Psychological Distress among the Cree of James Bay

Abstract

The object of this study was to identify potential risk and protective factors associated with psychological distress among the Cree of James Bay, through a secondary analysis of data on 1136 Cree (aged 15-85) from a random general population health survey in 1991. In multiple linear distress in the past week included: younger age, female gender, early loss of a parent or close relative, more life events in the year before the survey, a Downloaded from serious illness or drinking problem in the past year, ever having used cannabis, having more than elementary education, having fewer than five close friends/relatives and residing in an isolated or inland region. Having a good relationship with others in the community and spending more time in the bush were both associated with less distress. The relative importance of these factors varied across age/gender cohorts. We conclude that gender and generational differences should be considered when planning mental health promotion strategies for this population. In addition to more conventional approaches to reduce alcohol abuse, improve coping with loss and increase social support, targeted programs should be developed addressing the impact of education and role strain for women.

Life Satisfaction among Aboriginal Peoples in the Canadian Prairies: Evidence from the Equality, Security and Community Survey

“…This is consistent with literature that suggests that family (both immediate and extended) and community are central aspects of Aboriginal lifestyle and identity (Castellano, 2002;Chandler & Lalonde, 1998). Also indicative of the importance of social support to well-being: In a study of psychological distress on the James Bay Cree, Kirmayer et al (2000) found that having fewer than five close friends was significantly associated with a higher level of psychological distress.…”

“…Below, we refer specifically to Chandler and Lalonde (1998), who looked at suicide rates among Aboriginal groups in British Columbia; Kirmayer, Boothroyd, Tanner, Adelson, and Robinson (2000), who examined the determinants of psychological distress among the Cree of James Bay using an index created by Santé Québec; Whitbeck, McMorris, Hoyt, Stubben, and LaFromboise (2002), who looked at depressive symptoms among American Indians in the upper Midwest; and Wingert (2010), who used the Community Well-Being Index and individual scores on the Psychological Well-Being Manifestation Scale as indicators of well-being.…”

Racial discrimination and depression among on-reserve First Nations people in rural Saskatchewan

“…26,27 The relationship between gender, depression and related symptomatology is likely a result of a complex interplay of social, economic, psychological and biological factors, including gender-role-related differences in help-seeking behaviour and expressions of distress. 28 Indigenous women's social and economic disadvantage relative to Indigenous men has been recognized and causally linked to the denigration of gender-egalitarian Indigenous culture following colonization.…”

Plasman-3 fatty acids and psychological distress in aboriginal Cree Indians (Canada)

“…Scores range from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. Internal consistency of the scale within Cree respondents was found to be satisfactory (Cronbach's a 5 0?94) (34) . As in the 1987 Santé-Québec master survey (40) , a high level of PD was defined by any score above the 80th percentile of the index distribution observed in the Cree.…”

“…n-3 LC PUFA may also exert other influences on brain biochemistry, such as membrane structure and fluidity; enzyme, receptor, ion channel, second messenger and blood-brain barrier functions; and increase cerebral blood flow (20,32,33) . Different risk and protective factors of mental health have been identified among the James Bay Cree (34) . However, the role of their traditional diet has received scant attention with regard to mental health.…”