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Journal of Prevention
Published in: Journal of Prevention 1-2/2017

01-04-2017 | Literature Review

Identifying Protective Factors to Promote Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Adolescents: A Literature Review

Authors: Michele Henson, Samantha Sabo, Aurora Trujillo, Nicolette Teufel-Shone

Published in: Journal of Prevention | Issue 1-2/2017

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Abstract

Exposure to protective factors, conditions that protect against the occurrence of an undesirable outcome or promote the occurrence of a desirable outcome within an adolescent’s environment, can foster healthy adolescent behaviors and reduce adult morbidity and mortality. Yet, little is known about the nature and effect of protective factors on the positive social and health outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) adolescents. We conducted a review of the literature to identify the protective factors associated with positive health outcomes among AIAN adolescents. We consulted Elsevier Science Direct, ERIC EBSCOhost, PubMed, and the Web of Science databases. A total of 3421 articles were encountered. Excluded publications were those that did not focus on AIAN adolescents (n = 3341), did not identify protective factors (n = 56), were not original research studies (n = 8), or were not written in the English language. We identified nine categories of protective factors positively associated with health and social outcomes, including: current and/or future aspirations, personal wellness, positive self-image, self-efficacy, non-familial connectedness, family connectedness, positive opportunities, positive social norms, and cultural connectedness. Such factors positively influenced adolescent alcohol, tobacco, and substance use; delinquent and violent behavior; emotional health including depression, suicide attempt; resilience; and academic success. Protective factors spanned multiple domains of the socio-ecological model. Strengths-based health promotion efforts that leverage local, innate protective factors and work with AIANs to create environments rich in protective factors are key to improving the health and wellbeing of AIAN adolescents.
Literature
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Metadata
Title
Identifying Protective Factors to Promote Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Adolescents: A Literature Review
Authors
Michele Henson
Samantha Sabo
Aurora Trujillo
Nicolette Teufel-Shone
Publication date
01-04-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Prevention / Issue 1-2/2017
Print ISSN: 2731-5533
Electronic ISSN: 2731-5541
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-016-0455-2

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