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Comparative Study
. 2017;24(2):1-17.
doi: 10.5820/aian.2402.2017.1.

A Comparison of Early Adolescent Behavioral Health Risks Among Urban American Indians/Alaska Natives and their Peers

Kelly Serfaini, Dennis M Donovan, Dennis C Wendt, Brandon Matsumiya, Carolyn A McCarty
Comparative Study

A Comparison of Early Adolescent Behavioral Health Risks Among Urban American Indians/Alaska Natives and their Peers

Kelly Serfaini et al. Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res. 2017.

Abstract

We sought to examine behavioral health indicators for an early adolescent population of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) within an urban setting in Washington State. We conducted secondary data analyses from a randomized clinical trial implemented in local middle schools that compared AI/ANs (n = 43), non-Hispanic Whites (n = 620), and other racial/ethnic minority youth (n = 527) across a variety of behavioral health risks. AI/AN youth reported significantly more depressive symptoms than other racial/ethnic minorities as well as non-Hispanic Whites. They also reported more discrimination, more generalized anxiety, and were more likely to have initiated substance use, in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites. Psychosocial screening and early intervention are critically needed for AI/AN youth.

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