Factors related to Mental health of Native Americans in eastern tribes
Authors: Chung-Fan Ni, Felicia Wilkins-Turner, Valerie Ellien, Corinne Harrington, Diane E. Liebert
Publication Year: 2008
Last Updated: 2017-06-20
Keywords: American Indians/ Alaska Natives, health problems, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), disabilities, tribal members
Abstract:
Native Americans are reported to have many health problems and a significant need for more health education and mental health services. This paper is part of a five-year research project funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) that addresses the health, disability and service needs of Native Americans in eastern tribes. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) is the lead grantee representing three Native American tribes in the state of Connecticut and one Native American tribe in Rhode Island that are building capacity to improve the quality and utility of research related to Native Americans with disabilities. The Participatory Action Research model with a community-based approach was used to facilitate collaboration among the participating tribes. Native American research technicians conducted individual interviews with members of their tribes. Demographics, prevalence of disabilities, and various factors associated with health and mental health are presented.
Of the 858 tribal members who responded to survey questions, the third most prominent health problem reported was mental illness, 16% when all types of mental conditions were combined (i.e., anxiety, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorder, schizophrenia). While 54% of the respondents reported one or more mental health symptom related to anxiety and depression, only 10% had seen a mental health professional and only 12% reported a need to see one. Using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients, mental illness was associated with lower income, less education; poor general health; increased binge drinking, cocaine use, inhaling of paint to get high; more visits to mental health professionals and a reported need to see a psychologist. Seeing a psychologist was not significantly associated with income for the four tribes, though it was for the three Connecticut tribes.
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Source: https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=nera_2008
