Enhancing sleep health in urban American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents: Implications for culturally tailored interventions

• Published in: Journal of adolescence (London, England.) England.), 2024-08, Vol.96 (6), p.1316-1327
• Main Authors: Dong, Lu, Brown, Ryan A., Palimaru, Alina I., D'Amico, Elizabeth J., Dickerson, Daniel L., Klein, David J, Johnson, Carrie L., Troxel, Wendy M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Alaska Natives; Alaska Natives - psychology; Alternative approaches; American Indians; Child; Community research; Community-Based Participatory Research; cultural interventions; Cultural sensitivity; electronics use; Female; Health behavior; Health education; Health planning; Humans; Indians, North American - psychology; Intervention; Male; Medical technology; Parent participation; parental involvement; Parents & parenting; Population growth; Protective factors; Relocation; Sleep; sleep health; Strategies; Teenagers; Trauma; urban AI/AN adolescents; Urban areas; Urban Population; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0140-1971; 1095-9254; 1095-9254
• DOI: 10.1002/jad.12350

Background Urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents are vulnerable to sleep and other health‐related disparities due to numerous social drivers, including historical trauma and relocation to urban areas. This study aims to identify strategies to increase protective factors and culturally tailor sleep health interventions for this population. Methods Using community‐based participatory research, the NAYSHAW study conducted in‐depth interviews with urban AI/AN adolescents aged 12–19 years to understand critical components needed for developing a culturally sensitive sleep health intervention. Data from two qualitative subsamples (N = 46) and parent surveys (N = 110) were analyzed, focusing on factors that affect sleep health behaviors, including parental involvement, technology, and traditional practices. Results Key findings include the detrimental impact of electronics use at night and protective effects of traditional practices on sleep. Parental involvement in sleep routines varied by adolescent's age. Adolescents desired sleep health education in interactive formats, whereas parents preferred workshops and digital applications for sleep health strategies. Findings suggest that interventions need to address electronics use and should also be culturally tailored to address the unique experiences of urban AI/AN adolescents. Conclusions Results underscore the importance of utilizing community‐based strategies to develop culturally tailored sleep interventions for underserved populations, specifically urban AI/AN adolescents. Integrating traditional practices with evidence‐based sleep health strategies can provide a holistic approach to improving sleep and overall well‐being. Parental education and involvement will be critical to the success of such interventions.