title: Psychosocial barriers to health promotion in an American Indian population.
abstract: Northern Plains Indians (N = 200) completed the Indian Specific Health Risk Appraisal and measures assessing beliefs about risk factors and personal risk. Participants rated personal risk optimistically, judged their risk factor standing as superior to that of their peers, and neglected to consider risk factor standing when appraising personal risk. Moreover, participants were often not improving their standing on risk factors they considered relevant to their health. Such biases in health beliefs may prevent health interventions from being successful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lightdale
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oken
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Landrigan
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Welty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors