Citation

Walls ML, Whitesell NR, Barlow A, Sarche M. J. Ethn. Subst. Abuse 2019; 18(1): 129-149.

Affiliation

Colorado School of Public Health , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , Colorado.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15332640.2017.1310640

PMID

28441113

Abstract

Research is an important tool in addressing myriad American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) health disparities; however, tensions exist between common empirical measurement approaches that facilitate cross-cultural comparisons and measurement specificity that may be more valid locally and/or culturally appropriate. The tremendous diversity of AIAN communities, small population sizes of distinct AIAN cultural groups, and varying cultural contexts and worldviews should influence measurement decisions in health research. We provide a framework for guiding measurement in collaboration with AIAN communities using examples from substance abuse research for illustration. Our goal is to build upon ongoing efforts to advance measurement validity for AIAN research by engaging community-researcher partnerships and critical thinking in the selection, adaptation, creation, and implementation of measures.

Language: en

Keywords

American Indian; Native American; culture; measurement; research methods