Sexual risk behaviors and the legacy of colonial violence among Northern plains American Indian youth: A mixed methods exploratory study

Anastario, Michael; Firemoon, Paula; Rink, Elizabeth

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113120

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…This study, including the recruitment of participants and research presented herein, builds upon a 14-year partnership between tribal members and researchers affiliated with Montana State University (MSU), as previously described [124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132]. Briefly, this collaborative partnership utilizes a community based participatory research framework to combine Indigenous expertise in traditional knowledge, contemporary reservation culture, and local tribal resources with Westernized research skills in sexual and reproductive health research among tribal members.…”

Section: Ethics Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaginal microbiota of American Indian women and associations with measures of psychosocial stress

et al. 2021

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Molecular-bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by low levels of vaginal Lactobacillus species and is associated with higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Perceived psychosocial stress is associated with increased severity and persistence of infections, including STIs. American Indians have the highest rates of stress and high rates of STIs. The prevalence of molecular-BV among American Indian women is unknown. We sought to evaluate measures of psychosocial stress, such as historic loss (a multigenerational factor involving slavery, forced removal from one’s land, legally ratified race-based segregation, and contemporary discrimination) and their association with the vaginal microbiota and specific metabolites associated with BV, in 70 Northwestern Plains American Indian women. Demographics, perceived psychosocial stressors, sexual practices, and known BV risk factors were assessed using a modified version of the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project survey. Self-collected mid-vaginal swabs were profiled for bacterial composition by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolites quantified by targeted liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry. Sixty-six percent of the participants were classified as having molecular-BV, with the rest being either dominated by L. crispatus (10%) or L. iners (24%). High levels of lifetime trauma were associated with higher odds of having molecular-BV (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 2.5, 95% Credible Interval (CrI): 1.1–5.3). Measures of psychosocial stress, including historic loss and historic loss associated symptoms, were significantly associated with lifestyle and behavioral practices. Higher scores of lifetime trauma were associated with increased concentrations of spermine (aFC: 3.3, 95% CrI: 1.2–9.2). Historic loss associated symptoms and biogenic amines were the major correlates of molecular-BV. Historical loss associated symptoms and lifetime trauma are potentially important underlying factors associated with BV.

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Section: Ethics Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaginal microbiota of American Indian women and associations with measures of psychosocial stress

et al. 2021

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“…Alcohol and drug use have further been associated with increases in high-risk sexual behaviors in NA communities [ 6 ]. Recent research has highlighted the specific legacy of colonial violence—including the erosion of traditional practices, the introduction of alcohol, and the practice of boarding schools—that underlies these epidemiologic links [ 7 ]. As framed by the Indigenist Stress-Coping Model, NA values, spiritualities, and cultural practices promote the physical, social, and emotional health of NA people by buffering against these long-term effects of trauma and discrimination, including the dramatic disparities in physical and mental health [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empowering Our People: Syndemic Moderators and Effects of a Culturally Adapted, Evidence-Based Intervention for Sexual Risk Reduction among Native Americans with Binge Substance Use

Kemp

Chambers

Larzelere

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Native American (NA) communities are disproportionately affected by the intersecting, synergistic epidemics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and substance use. Targeted approaches to addressing these syndemics are critical given the relative scarcity of mental health and behavioral specialists in NA communities. We conducted a series of moderation analyses using data from a randomized controlled trial of the EMPWR (Educate, Motivate, Protect, Wellness, Respect) intervention for reducing sexual risk behaviors, culturally adapted for NA adults with recent binge substance use living on rural reservations. We considered several potential moderators and substance use and sexual risk outcomes at 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Three hundred and one people participated in the study. Age, marital status, educational attainment, employment, and depressive symptoms were differentially associated with intervention effects. EMPWR could be strengthened with the incorporation of additional skills-building related to condom use negotiation with casual partners. For individuals with lower educational attainment or without employment, additional supports and approaches to intervention may be needed. Importantly, this study did not identify intersecting sexual risk and substance use behaviors as moderators of EMPWR effectiveness, suggesting that NA adults with varying levels of risk behavior may be equally likely to benefit from this intervention.

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“…The historical trauma American Indian (AI) communities have experienced in the past has led to current devastating health consequences (Brave Heart, 2003; Pearson et al, 2019), including higher lifetime rates of posttraumatic stress disorder for AIs than non-AIs (Beals et al, 2005), higher rates of sexual assault for AI women than all other racial groups (Amnesty International, 2007), substance use disorders (Beals et al, 2013), significant sexual and reproductive health disparities compared to other groups in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018; Leston & Finkbonner, 2016), and disproportionately higher rates of infectious disease like COVID-19 (Hatcher et al, 2020), heart disease, and diabetes (Indian Health Service [IHS], 2019), and compared to all races in the United States, AIs and Alaska Natives (AN) have a life expectancy that is 5.5 years shorter (IHS, 2019). These poor health outcomes reflect patterns of structural violence against Indigenous people (Anastario et al, 2020; Brockie et al, 2015; Farmer et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indigenous standpoint theory as a theoretical framework for decolonizing social science health research with American Indian communities

Cox

Firemoon

Anastario

et al. 2021

AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples

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Theoretical frameworks rooted in Western knowledge claims utilized for public health research in the social sciences are not inclusive of American Indian communities. Developed by Indigenous researchers, Indigenous standpoint theory builds from and moves beyond Western theoretical frameworks. We argue that using Indigenous standpoint theory in partnership with American Indian communities works to decolonize research related to American Indian health in the social sciences and combats the effects of colonization in three ways. First, Indigenous standpoint theory aids in interpreting how the intersections unique to American Indians including the effects of colonization, tribal and other identities, and cultural context are linked to structural inequalities for American Indian communities. Second, Indigenous standpoint theory integrates Indigenous ways of knowing with Western research orientations and methodologies in a collaborative process that works to decolonize social science research for American Indians. Third, Indigenous standpoint theory promotes direct application of research benefits to American Indian communities.

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Sexual risk behaviors and the legacy of colonial violence among Northern plains American Indian youth: A mixed methods exploratory study

Cited by 16 publications

References 34 publications

Vaginal microbiota of American Indian women and associations with measures of psychosocial stress

Vaginal microbiota of American Indian women and associations with measures of psychosocial stress

Empowering Our People: Syndemic Moderators and Effects of a Culturally Adapted, Evidence-Based Intervention for Sexual Risk Reduction among Native Americans with Binge Substance Use

Indigenous standpoint theory as a theoretical framework for decolonizing social science health research with American Indian communities

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