Reference: Brockie, T. N., Campbell, J. C., Dana-Sacco, G., Farley, J., Belcher, H. M. E., Kub, J., Nelson, K. E., Ivanich, J. D., Yang, L., Wallen, G., Wetsit, L., & Wilcox, H. C. (2022). Cultural Protection from Polysubstance Use Among Native American Adolescents and Young Adults. Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 23(7), 1287–1298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01373-5 Native American youth living on reservations are at high risk for substance abuse. Does communal mastery and tribal identity help protect them? Researchers investigated tribal culture on a Northern Plains reservation by analyzing data from 288 tribal members, ages 15 to 24, about alcohol and illicit drugs, binge drinking, and the frequency and types of substance use. They compared these factors to tribal identity and communal mastery, which involves coping with challenges and achieving goals by staying closely connected to family and friends. Results? Having a high school education, stronger tribal identify, and higher communal mastery lowered the chances of polysubstance use. Overall, the polysubstance use rate was 50% with drinking being the most common single substance use (66%). Kids who used substances before the age of 14 report the highest levels for inhalants (70%), alcohol (61%), marijuana (74%), methamphetamines (23%), and prescription drug misuse (23%). These findings speak to the importance of Native American culture as a key factor in protecting and helping reduce substance use on reservations in high-risk tribal adolescents. Teachers, tribal leaders, clinicians! Let’s integrate traditional cultural practices into substance use preventative intervention programs. Cultural connections can foster positive health outcomes in tribal youth!

Written by Kristin M. Harris, Ph.D.