@article{ref1,
title="Unveiling an 'invisible population': health, substance use, sexual behavior, culture, and discrimination among urban American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents in California",
journal="Ethnicity and health",
year="2019",
author="D'Amico, Elizabeth J. and Dickerson, Daniel L. and Brown, Ryan A. and Klein, David J. and Agniel, Denis and Johnson, Carrie",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="1-18",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: There are limited public health data on urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, particularly adolescents. The current study attempted to address gaps by providing descriptive information on experiences of urban AI/AN adolescents across northern, central, and southern California. <br><br>DESIGN: We describe demographics and several behavioral health and cultural domains, including: alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, risky sexual behavior, mental and physical health, discrimination experiences, involvement in traditional practices, and cultural pride and belonging. We recruited 185 urban AI/AN adolescents across northern, central, and southern California from 2014 to 2017 who completed a baseline survey as part of a randomized controlled intervention trial. <br><br>RESULTS: Average age was 15.6 years; 51% female; 59% of adolescents that indicated AI/AN descent also endorsed another race or ethnicity. Rates of AOD use in this urban AI/AN sample were similar to rates for Monitoring the Future. About one-third of adolescents reported ever having sexual intercourse, with 15% reporting using alcohol or drugs before sex. Most reported good mental and physical health. Most urban AI/AN adolescents participated in traditional practices, such as attending Pow Wows and learning their tribal history. Adolescents also reported discrimination experiences, including being a victim of racial slurs and discrimination by law enforcement. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a select sample of California urban AI/AN adolescents across several behavioral health and cultural domains. Although these adolescents reported numerous discrimination experiences and other stressors, findings suggest that this sample of urban AI/AN teens may be particularly resilient with regard to behavioral health.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1355-7858",
doi="10.1080/13557858.2018.1562054",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2018.1562054"
}