Protective factors of native youth: findings from a self-report survey in rural Alaska

• Published in: Journal of youth studies 2016-03, Vol.19 (3), p.358-373
• Main Authors: Wexler, Lisa M., Dam, Hang T., Silvius, Katie, Mazziotti, Janet, Bamikole, Ife
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: American Indian/Alaska Native; assets; Community size; Cross cultural studies; Cultural activities; Cultural values; Ethics; Family relations; Females; Indigenous peoples; Likert scale; Older people; Participation; Peer relationships; positive youth development; Protective factors; Residence; Responsibility; Rural areas; Rural communities; Rural youth; Self report; Sexes; Social response; Sociocultural factors; Youth culture
• ISSN: 1367-6261; 1469-9680
• DOI: 10.1080/13676261.2015.1072616

This study investigates the perceived internal and external assets of indigenous youth and assesses how different protective variables relate to gender, age, and community size. A cross-sectional design captured self-report, protective-factor data from pre-adolescent and adolescent youth living in a rural region of Alaska in 2010. The convenient sample included youth aged 10-20 who were recruited by their peers in their small, rural communities. The 50-item survey utilized a 4-point Likert scale to measure the following concepts: responsibility, peers and family relations, community engagement, and importance of and participation in traditional culture. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and correlations), Chi-squared test, and factor analysis. The 355 surveys were balanced for gender, age, and residence. Factor analysis produced six factors: internal assets, family, community, peer, culture, and moral responsibility (KMO = 0.903; χ 2 (496) = 4226.575, p = 0.000). Youth surveys emphasized protective factors, with negative responses only pertaining to community engagement. Youth valued their traditional culture, but a large portion did not have regular access to participating in cultural activities. Females and younger participants reported more extensive support and sense of self determinism than male and older participants.