title: Mental health and substance abuse characteristics among a clinical sample of urban American Indian/Alaska native youths in a large California metropolitan area: a descriptive study.
abstract: This study analyzes descriptive data among a clinical sample of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youths receiving mental health services in a large California metropolitan area. Among 118 urban AI/AN youths, mood disorders (41.5%) and adjustment disorder (35.4%) were the most common mental health diagnoses. Alcohol (69.2%) and marijuana (50.0%) were the most commonly used substances. Witnessing domestic violence (84.2%) and living with someone who had a substance abuse problem (64.7%) were reported. The majority of patients demonstrated various behavior and emotional problems. Enhancing culturally relevant mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs for urban AI/AN youth is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. daniel.dickerson@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dickerson
authors.forename: Carrie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult