Indigenous Adolescents Research Articles

The Stigma of Wearing Hearing Aids in an Adolescent Aboriginal Population

The occurrence of otitis media (OM) and associated conductive hearing loss in rural and remote Aboriginal communities is extraordinarily high. Despite the increasing number of people experiencing difficulties with hearing, hearing aids are not being used to the extent that they should be given the magnitude of the hearing problem. This study explored whether a 'Hearing Aid Effect' (HAE) (negative stigma attached to the presence of a hearing aid) is a basis for the lack of amplification use. A sample of Northern Territory Indigenous adolescents boarding at high schools in Alice Springs participated and were asked to judge, using a purpose-designed attitude scale, 12 photo - graphs of male and female peers wearing a behind the ear hearing aid, or a bone conductor hearing aid or wearing no hearing aids. The results indicated that the more visible the hearing aid, the more negatively the adolescents viewed the individual. There was also a trend towards a response bias as a function of the gender of the hearing-aid user. Interestingly, it was found that a brief intervention explaining the benefits of hearing aids provided some desensitisation to the bias of the HAE indicated by reduced stigma in participants.

Childhood physical and sexual abuse: Prevalence and correlates among adolescents living in rural Taiwan

Objective The aims of this cross-sectional survey study were to examine the prevalence and correlates of childhood physical and sexual abuse in adolescents living in the rural areas of Taiwan. Method A sample of indigenous ( n = 756) and non-indigenous ( n = 928) adolescents was randomly selected from junior high schools in the rural areas of southern Taiwan. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data anonymously. The prevalence of childhood physical and sexual abuse was examined and their correlates were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 374 (22.2%) adolescents reported experience of physical abuse and 42 (2.5%) reported sexual abuse in their childhood. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the adolescents who perceived poor family function, frequent family conflicts and whose parents drank habitually were more likely to experience physical abuse. The adolescents who were indigenous and perceived frequent family conflicts were more likely to experience childhood sexual abuse. Further analyses indicated that indigenous boys had a higher risk of being the victims of sexual abuse than non-indigenous boys, while no difference was found between indigenous and non-indigenous girls. Conclusion The results remind clinical workers of the importance of taking abuse histories from adolescents on a routine basis, and this is especially important in the case of dysfunctional families. Practice implications Adolescents who live in rural areas have less social and medical resources for early detection and intervention of physical and sexual abuse. Correlates of physical and sexual abuse identified in this study may be helpful for the design and implementation of preventive intervention.

Avaliação antropométrica de adolescentes Kamayurá, povo indígena do Alto Xingu, Brasil Central (2000-2001)

Despite the proximity between indigenous groups in the Upper Xingu Region and Brazilian national society, studies have shown adequate weight-for-height and low height-for-age in indigenous children. Little is known about the nutritional status of indigenous adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of Kamayurá adolescents. Anthropometric variables were collected from a sample of 65 adolescents (31 males and 34 females). Mean height was lower than both that of the Brazilian National Survey on Health and Nutrition and the reference population of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. There was a high rate of overweight in both males (38.7%) and females (23.5%), and one female adolescent was obese (2.9%). No overweight adolescent presented both the triceps and subscapular skinfolds above the 90th percentile. There were no cases of nutritional deficit among either male or female adolescents. Despite the high prevalence of overweight, the nutritional status of these adolescents is adequate, since the group presents low adiposity.

Longitudinal Drinking Patterns in Indigenous Sami and Non-Indigenous Youth in Northern Norway

Drinking patterns among indigenous Sami andnon-Sami adolescents in northern Norway were explored. Longitudinal data were collected in 1994/95 among 2,950 high school students (RR: 85%) and in 1997/98 among 1,510 follow-ups (RR: 57%). Longitudinally, Sami had significantly lower drinking rates for all measures. An increase in 30-day drinkers occurred during the follow-up period: 23% in Sami and 19% in non-Sami. Sami reported higher paternal abstinence. Sami drank more often in public places. Sami reported more worries from friends and family about their drinking. The lower drinking rates in Sami relative to majority adolescents contrast with findings among indigenous peers elsewhere, but corresponds with the lower parental drinking rates.

