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Boarding School Attendance and Physical Health Status of Northern Plains Tribes

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Abstract

Our hypothesis was that boarding school attendance among Northern Plains tribal members was associated with lower self-reported physical health status controlling for demographic, socioeconomic variables, the number of mental health and physical health problems. This secondary analysis used the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project data collected from 1997 to 1999. This analysis included (n = 1638) Northern Plains tribally enrolled members, aged 15–54, who lived on or within 20 miles of their reservations. Using linear regression and path analysis we examined the indirect, direct, and combine associations of boarding school attendance and physical health status. Results confirm boarding school attendance contributed indirectly (beta = −.83, CI = −1.33,-.33, p. ≤ .001) through number of physical health conditions to lower physical health status. Combined direct and indirect results (beta = −.39, CI = −1.20, .42) show American Indians who attended boarding school have lower physical health status (beta = −1.22, CI = −2.18,-.26, p. ≤ .01) than those who did not. The relationship of American Indian boarding school attendance and physical health status is complex with more than one path existing. We need to better understand the relationship of boarding school attendance and American Indian health, identify risk factors, and develop interventions for families and younger generations.

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Acknowledgements

The AI-SUPERPFP team includes Cecelia K. Big Crow, Dedra Buchwald, Buck Chambers, Michelle L. Christensen, Denise A. Dillard, Karen DuBray, Paula A. Espinoza, Candace M. Fleming, Ann Wilson Frederick, Joseph Gone, Diana Gurley, Lori L. Jervis, Shirlene M. Jim, Suzell A. Klein, Ellen M. Keane, Denise Lee, Spero Manson, Monica C. McNulty, Denise L. Middlebrook, Christina M. Mitchell, Laurie A. Moore, Tilda D. Nez, Ilena M. Norton, Douglas K. Novins, Theresa O’Nell, Heather D. Orton, Carlette J. Randall, Angela Sam, James H. Shore, Sylvia G. Simpson, Paul Spicer, Nancy Rumbaugh Whitesell, and Lorette L. Yazzie.

Contributions

Dr. Running Bear performed the literature search, completed the statistical analysis, and drafted sections of the manuscript. Drs. Beal and Kaufman assisted in the design of the study, selection of appropriate statistical analyses, and drafting and edited the manuscript. Dr. Manson assisted in the design of the study, assisted in obtaining the necessary human subjects approvals, and edited the manuscript. All authors contributed to and approved the final manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop F800, Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building, 13055 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Ursula Running Bear, Janette Beals, Carol E. Kaufman & Spero M. Manson

Authors
  1. Ursula Running Bear
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  2. Janette Beals
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  3. Carol E. Kaufman
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  4. Spero M. Manson
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Consortia

And the AI-SUPERPFP Team

  • Cecelia K. Big Crow
  • , Dedra Buchwald
  • , Buck Chambers
  • , Michelle L. Christensen
  • , Denise A. Dillard
  • , Karen DuBray
  • , Paula A. Espinoza
  • , Candace M. Fleming
  • , Ann Wilson Frederick
  • , Joseph Gone
  • , Diana Gurley
  • , Lori L. Jervis
  • , Shirlene M. Jim
  • , Suzell A. Klein
  • , Ellen M. Keane
  • , Denise Lee
  • , Spero Manson
  • , Monica C. McNulty
  • , Denise L. Middlebrook
  • , Christina M. Mitchell
  • , Laurie A. Moore
  • , Tilda D. Nez
  • , Ilena M. Norton
  • , Douglas K. Novins
  • , Theresa O’Nell
  • , Heather D. Orton
  • , Carlette J. Randall
  • , Angela Sam
  • , James H. Shore
  • , Sylvia G. Simpson
  • , Paul Spicer
  • , Nancy Rumbaugh Whitesell
  •  & Lorette L. Yazzie

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ursula Running Bear.

Ethics declarations

Research Involving Human Subjects

This was a secondary analysis and was determined non-human subjects by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review boards. We also obtained tribal research review approval through institutional review boards or tribal resolution.

Informed Consent

This was a secondary data analysis project. Informed consent was obtained for the original data collection.

Role of Funding Source

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities under Award Number U54MD008164 (Elliott). This project was also supported by NIMHD P60 MD000507 (SM Manson) and NIMH R01 MH48174 (SM Manson).

Conflict of Interest

Drs. Running Bear, Beals, Kaufman, and Manson have no actual or potential conflicts that could inappropriately influence their contribution to this manuscript.

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Running Bear, U., Beals, J., Kaufman, C.E. et al. Boarding School Attendance and Physical Health Status of Northern Plains Tribes. Applied Research Quality Life 13, 633–645 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-017-9549-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-017-9549-0

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