title: The tools to understand: community as co-researcher on culture-specific protective factors for Alaska Natives.
abstract: A collaborative research process engaging Alaska Native communities in the study of protective factors in Alaska Native sobriety and the design of a preventative intervention using its findings is described. Study 1 was discovery oriented qualitative research whose objectives were identification of protective factors and development of a heuristic model. Study 2 involved quantitative survey methods to develop and test ameasure of protective factors identified by the qualitative study. Empirical data from these studies is presented, and the role of Alaska Native co-researchers who did not possess specialist research training is described in the design and implementation of the study, interpretation of findings, and design of the intervention model and tools. Benefits that emerged from co-researcher involvement in this process, to the community and to the co-researchers themselves, are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6480, USA. Jim.Allen@uaf.edu
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Gerald V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Mohatt
authors.forename: S Michelle
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rasmus
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hazel
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000413:Alaska; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000379:methods*; D003256:Community Participation; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D004930:Inuit / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011593:Psychology, Social; D036301:Qualitative Research