A Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to Evaluating an eIntervention for Inuit Youth Using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit

Inuit youth have one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Presently, there is no culturally appropriate suicide intervention for this population. This study aimed to evaluate the process of developing the I-SPARX CBT e-Intervention, and its content, using Two-Eyed Seeing. Four data sets from the 2018-2019 I-SPARX project were used in this study from four communities across Nunavut: Iqaluit (n=22), Qamani’tuaq (n=3), and Kinngait (n=4). One focus group was held in Tkaronto (n=5) with youth from Iqaluktuuttiaq. Thematic Analysis explored responses to research questions as grounded in the two frameworks —three Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles and western CBT skills. Results demonstrated that features of the process of collaboratively developing I-SPARX met principles set out in the IQ framework. Aspects of the process of adapting fit with IQ, with Piliriqatigiingniq (Collaborative Relationships) being the most prominent IQ. Features of CBT underlying the I-SPARX game met principles set out in the IQ framework: the most prominent principles reflected in the content were Pilimmaksarniq (Skills and Knowledge Acquisition) and Qanuqtuurunnarniq (Problem Solving). Both the process and content of the I-SPARX project met criteria for a Two-Eyed Seeing evaluation, meshing IQ principles with western CBT applications. Limitations of this study, that engaged a small sample of Inuit youth, are discussed. Recommendations for future research, include incorporating additional IQ principles to expand on Inuit cultural perspectives. Preliminary results suggest that I-SPARX could be efficacious for contributing to Inuit cultural research in development and evaluation of mental health and wellness e-interventions for Inuit youth.