Validation of a 24-h physical activity recall in indigenous and non-indigenous Australian adolescents

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity of a modified version of the widely used previous day physical activity recall (PDPAR-24) self-report instrument in a diverse sample of Australian adolescents comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (A&TSI) and non-indigenous high school students. A sample of 63 A&TSI and 59 non-indigenous high school students (N=122) from five public secondary schools participated in the study. Participants completed the PDPAR-24 after wearing a sealed electronic pedometer on the previous day. Significant positive correlations were observed between the self-reported physical activity variables (mean MET level, blocks of vigorous activity, and blocks of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) and 24-h step counts. Validity coefficients (rho) ranged from 0.29 to 0.34 (p<0.05). A significant inverse correlation was observed for self-reported screen time and 24-h step count (rho=-0.19, p<0.05). Correlations for A&TSI students were equal to or greater than those observed for non-indigenous students. The PDPAR-24 instrument is a quick, unobtrusive, and cost-effective assessment tool that would be useful for evaluating physical activity and sedentary behaviour in population-based studies.

Suicide attempts among indigenous Sami adolescents and majority peers in Arctic Norway: Prevalence and associated risk factors

The prevalence of suicide attempts and associated risk factors such as sociodemographic conditions, emotional/behavioural problems and parent–child relationships were examined among 591 indigenous Sami and 2100 majority adolescents in Arctic Norway. There were no significant ethnic differences in prevalence of suicide attempts. In both ethnic groups, suicidal ideation, anxious/depressed problems and eating behaviour problems were associated with suicide attempts. Cross-cultural differences in risk factors associated with suicide attempts existed. For Sami adolescents, factors diverging from the traditional cultural norms were associated with suicide attempts, such as alcohol intoxication, single-parent home and paternal overprotection ( p⩽.05). Vocational studies, not living together with parents, current smoking and experienced sexual intercourse were ethnic specific risk factors associated with suicide attempts among majority peers ( p⩽.05). Clinicians should take into account that risk factors can differ between ethnic groups and should be sensitive to culturally divergent behaviour.

Factors associated with alcohol consumption, problem drinking, and related consequences among high school students in Taiwan

This research evaluated the risk factors associated with alcohol consumption, problem drinking, and related consequences among high school students in Taiwan. A total of 779 10th grade students from four randomly selected high schools in eastern Taiwan were included in the survey. Survey data were self-reported by students and analyzed using logistic regression methods. The results showed that alcohol consumption and problem drinking was 2.22-2.71-fold greater in male than in female adolescents. Parents and peer groups were the determinants influencing alcohol consumption, and these influences could be enhanced particularly by the drinking behaviors of fathers and peer groups, and the relationship of students with their peer groups. The probability of developing adolescent problem drinking was fourfold greater in students whose fathers had habits of drinking. Ethnicity had a notable impact on the risk of problem drinking. The occurrence of problem drinking among indigenous adolescents was 2.98-fold higher than among Hans, indicating a diversity of biological factors, social norms, and expectation for alcohol drinking between these two ethnic groups. This study suggests that a policy for preventing alcohol abuse among high school students should start by addressing the two major associated problems: a need to earn peer group recognition, and the lack of family support among at-risk students.

Sociocultural Influences on Body Image Concerns and Body Change Strategies Among Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian Adolescent Girls and Boys

Sociocultural messages about the ideal body build have been studied predominantlyamong White adolescent girls. In the current study we examined the relationships between perceived sociocultural influences, body image concerns, and body change strategies among 47 (22 boys and 25 girls) Indigenous Australian adolescents. These relationships were compared to those from 47 non-Indigenous adolescents (predominantly from an Anglo-Saxon background), who were matched on gender, age, and school grade. Overall, the sociocultural influences were found to be associated with body image concerns and body change strategies among both cultural groups. The only exception was that the sociocultural influences were not associated with the Indigenous girls’ levels of body dissatisfaction or body image importance. These findings are discussed in relation to past studies of White and Black girls.

