背景:尽管有历史和当代的创伤,美洲印第安人和阿拉斯加原住民(AIAN;土著)社区对COVID-19大流行做出了反应。然而,AIAN经历了不成比例的感染率,住院治疗,死亡,减少预期寿命。学校关闭加剧了差距,导致学习损失,经济不稳定,和AIAN青年的心理健康挑战。
方法:SafeSchools项目队列研究采用了综合纵向收敛混合方法,整合基于社区的参与式研究原则。该研究招募了纳瓦霍民族的照顾者,他们的孩子有资格参加当地的预订学校。我们对2021年8月至2022年5月收集的护理人员自我报告基线数据进行了分析。
结果:共有242名护理人员完成了至少部分基线评估,并纳入数据分析。照顾者主要是女性(88.7%),非西班牙裔(97%),土著(97%)。大多数护理人员都在30多岁(平均年龄38岁),不同的教育背景和就业状况。儿童在男性和女性之间平均分配,并分布在不同年龄段。大多数儿童以各种形式在基线上上学,包括面对面,混合动力车,和仅在线设置。看护者报告了一系列的社会心理和行为风险,包括一般的精神困扰,抑郁症状,对自己和孩子的焦虑。此外,照顾者和儿童表现出各种保护因素,比如强烈的文化认同,弹性,和学业自我效能感。
结论:这项研究强调了参与的照顾者和儿童的心理健康困扰率高于全国平均水平。尽管面临这些挑战,文化保护因素仍然很强,应该指导未来的危机应对工作。
BACKGROUND: Despite historical and contemporary trauma, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN; Indigenous) communities responded with resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, AIANs experienced disproportionate rates of infection, hospitalization, death, and reduced life expectancy. School closures exacerbated disparities, leading to learning loss, economic instability, and mental health challenges among AIAN youth.
METHODS: The Project SafeSchools cohort study employed a comprehensive longitudinal convergent mixed-methods approach, integrating community-based participatory research principles. The study enrolled Navajo Nation caregivers whose children were eligible to attend local reservation-based schools. We conducted an analysis of caregiver self-report baseline data collected between August 2021 and May 2022.
RESULTS: A total of 242 caregivers completed at least part of the baseline assessment and were included in data analysis. Caregivers were primarily female (88.7%), non-Hispanic (97%), and Indigenous (97%). Most caregivers were in their late 30s (mean age 38), with varying educational backgrounds and employment statuses. Children were evenly split between males and females and distributed across different age groups. Most children attended school at baseline in various formats, including in-person, hybrid, and online-only settings. Caregivers reported a range of psychosocial and behavioral risks, including general mental distress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety for themselves and their children. Furthermore, caregivers and children exhibited various protective factors, such as strong cultural identity, resilience, and academic self-efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the higher rates of mental health distress among participating caregivers and children compared to national averages. Despite these challenges, cultural protective factors remained strong and should guide future crisis response efforts.