Cultural Connection and Well-being for American Indian Adolescents.
Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res
; 31(1): 31-49, 2024.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38771793
ABSTRACT
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents face health disparities resulting from historical traumas. There is a paucity of research focusing on mental health in AI/AN adolescents or the relationship between cultural connection and health. This project assesses the relationship between cultural identity and markers of mental health and well-being for AI/AN adolescents. Adolescents 12 to 18 years old from the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina participated in this mixed-methods study. Phase 1, discussed in this manuscript, involved surveys using validated instruments to assess cultural connection and markers of mental health and well-being. Characteristics of the 122 AI/AN youth who completed the survey included mean age 14.9 years (SD = 2.0); 61% (n = 75) assigned female at birth; 56% (n = 70) identified as female; and 4.1% (n = 5) identified as non-binary. Mean tribal affiliation (TA) and ethnic identity (EI) scores suggest strong cultural connection (TA M = 3.1/5, SD = 0.6; EI M = 3.4/5, SD = 0.9). Sleep quality (M = 2.63/5) and positive stress management (M = 2.06/5) were low. Bivariate and logistic regression demonstrated moderate positive correlations between EI and friendship, EI and emotional support, TA and friendship, and TA and emotional support. AI/AN adolescents in this sample have a moderate-strong connection with Native culture, marked by ethnic identity and tribal affiliation, and positive markers of mental health and well-being. Data from this study may be used for policy formulation to promote increased funding and programming addressing mental health for AI/AN youth.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Indígenas Norte-Americanos
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Child
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Female
/
Humans
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Male
País como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article