THE ZUNI LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM - DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION OF A SUICIDE-PREVENTION PROGRAM

In collaboration with the Zuni pueblo, a culturally tailored intervent ion program was designed using a model of social cognitive development to remediate the behavioral and cognitive correlates of suicide. The Zuni Life Skills Development curriculum was introduced in the tribal h igh school and evaluated using a multimethod approach including self-r eport, behavioral observation, and peer rating. Students exposed to th e curriculum scored better than the no-intervention group at posttest on suicide probability and hopelessness. In addition, the intervention group showed greater ability to perform problem-solving and suicide i ntervention skills in a behavioral assessment. The effectiveness of th e program and recommendations for similar prevention programs are disc ussed.