Chickasaw Native American adolescent mothers: Implications for early intervention practices

Twenty-four adolescent mothers completed a cultural identity questionnaire and met with an observer in their home to complete the HOME Scale. Analyses utilizing Pearson product moment correlation coefficients found a significant relationship between high identity with the Native American culture and lower scores on verbal responsivity and on provision of material goods. These findings were expected given the Chickasaw values of quietness, reservation, and few worldly possessions. This study illustrates why cultural sensitivity is important for training and in practice when providing community services, such as early intervention. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.