An analysis of mental health research with American Indian youth

A comprehensive search and review of literature, documents, publications and other material written since 1970, relevant to American Indian mental health research, was completed in order to generate a list of research and of training needs. A content analysis of this literature enabled a synthesis which describes important biopsychosocial issues faced by American Indian communities, gaps in past and current research efforts, specific problems in past research, and recommendations in each of these areas with regards to future research possibilities and needs. The portion of the analysis presented in this paper deals with American Indian infants, preschoolers, children and adolescents. In order of presentation, the specific issue domains dealt with include: otitis media, fetal alcohol syndrome, abuse and neglect, failure-to-thrive/autism/enuresis, which are examined together (early development) in terms of research gaps; and neurosensory disorders/developmental disabilities/handicapping conditions/school-related problems, foster care and adoption, self-concept/identity, conduct disorders/delinquency, drug and alcohol use, and suicide and depression, which are examined (school-age children and adolescents) in relation to research gaps and needs.