Body image importance and body dissatisfaction among Indigenous Australian adolescents

Despite their elevated risk of health problems and a propensity to be more overweight or underweight relative to the other members of the Australian population, there has been no previous investigation of body image concerns among Indigenous Australians. In this study we investigated the level of body image importance and body image dissatisfaction among 19 rural Indigenous adolescents (7 males, 12 females) and 28 urban Indigenous adolescents (15 males and 13 females). Our hypotheses that there would be gender differences in body image importance and body image satisfaction were not generally supported. However, males placed more importance on muscle size and strength than females, and rural participants placed more importance on weight than urban participants. Comparison to existing data obtained from Caucasian adolescents suggested that Indigenous youth may be less concerned and dissatisfied with body weight and shape. These results are discussed in relation to findings from studies of non-Indigenous adolescents, and Indigenous health issues. The limitations of the current study and the need for further studies are also discussed.

Health issues of aboriginal female adolescents in Taiwan.

The mortality rate and prevalence for some chronic diseases are higher for aborigines compared with the rest of the Taiwanese population. Health professionals in many countries have been concerned with the health of aborigines, but specific health policies for native adolescents have been neglected. This paper reports a study comparing the general health status of aborigines and non-aborigine female adolescents, based on school enrollment health examinations. A cross-sectional prevalence study with between group comparison was conducted. School enrollment health files were accessed between September 2000 and June 2001. A total of 320 selected female aboriginal students were compared with 237 non-aborigines. With the exception of eye problems, general health status was inferior for the aboriginal female adolescent students. They had lower mean red blood cell volumes, lower haemoglobin concentrations, more oral decay, a greater prevalence of hepatitis B virus carriers and were more likely to be overweight. It seems reasonable to suggest that health intervention strategies specific for indigenous adolescents should be provided. The design of these strategies should target lifestyle modification and provision of more accessible health information. Health professionals, and particularly nurses, are in a prime position to offer advice and support to this group.

Predictors of smoking behaviour among indigenous sami adolescents and non-indigenous peers in north Norway.

A study was undertaken to examine predictors of smoking behaviour among indigenous Sami adolescents and non-indigenous peers in North Norway, and to examine for ethnic-specific predictors. This is a cross-sectional and longitudinal school-based and postal questionnaire study initially including 2,718 10th to 12th grade students (response rate (RR): 85%) in 1994-95 (T1). At the three-year follow-up (T2), in 1997-98, 1,405 were included (RR: 57%). Indigenous Sami contributed 23% (599/324) of the total samples. Logistic regression was used to examine the influence of sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors on smoking behaviour. The proportions of regular smokers were 33% (729) and 35% (401) at T1 and T2, respectively, while 19% (153) had initiated current smoking during the study period. Substance use, externalizing problems, sexual activity and vocational training (p </= 0.01) predicted regular smoking both cross-sectionally and prospectively. Among non-smokers at T1, age and frequent alcohol intoxication predicted current smoking prospectively (p </= 0.01). Frequent intoxication predicted all stages of smoking (p </= 0.001). Ethnicity did not predict smoking in this study. Laestadian Christian affiliation increased the prevalence of experimental smoking at T1 but only for Sami students. Youth smoking behaviour was strongly associated with risk-taking behaviours, indicating that a broader focus on health-compromising behaviours in anti-smoking campaigns is needed. The findings indicate little need for culturally sensitive anti-smoking campaigns specially designed for indigenous Sami youth, as the main predictors (risk-taking behaviours) were similar across ethnic groups.

Acculturation Strategies and Ethnic Identity as Predictors of Behavior Problems in Arctic Minority Adolescents

To explore the effect of acculturation attitudes and ethnic and national identity on behavior problems in arctic minority adolescents in northern Norway. The Youth Self-Report, the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure, and acculturation strategies were completed by 581 indigenous Sami and 291 Kven high school students in 1994-1995, at age 15-18 years. Response rate was 85%. Behavior problems were in addition to ethnic/national identity and acculturation attitudes studied in relation to ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic status, parentage, ethnic language, and ethnic context. Although there were no ethnic group differences in behavior problems, the impact of ethnocultural predictors differed between ethnocultural and indigenous adolescents. Acculturation attitudes were most significant for indigenous adolescents' mental health, and identity issues showed the strongest impact on ethnocultural peers. The study revealed significant gender differences regarding the influence of ethnocultural factors, and contextual variation among Sami adolescents with the strongest impact in contexts with low density of Sami people. The significant ethnic group variations emphasize the importance of conducting both between- and within-group analysis on the impact of ethnocultural issues on behavior problems in minority adolescents.

