Tribal youth victimization and delinquency: Analysis of Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey data.

Abstract

This study details ethnic disparities that exist between American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth and White, African American, and Hispanic/Latino youth based on secondary data analysis of Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey from surveys conducted in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Items were selected for secondary analysis based on their relevance to one of five categories including (a) Violence or delinquent behaviors, (b) substance use, (c) sexual behaviors, (d) experience of victimization, and (f) suicide-related behaviors. The analyses suggest that pervasive levels of disproportionality exist between AI/AN youth and youth of other race/ethnicities on an array of risk items. These differences are most profound between the AI/AN and White youth populations, but also exist in numerous areas between the AI/AN and both African American and Hispanic/Latino youth. The findings highlight elevated levels of victimization, drug use, and suicidal behaviors among AI/AN youth. These data must be filtered through the realities of growing up in Indian Country, and must include positive factors not identified in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey. Future research should focus not only on disparities, but on culturally appropriate interventions that have been successfully used to address the unique trauma experienced by youth living in AI/AN communities.

Aggressive delinquency among north American indigenous adolescents: Trajectories and predictors

“…In addition to substance use initiation, adolescents who were early daters were more likely to be in the two high aggression trajectory groups than the non-offender group. Prior research suggests that early dating is linked with greater delinquent peer involvement (Fidler et al, 2006), and that Indigenous youth engage in earlier sexual behavior (a proxy for early dating) than non-Indigenous youth (Pavkov et al, 2010). As such, early substance use and dating behavior may increase the perception and availability of antisocial attachments and opportunities to engage in aggressive behavior.…”

“…Thus, early dating experiences may be a precursor to a longer-term cumulative process linked with trajectories of aggressive behavior. National data from the Youth Behavior Risk Surveillance Survey (Pavkov, Travis, Fox, King, & Cross, 2010) suggests that Indigenous adolescents are more likely than non-Indigenous adolescents to engage in early (before the age of 14) sexual experiences (a proxy for early dating). Taken together with the extant literature on early dating and delinquency, early dating experiences may be a salient risk factor for aggression trajectories among Indigenous adolescents.…”

Advancing Suicide Prevention Research With Rural American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

“…12 Young AI/AN men-in particular those who are unemployed, do not complete schooling, or both-and those with a history of trauma are at greater risk for suicide attempts. 13---16 Compared with other ethnocultural groups, AI/AN youths have more severe problems with anxiety, victimization, substance abuse, and depression, 17,18 which may contribute to suicidality. Research has also linked perceived discrimination and acculturation stress with AI/AN suicide ideation.…”

Family and partner interpersonal violence among American Indians/Alaska Natives

“…Early annihilation efforts by the U.S. government, including warfare and purposeful spread of infectious diseases (DeBruyn et al 2001), were followed by assimilation efforts through placement of AI/AN children in boarding schools and urban relocation programs (Bell and Lim 2005; Brave Heart 1998). Assimilation efforts also may have led to loss of culture and traditions, resulting in increased prevalence of dysfunctional family life and mental disorders, which are additional risk factors for interpersonal violence (Brave Heart 1998; Duran et al 2009; Duran and Duran 1995; Pavkov et al 2010). In the case of boarding schools, traditional familial and parenting models were dissolved and replaced with institutional care, which often modeled negative behaviors, such as abuse and neglect.…”