title: Identifying sexual health protective factors among Northern Plains American Indian youth: An ecological approach utilizing multiple perspectives.
abstract: This study examined aspects of the sociocultural context in which American Indian (AI) teen pregnancy occurs, focusing specifically on protective factors for Northern Plains AI youth. Principles of community-based participatory research guided the qualitative data collection from 185 community members (focus groups with AI youth, youth parents, and elders; interviews with health care providers and school personnel) from a reservation and an urban community. Results indicated three protective systems impacted the sexual health and behaviors of AI youth: school, family, and enculturation. These findings provide a better understanding of how specific protective factors within these systems may buffer AI youth from involvement in risky sexual behaviors and work to inform culturally relevant prevention and intervention efforts.
authors.forename: Emily R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Griese
authors.forename: DenYelle Baete
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.forename: Tracey R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D004463:Ecology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000208:ethnology*; D015205:Northwestern United States / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000208:ethnology*; D065840:Protective Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*