Social Work with American Indian Youth Using the Orthogonal Model of Cultural Identification

Abstract

Cultural traditions among American Indians are important strengths that have often been overlooked. This study tested orthogonal cultural-identification theory—the belief that it is possible simultaneously to identify with more than one culture and that identification with any culture has positive implications for health and social issues. Data were collected on the cultural identification and health status of 103 American Indian youth 8 to 12 years of age in the Northeastern United States. The finding that people can and do identify strongly with more than one culture supports the orthogonal model of cultural identification. However, the implications of cultural identification for health were less clear.