The Zuni life skills development curriculum: Description and evaluation of a suicide prevention program.

In collaboration with the Zuni pueblo, a culturally tailored intervention 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 high school and evaluated using a multimethod approach including self-report, behavioral observation, and peer rating. Students exposed to the 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 intervention skills in a behavioral assessment. The effectiveness of the program and recommendations for similar prevention programs are discussed.