title: Health-seeking behaviors of Native American Indians with persistent mental illness: completing the circle.
abstract: Nationally, disparity exists in the delivery of mental health services to minority groups, and an imperative exists that expects culturally responsive care. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to discover health-seeking practices used by Native American Indians (NAIs) with persistent mental illness (PMI). Eighteen interviews were examined using constant comparative analysis. Health-seeking practices emerged as two central categories: health engagement strategy and avoidant strategy. This research assists mental health caregivers in approaching the NAI with PMI in a culturally responsive manner by providing a NAI's perception of health and knowledge of their health-seeking behaviors/practices.
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota, College of Nursing,Grand Forks, ND 58203, USA. eleanor.yurkovich@email.und.edu
authors.forename: Eleanor E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Yurkovich
authors.forename: Izetta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hopkins Lattergrass
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rieke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult