Demographic, Social, and Mental Health Aspects of American Indian and Alaska Native Adolescents in Hawai‘i

Abstract

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) constitute 2.2% of Hawai'i's population. Unfortunately, very little is known about the mental health of AI/AN youth in Hawai'i. The purpose of this study (N = 7,214; 1992-1996) was to describe AI/AN adolescents versus non-AI/AN youth regarding demographic, social, and mental health variables. The results suggested that AI/AN adolescents were more open to different types of social-emotional supports, had relatively more non-traditional families with a smaller social network, and may be more vulnerable to academic and health difficulties, with particular risk for mental health issues for mixed AI/AN-Native Hawaiians. Implications are discussed, including intervention, socio-political issues, and future research.