Interviews with 94 adolescents and 141 adults aged 55-70 on 6 northern Minnesota reservations revealed that the average amount of time American Indian adolescents spent with parents or elders had declined from 62 hours per week in the 1930s to 12.5 hours per week in the 1980s. (SV)

Based on a self-report survey conducted on a large American Indian reservation, an estimated $8.3 million is spent annually on drugs and alcohol by reservation adolescents nationwide. This includes an estimated $2.8 million for alcohol and $4.5 million for marijuana. Contains 15 references. (SV)

Examines the suicide epidemic on Wind River Reservation during August and September 1985, which produced 12 suicide deaths and 88 verifiable attempts or threats, mainly among teenagers and young adults. Describes immediate responses and longterm prevention efforts of the reservation Behavior Health Program, government agencies, and tribal groups.…

Reports on the experiences of 22 service providers with 181 mentally ill reservation American Indians who would have required civil commitment to obtain appropriate psychiatric care. Compares the commitment procedures developed by five tribal governments, and discusses social and legal issues. Contains five references. (SV)

Describes a systematic evaluation of symptom patterns among 86 depressed patients from three American Indian tribal cultures. Concludes that patients from all tribal groups exhibit a core depressive syndrome existing in three distinct, culturally influenced constellations. Contains 21 references and five data tables. (SV)

Among 94 Ojibway adolescents, those with a history of delinquency or court adjudication were less likely to spend time with their families and were more likely to report dysfunctional family situations and negative feelings toward family. Recommendations are presented for family support and skills development in reservation communities. (SV)

Since 1968, the Yavapai community at Fort McDowell, Arizona, has been threatened with relocation because of proposed dam construction. Severe psychological distress (demoralization) and high use of medical services were found among 79 adults surveyed, for whom relocation was as distressing as a loved one's death. Contains 68 references. (SV)

Reconstructs a picture of aggressive behavior in one tribe's prereservation days and relates it to tribal members' current behavior. Presents a Freudian analysis of the roles of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and casual child-rearing practices in the development of aggression, and discusses behavioral manifestations of suppressed aggression. (SV)

Of 1,155 American Indian children with behavioral or emotional problems or with a history of abuse or neglect, 67 percent were identified in the survey as abused or neglected. Thirteen tables detail frequency of abuse and neglect by age, sex, living situation, psychiatric symptoms, drug use, school expulsion or running away, and other factors.…

Overall drug use by Indian and non-Indian youth increased from 1975 to the early 1980s, then declined. Indian youth were consistently more involved with drugs than were non-Indians. Longitudinal data suggest a recent decline in drug use resulting from moderate users shifting to nonuse, but not heavy users. (SV)

A study examining the links between cultural orientation and substance use surveyed 2,449 American Indians from 9 South Dakota reservations. After controlling for age, gender, education, and employment, biculturalism and low orientation to American Indian culture were associated with higher levels of alcohol abuse but were not correlated with drug…

Reports on cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural factors that differentiate between high and low academic achievers among 30 elementary Indian children. Suggests that the high achiever strongly identifies with the aims of education, and comes from a stable, somewhat acculturated, English-speaking family. Contains 11 references. (SV)

Compared to non-Indian peers, reservation American Indian adolescents (ages 12-19) displayed greater frequency of gambling involvements, earlier onset of gambling experiences, and greater tendency to exhibit problematic gambling behaviors. Indian adolescents may be at greater risk due to socioeconomic status, cultural issues, increased exposure to…

Surveys of reservation and nonreservation American Indians and Anglo-Americans in grades 8 and 12 examined perceptions about availability of alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs; beliefs about whether occasional or regular use of alcohol or various drugs would cause harm; and intentions concerning future drug use. (SV)

Using the 1988-90 American Drug and Alcohol Survey data, compares drug use (lifetime and 30-day prevalence) among reservation and nonreservation American Indians and non-Indians in grades 8 and 12 in 1988-90. Found highest rates of drug use (marijuana, cocaine, crack, stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens, and other drugs), alcohol use, and smoking…