Risk and Resilience Among Families in Urban AI/AN Communities: the Role of Young Adults.

Urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) young adults and their families are often geographically or socially distant from tribal networks and traditional social support. Young adults can be especially vulnerable to cultural and social disconnection, so understanding how AI/AN family functioning can augment resilience and protect against risk is important. This research precedes a preventive substance use intervention study and explores urban Native family functioning, emphasizing the role of young adults by analyzing data from 13 focus groups with urban AI/AN young adults (n = 32), parents (n = 25), and health providers (n = 33). We found that young adults can and want to become agents of family resilience, playing active roles in minimizing risks and strengthening family functioning in both practical and traditional ways. Also, extended family and community networks played a vital role in shaping family dynamics to support resilience. These resilience pathways suggest potential targets for intervention.

Increasing collaboration and translation in epidemiology and intervention research.

Epidemiologic research serves as an important foundation for intervention research. In this way, it can contribute to vast improvements in public health. However, to fully capitalize on what is learned through epidemiology, collaborations must ensure the translation of epidemiologic findings into both treatment and prevention interventions. This commentary suggests some ways in which epidemiology can inform intervention research and how intervention research can be backtranslated so that epidemiological studies are designed to better inform intervention design. The commentary does this by using as examples the original contributions in this special section on the intergenerational transmission of cannabis use. These studies identify several ways in which epidemiology can inform intervention and discuss mechanisms of risk transmission from one generation to the next, such as parental monitoring, parent norms around substance use or parenting strategies, poor inhibitory control, or perceptions of harm from substance use. Targeting these mechanisms could be important for effective intervention. The papers further explore factors that might mitigate or amplify the association between parental and offspring use of cannabis, such as active coping or harsh parenting. Finally, to ensure bridging between substance abuse epidemiology and intervention research, this article considers research training practices. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Small Sample Research: Considerations Beyond Statistical Power.

Small sample research presents a challenge to current standards of design and analytic approaches and the underlying notions of what constitutes good prevention science. Yet, small sample research is critically important as the research questions posed in small samples often represent serious health concerns in vulnerable and underrepresented populations. This commentary considers the Special Section on small sample research and also highlights additional challenges that arise in small sample research not considered in the Special Section, including generalizability, determining what constitutes knowledge, and ensuring that research designs match community desires. It also points to opportunities afforded by small sample research, such as a focus on and increased understanding of context and the emphasis it may place on alternatives to the randomized clinical trial. The commentary urges the development and adoption of innovative strategies to conduct research with small samples.

Advancing American Indian and Alaska Native substance abuse research: current science and future directions.

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have disproportionately high rates of substance abuse yet there is little empirical research addressing this significant public health problem. This paper is an introduction to a special issue that includes cutting edge science in this research area. We identify several areas that require consideration in this field and indicate how the papers in the special issue address these gaps. These overarching areas of need, which should be considered in any substantive research, include attention to heterogeneity within the population, research that has tangible health benefits, continued work on research methods and strategies, increased focus on strength based and community oriented approaches, and the need for strong research partnerships. The special issue marks a major step forward for AI/AN substance abuse research. However, articles also highlight where more work is need to improve public health in AI/AN communities by addressing identified gap areas.