This article investigates the influence of female caretaker substance use on early-onset youth drinking among Native American families in the Northern Midwest. Data include 603 Native American families, with reports from female caretakers and youths aged 10-13 years. Two potential caretaker influences are taken into account: adolescent modeling of caretaker behaviors and the effects of caretaker substance abuse on parenting.
youth
Perceived Discrimination and Early Substance Abuse among American Indian Children
This study investigated internalizing and externalizing symptoms as potential mediators of the relationship between perceived discrimination and early substance use among 195 American Indian 5th through 8th graders from three reservations that share a common culture (e.g., language, spiritual beliefs, and traditional practices) in the upper Midwest.
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Formative Research and Cultural Tailoring of a Substance Abuse Prevention Program for American Indian Youth: Findings from the Intertribal Talking Circle Intervention
ABSTRACT: Substance use among American Indians (AIs) is a critical health issue and accounts for many health problems such as chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, behavioral health conditions, homicide, suicide, and motor vehicle accidents. In 2013, the highest rates of substance use and dependence were seen among AIs when compared to all other population groups, although these rates vary across different tribes. Among AI adolescents, high rates of substance use have been associated with environmental and historical factors, including poverty, historical trauma, bi-cultural stress, and changing tribal/familial roles. Our project, the Intertribal Talking Circle intervention, involved adapting, tailoring, implementing, and evaluating an existing intervention for AI youth of three tribal communities in the United States.
The mediation and moderation effect of social support on the relationship between opioid misuse and suicide attempts among native American youth in New Mexico: 2009-2019 Youth Risk Resiliency Survey (NM-YRRS).
The study focused on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) high-school students in New Mexico to understand the impact of social support (SS) on the relationship between opioid misuse and suicide attempt.
Data from the NM Youth Resiliency and Risk Survey (2009-2019) were analyzed using statistical methods to explore this association. The results showed that 12.0% of AI/AN students reported opioid misuse, while 14.0% reported suicide attempts. High social support was associated with lower odds of suicide attempts among students who misused opioids. This effect was stronger for males than females. Social support was found to be protective in various community settings, including off-reservation, rural, and both rural and off-reservation communities. The study found that social support played a significant role in mediating and moderating the relationship between opioid misuse and suicide attempts among AI/AN students. The mediation effect was lowest for rural, on-reservation schools. The findings suggest the importance of allocating more resources to enhance social support in these settings to promote health and reduce the risk of suicide attempts associated with opioid misuse.