Developing our cultural strengths: Using the ‘Tree of Life’ strength-based, narrative therapy intervention in schools, to enhance self-esteem, cultural understanding and to challenge racism

Abstract

This paper evaluates the use of the ‘Tree of Life’ (ToL) intervention with a class of 29 Year 5 pupils (aged 9 and 10-years-old) in a primary school in North London. This was an exploratory study to see if ToL could be adapted to a mainstream education setting and could be used as a whole class intervention. This paper examines the effectiveness of ToL in enhancing the pupils’ self-esteem and in developing their understanding of their own culture and that of their peers. Findings from semi-structured interviews, pre- and post-intervention, were used to explore the pupils’ baseline knowledge of their own family and cultural background and in their understanding of key concepts such as ‘culture’, ‘ethnicity’, and ‘racism.’ Qualitative analysis was applied to identify key themes emerging from these interviews. Results from quantitative analysis found a significant improvement in the pupil’s self-concept post-intervention. The pupils also reported positive improvements in cultural understanding of themselves and other class members whilst some reported a reduction in racist behaviour. This paper concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the study and advocates that EPs become more involved in utilising strength-based interventions in developing cultural understanding and community cohesion.