title: Impact of disability and other physical health issues on academic outcomes among American Indian and Alaskan Native college students: an exploratory analysis.
abstract: This study investigated whether self-identified disabilities among American Indian and Alaskan Native college students impact academic performance and persistence to graduation and explored the differences in health and academic grades between American Indian and Alaskan Native students and students of other racial and ethnic identities using the National College Health Assessment. Findings indicate that American Indian or Alaskan Native students have significantly lower grades than White and Asian students, and American Indian and Alaskan Native women report the highest incidence of health problems of any demographic group. Exploratory results point to future research to determine the full impact of disabilities and poor health on academic success.
authors.affiliation: a Brown School , Washington University in St. Louis , St Louis , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Patterson Silver Wolf Adelv Unegv Waya
authors.affiliation: b Office of University Accreditation and Assessment , University at Buffalo , Buffalo , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vanzile-Tamsen
authors.affiliation: c Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: d Council for Social Work Education, Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indians , Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: Shanondora M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Billiot
authors.affiliation: e Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indians , Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tovar
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: American Indian/Alaskan Natives; academic achievement; college dropout; college retention; disability; health and wellness; student health