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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3138.1: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 2

Abstract #103635

Factors associated with successful functioning in American Indian youth

Hiie Silmere, MSW, School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus Box 1196, One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63130, 314-935-8173, hsilmere@wustl.edu and Arlene R. Stiffman, PhD, School of Social Work, Washington University, One Brookings Dr., Box 1196, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899.

American Indian youth are often characterized in terms of numerous problem behaviors. Much less attention has been devoted to youth who are relatively problem-free and function successfully. Little is known what environmental and family factors are associated with positive functioning among this group of adolescents. Based on ecological systems theory, this study examines such factors among a stratified random sample of 205 reservation and 196 urban American Indian youth living in Southwestern United States. The data were collected in 2001. Successfully functioning youth were friends with fewer alcohol and drug using peers (r=-.47, p<.0001), reported fewer negative neighborhood influences (r=-.33, p<.0001) and stressful events (r=-.37, p<.0001), were less likely to be physically or sexually abused (t=7.68, p<.0001), and reported higher satisfaction with their families (r=.34, p<.0001). Our findings provide important information for the planning and development of programs that strengthen youth in their growth, development, and ultimate outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Adolescents, American Indians

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Best Practices: American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA