The relationship of selected demographic, socioeconomic status (SES), and psychological characteristics was examined in interviews with 176 Northern Plains American Indian mothers whose children were referred to diagnostic clinics for evaluation of developmental disabilities, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Thirty-nine mothers…

American Indian/Alaska Natives have high rates of alcohol-related arrests and are overrepresented in justice systems. To understand the relationship between alcohol dependence, treatment, and alcoholrelated incarceration, this study queried American Indian/Alaska Natives currently in remission from alcohol dependence. Participants reported…

Explores the relationship between alcohol use prior to suicide among American Indian decedents in New Mexico for the years 1980 through 1998. Alcohol was detected in 69% of all suicides of American Indians with some variance by major tribal cultural groups. This is higher than in suicides among the overall New Mexico population (44.3%). (Contains…

Presents bibliography on suicide and self-destruction among American Indians and the native peoples of Alaska. Claims this area of knowledge has been characterized by rapid growth in last 20 years. Lists existing sources of 160 items with brief documentation of trends in literature. (Author/ABL)

The 114 physicians working for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service (IHS) in June 1976 were surveyed to determine what attracted and retained physicians to the Navajo area. Of the 114 questionnaires mailed, 90 were returned. Designed to obtain data on the physician's background, choice of location, and satisfaction with both community and work…

Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the leading health problems among American Indian communities. Public policy options that address these problems include controlling the supply of alcoholic beverages; shaping drinking practices directly; or reducing physical and social environmental risks. Discusses alcohol-related death rates and community…

Discusses rates, characteristics, and causes of suicide among young Native Americans. Compares suicide statistics of several tribes with those of the overall U.S. population. Analyzes suicide attempts and other self-destructive behavior. Describes problems faced by Indian adolescents and offers some solutions. (SO)

A random review of medical and mental health charts at Indian Health Service (IHS) units serving New Mexico and southern Colorado revealed that 21 percent of individuals using IHS services during a 10-year period came at least once for alcohol or mental health problems. Contains 37 references. (SV)

Summarizes evidence supporting and refuting myths and common beliefs about alcohol abuse among American Indians. Discusses the prevalence of drinking and alcoholism among Indians, alcohol metabolism, drinking styles, alcohol-related deaths, uncritical use of statistics, alcohol-related child abuse and neglect, sex differences, fetal alcohol…

Examines adolescent and young adult suicides, suicide attempts, and self-destructive behavior among the general population, American Indians, and Indians of New Mexico. Describes prevention and intervention efforts undertaken to lower suicide rates on one reservation. Contains 30 references. (SV)

The quantity, frequency, and variability of alcohol and other substance use is described in a random sample of 1,436 enrolled members of four tribes from the northern United States. Overall, males begin regular drinking at an earlier age than do females (17 vs. 18.1 years), and more males drink alcohol than females (70.7% to 60.4%). There are some…

Describes a new attitude toward social science research on Alaska Natives' and American Indians' problems resulting from growing tribal appreciation of the usefulness of research, increased academic and professional training of Natives, more researchers with long-term working relationships with tribal groups, federal research funding requirements,…

Reviews a book that follows an in-depth longitudinal study of Navajos' drinking patterns across the adult life cycle. Findings on survival patterns and the shift from drinking to abstention among men and women in 3 cultural environments are discussed in light of the author's 30-year research experience on this topic. (SV)

The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Project of the Indian Health Service was designed to identify existing cases of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome among the American Indian tribes (Navajo, Apache, Ute and 19 Pueblo Tribes) in the Southwest, establish a referral system to identify these children for treatment, estimate the prevalence of the problem, and work…

A review of research on prevention of alcohol abuse among American Indians found that they experience many alcohol-related health problems. Indians have earlier age of first involvement with alcohol, more frequent drinking, and more negative consequences than non-Indians. Prevention programs must consider American Indian heterogeneity and cultural…