relevant education, resilience, mental health education of Pacific Islander children, American Samoa
Abstract
Pacific Islander youth face disproportionately high rates of suicide and mental health challenges, yet culturally appropriate interventions remain scarce. This study investigated whether culturally adapted bibliotherapy could effectively promote resilience in American Samoan children by incorporating culturally relevant stories and coping strategies. Through collaboration with on-island Samoan cultural brokers, we developed and implemented culturally adapted stories and lessons designed to resonate with the experiences of children in American Samoa. The study employed a mixed-methods approach with 34 American Samoan children aged 5–13 years, using observations, adapted card sorts, and forced-choice procedures to measure responses to the intervention. The results demonstrated that participants showed strong identification with the culturally adapted stories and characters, actively engaged with the embedded coping strategies, and reported increased confidence in applying resilience techniques. These findings suggest that culturally adapted bibliotherapy holds promise as an effective method for promoting resilience in Pacific Islander children while highlighting the importance of cultural authenticity in mental health interventions.
Original Publication Citation
Hull, I. M., Cutrer-Párraga, E. A., Ricks, P. H., Allen, G. E. K., Hall-Kenyon, K. M., Seu, L., Urbina, K. J., & Garrett, M. F. (2025). Mirrors for Pacific Islander Children: Teaching Resilience Through Culturally Adapted Bibliotherapy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(3), 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030430
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Hull, Isabel Medina; Cutrer, Elizabeth; Ricks, Paul H.; Kawika Allen, G. E.; Hall-Kenyon, Kendra M.; Seu, Lorena; Urbina, Kristopher J.; and Garrett, Melia Fonoimoana, "Mirrors for Pacific Islander Children: Teaching Resilience Through Culturally Adapted Bibliotherapy" (2025). Faculty Publications. 7841.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/7841
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2025-03-14
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Language
English
College
David O. McKay School of Education
Department
Counseling Psychology and Special Education
Copyright Use Information
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