The North Norwegian Youth Study: Cigarette Smoking among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents

Objectives: To examine ethnic and gender differences in the prevalence of cigarette smoking among indigenous Sami, ethnocultural Kven and majority Norwegian adolescents, and ethnic-specific gender differences in smoking. Design: 'The North Norwegian Youth Study' was a longitudinal epidemiological study. It collected data at two time points at a three-year interval (1994/95 and 1997/98). It was based on student self-reports (10-12th grade) from 21 state schools in North Norway. The initial analysis included 2997 students aged 15-19 years (response rate (RR): 85%) and 1533 responders at follow-up (RR: 55%). The sample consisted of 12% Kvens, 23% Sami and 65% Norwegians. Results: Baseline (follow-up) smoking rates were; 38% (35%) never smokers, 29% (29%) current regular smokers, 11% (12%) current irregular smokers and 23% (24%) former smokers. Ethnic differences in cigarette smoking were minor and found at baseline only. Sami students reported a lower proportion of current irregular smokers (8%) and a higher rate of former smokers (26%). Gender differences were most pronounced at baseline with females more involved in cigarette smoking than their male peers. However, males were more likely to be heavy smokers at both time points. Conclusions: Cigarette smoking among adolescents and young people in North Norway was generally independent of the ethnicity of the respondents. There were no ethnic differences in smoking rates at follow-up. Sami youth were not at higher risk of cigarette smoking than their non-indigenous peers. This finding contrasts with findings among other Arctic indigenous youth.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the indigenous children and adolescents of Far North Queensland (FNQ) Australia

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the indigenous children and adolescents of Far North Queensland (FNQ) Australia

Influence of Ethnic Factors on Behavior Problems in Indigenous Sami and Majority Norwegian Adolescents

To explore the relationship between behavior problems and ethnic factors in indigenous minority Sami and Norwegian majority adolescents in northern Norway. The Youth Self-Report (YSR) was completed by 249 Sami and 210 Norwegian students in junior high school, aged 13 to 16 years. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Behavior problems were assessed in relation to ethnicity and ethnic context (geographic region and family context). Rates of behavior problems (CBCL and YSR) were generally high in both ethnic groups and were highest among girls. Sami adolescents, particularly those living in assimilated ethnic communities, reported more behavior problems than Norwegian adolescents. Ethnic factors have significant impact on behavior problems in indigenous minority adolescents living in a multiethnic context.

Ethnic identity in aboriginal Sami adolescents: the impact of the family and the ethnic community context

The influence of parentage and ethnic community context on ethnic self-identification and ethnic attitudes and behaviour were examined in 245 indigenous Sami adolescents in northern Norway. Ethnic identity was strongly related to both parentage and type of ethnic community. Monoethnic adolescents at the coast (with great integration and assimilation) identified themselves mostly as bicultural or Norwegian, but in the highland (with strong ethnic support), they identified strongly as Samis. Adolescents with mixed parentage identified strongly as Norwegian at the coast but mostly as bicultural in the highland. Ethnic behaviour and attitudes were significantly associated with both family and regional context; ethnic self-identification was related to other components of ethnic identity.

The Bridging Role of Television in Immigrant Political Socialization

A survey of Korean-American immigrants in California compares television news with other socialization factors in the acquisition of knowledge about American politics. U. S. television news exposure ranks alongside the newspaper as a positive predictor of U.S. political learning for this sample of Korean immigrants and is more important than other predictors, including years of schooling. Among long-time U.S. residents and those with strong English language skills, the newspaper is the main predictor of political learning, as is the case in other studies of adult Americans. But for those who have been in the U.S. a short time and who lack skill in English, TV news is the stronger predictor for these immigrants, as it is in studies of indigenous American adolescents.