Traditional Elements for Recovery and Therapeutic Hybridizations in Displaced Embera Dobidá Youth: A Longitudinal Mixed Study in Colombia

This study compared variables associated with mental health problems or spiritual disharmony, including parental difficulties, suicide risk, emotional and behavioral problems, food security, and medical conditions, across baseline and follow-up, and to explore how Embera Dobidá Indigenous youth and their families perceive the integration of traditional practices with the biomedical health system. A longitudinal mixed-methods study was conducted with 44 adolescents (11–17 years) and their caregivers. The PACES scale, a household food security scale, and pediatric assessments were applied at baseline (2023) and follow-up (2025). The qualitative component included in-depth interviews and focus groups, followed by thematic analysis. Significant improvements (p < 0.001) were observed in emotional, behavioral, parental, and food security variables. Suicide risk did not show significant change over time. Recovery processes were supported by hybrid care mechanisms combining traditional and biomedical practices, alongside shifts in how well-being is understood, including a growing differentiation between body- and territory-related dimensions. Recovery appears to be shaped by the coordination of multiple care systems; however, these therapeutic hybridizations may involve transformations in Indigenous worldviews that limit more comprehensive restoration, particularly regarding suicidal behavior. Findings highlight the need for intercultural approaches that recognize the relational unity between body, territory, and community.